Sunburnt Souls | Faith, Mental Health & Mayhem

Dave Quak
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Sunburnt Souls is a Christian mental health podcast exploring faith, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and emotional resilience through honest conversations and biblical hope. Hosted by Pastor Dave Quak, an Aussie pastor living with bipolar disorder, the podcast explores what it really looks like to follow Jesus through the highs, lows, and everything in between. Each episode shares 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 trying to make sense of faith and mental illness, you’re not alone. Sunburnt Souls is a safe, unfiltered space for honest conversations about Christian mental health. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. 🌐 Learn more at sunburntsouls.com

  1. 5d ago

    A Retired Police Officer On Trauma And Faith

    Warnings-some disturbing circumstances are described  Kurt has just stepped into retirement after 38 years in policing, and he walks us through what prolonged exposure to trauma can do to your mental health, your body, and your faith. If you have ever searched for answers about police PTSD, first responder mental health, anxiety, depression, or trauma triggers, this conversation will feel uncomfortably real and deeply human.  We talk about the “jar of marbles” effect, how critical incidents accumulate until one more pushes you past capacity. Kurt shares how PTSD can show up with a delay, why certain smells and sounds can flip your nervous system in an instant, and how stigma keeps people quiet when they most need support. We also cover what has changed in policing culture, including employee assistance programs, peer support, chaplains, and critical incident leave, plus why mental injury deserves the same care as a physical injury.  Just as important, we dig into what helps. Kurt explains why he refuses to camp inside a diagnosis, how exercise and sunlight can reconnect your physical and mental health, and why small “sleep hygiene” changes can matter more than people think. He also shares a perspective we all need to hear: when someone is struggling, they often need a listener, not another expert with advice. The episode closes with a hope-filled framework that holds both realism and faith: accept the natural, but expect the supernatural every day.  If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who carries a heavy load, and leave a review so more people can find these stories. What part of Kurt’s journey did you relate to most? Sunburnt Souls Unhinged is here!  Join Dave for a fun night of comedy, stories, raw conversations and much more. Come connect, laugh, and experience life, faith and mental health in a whole new way.  For more info and tickets, click here 🙏 IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO 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. 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls. ALL DONATIONS OVER $2 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, FREE journey to help you: Embrace your identity in JesusBuild life-giving spiritual rhythmsNavigate 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 ⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW Love this episode? Your review helps others discover faith-based mental health resources and find hope for their journey. Listen and Rate on ...

  2. Aug 23

    10 Practical Keys for Christian Mental Health Support (with Jess Quak)

    Loving someone who struggles with bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, or any form of mental ill health can be confusing and exhausting, especially when you’re trying to hold faith and reality in the same hands. Jessica Quak joins me to share what surfaced at a women’s conference where conversation after conversation landed on the same need: people want Christian mental health support that’s honest, practical, and rooted in community, not shame or quick fixes. We walk through 10 concrete keys for supporting someone well. We start with the hard truth that caring can’t come at the cost of your own wellbeing. If you don’t “fit your own oxygen mask first,” you can get pulled under too. We also talk about why a diagnosis is not an identity, how to avoid reducing a whole person to symptoms, and what it looks like to be one member of a wider support team that includes doctors, psychologists, and trusted people who can step in when things are beyond your limits. We also get real about the spiritual side: Scripture is a power tool, and using it carelessly can harm people you’re trying to help. We explore grief without bitterness, why some painful moments aren’t actually personal, and how healing can come through miracles, medication, therapy, deliverance, and the long work of learning to live healed. We close with prayer and an invitation to reach out with questions. If this helps, subscribe, share it with someone who needs language for what they’re carrying, and leave a review so more people can find faith-based mental health resources. Sunburnt Souls Unhinged is here!  Join Dave for a fun night of comedy, stories, raw conversations and much more. Come connect, laugh, and experience life, faith and mental health in a whole new way.  For more info and tickets, click here 🙏 IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO 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. 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls. ALL DONATIONS OVER $2 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, FREE journey to help you: Embrace your identity in JesusBuild life-giving spiritual rhythmsNavigate 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 ⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW Love this episode? Your review helps others discover faith-based mental health resources and find hope for their journey. Listen and Rate on ...

