Sunburnt Souls: A Christian Mental Health Podcast

Dave Quak

Searching for real conversations about Christian mental health — faith, anxiety, depression, and emotional resilience — shared with raw honesty and biblical hope? You’ve found it. Sunburnt Souls is a Christian mental health podcast where faith and mental health meet real life. Each episode offers faith-based coping strategies, spiritual encouragement, and raw stories of hope. I’m Pastor Dave Quak — an Aussie pastor living with bipolar disorder — and I know what it’s like to follow Jesus through the highs, lows, and everything in between. You’ll hear powerful stories, biblical encouragement, and practical tools for navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, and mental wellness as a follower of Christ. Whether you’re battling darkness, searching for joy, or just trying to make sense of it all, you’re not alone. Sunburnt Souls is a safe, unfiltered space for faith-filled conversations and honest connection. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. 🌐 Learn more at sunburntsouls.com

  1. 5D AGO

    Please Don’t Build A Tent, Peter

    What if your strongest flaws are the very channels God uses to shape your calling? We sit down to explore the life of Simon Peter, a disciple who rushes first, speaks loudest, and still becomes a steady pillar for the early church. From campfire denial to Spirit-charged preaching, Peter’s story gives us a front-row seat to how grace matures personality into purpose. We start with the messy human side: impulse that opens doors, words that arrive before wisdom, and courage that flickers when pressure hits. Then we move to the turning point—restoration by the risen Jesus and the seismic difference the Holy Spirit makes at Pentecost. Peter doesn’t become a different person; he becomes the same person, anchored. That clarity lets him tell hard truths with a tender heart, even to the crowd that once shouted for crucifixion. This conversation also names the parts we usually skip. Peter later slips back into fear and favoritism until Paul calls him out. Instead of tarnishing his legacy, that moment teaches why leaders need accountability and why formation is ongoing. We weave in 1 Peter 4 to reframe suffering: fiery trials aren’t proof you’re off track; they’re often the forge of real joy. Along the way we unpack the transfiguration, the discipline of listening before acting, and the beauty of a church built on diverse temperaments—bold Peters, reflective Johns, and detail-strong Matthews all pulling in the same direction. If you need fresh courage to own your mistakes, receive forgiveness, and take the next faithful step, this one’s for you. Hit play, lean into the story, and let hope rise where fear used to sit. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find these conversations. ☀️ CONNECT with Sunburnt Souls Discover more from Sunburnt Souls — a Christian mental health podcast sharing real stories of faith, hope, and healing at sunburntsouls.com. Explore our library of Christian mental health resources, including podcasts, free devotionals, and online courses designed to help you strengthen your faith, overcome anxiety and depression, and experience emotional and spiritual renewal. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, $28 journey to help you: Embrace your identity in Jesus Build life-giving spiritual rhythms Navigate anxiety, depression, and burnout with honesty and grace 👉 Start your 28-day journey today 📩 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Get weekly encouragement, bonus podcast clips, and faith-informed mental health resources in your inbox. 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter 🙏 SUPPORT THE MISSION Help us keep producing Christian mental health podcasts and resources that bring hope to listeners around the world and breaks the stigma in the Church. 👉 ...

    30 min
  2. FEB 1

    Running From God Warps Your Sense of Justice (Jonah)

