# Father James Martin on the summer jobs that shaped him

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/jesuitical-1116545/father-james-martin-on-the-summer-jobs-that-shaped-him
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/jesuitical-1116545/father-james-martin-on-the-summer-jobs-that-shaped-him.md
Podcast: [Jesuitical](https://stenobird.com/podcast/jesuitical-1116545)
Published: 2026-02-27T05:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.americamagazine.org/subscribe
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/AMMD7915547402.mp3?updated=1772145639
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/jesuitical-1116545/episodes/father-james-martin-on-the-summer-jobs-that-shaped-him
Duration seconds: 2780

## Resource

This week on a special, interview-only episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian talk with James Martin, S.J., editor at large for America, about his new memoir Work in Progress: Confessions of a busboy, dishwasher, caddy, usher, factory worker, bank teller, corporate tool, and priest. Ashley, Sebastian and Father Jim discuss: The differences in writing an autobiography vs. a book on prayer Balancing ambition and meaning Jim’s eventual decision to choose a life and career in the Jesuits Links for further reading: Buy Father Jim’s book here Father James Martin: Lessons from mowing lawns, riding bikes and a fateful walk to school Check out the book’s Spotify playlist here You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Timecodes 0:00 Jim Martin has a new book: “Work in Progress” 2:13 Why Jim decided to write an autobiography on his jobs 8:19 The importance of menial labor and service 11:45 Getting free of our desire to be liked and popular 16:36 How Jim learned to distinguish ambition v. meaning 21:14 The impact of Thomas Merton on Jim’s spiritual life 25:30 Jim’s first mystical experience in the beauty of nature 35:36 Called to the Jesuits 42:15 Jim would canonize Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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