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    <fireside:genDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:21:15 -0500</fireside:genDate>
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    <title>Draw Near - Episodes Tagged with “Opinion Episode”</title>
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    <pubDate>Thu, 16 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
    <description>At Draw Near, we explore the beautiful truth that God, out of His deep and personal love for each of us, takes the first step to draw near. But this divine movement calls for a response—a response that shapes our lives and transforms our hearts. Together, we embark on this journey of faith, discovering the many ways God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit work within us.
Rooted in the Catholic faith, our podcast is a space where authenticity meets joy. We’re two best friends navigating life, family, and faith with honesty, humility, and a lot of love. Each episode is a heartfelt conversation—sometimes deep, sometimes lighthearted, but always real. We strive to be vulnerable, faithful, and passionate, sharing insights and stories to inspire you on your path toward Christ.
This is more than a podcast; it’s a shared journey toward sainthood. So come laugh with us, reflect with us, and grow with us as we Draw Near to God and one another. Let’s set out together on this adventure of faith, friendship, and grace.
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    <itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type>
    <itunes:subtitle>Helping each person to draw near to Christ and to one another. </itunes:subtitle>
    <itunes:author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</itunes:author>
    <itunes:summary>At Draw Near, we explore the beautiful truth that God, out of His deep and personal love for each of us, takes the first step to draw near. But this divine movement calls for a response—a response that shapes our lives and transforms our hearts. Together, we embark on this journey of faith, discovering the many ways God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit work within us.
Rooted in the Catholic faith, our podcast is a space where authenticity meets joy. We’re two best friends navigating life, family, and faith with honesty, humility, and a lot of love. Each episode is a heartfelt conversation—sometimes deep, sometimes lighthearted, but always real. We strive to be vulnerable, faithful, and passionate, sharing insights and stories to inspire you on your path toward Christ.
This is more than a podcast; it’s a shared journey toward sainthood. So come laugh with us, reflect with us, and grow with us as we Draw Near to God and one another. Let’s set out together on this adventure of faith, friendship, and grace.
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    <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
    <itunes:keywords>Faith; Christ; Podcast; Catholic; Friends; Draw Near</itunes:keywords>
    <itunes:owner>
      <itunes:name>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</itunes:name>
      <itunes:email>drawnear.me@gmail.com</itunes:email>
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<itunes:category text="Religion &amp; Spirituality">
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<itunes:category text="Religion &amp; Spirituality">
  <itunes:category text="Christianity"/>
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  <title>Hot Takes and Life Updates</title>
  <link>https://drawnear.fireside.fm/226</link>
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  <pubDate>Thu, 16 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
  <author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</author>
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  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>Hot takes, honest opinions, and a little real life... join us for a fun, off-the-cuff episode. We share personal updates, talk reality TV, social media habits, DIY projects, pet peeves, and more in this lighthearted Christian podcast conversation of Draw Near.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>1:08:52</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
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  <description>In this episode, we’re giving you a peek behind the curtain with real-life updates and our unfiltered takes on everything from reality shows and parish bingos to social media, smartphones, and DIY projects. We even get serious for a moment about how we use technology, faith, and the “thoughts and prayers” culture online.
If you’ve ever wondered what we’re like when the mics aren’t scripted—this one’s for you. Fun, honest, and a little unpredictable, this episode mixes laughter with reflection on living faith in everyday life.
Writing projects mentioned: 
"The Surrender Journal (https://www.drawnear.me/drawnearshop/p/the-surrender-journal)"
"Near to You: (https://www.drawnear.me/drawnearshop/p/near-to-you-a-10-date-marriage-retreat-at-home-pre-order)" Marriage retreat at home
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page (https://www.drawnear.me/booking)."
Click here (https://www.patreon.com/c/drawnear/membership) to become a patron! Patrons are essentially "sponsors" and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them. 
"Like" and follow us on Facebook! (https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara). Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fredandkara/)! 
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.  (https://www.drawnear.me/)
Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! 
Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp;amp; Kara Kardell 
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  <itunes:keywords>hot takes, life update, Christian podcast, faith and culture, social media, reality TV, church life, Catholic podcast, DIY, opinions, thoughts and prayers, pet peeves</itunes:keywords>
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    <![CDATA[<p>In this episode, we’re giving you a peek behind the curtain with real-life updates and our unfiltered takes on everything from reality shows and parish bingos to social media, smartphones, and DIY projects. We even get serious for a moment about how we use technology, faith, and the “thoughts and prayers” culture online.</p>

<p>If you’ve ever wondered what we’re like when the mics aren’t scripted—this one’s for you. Fun, honest, and a little unpredictable, this episode mixes laughter with reflection on living faith in everyday life.</p>

<p>Writing projects mentioned: <br>
&quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/drawnearshop/p/the-surrender-journal" rel="nofollow">The Surrender Journal</a>&quot;<br>
&quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/drawnearshop/p/near-to-you-a-10-date-marriage-retreat-at-home-pre-order" rel="nofollow">Near to You:</a>&quot; Marriage retreat at home</p>

<p>Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near &quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/booking" rel="nofollow">booking page</a>.&quot;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/drawnear/membership" rel="nofollow">Click here</a> to become a patron! Patrons are essentially &quot;sponsors&quot; and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them. <br>
&quot;Like&quot; and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Facebook!</a>. Follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fredandkara/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a>! </p>

<p>Who are &quot;Fred and Kara?&quot; Find out by visiting our <a href="https://www.drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">home page. </a></p>

<p>Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! </p>

<p>Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp; Kara Kardell</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/drawnear">Support Draw Near</a></p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>In this episode, we’re giving you a peek behind the curtain with real-life updates and our unfiltered takes on everything from reality shows and parish bingos to social media, smartphones, and DIY projects. We even get serious for a moment about how we use technology, faith, and the “thoughts and prayers” culture online.</p>

<p>If you’ve ever wondered what we’re like when the mics aren’t scripted—this one’s for you. Fun, honest, and a little unpredictable, this episode mixes laughter with reflection on living faith in everyday life.</p>

<p>Writing projects mentioned: <br>
&quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/drawnearshop/p/the-surrender-journal" rel="nofollow">The Surrender Journal</a>&quot;<br>
&quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/drawnearshop/p/near-to-you-a-10-date-marriage-retreat-at-home-pre-order" rel="nofollow">Near to You:</a>&quot; Marriage retreat at home</p>

<p>Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near &quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/booking" rel="nofollow">booking page</a>.&quot;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/drawnear/membership" rel="nofollow">Click here</a> to become a patron! Patrons are essentially &quot;sponsors&quot; and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them. <br>
&quot;Like&quot; and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Facebook!</a>. Follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fredandkara/" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a>! </p>

<p>Who are &quot;Fred and Kara?&quot; Find out by visiting our <a href="https://www.drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">home page. </a></p>

<p>Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! </p>

<p>Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp; Kara Kardell</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/drawnear">Support Draw Near</a></p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
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