Sunburnt Souls
Looking for a Christian mental health podcast that tackles anxiety, depression, and emotional resilience with raw honesty and biblical hope?
Sunburnt Souls is where faith and mental health meet real life.
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. Each episode brings powerful stories, biblical encouragement, and practical tools for navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, and Christian mental wellness.
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 now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
🌐 Visit sunburntsouls.com for more.
Episodes
80 episodes
From Hillsong to Humanitarian: Joel A'Bell on Faith and Leadership
Unlike our usual Sunburnt Souls episodes that dive deep into mental health, this conversation takes a different turn, touching lightly on mental health while delivering an engaging and inspiring focus on faith, leadership, and purpose with Joel...
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30:43
Faith, Mental Health & Ministry: Ralph Mayhew on Depression, Pastoring, and Finding Joy in Jesus
In this fresh episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave Quak sits down with pastor, photographer, and YouTube creator Ralph Mayhew to talk about the raw realities of following Jesus while navigating mental health struggles. Ralph shares his personal jour...
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36:11
Rebuilding Life After Divorce: A Christian Woman’s Journey of Faith and Remarriage with Ash Morrison
In this second part of Ash Morrison’s story on Sunburnt Souls, host Dave Quak explores Ash’s journey of rebuilding her life as a Christian woman after divorce. Ash shares the challenges of navigating divorce, parenting three young children (in...
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34:31
Blended and Blessed: Faith, Family & Messy Parenting with Ash Morrison
Summary: In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, host Dave Quak sits down with Ash Morrison to discuss the complexities of parenting a child with disabilities, blending two families through faith, and navigating personal challenges like perfe...
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41:52
Can AI Chatbots Boost Your Mental Health? A Christian Perspective on Technology and Faith
Host: Dave QuakOverview: In this solo episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave Quak explores the role of AI chatbots, like Wysa, in supporting mental wellbeing, particularly from a Christian perspective. He examines their benefits, ...
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24:24
How to Support Others While Facing Mental Health Struggles- With Dave and Jess Quak
In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, host Dave Quak and his wife, Jess, dive into the vital topic of how individuals with mental health challenges can still be a source of support for their families. Focusing on faith, collaboration, and...
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34:02
Surviving Depression, PTSD, Mania, Postpartum Depression, Epilepsy, Stroke & Brain Cancer! Tina's Story of Faith and Redemption
📝 Podcast Show NotesEpisode Summary: In this powerful episode, we follow one woman’s raw and redemptive journey through decades of mental illness, childhood trauma, sexual abuse, postpartum depression, stage 3 brain can...
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35:49
From Pigsties to Preachers: What Bacon, Spurgeon, and Mental Illness Teach Us About Grace
This week on Sunburnt Souls, Dave Quak is back with another raw, real, and at times ridiculous episode—recorded while on family holiday, but packed with depth. He reflects on how short radio soundbites have unexpectedly spread across 1...
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23:24
5 Real Stories of Faith and Mental Health: Mania, Grief, Anxiety, and Grace
Dave Quak shares five real-life stories pulled from our one-minute soundbites airing on 14 Christian radio stations around Australia. From impulsively buying a house during a manic episode to watching a pelican steal a puppy, these moments are ...
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23:26
Postpartum Psychosis & Fear in the Mania: Lydia’s Story of Faith in Chaos
What happens when postpartum joy collides with deep-seated fear? Lydia Farbach opens up about her raw and powerful journey through postpartum psychosis, growing up with a mum diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, and the fear that she might ...
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40:55
Sex, Theology & Song of Songs: Meet Christian Sexologist Monica Cook
Dave Quak sits down with Christian sexologist Monica Cook for a raw and refreshing conversation about faith, sex, and the sacred wisdom of the Song of Songs. They unpack how theology and sexology can work together, challenge the silenc...
