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PODCAST

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.

What is prayer and how can we pray? How do I know if God is responding to my prayers? What does it mean to live a spiritual life? “The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.,” focuses on how people experience God in their prayer and their daily lives. The show combines practical wisdom with deep reflections from spiritual masters and well-known seekers, all tracing the mystery of God’s activity in their own lives. You can visit the show"s webpage at www.americamagazine.org/thespirituallife.

religion & spirituality christianity

All Episodes

50:42

Our human desire for God, with the Augustine scholar...

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/04/07

James Martin, S.J., is joined by James K.A. Smith on the “The Spiritual Life” podcast. Jamie is a leading scholar of St. Augustine, and a professor of philosophy at Calvin University. He’s written several books—including Desiring the Kingdom, You Are What You Love, On the Road with Saint Augustine, and his latest, Make Your Home in This Luminous Dark: Mysticism, Art, and the Path of Unknowing. Together, they chart the contours of St. Augustine’s life, spirituality, and theological patrimony in the

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45:02

Catholic and Anarchist: The Spiritual Wisdom of...

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/03/31

Editor-in-chief of Orbis Books, Robert Ellsberg cut his teeth as an editor of The Catholic Worker newspaper when he was just 20 years old. There he also traded literary notes with the great Catholic writer, activist and now “Servant of God,” Dorothy Day. On this episode of “The Spiritual Life,” Robert joins host James Martin, S.J., to share what he learned from Dorothy and his time at the Catholic Worker about ordinary holiness. Timecodes: 0:00 Spiritual improv at the Catholic Worker 1:15

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64:19

Kate Bowler on how to accompany those who are suffering

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/03/24

American culture often tries to emphasize “learning lessons” in the middle of suffering. For example, “Everything happens for a reason.” But Kate Bowler doesn’t think those “lessons” are coming from God; rather, God draws close to the brokenhearted and accompanies them. On this episode of “The Spiritual Life” podcast host James Martin, S.J. is joined by scholar of American religion history, Kate Bowler, who is also the creator of the popular podcast “Everything Happens” and the author of

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57:26

Jesuit musician Cristóbal Fones on praying with the Pope

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/03/17

Cristóbal Fones, SJ, is many things- a talented musician, a Jesuit and the international director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. He joins host James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to share how he learned to pray from a place of deep emotional connection and authenticity, and how, from his new post at the Vatican, he coordinates the prayer petitions for the Catholic church.Timecodes: 0:00 Why we pray with Cristóbal Fones 1:00 Understanding the morning offering and the

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49:39

Gregory Maguire’s spiritual journey–From a Catholic...

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/03/10

Long before he wrote “Wicked” Gregory Maguire has been weaving careful attention into his artistic pursuits and his prayer. He joins host James Martin, S.J. on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to talk about his spiritual journey, from a Catholic orphanage and formative education with religious sisters who helped him draw his first picture of God, to his current practice of seeing Jesus’ face on the margins. Timecodes 0:00 Introducing Gregory Maguire, author of “Wicked” 5:04 The tragic

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51:09

Kathleen Norris on treating spiritual dryness,...

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/03/03

New York Times bestselling writer, Kathleen Norris, joins host James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to share her experience with Benedictine monks, which formed the basis of her beloved book "The Cloister Walk," and to introduce her new book, "Rebecca Sue," a memoir about her younger sister who had a developmental disability. Kathleen retrieves spiritual wisdom from the ancient desert fathers and mothers on dealing with perennial psychological challenges, including jealousy, boredom,

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51:43

A Black, gay Catholic priest on living authentically

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/02/24

Fr. Bryan Massingale is a Black, openly gay priest, but not, in his own words, “a hybrid car,” that can be segmented into identity categories. Instead, he’s compound reality, a mystery made by God’s grace. Bryan joins host James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to talk about the values of authenticity and integrity in his life and ministry. Timecodes: 0:00 Bringing God’s love forth 2:38 Why Bryan’s race and sexuality are significant 5:36 Challenges of being a Black and gay Catholic

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51:24

Praying with the Bible during Lent

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/02/17

How can Scripture help deepen our prayer lives this Lent? The New Testament scholar Ben Witherington III joins host James Martin, S.J., to share his own paths of prayer- through scripture, music and poetry. Timecodes: 0:00 Who is Ben Witherington III? 3:40 What do scholars mean by the ‘historical Jesus’? 6:33 The last 7 words of Christ 7:57 Biblical roots of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving 11:10 Ben reclaims his faith and is called by God 17:30 Praying with the Bible and grief 33:20 Where

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50:56

"Help, Thanks, Wow": Three prayers that changed Anne...

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/02/10

Host James Martin, S.J., welcomes New York Times best-selling author and Christian convert, Anne Lamott, onto “The Spiritual Life” podcast.0:00 Who is Anne Lamott? 5:00 Welcome Anne Lamott 6:50 Synonyms for God 12:08 Anne’s leap of faith 22:38 How to find God when you’re struggling 29:22 What would Jesus do? 32:33 Anne’s daily spiritual practices 39:40 Praying “Help, Thanks, Wow” 42:00 Anne’s secret to good writing 45:15 Audience Question: How do you handle distractions during prayer? Read Fr

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50:01

Richard Rohr on God, brokenness and healing

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/02/03

Host James Martin, S.J., welcomes the Franciscan spiritual master and author, Richard Rohr O.F.M., onto “The Spiritual Life” podcast. They dig deep into:- The meaning of “The Universal Christ,” or the Christ of faith, who transcends time, place, and culture, and allows us to find God in all things. - Moving from a moral framework of sin and judgment to brokenness and healing - Richard’s contemplative practice of “holy gazing” Read Fr. Jim's spiritual advice article on this episode:

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45:10

The Catholic sister ministering to migrants at our...

