When your mind feels noisy and your heart is tired, the Bible still speaks. From the raw honesty of the Psalms to the hope of Revelation, this Sunburnt Souls episode with Dave and Jess Quak explores how Scripture meets us in every mental state—offering peace, perspective, and a way back to God.

Why are some people so blunt — and why does it sting? Explore the psychology, faith, and communication behind bluntness in this Sunburnt Souls episode with Dave & Jess Quak.

Bipolar doesn't mean you can't lead. Dave & Jess Quak share 5 practical, faith-based ways to provide spiritual and practical support to your family while managing your own mental health struggles.

Dave Quak, founder of Sunburnt Souls, explores the pros and cons of AI mental health chatbots (like Wysa) and how Christians can use this technology with faith, wisdom, and discernment.

Entrepreneur and software engineer Tomas Heligr-Pyke returns to Sunburnt Souls for a raw, hope-filled conversation about living with schizophrenia, following Jesus, and building real businesses. Tomas shares what hallucinations can feel like in everyday work, how he discerns reality, why openness beats stigma, and the practical ways faith steadies him through anxiety, contracts, and startup stress. If you’ve ever wondered how serious mental illness and thriving faith can coexist, this episode will meet you with honesty, humour, and grace.

I’m Dave Quak, your host. Usually we interview awesome people from all kinds of walks of life. We’ve had businesspeople with schizophrenia, burnt-out pastors, and worship leaders with anxiety

What’s it really like navigating singleness and faith in today’s church? In this candid Sunburnt Souls convo, Dave sits down with Dom and Sara to talk dating with purpose, resisting compromise, online-app red flags, and how church culture can accidentally make singles feel “broken.” They unpack the perks of singleness (time, flexibility, deeper discipleship), the tough days (weddings, isolation, comparison), and the spiritual practices that build what Dom calls “mental stamina.” From low-pressure setups to healthy community, friendship, and trusting God’s timing, this episode offers grace-filled, practical wisdom for singles—and for pastors and friends who want to support them well.

What does it really take to be a woman in ministry today? In this combined episode of Sunburnt Souls: A Christian Mental Health Podcast, Dave sits down with co-pastor and wife Jess Quak and emerging leader Maddy Mandell for a candid, two-part conversation on calling, leadership, and mental wellbeing. They trace the journey from “not yet” to “now,” unpack denominational hurdles, tokenism, and advocacy, and talk practical rhythms that protect mental health—supervision, therapy, rest, exercise, spiritual practices, and community. With honest stories about burnout, identity, collaboration, and the joy of mentoring the next generation, Jess and Maddy share hard-won wisdom for anyone discerning a call, leading in church spaces, or supporting women in leadership.

On the last day of an icy Gold Coast winter, Dave sits down with his favourite human—his wife and co-pastor, Jess Quak—to talk women in church leadership, calling, and mental health. From Bible college days on $416 a week to a denomination that once wouldn’t ordain women, Jess shares how conviction, character, and spiritual practices sustained her through shifting church culture. They unpack egalitarian vs complementarian dynamics without point-scoring, the unseen pressures women leaders face (from clothing comments to being “the representative”), and the joy of co-pastoring with clear lanes. If you’re discerning a call, leading in a mixed context, or shepherding women in your church, this conversation is honest, practical, and hope-filled.

Joel A'Bell (former Hillsong Global Director) and Dave Quak (founder of Sunburnt Souls, who lives with bipolar disorder) unpack the unseen emotional toll of high-capacity Christian leadership and how to prevent ministry burnout. Discover practical steps for maintaining spiritual wellbeing, keeping Jesus at the center, and finding hope during life’s biggest transitions.

Facing depression in ministry? Pastor Ralph Mayhew joins Dave Quak to break the stigma of mental health in the Christian world. Ralph shares his journey and offers faith-based resources for pastors and Christians dealing with anxiety and bipolar

Ash Morrison (00:09:52 - 00:10:50):
I’d never say divorce is the answer. It’s a last resort. I’d never tell anyone to stay in an abusive marriage, though. Everyone’s story is unique, and I answer to God for my choices.

