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

America Media
Spirituality
Prayer
Catholic Church
Faith
Catholicism
Pope Francis
Death Penalty
Hope
Social Justice
Human Dignity
Ignatian Spirituality
Silence
Forgiveness
Justice
Redemption
Spiritual Life
Suffering
Pope John Paul II
Synod On Synodality
Christian Spirituality

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 activit... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes55Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ChristianityReligion & SpiritualitySpirituality

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Artwork for The Spiritual Life

Latest Episodes

How can leaders in the church accompany migrants and refugees? Fr. James Martin, S.J., speaks with Bishop Michael Pham about how his background as a refugee has led him to accompany migrants today.

Bishop Pham fled Vietnam in 1980 with his older sis... more

YouTube

How do we navigate politics in our congregations, our prayers, and our lives of faith? Fr. James Martin, S.J., discusses these questions with Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington DC. Bishop Budde became the first-ever woman to ... more

YouTube

What is moral theology, and where does it fit in our spiritual lives? Fr. James Martin, S.J., asks these questions to James Keenan, a Jesuit priest and one of the world's leading Catholic moral theologians on “The Spiritual Life” podcast. He is the C... more

YouTube

Fr. James Martin, S.J., welcomes Susan Stabile, a spiritual director and retreat leader in the Ignatian tradition onto “The Spiritual Life” podcast. Susan was raised Catholic, but spent twenty years practicing Buddhism (and was ordained a Tibetan Bud... more

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Recent Guests

Mariann Budde
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC; author and public theologian
Episcopal Diocese of Washington
Episode: Bishop Mariann Budde on preaching the gospel in a political world
Fr. James Keenan
Jesuit priest and moral theologian, Canisius Professor of Theology at Boston College
Boston College, Jesuit Institute
Episode: What role does conscience play in our spiritual lives?
Susan Stabile
Spiritual Director and Retreat Leader in the Ignatian Jesuit tradition
University of St. Thomas; St. Catherine's University
Episode: What does it mean to have a personal relationship with Jesus?
Ann Garrido
Associate professor of homiletics at Aquinas Institute of Theology; award-winning author and theologian
Aquinas Institute of Theology
Episode: How do you face suffering with faith?
Andrew Garfield
Award-winning actor; studied Ignatian spirituality and The Spiritual Exercises
Actor
Episode: How Jesuit spirituality changed Andrew Garfield’s life
Matt Maher
Catholic musician, songwriter, worship leader
Catholic music ministry
Episode: Music as a doorway to the divine with Matt Maher
Gregory Boyle
Jesuit priest, founder of Homeboy Industries
Homeboy Industries
Episode: Greg Boyle, S.J. on compassion and kinship
Hasan Minhaj
Emmy-winning comedian, writer and producer
Entertainment/Media
Episode: Hasan Minhaj on Islam, comedy, and the spiritual life
David Brooks
America's leading public intellectual and guest on the episode focused on faith and spirituality
The Atlantic, PBS NewsHour (as described in the episode)
Episode: David Brooks on finding faith later in life

Host

Fr. James Martin
Jesuit priest and author; host known for empathetic, probing interviews on spirituality and daily faith.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.8k ratings
  • Great show

    Andrew Garfield show was the best!! Very well done and insightful. I always appreciate the show as as the guests bring very diverse perspectives on spiritualty. Ty Fr. Martin!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    chappa918
    United Statesa month ago
  • Feeding my soul

    Thank you for hosting David Brooks recently. I greatly valued hearing his blend of historical knowledge with his truthful journey and faith quest.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amy L Erickson
    United States2 months ago
  • Time well spent

    Fr. Martin & the team really put on an amazing podcast. I can’t explain the number of ways these interviews have deepened my faith; challenged me; made me laugh; made me cry. Simply amazing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SquireJoseph
    United States3 months ago
  • ideas for interviews

    Your podcast is a pure gift to my spiritual life. Since we discuss scripture, could we interview a scholar who puts new testament in historical, cultural, language, audience context? Michael Peppard PhD at Fordham?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    touisset
    United States3 months ago
  • Wonderful

    Always find my faith life growing and being challenged by all the many guests on the Spiritual Life. So thankful and always looking forward to the next episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Condrey
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners find the format consistently uplifting, while a few perceive it as narrowly devotional or challenging for non-Catholics.
Many note authentic, compassionate interviewing and a broad range of guests across Catholic and interfaith perspectives.
Listeners praise the show for deep, transformative conversations that grow faith and provoke reflection.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bishop Mariann Budde on preaching the gospel in a political world
Q: What advice do you give about maintaining unity in a divided congregation when addressing contentious issues?
Speak in ways that invite reflection and understanding, avoid naming politicians directly, and use parables or shared values to illuminate social justice concerns without alienating parts of the congregation.
Bishop Mariann Budde on preaching the gospel in a political world
Q: How do you determine when to preach about something that might be perceived as political while staying gospel-grounded?
Preach with care and discernment, focusing on truth, mercy, and the essential dignity of every person, rather than endorsing a partisan stance. In Washington, this requires sensitivity to the surrounding context and the specific needs of the room, while keeping the core gospel message intact.
What role does conscience play in our spiritual lives?
Q: What is the role of conscience when we are faced with difficult decisions?
Conscience functions as the critical, ongoing process by which a person reflects on what is right, seeks to know the situation, and finally acts with responsibility; it is not merely obedience to church teaching but a mature discernment that considers personal formation and communal implications.
How do you face suffering with faith?
Q: What does Ann do to maintain that friendship and relationship with Jesus that allows her to remain joyful when life is so hard?
Ann emphasizes honesty with God about anger or frustration, seeking signs of God's presence through relationships and sacraments, and using the examination of conscience to notice where God is at work; she also leans on the vine metaphor to stay connected with others who hold her up.
What does it mean to have a personal relationship with Jesus?
Q: What does it mean to have a personal relationship with Jesus?
It means experiencing Jesus in prayer and relationship through Ignatian contemplation, where God is present beyond past, present, and future, and discernment helps separate true experiences from ego or imagination, always tested against Gospel truth and communal church life.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Spiritual Life

What is The Spiritual Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful series exploring how people experience God in everyday life, with conversations that blend practical spiritual practices and deep reflections. Episodes center on prayer, Ignatian spirituality, and living out faith through family, social justice, and culture, featuring a range of guests from clergy and theologians to writers, actors, and activists. The show often highlights personal spiritual journeys, humility, and the tension between belief and modern life, making complex theological ideas accessible to engaged listeners who want actionable ways to deepen their spirituality. Notable strengths include candid storytelling, a warm, inquisitive host style, and a consistent emphasis on mercy, kinship, and living faith in community.... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Spiritual Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Spiritual Life:

1. Jesuitical
2. Inside The Vatican
3. Everything Belongs: Living the Teachings of Richard Rohr Forward
4. AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast
5. Everything Happens with Kate Bowler

How many episodes of The Spiritual Life are there?

The Spiritual Life launched a year ago and published 55 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Spiritual Life?

Recent guests on The Spiritual Life include:

1. Mariann Budde
2. Fr. James Keenan
3. Susan Stabile
4. Ann Garrido
5. Andrew Garfield
6. Matt Maher
7. Gregory Boyle
8. Hasan Minhaj

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