Podcast
The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.
Hosted by America Media · EN
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.
45episodes
Episodes
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A spirituality of family life with Katie Prejean McGrady
3d ago00:54:19Summary readyRadio host and author, Katie Prejean McGrady joins host James Martin, S.J., to talk about the religious revival sweeping across America, how youth ministers can share eternal truths without falling prey to black-and-white thinking, and a spirituality of family life. Katie is an award-winning Catholic author, speaker and host of The Katie McGrady Show on SiriusXM’s The Catholic Channel. She also hosts a weekly podcast, Family Mass Prep on Hallow with her husband Tommy. Timecodes: 0:00 “Jesus is constantly surprising me” 5:20 Is there a religious revival happening for young people? 10:00 Avoiding the dangers of black and white thinking in youth ministry 14:22 Katie’s “big Catholic” upbringing 17:40 Making spiritual sense of suffering 22:00 Ignatian contemplation with Jesus 30:40 The spirituality of being a parent 39:12 How parents can get their kids to mass 46:06 Audience Question: How can I fully participate in the Catholic liturgy when I find myself at odds with Catholic teaching? Some of Katie’s books: Room 24: Adventures of a New Evangelist Follow: Your Lifelong Adventure with Jesus Read Fr. Jim's spiritual reflection on this episode Do you have a spiritual question for Father Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Robert George on how to disagree and remain spiritually grounded
1w ago00:57:24Summary readyThe American legal scholar and public intellectual, Professor Robert George, joins host James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to talk about the practice of dialogue in the church and society, as well as his own rich faith journey. Raised in the heart of Appalachia, West Virginia, by his Syrian Antiochian Orthodox father and Italian Catholic mother, Robert’s childhood was solidly rooted in faith and inspired by the moral heroism of his father. In addition to his extensive professional accomplishments, including as the sixth McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University, Professor George has long modeled civil dialogue with his friend and fellow interlocutor, Professor Cornel West. Timecodes: 0:00 Building trust for challenging conversations 5:27 Robert George’s Orthodox and Catholic “mixed” religious upbringing 9:14 The impact of a father’s relationship with God 13:45 Robert’s father’s act of heroism 22:28 What Jane Austen’s characters can teach us about God’s ways 24:30 Praying slowly with attention 35:15 How Robert’s dialogues with Dr. Cornel West began 45:20 You’ll only allow someone you trust to challenge your deeply held beliefs 48:12 Audience Question: How can we better respond to God’s calls for improving the world? Link to Father Jim’s spiritual advice column for this episode: https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/06/01/robert-george-james-martin-spiritual-life Some of Robert George’s books: Truth Matters: A Dialogue on Fruitful Disagreement in an Age of Division In Defense of Natural Law Making Men Moral: Civil Liberties and Public Morality Do you have a spiritual question for Father Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SummaryYunuen Trujillo’s ministry to migrants and L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics
2w ago00:54:26Summary readyAs a lay minister to L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics, a faith-based community organizer, and an immigration attorney, Yunuen Trujillo wears many hats. And as a member of these marginalized communities herself, she knows their struggles intimately. ”I feel that when we minister to immigrants or L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics, I'm ministering from a place of an open wound,” says Yuenen, “But it's a good thing because when you connect with your wound, then you're able to be hospitable to the wound of other people.” Yunuen joins host Fr. James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to share her journey of finding a loving and merciful God who walks with her in her fight for justice in many arenas. Timecodes: 0:00 Jesus teaches us about love through the parable of “the Good Samaritan” 3:17 Can I be gay and Catholic? 6:40 Yunuen’s intersectional vocation as an immigration attorney and lay Catholic minister 13:20 Yunuen’s spiritual resources for the daily battles 17:46 Navigating righteous anger without succumbing to rage 28:00 How Yunuen found a loving and merciful God 43:30 Being LGBTQ isn’t an ideology 46:34 Audience Question: How can you use prayer to help you look forward in life as opposed to revisiting old transgressions or wounds? Yunuen Trujillo’s books: LGBTQ Catholics: A Guide for Inclusive Ministry Católicos LGBTQ: Una Guía para Pastoral Inclusiva. Yunuen is the founder of @lgbtcatholics on Instagram Link to Father Jim’s spiritual advice article on this episode: Coming Soon Do you have a spiritual question for Father Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Actor Martin Sheen on the heroes that shaped his spirituality and activism