    A runaway prophet, a repenting city, and a God who refuses to be less merciful than He is—Jonah’s story hits closer to home than we like to admit. We open the book not to argue about a fish, but to wrestle with why a man who knows God’s heart would sprint in the opposite direction. The answer uncovers a tangle of anger, fear, and the ache for justice that feels righteous until grace walks in. We explore the prophetic context that made Jonah’s assignment to Nineveh so provocative, why the storm at sea mirrors his inner turmoil, and how a ship full of pagan sailors end up modeling reverence. Inside the fish, time slows into a hard reset where despair begins to thaw.  Then comes the shock: a five-word sermon that topples a city’s pride. Nineveh repents; heaven relents. Instead of celebration, Jonah fumes, quoting Exodus 34 as a complaint. He knows God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love—and that is exactly what he cannot stomach for people he views as dangerous and cruel. The plant and the worm expose how narrow our compassion can be when comfort sets the boundaries. We talk candidly about mental health, mood swings, and why volatility doesn’t disqualify a person from being used by God.  ☀️ CONNECT with Sunburnt Souls Discover more from Sunburnt Souls — a Christian mental health podcast sharing real stories of faith, hope, and healing at sunburntsouls.com. Explore our library of Christian mental health resources, including podcasts, free devotionals, and online courses designed to help you strengthen your faith, overcome anxiety and depression, and experience emotional and spiritual renewal. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, $28 journey to help you: Embrace your identity in Jesus Build life-giving spiritual rhythms Navigate anxiety, depression, and burnout with honesty and grace 👉 Start your 28-day journey today 📩 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Get weekly encouragement, bonus podcast clips, and faith-informed mental health resources in your inbox. 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter 🙏 SUPPORT THE MISSION Help us keep producing Christian mental health podcasts and resources that bring hope to listeners around the world and breaks the stigma in the Church. 👉 ...

    30 min
  3. JAN 25

    What If Sitting at Jesus’ Feet Means Letting Your Family Fall Apart? (Mary & Martha)

    A quiet living room in Bethany, a sealed tomb, and a Savior who stops to weep before he calls a name—this is where faith and mental wellbeing meet. We invited listeners into the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus to explore how Jesus honors different personalities, different griefs, and the same deep hope. One sister serves, one sits, and both reveal something vital about how love moves and how souls rest. We start with the tension that many of us feel: is spiritual health found in doing or being? Martha’s hospitality and Mary’s stillness become more than a rivalry; they’re a map for ordering the inner life. We talk about what happens when service runs ahead of presence, why rest often triggers guilt for doers, and how Jesus re-centers us by inviting relationship first and action from overflow. Then we step into John 11, where Lazarus’ death exposes our hardest questions—Why didn’t God? Where was he when it broke?—and watch as Jesus meets each heart differently. Martha brings bold theology and aching honesty, and Jesus answers with living truth: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Mary brings tears, and Jesus answers with his own. We sit with the shock of “Jesus wept,” a line that dismantles the myth of a distant God. From there, we trace the miracle that follows, the grave clothes unwrapped by a community, and the messy aftermath—belief rising, opposition hardening, and Lazarus facing fresh danger. Hope breaks in, but the world stays cracked, which is why we explore the “now and not yet” as a framework for resilient mental health: pray boldly, grieve honestly, and keep walking. If you’ve carried unanswered prayers, chronic struggle, or a heart tired of the pendulum between doing and being, this conversation offers grounded comfort and practical steps. We share takeaways on practicing lament, choosing presence without shame, serving without burnout, and letting trusted people help you loosen what still binds. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs hope today, and leave a review to tell us: where have you heard Jesus call you out of the dark? ☀️ CONNECT with Sunburnt Souls Discover more from Sunburnt Souls — a Christian mental health podcast sharing real stories of faith, hope, and healing at sunburntsouls.com. Explore our library of Christian mental health resources, including podcasts, free devotionals, and online courses designed to help you strengthen your faith, overcome anxiety and depression, and experience emotional and spiritual renewal. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, $28 journey to help you: Embrace your identity in Jesus Build life-giving spiritual rhythms Navigate anxiety, depression, and burnout with honesty and grace 👉 Start your 28-day journey today 📩 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Get weekly encouragement, bonus podcast clips, and faith-informed mental health resources in your inbox. 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter 🙏 SUPPORT THE MISSION Help us keep producing Christian mental health podcasts and resources that bring hope to listeners around the world and breaks the stigma in the Church. 👉 ...

