Podcast Episodes

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 conte…

Published on 8 hours ago

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 o…

Published on 1 week ago

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…

Published on 2 weeks ago

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 cardina…

Published on 3 weeks ago

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

S…

Published on 1 month ago

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:

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

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…

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

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,…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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 a…

Published on 2 months ago

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 an…

Published on 2 months, 1 week ago