3w ago00:50:14Summary readyFrom country club caddy to the Catholic Worker to “The West Wing”, Martin Sheen has been on a long and fascinating spiritual journey. The Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actor and activist shares the major turning points in his faith with Fr. James Martin, S.J. on “The Spiritual Life” podcast. They talk about some of the most important influences in Sheen’s life, including the Jesuit activist Dan Berrigan and film-maker Terrence Malick, and how the Mass continues to nourish his faith. Timecodes: 0:00 How Martin Sheen’s faith was shaped by the Catholic Worker 2:00 Understanding the ploughshare movement 3:43 Discerning what activism our faith calls us to 6:50 Martin Sheen’s Catholic childhood 9:00 An epiphany in Paris and how Terrence Malick became a spiritual guide to Sheen 12:20 “Peacework must be as devotional as war” 22:30 Encountering community and solidarity at the Catholic Worker 32:25 Sheen is nourished by the mass 42:13 How Catholicism informed Sheen’s role of Pres. Josiah Bartlet on ‘The West Wing’ 45: Audience Question: How can working people today take a personal vow of poverty or overcome a consumer culture? Link to Father Jim’s spiritual advice article on this episode: https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/05/18/martin-sheen-spiritual-life-james-martin Do you have a spiritual question for Father Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Liza Colón-Zayas of "The Bear" speaks honestly about her struggles with faith
May 1200:44:38Summary readyIf you’ve watched “The Bear” you’ve seen the incredible talent of the Emmy award-winning supporting actress, Liza Colón-Zayas, who plays Tina. But you might not know that Liza has overcome great spiritual hardship on her journey to noterirty. She joins her friend and host of “The Spiritual Life” podcast Fr. James Martin, S.J. to talk about her Catholic upbringing, how she escaped a cult, persevered through the ups and downs of the entertainment industry, and where she finds hope in her ancestral roots today. 0:00 Faith at its best reflects social justice 2:15 Liza plays a Puerto Rican Mother Teresa 5:10 How Liza persevered in Hollywood 9:20 Liza’s early struggles with faith communities 14:09 Doing away with the “parole officer” image of God 22:45 A spiritual practice of breathing meditations and gratitude 25:37 The power of discovering ancestral roots 33:00 The Catholic church and sexual abuse 34:55 Dealing with success and imposter’s syndrome 36:34 Audience Question: Taking less money for a spiritually fulfilling job? Link to Father Jim’s spiritual advice article on this episode: ‘The Bear’ actress Liza Colón-Zayas’s spiritual journey—to agnosticism https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/05/11/liza-colon-zayas-spiritual-life/ Do you have a spiritual question for Father Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Cardinal “Ambo” David on blending biblical scholarship with Ignatian contemplation
May 500:41:17Summary readyIn this episode of The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J., Fr. Martin speaks with Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, Bishop of Kalookan, Philippines. Elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2024 by Pope Francis, the ministry of Cardinal “Ambo” has been marked by a deep solidarity with those on the margins, with whom he’s established 21 urban mission stations in poor communities affected by violence. With a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of Louvain, Cardinal Ambo shares his Ignatian approach of “reading between the lines of scripture,” without forgetting the very important “dots” we connect through biblical scholarship. Timecodes: 0:00 Prayer is necessary to survive 2:50 What’s an Ignatian approach towards scripture? 5:19 How Cardinal Ambo received his nickname and why he prefers it to “Your Eminence” 7:28 Cardinal Ambo’s early calling to the priesthood 14:05 Biblical scholarship establishes the dots, Ignatian Contemplation helps connect them 21:30 How studying Aramaic allows Cardinal Ambo to better understand Jesus 24:50 The urban mission stations that bring hope to the poor 30:40 What characterizes Filipino-Catholic spirituality? 32:30 Audience Question: How does Jesus’ resurrection change reality? Read Fr. Jim's article on Ignatian contemplation: Coming Soon Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How Andrew Sullivan experienced God amidst fear and agony