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/01/27

Sister Norma Pimentel, M.J., the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, joins “The Spiritual Life” podcast to talk with host Fr. James Martin, S.J., about her four decades of ministry with migrants and refugees on the U.S.-Mexico border, in South Texas. Together, they discuss: - Sister Norma’s call to religious life, what prayer practices have sustained her over the years and the big boost she received from Pope Francis. - Misconceptions about migrants and refugees

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51:48

Cardinal Nemet’s practical advice for recovering from...

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/01/20

Sometime in his midlife, after becoming a priest and then a bishop, Cardinal Ladislav Nemet experienced a difficult period of burn-out. It took a community of family, friends and comrades in ministry to restore his spirits and sense of purpose, and now he has practical advice to share with anyone dealing with this kind of professional exhaustion. Cardinal Ladislav Nemet is the Archbishop of Belgrade, Serbia, and a member of the Society of the Divine Word. He was created a cardinal by Pope Francis

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56:13

The spiritual journey behind Sr. Helen Prejean’s...

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/01/13

Host James Martin, S.J., welcomes famed anti-death penalty advocate, Sister Helen Prejean, onto “The Spiritual Life” podcast. Their conversation spans:How Sister Helen first became a chaplain to a death-row inmate, Pat Sonnier, and then a leading advocate to abolish the death penalty Catholic teaching on the inviolable dignity of the human person and the true meaning of forgiveness Discerning what to say “yes” and “no” to in the spiritual life, with the help of Ignatian

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53:38

How to do a spiritual reset for 2026

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2026/01/01

On our debut episode of 2026 and the second season of “The Spiritual Life,” host James Martin, S.J., welcomes Trappist monk, poet and photographer, Br. Paul Quenon, onto the podcast. Br. Paul entered the Trappists in 1958 at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, where Thomas Merton was his novice master. Together they discuss:- What it was like to have Thomas Merton as a novice master - How a monastery can be like a montessori school, where playing with different elements and forms of prayer,

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65:51

Introducing: 'Hark! The Stories Behind Our Favorite...

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2025/12/10

Fr. Jim introduces this special episode on "The Coventry Carol" which is part of a new season of the podcast, "Hark! The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols," from America Magazine, the Jesuit Review (AmericaMagazine.org).Listen to more episodes including, "O Holy Night," "The Little Drummer Boy," and "Silent Night" on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify and at America Magazine: https://www.americamagazine.org/hark Episode description: Most Christmas carols celebrate the birth of Jesus. But not

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63:04

Brené Brown on Jesus and vulnerable spirituality

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2025/10/28

On our Season One finale of “The Spiritual Life” podcast, Host James Martin, S.J., welcomes the incomparable researcher and storyteller, Brené Brown.Brené is a research professor at the University of Houston, the author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers and the host of two award-winning podcasts. In 2024, she was named as the executive director of The Center for Daring Leadership at BetterUp. In this open and courageous conversation, they discuss: How Brené became Catholic as a child and

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69:36

Why you need a spiritual director

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2025/10/21

We’ve heard your questions about spiritual direction and have an episode that should answer (almost) all of them! To help us demystify the art of spiritual direction, host James Martin, S.J. speaks with Jesuit sociologist and trained spiritual director, Patrick Gilger, S.J., about:What spiritual direction is and what it is not What you can expect from a wise spiritual director How spiritual direction helped both Jim and Paddy deepen their relationship with God and dislodge barriers

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57:23

Br. Guy Consolmagno on praying as a scientist

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2025/10/14

Host James Martin, S.J., welcomes Br. Guy Consolmagno, a Jesuit brother, astronomer and the former director of the Vatican Observatory, to “The Spiritual Life” podcast. With a Ph.D. in planetary science, Br. Guy has spent his career studying meteorites and asteroids, exploring the origins of the solar system, authoring more than 250 scientific publications and making science accessible to the public. Br. Guy has written several books exploring faith and science issues, and his most recent book is,

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49:58

Adriana Trigiani on the spirituality of ‘showing up’

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2025/10/07

Host James Martin, S.J., welcomes bestselling author and award-winning playwright, TV writer/producer, and filmmaker, Adriana Trigiani onto “The Spiritual Life” podcast. Adriana is a New York Times bestselling author of twenty-one books of fiction and nonfiction. Her latest novel is The View From Lake Como. This big-hearted conversation spans:Adriana’s Italian-Catholic family roots Her personal connection to the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother How she encounters the Holy Spirit in

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56:53

A Trappist monk on how to stop judging others

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. ·

2025/09/30

Host James Martin, S.J., welcomes Fr. Isaac Slater, OCSO, a Trappist monk, poet, and author of “Do Not Judge Anyone: Desert Wisdom for a Polarized World” to “The Spiritual Life” podcast. This contemplative conversation includes: The positive effects silence can have on our prayer lives Why we judge other people and how to stop How to create an environment that is more conducive to prayer, without becoming a monk Link to Fr. Jim’s spiritual advice article on this episode:

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