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.
Episodes
Greg Boyle, S.J. on compassion and kinship
Founder of Homeboy Industries and best-selling spiritual writer, Greg Boyle, S.J., joins James Martin S.J. on the season finale of “The Spiritual Life” podcast. They talk about who inspired Greg to join the Jesuits, where he goes for spiritual direction each morning, bringing a mystical lens to reading the Bible, and how the community at Homeboy, the world’s leading gang intervention rehabilitatio
Hasan Minhaj on Islam, comedy, and the spiritual life
Hasan Minhaj is “down to catch a blessing,” wherever that may be. The Emmy Award-winning comedian joins James Martin, S.J. on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to share his Muslim faith, how laughter helped to save his life, and his hopes for interreligious dialogue and prayer.
Timecodes:
0:00 How a traveling comedian looks to an ancient faith
4:11 Why laughter is important to the spiritual life
8
David Brooks on finding faith later in life
David Brooks is known as one of America’s leading public intellectuals, a longtime columnist for The New York Times and now a staff writer at The Atlantic. He joins James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to share how he went from a mostly cultural Jew, to a “Jew-y” Christian in the land of faith.
Timeline:
0:00 Traveling to the land of faith
6:20 Our social and political problems
A spirituality of family life with Katie Prejean McGrady
Radio 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
Robert George on how to disagree and remain spiritually grounded
The 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 ro
Yunuen Trujillo’s ministry to migrants and L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics
As 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 becaus
Actor Martin Sheen on the heroes that shaped his spirituality and activism
From 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 act
Liza Colón-Zayas of "The Bear" speaks honestly about her struggles with faith
If 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, persevere
Filipino Cardinal “Ambo” David on hearing God's voice in the Bible
In 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 vi
How Andrew Sullivan experienced God amidst fear and agony
James 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
Cardinal Blase Cupich on how the Mass can change your life
Cardinal 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 f
Pádraig Ó Tuama on poetry, conflict resolution, and the Stations of the Cross
The 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, es
Our human desire for God, with the Augustine scholar James K.A. Smith
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. Tog
Catholic and Anarchist: The Spiritual Wisdom of Dorothy Day
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 Catholi
Kate Bowler on how to accompany those who are suffering
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
Jesuit musician Cristóbal Fones on praying with the Pope
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.
Gregory Maguire’s spiritual journey–From a Catholic orphanage to ‘Wicked’-fame
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 ma
Kathleen Norris on treating spiritual dryness, jealousy, and bad thoughts
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 dese
A Black, gay Catholic priest on living authentically
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
Praying with the Bible during Lent
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
"Help, Thanks, Wow": Three prayers that changed Anne Lamott
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 s
Richard Rohr on God, brokenness and healing
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 contempl
The Catholic sister ministering to migrants at our border
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
Cardinal Nemet’s practical advice for recovering from burnout
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 Belgr
The spiritual journey behind Sr. Helen Prejean’s fight to end the death penalty
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
How to do a spiritual reset for 2026
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 mo
Introducing: 'Hark! The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols'
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.ameri
Brené Brown on Jesus and vulnerable spirituality
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.
Why you need a spiritual director
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
Ho
Br. Guy Consolmagno on praying as a scientist
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 pu
Adriana Trigiani on the spirituality of ‘showing up’
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
A Trappist monk on how to stop judging others
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
Mirabai Starr on mysticism for everyone
Host James Martin, S.J., explores the mystical dimensions of the spiritual life with Mirabai Starr, an award-winning author, contemporary translator of sacred literature, and world-renowned teacher of contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialogue.
They dive deep into:
- Daily practices that foster mystical experiences, including insights drawn from Mirabai’s latest book “Ordinary Mysticis
Catholic comedian Jim Gaffigan sometimes feels like a fraud
On “The Spiritual Life” podcast, James Martin, S.J., talks with comedian and actor Jim Gaffigan about telling jokes about the church and sometimes feeling like a fraud in the spiritual life.
Together, they talk about:
- Jim’s journey through agnosticism and back to the Catholic Church
- Feeling like a fraud and nurturing a healthy spiritual life
- What spiritual practices Jim turned to when hi
Cardinal Stephen Chow on being Christian in a Chinese culture
On “The Spiritual Life” podcast, Fr. James Martin, S.J., talks to fellow a Jesuit and synod delegate, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., who is the bishop of Hong Kong and was one of the 133 voting cardinals who elected Pope Leo XIV. He is renowned for his diplomacy and work fostering dialogue between the Catholic Church and China through educational outreach and cultural bridge-building.
