Draw Near

By Fred Shellabarger and Kara KardellReligion & Spirituality Christianity Spirituality

Draw Near episodes

May 28, 2025 A Chosen People: Building the Kingdom of God
What does it mean to be a "living stone" in God's Church? How can we live as a royal priesthood, and build communities that truly reflect the love and unity of Christ?
In this episode, Fred explores the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter and unpacks our identity as chosen people—called not just to believe, but to build. Drawing from Acts, Revelation, and John’s Gospel, we’ll dive into what it means to be part of something eternal and radiant: the Kingdom of God.
🔹 Discover how God is building his Church through us
🔹 Learn what it means to offer spiritual sacrifices in daily life
🔹 Be inspired to live your faith with peace, purpose, and unity
Whether you're new to the faith or a lifelong disciple, this episode will challenge and encourage you to take your place in God’s spiritual house.
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here to become a patron! Patrons are essentially "sponsors" and co-producers or Draw Near as it could not happen without them.
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Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.
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 & Kara Kardell
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9 min
May 14, 2025 The Shepherd’s Voice: Trusting in God’s Guidance
How do we hear the voice of Jesus in a world full of noise, distraction, and doubt? And what does it mean to truly follow him—especially when the road is uncertain or difficult?
In this episode, we reflect on John 10 and Jesus’ words: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” We explore how to discern the voice of the Good Shepherd through prayer, silence, and Scripture—and we introduce insights from St. Ignatius of Loyola on the discernment of spirits to help you grow in spiritual clarity and trust. If you’re longing for peace, direction, or deeper intimacy with Christ, this conversation is for you.
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
43 min
April 30, 2025Surprised by Mercy
In this full-length episode of Draw Near, we return to the mic for a heartfelt conversation on one of the most essential themes of our faith—mercy.
What does it really mean to be merciful? Is mercy just forgiveness, or something more? And in a world full of division, anxiety, and wounds, how can God’s mercy truly heal us and flow through us to others?
Together, we explore:
How Scripture and the Catechism define mercy
The surprising ways we’ve experienced God’s mercy in our lives
Why mercy is essential to healing broken relationships—and how to live it
Practical ways to grow in compassion, patience, and forgiveness (including with ourselves)
Why mercy and truth must go hand-in-hand in today’s Church and culture
A powerful story about St. Francis and rebuilding the Church with love and mercy
What it means to show mercy without compromising truth
We also share personal stories of struggle, healing, and God’s never-ending patience, including a time of wrestling with anger toward God—and how mercy transformed it.
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
40 min
April 16, 2025 Unbind Him: Finding Resurrection in the Midst of the Cross
Is it possible to feel joy in the midst of sorrow? Can we call Holy Week happy even while meditating on the suffering of Jesus? In this short and heartfelt Holy Week reflection, Fred and Kara share a deeply personal and spiritually rich meditation on John 11—the raising of Lazarus.
Together, we explore what it means for Jesus to stand before our tombs and call us by name, how we’re invited into community to help “unbind” one another from the grave clothes of fear, shame, and sin, and how the resurrection is not just something we believe in—it’s something we’re called to live.
Whether you're walking through grief, wrestling with God's timing, or just longing for renewal, this episode is a companion for your journey toward Easter joy. You’ll also hear stories from our own lives, encouragement for your spiritual walk, and a Holy Week challenge to invite God into your deepest burdens.
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
24 min
April 02, 2025 Coming Home: A God Who Runs to Us
This week on Draw Near, we dive into one of the most beloved parables in all of Scripture—the Prodigal Son. But this time, we ask three questions that challenge us to look deeper:
How is God’s love different from the love we experience from others—or even from ourselves?
What does “coming home to the Father” look like in real life?
And how do we respond when grace feels... unfair?
With humor, vulnerability, and heart, we reflect on the extravagant mercy of God, the wounds we carry in how we love (and fail to love), and the real-life humility it takes to return home—again and again. Whether you relate most to the younger son, the older son, or the waiting father, there’s something here for you.
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
44 min
March 20, 2025 The Mountaintop Experience: Encountering Christ’s Glory
Have you ever had a powerful “mountaintop” moment in your faith—only to struggle when coming back to daily life? In this episode, we dive into the Transfiguration of Jesus (Luke 9:28-36) and explore:
How to seek moments of transformation in your spiritual life
What it means to carry the light of Christ into everyday struggles
The power of prayer to open our hearts to God’s transformative love
Lent is a season of renewal—don’t miss this episode that will challenge and inspire you to draw near to God in a deeper way!
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
26 min
March 13, 2025 Into the Desert: Overcoming Temptation
Lent isn’t just about giving things up—it’s about conversion, renewal, and drawing closer to Christ. In this episode, we dive into Jesus’ time in the desert (Luke 4:1-13) and what it teaches us about resisting temptation, deepening our faith, and embracing the call to holiness.
🔥 We also explore:
✔️ How The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis reveal the battle of temptation.
✔️ The distractions that sabotage our prayer life—and what to do about them.
✔️ For some reason, we talk about zombies and we share some news on some big changes coming in April!
Plus, practical ways to grow this Lent through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—not just as obligations, but as pathways to real transformation.
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
1 hr 5 min
February 18, 2025 The Cross Isn’t the End of the Story: Holding Onto Hope in Grief
What happens when you endure the Cross, but joy feels impossibly far away? In this episode, we explore the mystery of suffering, the hope of unseen joy, and the strength we find in Christ to carry us through life’s heaviest trials.
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
9 min
January 29, 2025 Roses from Heaven: In Loving Memory of Catherine Thérèse Shellabarger
Few knew that Fred and Krystal were expecting their seventh child. At 24 weeks, their beautiful daughter’s heartbeat could no longer be detected. On January 21, 2025, with heavy hearts, they said goodbye as Krystal delivered her in the hospital.
This episode is a tribute to Catherine’s life, an acknowledgment of the deep grief of losing a child, and a witness to the hope we hold in Christ.
Please keep the Shellabarger family in your prayers. If you would like to assist in the funeral and unexpected expenses, conside giving to this fundraiser set up for them by clicking THIS LINK.
As we honor Catherine, we also pray for all parents who have lost a child—whether in the womb, in infancy, or beyond. May God bring comfort and peace, and may our little saints in heaven continue to guide us with their love.
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
6 min
January 15, 2025Washed and Chosen: Living Out Our Baptismal Call
In this inspiring episode of Draw Near, we delve into the transformative power of our baptism and its enduring impact on our identity and mission as disciples of Christ.
**Theme: **Renewing Our Identity in Christ
Through meaningful reflection and practical insights, we explore the deep truth that each of us is a beloved child of God, uniquely called to live out our baptismal mission with purpose and joy.
Key Questions Answered:
How can we understand and embrace our identity as beloved children of God?
Discover how God’s unconditional love defines our worth, sets us free, and calls us to a life rooted in hope and purpose.
What role does baptism play in forming our mission and vocation?
Learn how baptism commissions us as missionary disciples, equipping us to live our faith in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life.
In a busy world, how can we renew our commitment to living as disciples?
Gain practical steps to cultivate prayer, prioritize the Eucharist, and reflect Christ’s love in everyday actions.
Why Listen?
This episode offers not only spiritual depth but also actionable ways to deepen your relationship with God in the midst of life’s busyness. You’ll be inspired to embrace your identity, rediscover your mission, and live as a light in the world.
Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page."
Click here 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!. Follow us on Instagram!
Who are "Fred and Kara?" Find out by visiting our home page.
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 & Kara Kardell
Support Draw Near
55 min

About Draw Near

From the publisher's feed

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…