    32 min
  4. JAN 18

    Success Nearly Killed David’s Soul

    What if your greatest risk isn’t suffering, but success? We dive into David’s uneven path from overlooked shepherd to celebrated king to show how formation in hidden places can hold you together when the spotlight doesn’t. This is a story about mental well-being, deep emotion, spiritual resilience, and the slow drift that happens when comfort dulls conviction. We start with David’s early years—ignored by family yet seen by God—and how solitude forged skill, courage, and a prayer life that could carry heavy feelings without collapsing. From lions and bears to Goliath, adversity sharpened him. Then we zoom into the complex season under Saul: playing the harp for a tormented king while dodging spears, learning humility and restraint even when power was within reach. Along the way we map the paradox: David excels with pressure and purpose, but stumbles when life is easy. We take an honest look at the Bathsheba fallout—how desire, access, and unchecked power produce a spiral of secrecy and harm—and why Psalm 51 remains a masterclass in repentance and restoration. Rather than sin-leveling or stone-throwing, we trace a healthier response: truth telling, lament, and a renewed heart that returns to mission.  You’ll hear practical takeaways for modern life: building identity in the quiet, planning for success with guardrails and accountability, and using confession to break the cycle before shame buries you. David’s legacy is not perfection; it’s the courage to come back to God, again and again, until wisdom grows where wounds once lived. If this conversation helps you think differently about faith, feelings, and resilience, share it with a friend, hit follow, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. What guardrails will you set for your next season of success? ☀️ CONNECT with Sunburnt Souls Discover more from Sunburnt Souls — a Christian mental health podcast sharing real stories of faith, hope, and healing at sunburntsouls.com. Explore our library of Christian mental health resources, including podcasts, free devotionals, and online courses designed to help you strengthen your faith, overcome anxiety and depression, and experience emotional and spiritual renewal. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, $28 journey to help you: Embrace your identity in Jesus Build life-giving spiritual rhythms Navigate anxiety, depression, and burnout with honesty and grace 👉 Start your 28-day journey today 📩 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Get weekly encouragement, bonus podcast clips, and faith-informed mental health resources in your inbox. 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter 🙏 SUPPORT THE MISSION Help us keep producing Christian mental health podcasts and resources that bring hope to listeners around the world and breaks the stigma in the Church. 👉 ...

    29 min
  5. JAN 11

    Barren, Broken, and Begging: When God Stays Silent (Hannah)

    The story of Hannah opens inside a storm of rivalry, shame, and unmet longing—and yet it becomes a roadmap for hope. We unpack how a woman dismissed by culture and misread by a priest found language for her pain, courage for her vow, and a song that reframed value beyond fertility, status, or success. Along the way, we wrestle with the messier threads: a husband who minimizes real depression, a priest who projects his anxieties, and a community that confuses outcomes with worth. What surprised us most is the tenderness woven into Eli’s broken narrative. After a harsh misread, he listens, blesses, and later helps young Samuel recognize God’s voice—a quiet second chance inside consequences he can’t reverse. That tension matters for mental health and discipleship: people can wound us and still become part of our healing; grace doesn’t erase fallout but can redirect a legacy. We also talk about spiritual parenting and the power of community mentors—the craftspeople, teachers, and safe adults who bolster a child’s faith and emotional resilience when a home is stretched thin. Hannah’s song stands as the episode’s heartbeat: identity rooted in God’s character, not in what we produce or what others say we lack. We challenge formulaic faith around infertility and outcomes, insisting the text is descriptive, not prescriptive, and we center the presence of God as the anchor when everything else shakes. If you’ve ever felt unseen or mislabeled in your struggle, this conversation invites you to bring your ache to the One who hears—even when words won’t come—and to watch how blessing, community, and steadfast presence can change the story. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope today, and leave a review to help others find the conversation. ☀️ CONNECT with Sunburnt Souls Discover more from Sunburnt Souls — a Christian mental health podcast sharing real stories of faith, hope, and healing at sunburntsouls.com. Explore our library of Christian mental health resources, including podcasts, free devotionals, and online courses designed to help you strengthen your faith, overcome anxiety and depression, and experience emotional and spiritual renewal. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, $28 journey to help you: Embrace your identity in Jesus Build life-giving spiritual rhythms Navigate anxiety, depression, and burnout with honesty and grace 👉 Start your 28-day journey today 📩 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Get weekly encouragement, bonus podcast clips, and faith-informed mental health resources in your inbox. 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter 🙏 SUPPORT THE MISSION Help us keep producing Christian mental health podcasts and resources that bring hope to listeners around the world and breaks the stigma in the Church. 👉 ...