Together, the
Fr. Ronald Rolheiser on priestly celibacy and the spirituality of sticking with it
“The Spiritual Life” host James Martin, S.J., talks with famed spiritual author and guide, Ron Rolheiser O.M.I., about:
Different habits of prayer, including discursive and centering prayer
Staying the course when your vocation feels boring or dry
What we have misunderstood about chastity and celibacy
Why praying relentlessly about your problems might not be spiritually wise
Spiritual wisdom from the youngest woman at the Vatican Synod, Julia Osęka
Host James Martin, S.J., talks with Julia Osęka, one of the youngest delegates at the Vatican Synod on Synodality which sought to increase participation in the Catholic Church. They reflect upon:
How Julia’s childhood faith that ‘checked all the boxes’ matured into a relational faith between herself, God and other people
Both the inspiration and challenges Julia felt as a young delegate
Ross Douthat on miracles, suffering and how to talk to atheists about religion
Host James Martin, S.J. welcomes New York Times Opinion columnist and host of the “Interesting Times” podcast Ross Douthat onto “The Spiritual Life” to talk about:
- The eclectic variety of religious experience Ross encountered as a child through his parents’ exploration of charismatic and Pentecostal communities and his family’s eventual conversion to Roman Catholicism.
- Ross’ five-year strug
Martin Scorsese on the priest who changed his life—and his films
Academy-Award winning filmmaker, Martin Scorsese, joins James Martin, S.J. to talk about:
Scorsese’s Catholic childhood against the backdrop of the mean, mafia-run streets of the Lower East Side, NYC, and the priest who guided him through it.
How spiritual themes naturally emerged in his acclaimed films.
Scorsese’s experience doing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and how t
How spiritual writer Sr. Joyce Rupp finds joy and freedom in getting older
The long-beloved spiritual writer Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S.M. joins Fr. James Martin, S.J. to "The Spiritual Life” podcast. They talk about:
- How to face the challenges of aging without harboring anger and bitterness
- The opportunities for interior freedom and delight that come with age
- How grief and loss changed the way Joyce prays
Some of our favorite books from Sr. Joyce Rupp’s:
Vessels of
A Caribbean archbishop on spiritual darkness, gang mediation and nurturing an "adult faith"
Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, discusses his journey of faith, from his Catholic upbringing in the Caribbean to his experiences with the charismatic renewal and his challenging call to the priesthood.
Together with Father James Martin he discusses:
- How to answer a call from God
- Paying attention and staying committed during periods of intense spiritua
Anthea Butler on intellectual Catholicism, evangelicalism and why the ‘prosperity gospel’ persists
“Spiritualizing” something usually makes it less concrete, less “real.” Not for Anthea Butler, the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought at the University of Pennsylvania. In this episode of “The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.,” Anthea shares her journey from Catholicism to Pentecostalism and back to Catholicism, crediting the Catholic Church’s rich intellectual tradi
Stephen Colbert on meeting the pope, being Catholic and the spirituality of humor
Stephen Colbert joins host Jim Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life”!
Colbert is well-known for his satirical comedy on The Colbert Report and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The conversation dives into:
- The personal tragedy that marked Colbert’s boyhood- losing his father and two brothers in a plane crash – and how his mother’s faith helped shape his spiritual perspective.
- The atheis
Mary Karr: ‘a black belt sinner’ loved by God
“The Spiritual Life” host James Martin, S.J., talks to Mary Karr, author of New York Times best-selling memoirs The Liars' Club, Cherry, and Lit, as well as the Art of Memoir, and five poetry collections, most recently Tropic of Squalor.
Mary Karr shares:
How her son and a humble parish priest impacted her conversion to the Catholic faith
Her experience doing the Spiritual Exercises o
Pete Buttigieg on Christianity, public life, and the spirituality of fatherhood
Pete Buttigieg – the 19th U.S. Secretary of Transportation and the 32nd mayor of South Bend, Indiana – joins host James Martin, S.J. on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to talk about his faith journey, including:
A high school Old Testament teacher who shaped Pete’s understanding of a faith that does justice
Pete’s appreciation of the liturgy and subsequent conversion to the Episcopal chu
Whoopi Goldberg's message for the pope
Host James Martin, S.J., welcomes the multi-award winning actress, Whoopi Goldberg, onto “The Spiritual Life” podcast. This wide-ranging conversation includes:
Whoopi’s Catholic childhood and how her faith has evolved
The influence of Pope John XXIII on her life
What Whoopi shared with Pope Francis about Black Catholics
Watch a video recording of this conversation on America
Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe on friendship, silence, and struggling with prayer
On the first episode of “The Spiritual Life,” Fr. James Martin, S.J., talks to Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., former Master General of the Dominican Order and a retreat leader for the Synod on Synodality.
Together, they talk about:
Dominican spirituality and prayer
Friendship with God and dialogue in the church
Cardinal Timothy’s spiritual insights from aging and recovering f
Coming Soon...
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 activ
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