  3. Aug 16

    The Future of Sunburnt Souls

    Sunburnt Souls is about to change shape and we wanted you to hear it from us first. After two and a half years of conversations on life, faith, and mental well-being, we’re stepping into a new chapter that brings the community off your headphones and into the room. If you’ve ever felt like mental health talk in church is either too awkward or too polished, we’re building something different: honest, theologically grounded, and human. We introduce ticketed live events called Sunburnt Souls Unhinged, a night designed to hold two things at once: laughter and weight. We’re not making fun of mental illness. We’re making space to breathe, because sometimes humor is the only way you get through. Dave shares what happened at the first trial night with a small crowd, how the room shifted from cracking up to going deep on the implications of living with mental illness as a Christian, and why the Q&A format matters so much. We also lay out what’s coming next: new courses (including content professionally written with neuroplasticity expertise), a larger hosted event on October 17 at The Junction in Burleigh Waters, and a plan to bring the Unhinged night to churches who want a fresh way to support faith and mental health in their community. We talk candidly about the costs of producing this work, why Dave is starting to dedicate one day a week to Sunburnt Souls, and how DGR tax-deductible giving helps partners fuel what’s ahead. If you’re excited for live Christian mental health events, practical resources, and a community that can handle both joy and pain, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find Sunburnt Souls. Sunburnt Souls Unhinged is here!  Join Dave for a fun night of comedy, stories, raw conversations and much more. Come connect, laugh, and experience life, faith and mental health in a whole new way.  For more info and tickets, click here 🙏 IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO 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. 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls. ALL DONATIONS OVER $2 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, FREE journey to help you: Embrace your identity in JesusBuild life-giving spiritual rhythmsNavigate 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 ⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW Love this episode? Your review helps others discover faith-based mental health resources and find hope for their journey. Listen and Rate on ...

  4. Aug 9

    The Power of Showing Up: How Mentoring Reframes a Child’s Story

    One hour a week doesn’t sound like much until you hear what it does for a kid who feels invisible. We sit down with Simon Warrick, CEO of Kids Hope, to talk about school-based mentoring for children facing vulnerability and why a single consistent adult can become the difference between “just surviving” and starting to believe you matter. Simon shares his own story, from losing his father young to navigating bullying, grief, and the long work of healing. We dig into what actually helps kids in the real world: showing up, building trust, and giving steady attention in a time when many children are functionally raising themselves around distracted adults. We also talk about forgiveness, what it is and what it isn’t, and how faith can hold space for pain without denying it. If you care about youth mental health, early intervention, community outreach, and practical faith in action, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with someone who’d love to mentor, and leave a review so more people find the work happening in our schools. Check out the work of Kids Hope here  Sunburnt Souls Unhinged is here!  Join Dave for a fun night of comedy, stories, raw conversations and much more. Come connect, laugh, and experience life, faith and mental health in a whole new way.  For more info and tickets, click here 🙏 IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO 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. 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls. ALL DONATIONS OVER $2 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, FREE journey to help you: Embrace your identity in JesusBuild life-giving spiritual rhythmsNavigate 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 ⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW Love this episode? Your review helps others discover faith-based mental health resources and find hope for their journey. Listen and Rate on ...

  5. Aug 2

    Physical Illness and Mental Health: The Emotional Cost of Being Sick

    Dave and Jess Quak sit down for a candid conversation about the relationship between physical illness and mental health, from everyday flu moments to chronic conditions that keep coming back when you least expect them.  We talk through Jess’ long trail of medical issues and the emotional strain that comes with unpredictable symptoms, delayed diagnoses, and repeated recovery. Migraines come up as a brutal example of how pain steals capacity and creates ripple effects in marriage, parenting, and leadership, along with the hidden pressures that healthy people often miss. We also name the real-world costs: sick days, feeling unreliable at work, the financial hit of MRIs and specialist visits, and the guilt that shows up when you need help.  If you know chronic illness, chronic pain, migraines, sleep apnea, depression recovery, or just the mental weight of being unwell, this one is for you. Subscribe for more conversations on life, faith, and mental well-being. Sunburnt Souls Unhinged is here!  Join Dave for a fun night of comedy, stories, raw conversations and much more. Come connect, laugh, and experience life, faith and mental health in a whole new way.  For more info and tickets, click here 🙏 IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO 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. 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls. ALL DONATIONS OVER $2 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, FREE journey to help you: Embrace your identity in JesusBuild life-giving spiritual rhythmsNavigate 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 ⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW Love this episode? Your review helps others discover faith-based mental health resources and find hope for their journey. Listen and Rate on ...