Apr 2800:54:33Summary readyJames Martin, S.J., speaks with Andrew Sullivan, the renowned political commentator and Catholic writer, about faith, identity and spiritual transformation in this deeply personal episode of “The Spiritual Life” podcast. Having struggled through the AIDS crisis of the 80s and 90s, Andrew opens up about the initial fear of gay people in the Catholic Church and the remarkable shift that he believes has taken place over the past few decades. Chapters 00:00 Who is Andrew Sullivan? 4:20 Homosexuality and the Catholic Church 11:14 State of the LGBTQ movement 15:35 How Pope Francis dispelled fear 21:38 God in the midst of agony 31:31 Andrew's turbulent Catholic life 41:04 Staying rooted spiritually 44:55 Reconciling personal experience in the church Links: Fr. Martin's spiritual advice column on this conversation: https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/04/27/james-martin-andrew-sullivan-spiritual-life “The Weekly Dish”: https://andrewsullivan.substack.com/ Virtually Normal: An Argument About Homosexuality: https://www.amazon.ca/Virtually-Normal-Argument-about-Homosexuality/dp/0679746145 Interview: Andrew Sullivan on being openly gay and Catholic by Thomas H. Stahel: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2022/11/10/vantage-point-america-andrew-sullivan-244119 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Cardinal Blase Cupich on how the Mass can change your life
Apr 2100:44:54Summary readyCardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, joins James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to talk about his vocation story, the spiritual power of the Mass, and the necessity of preaching the Gospel during tumultuous political times. Cardinal Cupich is the Archbishop of Chicago, one of three U.S. cardinals who currently runs a diocese, and is also a member of the Dicastery for Bishops. 00:00 Who is Cardinal Cupich? 2:32 Explaining Lectio Divina 5:33 Explaining the Liturgy of the Hours 8:17 Cardinal Cupich's vocation story 12:32 Prayer isn't just personal 19:40 How the Mass changes your life 25:48 The spiritual life of a bishop 29:12 Working with Pope Leo XIV 32:32 Being political vs. preaching the Gospel 37:00 Audience question: Why is Confession important? Links: Fr. Jim’s spiritual advice column on the Sacrament of Confession Cardinal Cupich's archdiocesan column Cardinal Cupich on retrieving the Consistent Ethic of Life Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Pádraig Ó Tuama on poetry, conflict resolution, and the Stations of the Cross
Apr 1400:57:20Summary readyThe poet and theologian, Pádraig Ó Tuama, joins James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to talk about how poetry and the Taizé community became a lifeline for Pádraig after he was subjected to multiple exorcisms, attempting to cast out his homosexuality as a form of conversion therapy. Pádraig is the host of On Being’s podcast, “Poetry Unbound,” and has published volumes of poetry, essays, a memoir and has written on theological topics. His books include: Being Here: Prayers for Curiosity, Justice, and Love Kitchen Hymns Timecodes: 0:00 What do you really want? 1:25 The conversion therapies inflicted upon Pádraig Ó Tuama 7:00 Pádraig’s younger years among the Catholic charismatic movement 11:24 How Pádraig accepted his homosexuality and renewed his faith 17:40 Coming out as a poet and being haunted by Emily Dickenson 25:44 Pádraig’s understanding of prayer 32:25 Practicing the Stations of the Cross 37:45 Required spiritual practices for reconciliation 43:20 How to deal with criticism 51:40 Audience Question: What practices can I bring from retreats into my daily life? Read Fr. Jim's article reflecting on poetry and prayer. Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Our human desire for God, with the Augustine scholar James K.A. Smith
Apr 700:50:42Summary readyJames 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 Church, along with Jamie’s own spiritual life. Timecodes: 0:00 Adopting a refugee spirituality 1:40 Introducing James K.A. Smith and Augustinian spirituality 6:39 Jamie meets God through his wife’s family 11:00 How St. Augustine became a spiritual lifeline for Jamie 13:30 A thumbnail sketch of St. Augustine’s life 19:10 “Everybody’s got a hungry heart” 30:40 Praying with the German mystic Meister Eckhart 33:46 Tracking your desires in the spiritual life 36:10 The relationship between Pope Leo XIV, the Augustianians, and Augustine45:15 Audience Question: How can we reconcile the "two churches" of today: a church that follows Jesus and a more "worldy church"? Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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