Ash Morrison (00:10:50 - 00:11:41):
I kissed Zac early, and I’ll explain that to my kids one day. But God showed me you can be blessed in brokenness. He used that time to grow me, challenging my belief that you can’t be blessed if you’ve done wrong.

Dave Quak (00:11:41 - 00:13:27):
It’s not transactional. God loves the broken.

Ash Morrison (00:13:27 - 00:14:12):
Exactly. Zac wasn’t a Christian when we met, but we connected over shared struggles during COVID. I told Dave I was hanging out with a non-Christian guy, and the more I liked Zac, the more I panicked about being unequally yoked.

Dave Quak (00:14:12 - 00:14:39):
But Zac got baptised soon after!

Ash Morrison (00:13:12 - 00:14:09):
God keeps showing up like that. I never dreamed of being a parent, but I love it now. God knew I needed it. My plans get bulldozed, but it’s made me surrender control, saying, “God, sort it out.” Co-parenting with different households is easier because I’ve learned to let go, especially with Archer’s health challenges.

Dave Quak (00:14:09 - 00:15:28):
That surrender is powerful.

Ash Morrison (00:15:28 - 00:16:10):
Co-parenting is tough when styles differ, but I’ve learned there’s no “wrong” way to parent—just different. Amazing parents can raise troubled kids, and vice versa. We get caught up in doing it “right,” but no one truly knows.

Dave Quak (00:16:10 - 00:16:52):
Absolutely. Different cultures parent differently, like in Scandinavia, where kids start school at seven and catch up by nine, versus our push at four. There’s no one-size-fits-all.

Monica Cook, a Christian sexologist with the Life to the Full team in Sydney discusses sex, mental health, their connections, and many other important topics.

Lydia joins us to discuss her experience with postpartum psychosis and growing up with a parent who has schizoaffective disorder. She’s seven months into her own mental health journey and shares valuable insights on what to do—and what not to do—when managing psychosis while caring for a newborn baby.

Welcome to Sunburnt Souls. I’m Dave Quak, and on this show, we explore life, faith, and mental well-being. Many of our episodes focus on supporting those with mental illness or mental health challenges. Today, we’re discussing how someone with mental health struggles can also be a source of support for their family.

In this special episode, Sunburnt Souls brings you Pearls of Truth:  ten powerful stories from 2024 that offer deep wisdom and insight. From overcoming mental health challenges to navigating faith in uncertain times, these ten individuals will inspire, uplift, and challenge your perspective. Whether you’re seeking encouragement, spiritual growth, or just a reminder of the intimacy with God that can emerge from brokenness, these ten stories will resonate with your soul, let these stories encourage you in your faith and mental well-being

Welcome to Sunburnt Souls, where we uncover stories of transformation, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of hope in Jesus. I'm your host Dave Quak and today, we have the privilege of delving into the inspiring journey of Anthony Top, a former ratbag that battled addiction, found redemption, and rebuilt his life from the ashes.

In this unforgettable episode of Sunburnt Souls, Andrew "Robbo" Robinson takes us on a raw and inspiring journey through his life, navigating ADHD, Asperger’s, and the profound intersection of faith and personal struggles. Robbo’s path, though marked with challenges, is illuminated by the incredible moment when he met Jesus! (Jonothan Roumie).

Robbo opens up about the moment he shared a funny conversation with the actor playing Christ on the set of The Chosen. His journey isn’t just one of diagnosis and resilience; it’s a story of encountering God in the midst of the messiness, of embracing the love that meets him just as he is. Get ready for a conversation that blends faith, raw honesty, and real transformation—one that might just shift how you see your own walk with Jesus

Week 2 of 2: Dave Quak and Dr. Ashleigh Moreland continue their exploration of 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 going through the motions, this conversation is for you.

Ash shares both personal experiences and professional expertise, shedding light on how the brain, body, and spirit work together. Discover how transformation begins when we align our thinking with God’s truth.