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

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, and bad thoughts.

Timecodes:

0:00 Bad thoughts, not sin, was the focus in Early Christianity
1:10 The “Kathleen Norris-effect”
4:37 Getting to know the desert fathers and mothers
9:10 Kathleen Norris gets acquainted with monastic life
17:58 Hospitality is at the core of Benedictine spirituality
26:30 Rebecca Sue- Kathleen’s sister with a mental disability
30:57 Dealing with jealousy
33:15 Finding God in the desert
37:15 How the desert fathers and mothers dealt with sin
39:35 Acedia-restlessness, sadness, boredom
45:20 Audience Question: How important should it be that the parish we attend feel like a spiritual home?

Read Fr. Jim’s review of Kathleen's book, "Rebecca Sue": https://www.americamagazine.org/books/2026/02/12/review-kathleen-norris-on-a-sisters-love/

Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: [email protected]

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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 priest

11:35 How Bryan came out as gay

17:40 Authenticity frees us and others

25:55 Bryan’s advice to someone struggling with the church

29:38 The church’s tragic track record on racism

34:53 Why Bryan remains in the church despite racism

39:34 The spiritual practice of journaling & music

44:45 Audience Question: What can parents of L.G.B.T.Q. children do when their kids refuse to come to Mass?

Read Fr. James Martin's article reflecting on this conversation

Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at:  ⁠[email protected]⁠

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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 to start reading the Bible

34:55 Christianity is a historical religion

40:55 Why Catholics should read the Bible

44:58 Audience Question: How do I hear the readings at Mass with freshness? 

Read Fr. Jim’s spiritual advice article on this episode

Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at:  [email protected]

Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe

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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. Jim’s spiritual advice article on this episode:

https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/02/09/anne-lamott-james-martin-podcast-spiritual-life/

Check out Anne's book "Help Thanks Wow"

Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: [email protected]

Become a subscriber today at ⁠Americamagazine.org/subscribe
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/02/02/interview-richard-rohr-and-the-universal-christ

Listen to Fr. Richard’s podcast, "Everything Belongs," here: https://cac.org/everythingbelongs2025

Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: [email protected]

Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe
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