

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.
America Media
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. You can visit the show's webpage at www.americamagazine.org/thespirituallife.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 2min
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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 50min
Pete Buttigieg on Christianity, public life, and the spirituality of fatherhood
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.

Jun 17, 2025 • 42min
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 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 17, 2025 • 56min
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 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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 9, 2025 • 1min
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 activity in their own lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