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36:36
Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton: Surviving Injustice, Holding onto Faith & Finding Forgiveness
This week Dave Quak sits down with Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, the woman at the centre of one of Australia’s most infamous miscarriages of justice. Wrongfully convicted of her baby daughter’s murder, Lindy endured prison, public hatred, and un...
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1:06:35
From Darkness to Deliverance: Noriko Reid’s Story of Healing and Hope
In this powerful episode, Dave sits down with Pastor Noriko Reid, one of the senior pastors at Hope Church on the Gold Coast, to share her raw and redemptive journey through anxiety, depression, and into freedom through Jesus.Through God...
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37:49
Neuro Self-Care & Havening: A New Way to Heal with Elle McBride
Today, we sits down with Elle McBride— a leading voice in trauma recovery and one of the first 150 globally trained Certified Havening Techniques Practitioners and Trainers. Elle introduces us to Neuro Self-Care — a practical, neurosci...
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41:30
Gut Health and Mental Well-Being: Naturopath Esther Thomas Explains the Connection
In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave sits down with Esther Thomas, Clinical Naturopath and owner of Olea Health, to explore the powerful connection between gut health and mental well-being. With her extensive background in holistic healthcar...
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39:24
Saved at 60: Scott Cunningham Faith & Finding Jesus Late in Life
In this powerful episode, Dave Quak sits down with Scott Cunningham, a self-proclaimed late bloomer who met Jesus at the age of 60. Scott shares his raw, redemptive journey through addiction, brokenness, recovery, and the relentless love...
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36:36
Faith, Autism, and Radio Ministry: Robbo’s Story of Broadcasting with Purpose
In this episode, Dave sits down with Andrew ‘Robbo’ Robinson — beloved Christian radio host and long-time voice of the Rise & Shine breakfast show on Vision Christian Radio. For over 17 years, Robbo has brought joy, encouragement, ...
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39:36
Renew Your Mind with Dr Ashleigh Moreland – Part 2 of 2: Where Science Meets Spirit
In this second part of the conversation, Dr Ashleigh unpacks how true transformation isn’t just about changing thoughts, but about healing the nervous system, renewing the mind, and living in alignment with who God created us to be.If yo...
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34:51
Renew Your Mind with Dr Ashleigh Moreland – Part 1 of 2: Where Science Meets Spirit
In this episode, Dave sits down with Dr Ashleigh Moreland to explore the intersection of science, spirit, and the renewing of the mind. If you’ve ever felt stuck in survival mode or like you’re just getting through the day, this conversation is...
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37:55
God, Me, or Mental Illness? How to Know Who’s Really Talking
This week I sit down with Rev Dr Tania Harris — pastor, theologian, and founder of God Conversations — to explore what it really looks like to recognise and respond to God’s voice.We talk about:Why God still speaks t...
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38:14
Walk for a Bloke – Let’s Talk About Men's suicide prevention. Part 2 of 2
In Part 2 of our Walk for a Bloke special, Dave, Zac, Jared, and Brad go deeper. If Part 1 was about the event, Part 2 is about the men behind it — their stories, their struggles, and the hope they’re clinging to.We talk ...
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40:44
Walk for a Bloke – Let’s Talk About Men's suicide prevention. Part 1 of 2
Join Dave Quak as he sits down with Zac, Jared, and Brad for a raw and real chat about men’s suicide prevention. This one’s personal, powerful, and packed with purpose. The crew chats about the Walk for a Bloke event on the Gold C...
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35:10
10 Animal Personalities of Mental Health: Which One Are You?
Ever feel like your approach to mental health is totally different from the people around you? Maybe you're The Owl, overthinking every decision, or The Goldfish, moving on before fully processing your emotions. In this episode of
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39:26
Spiritual Warfare & Deliverance: Jesus’ Ministry of Love and Authority with Jennifer Jessop
In this powerful episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave Quak sits down with Jennifer Jessop to explore the depths of spiritual warfare, deliverance, and the transformative power of the Love of Jesus. As a minister with a deep pa...
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46:00