Cardinal Nemet’s practical advice for recovering from burnout

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

America Media

Spirituality, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity

4.9 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 20 January 2026

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Sometime in his midlife, after becoming a priest and then a bishop, Cardinal Ladislav Nemet experienced a difficult period of burn-out. It took a community of family, friends and comrades in ministry to restore his spirits and sense of purpose, and now he has practical advice to share with anyone dealing with this kind of professional exhaustion. Cardinal Ladislav Nemet is the Archbishop of Belgrade, Serbia, and a member of the Society of the Divine Word. He was created a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023, served as a delegate for the Synod of Bishops from 2021 to 2024, and was part of the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV. Together with “The Spiritual Life” podcast host, James Martin, S.J., they discuss: How growing up in a communist country made Cardinal Nemet’s family “Catholics at home” but quiet in the public sphere The importance of humor and joy in the spiritual life Recovering from burnout and turning to the psalms during a dark period Cardinal Nemet’s participation in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV Read Fr. Jim’s spiritual reflection about this episode: https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/01/20/james-martin-cardinal-nemet-burnout 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

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	At the recent jubilee of young people in Rome, Pope Leo called on participants to spread your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith.
0:07.4	At Boston College Klaus School of Theology and Ministry, you are invited to answer that call through graduate theological studies.
0:14.0	100% of master's students receive scholarships.
0:17.3	Learn more at bc.edu slash cSTM.
0:20.8	What kind of advice would you give to listeners who may experience burnout in their lives?
0:26.5	Do not refuse the help of others.
0:29.5	This is very important.
0:31.3	Try to look in your neighborhood for people who really love you and take care of you.
0:39.3	It does not mean love as emotions, but love who someone really look at you
0:42.3	and means that you are important,
0:44.3	and we will help you to get out
0:46.3	of this dark stage of your life.
1:00.0	Welcome to the spiritual life. I'm Father Jim Martin. On this podcast, we reflect on how people experience God in their prayer and in their daily lives. And I am joined by my amazing producer,
1:06.6	Maggie Van Dorn. Maggie, good to be with you as always.
1:09.6	It's great to be back with you, Jim.
1:11.7	Yeah, and I'm really excited about this episode. This time we're speaking with Cardinal Ladislav Nemet.
1:18.7	And maybe you could tell us a little bit about Cardinal Nemet. Sure. So Cardinal Ladislov Nemet is the
1:24.0	Archbishop of Belgrade, Serbia, and he is a member of the Society of the Divine
1:29.0	Word. Cardinal Nemet was created a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023, and also served as a delegate
1:36.3	for the Synod of Bishops from 2021 to 2024. He is a theologian by training, and Cardinal
1:43.4	Nimet has spent decades in pastoral ministry,
1:46.4	ecumenical dialogue, and church leadership across Central and Eastern Europe. His eminence is known
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from America Media, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of America Media and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.