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

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, known for his impactful work with disadvantaged youth and gang mediation, shares his profound journey of faith. He discusses the challenges of discerning a call from God amidst spiritual darkness and the transformative experiences that shaped his vocation. The conversation dives into the importance of nurturing an adult faith, encouraging young people to question their beliefs, and how serving the marginalized has enriched his spiritual life. His insights offer a rich perspective on resilience and commitment in faith.

“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 tradition and dedication to working with the poor and marginalized. They discuss: - Anthea’s Black Catholic heritage in Louisiana and Texas - The great, yet relatively unknown, Catholic intellectual tradition - How evangelical theology seeps into the Catholic Church in the United States - Spirituality lived through action on behalf of the poor Link to Father Jim’s spiritual advice article on this episode: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/07/15/anthea-butler-james-martin-spiritual-life-251125 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

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 atheism that plagued his college years and what brought Colbert back to his Catholic faith. - The interplay between Colbert’s Catholicism and his comedy Read Fr. Jim’s spiritual advice article on this episode, or visit this link: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/07/08/stephen-colbert-james-martin-spiritual-life-251084 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

“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 of St. Ignatius and coming to know both the depths of her own sinfulness and the abiding love of God Her encounters of extraordinary grace at Mass, on the subway, and in ordinary life. Read Fr. Jim’s spiritual advice article on this episode Link to Fr. Jim’s book, “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real 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

Pete Buttigieg, the 19th U.S. Secretary of Transportation and a military veteran, shares insights on his faith journey, influenced by a passionate Old Testament teacher. He discusses the intertwining of his identity as an openly gay Christian with his political career. Buttigieg reflects on how fatherhood has deepened his understanding of the divine, highlighting the parallels between parental love and God's love. The conversation also underscores the importance of social justice and empathy in faith, shaping his moral compass throughout his experiences.

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 Media's YouTube channel.⁠ Read Fr. Jim's article on this interview with Whoopi Goldberg 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

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 from illness Watch a video recording of this conversation on America Media's YouTube channel. Read Fr. Jim's article on this conversation with Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe. Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe’s recent books: Listening Together: Meditations on Synodality  Surprised by Hope: Further Meditations on Synodality 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

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.