  6. Jul 26

    How To Deal With Horrible Humans

    After a live radio interview where most callers were supportive, one angry voice spewed out and suddenly that one comment became louder than all the encouragement.  Why does criticism stick so deeply, and why do we replay the negative while forgetting the good? In this episode, we unpack the mental health reality of negativity, rejection, and learning to live from our identity in Christ instead of the approval of others. We explore why our hearts are often drawn toward the one thing that steals our peace, and how encouragement, forgiveness, and wisdom help us respond differently.  Through Romans 12:19 and Luke 6:27-31, we look at Jesus’ call to love our enemies, bless those who hurt us, and break free from bitterness — while recognising that forgiveness doesn’t mean ignoring boundaries or staying in harmful situations. If you’re navigating criticism, hurt, or the challenge of letting go, this episode is for you Sunburnt Souls Unhinged is here!  Join Dave for a fun night of comedy, stories, raw conversations and much more. Come connect, laugh, and experience life, faith and mental health in a whole new way.  For more info and tickets, click here 🙏 IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO 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. 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls. ALL DONATIONS OVER $2 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, FREE journey to help you: Embrace your identity in JesusBuild life-giving spiritual rhythmsNavigate 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 ⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW Love this episode? Your review helps others discover faith-based mental health resources and find hope for their journey. Listen and Rate on ...

  7. Jul 19

    Forced, Frustrated, or Fun? Retreating with God

    Retreating is a core practice for Christian mental health, especially when anxiety, depression, burnout, or emotional numbness start running the show. We’re not interested in pretending faith means you’re always fine. We want honesty, rest, and real connection with Jesus right in the middle of the mess. We lay out a simple framework for spiritual retreat that actually matches real life: forced, frustrated, and fun. We walk through Elijah’s collapse under the broom tree and what God does first (sleep, food, water, time), plus Job’s painful invitation to grieve without rushing to explain it. If you’re in a forced retreat season, we offer practical guidance for slowing down, paying attention to your inner world, and letting God meet you there without shame. Then we move into the frustrated retreat, using Jacob’s all-night wilderness wrestle as a picture of how anger, fear, and unmet hopes can become a holy turning point. Finally, we reclaim fun retreat as biblical, healing, and good for your nervous system, whether that’s a beach day, art, hiking, laughter, or a phone-free reset. If a full getaway isn’t possible, we share micro retreat options and resources like Lectio 365, the Bible app, and Bible Project to help you build a sustainable rhythm. If this helps you, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s running on empty, and leave a review so more people can find honest conversations about faith and mental well-being. What kind of retreat do you need right now? Sunburnt Souls Unhinged is here!  Join Dave for a fun night of comedy, stories, raw conversations and much more. Come connect, laugh, and experience life, faith and mental health in a whole new way.  For more info and tickets, click here 🙏 IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO 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. 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls. ALL DONATIONS OVER $2 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, FREE journey to help you: Embrace your identity in JesusBuild life-giving spiritual rhythmsNavigate 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 ⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW Love this episode? Your review helps others discover faith-based mental health resources and find hope for their journey. Listen and Rate on ...

  8. Jul 5

    When Mental Health Comes On Holidays

    You can be standing on a stunning beach with clear water and still wake up feeling dark. After six weeks away, I’m back behind the mic with travel stories from Greece and Turkey that turned into a blunt lesson about mental health: a change of scenery does not automatically change what’s happening inside us. I talk openly about living with bipolar disorder, how depression can arrive without warning, and why your mood can completely contradict your location. We go deeper into anger management and the idea of safety at home, including how a parent’s blowups can put a spouse and kids into nervous system defense mode. I share what I’m learning from professional help, why I’m committing to a 70-day habit change path, and how Scripture like Ephesians 4:31-32 pushes me to trade rage for kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. We also touch on other root struggles many of us carry, from anxiety and control to money obsession and shame, with a clear bottom line: start the work today, wherever you are. If this hits close to home, listen, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find honest conversations about faith, bipolar disorder, anger, and mental well-being. Sunburnt Souls Unhinged is here!  Join Dave for a fun night of comedy, stories, raw conversations and much more. Come connect, laugh, and experience life, faith and mental health in a whole new way.  For more info and tickets, click here 🙏 IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO 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. 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls. ALL DONATIONS OVER $2 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. 🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health A 28-day, FREE journey to help you: Embrace your identity in JesusBuild life-giving spiritual rhythmsNavigate 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 ⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW Love this episode? Your review helps others discover faith-based mental health resources and find hope for their journey. Listen and Rate on ...

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Sunburnt Souls is a Christian mental health podcast exploring faith, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and emotional resilience through honest conversations and biblical hope. Hosted by Pastor Dave Quak, an Aussie pastor living with bipolar disorder, the podcast explores what it really looks like to follow Jesus through the highs, lows, and everything in between. Each episode shares 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 trying to make sense of faith and mental illness, you’re not alone. Sunburnt Souls is a safe, unfiltered space for honest conversations about Christian mental health. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. 🌐 Learn more at sunburntsouls.com

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