    31 min
  6. JAN 4

    Elijah Wanted to Die — And God Didn’t Immediately Fix It

    Fire falls on the altar, a nation gasps, and the prophet stands vindicated—then one threat sends him running into the wilderness. We follow Elijah through that whiplash from public triumph to private collapse and uncover a deeper story of how God meets burnout with gentleness, not guilt. If you’ve ever felt the Monday crash after a spiritual high, this conversation will feel like a mirror and a map. We walk through the showdown on Mount Carmel, the fear that flares when Jezebel vows revenge, and the raw prayer beneath a desert tree. Instead of rebuke, Elijah receives an angel with bread and water—sleep, eat, repeat—because sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is recover your body. We talk about honest rhythms that sustain real life: rest that protects your nervous system, simple nourishment, and prayer that tells the truth. We also challenge the isolating lie of I am the only one by naming the 7,000—hidden communities, faithful friends, and mentors who share the load. Along the way we tackle a stubborn myth: that mental distress proves spiritual failure. The world is broken; burdens attach without asking. Stewardship matters, shame does not. Elijah is not benched—he is met, strengthened, and sent to new assignments, including mentoring Elisha and encountering God again in a low whisper. Expect mountains, valleys, and the ordinary stretch between. Build small, repeatable practices that carry you through all three. If freedom is your word for the year, let it include unhurried recovery, grounded community, and the courage to keep going when emotions swing. Press play, share this with someone who feels alone, and tell us: which rhythm do you need to rebuild this week? Subscribe, leave a review, and join the conversation so others can find hope here too. ☀️ CONNECT with Sunburnt Souls Discover more from Sunburnt Souls — a Christian mental health podcast sharing real stories of faith, hope, and healing at sunburntsouls.com. Explore our library of Christian mental health resources, including podcasts, free devotionals, and online courses designed to help you strengthen your faith, overcome anxiety and depression, and experience emotional and spiritual renewal. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, $28 journey to help you: Embrace your identity in Jesus Build life-giving spiritual rhythms Navigate anxiety, depression, and burnout with honesty and grace 👉 Start your 28-day journey today 📩 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Get weekly encouragement, bonus podcast clips, and faith-informed mental health resources in your inbox. 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter 🙏 SUPPORT THE MISSION Help us keep producing Christian mental health podcasts and resources that bring hope to listeners around the world and breaks the stigma in the Church. 👉 ...

    32 min
  7. 11/09/2025

    Taking a Breath: Dave and Jess on Rest, Renewal, and Reconnection

    After 89 episodes, Dave and Jess Quak open up about taking a short, intentional break from producing the Sunburnt Souls podcast. This conversation dives deep into the rhythms of rest, spiritual renewal, and what it means to step back without stepping away. They share honestly about attending to their inner life, protecting their marriage, finding God in the quiet, and letting go of performance and pressure. This is a heartfelt conversation about being human, listening to God, and trusting that pause doesn’t mean stop — it means prepare. Episode Highlights 00:00 – 00:20 — Dave announces a surprise break for Sunburnt Souls 00:55 – 01:56 — Attending to the inner life and intimacy with God 02:41 – 03:08 — Dave’s plan: focus on God, marriage, and self-care 03:50 – 04:45 — Craving silence after seasons of constant noise 05:28 – 06:05 — Cultivating rhythms of quiet and presence 07:20 – 07:57 — Letting go of analytics and redefining success 08:41 – 09:34 — Working on marriage before problems arise 10:53 – 11:30 — Balancing ministry, work, and family demands 12:55 – 13:10 — Catching a giant Spanish mackerel (and having fun!) 14:22 – 15:33 — Encouragement for listeners heading into Christmas 16:34 – 17:48 — Giving and receiving love this Christmas 18:32 – 19:54 — The free course: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health 21:44 – 22:51 — Jess closes in prayer for rest, renewal, and blessing Reflection This episode is a reminder that even in ministry and creativity, our souls need rest. Dave and Jess model how to pause without guilt, to listen for God’s voice again, and to protect what matters most — their relationship with God, each other, and their own wellbeing. Maybe this episode is your invitation to take a breath too. ☀️ CONNECT with Sunburnt Souls Discover more from Sunburnt Souls — a Christian mental health podcast sharing real stories of faith, hope, and healing at sunburntsouls.com. Explore our library of Christian mental health resources, including podcasts, free devotionals, and online courses designed to help you strengthen your faith, overcome anxiety and depression, and experience emotional and spiritual renewal. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, $28 journey to help you: Embrace your identity in Jesus Build life-giving spiritual rhythms Navigate anxiety, depression, and burnout with honesty and grace 👉 Start your 28-day journey today 📩 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Get weekly encouragement, bonus podcast clips, and faith-informed mental health resources in your inbox. 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter 🙏 SUPPORT THE MISSION Help us keep producing Christian mental health podcasts and resources that bring hope to listeners around the world and breaks the stigma in the Church. 👉 ...

    23 min
  8. 11/02/2025

    Paralysed but Not Defeated: A Christian Mental Health Journey from Depression to Hope

    After a BMX crash left him paralysed, Nathan faced years of depression and doubt. Discover how faith, resilience, and community led to real hope. What happens when your body breaks, but your spirit refuses to?  This powerful Christian mental health story follows one man’s journey from a life-changing BMX accident and paralysis to discovering faith, purpose, and healing in the middle of depression. What We Cover The Crash and the Aftermath – A broken neck, a wheelchair, and life in ICU.Faith in the Fog – Wrestling with God when prayers for healing go unanswered.Depression and Medication – Facing major depression, inpatient stays, and the courage to ask for help.TMS and Recovery – How new treatments and faith worked together to restore hope.Calling and Purpose – Finding a new mission through chaplaincy and service.What Healing Really Means – Why faith isn’t about fixing everything but trusting through anything.Reflection This episode speaks to anyone battling mental illness, chronic pain, or grief — reminding us that hope is not found in perfection, but in perseverance. “Sometimes God doesn’t give us our old life back. He gives us a new one — redeemed.” ☀️ CONNECT with Sunburnt Souls Discover more from Sunburnt Souls — a Christian mental health podcast sharing real stories of faith, hope, and healing at sunburntsouls.com. Explore our library of Christian mental health resources, including podcasts, free devotionals, and online courses designed to help you strengthen your faith, overcome anxiety and depression, and experience emotional and spiritual renewal. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, $28 journey to help you: Embrace your identity in Jesus Build life-giving spiritual rhythms Navigate anxiety, depression, and burnout with honesty and grace 👉 Start your 28-day journey today 📩 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Get weekly encouragement, bonus podcast clips, and faith-informed mental health resources in your inbox. 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter 🙏 SUPPORT THE MISSION Help us keep producing Christian mental health podcasts and resources that bring hope to listeners around the world and breaks the stigma in the Church. 👉 ...

    30 min

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About

Searching for real conversations about Christian mental health — faith, anxiety, depression, and emotional resilience — shared with raw honesty and biblical hope? You’ve found it. Sunburnt Souls is a Christian mental health podcast where faith and mental health meet real life. Each episode offers faith-based coping strategies, spiritual encouragement, and raw stories of hope. I’m Pastor Dave Quak — an Aussie pastor living with bipolar disorder — and I know what it’s like to follow Jesus through the highs, lows, and everything in between. You’ll hear powerful stories, biblical encouragement, and practical tools for navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, and mental wellness as a follower of Christ. Whether you’re battling darkness, searching for joy, or just trying to make sense of it all, you’re not alone. Sunburnt Souls is a safe, unfiltered space for faith-filled conversations and honest connection. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. 🌐 Learn more at sunburntsouls.com

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