Sunburnt Souls Stories
Suffering, Anxiety and Christian Meditation: Finding Peace in Pain with Dr. Joshua Knabb
Dr. Joshua Knabb shares his journey from a shattered worldview to becoming a clinical psychologist and contemplative practitioner. He discusses why pain must be faced, not avoided, and how Christian meditation offers an alternative to mindfulness.
Motherhood and the Pressure to Perform: Finding Grace in the Mess with Sarah Wiseman
Sarah Wiseman shares her raw journey from addiction to motherhood, perfectionism to grace. A powerful story about PMDD, the pressure to perform, and discovering that God's love doesn't change when we do.
Alcohol, Bipolar and Drinking in the Dark
Dave Quak shares his raw journey with alcohol and bipolar disorder—from self-medication in the dark to drawing a line in the sand. A powerful story about choosing the higher calling, protecting your family, and finding recovery through faith.
From Hillsong to Humanitarian: Joel A'Bell on Faith and Leadership
Joel A'Bell shares his 40-year journey of faithfulness in ministry—from youth pastor to Hillsong leader to Convoy of Hope director. A powerful story about staying connected to Jesus, leading with integrity, and discovering that calling is about faithfulness to Him, not to a position.
The Pastor with Bipolar. Dave Quak- Host of Sunburnt Souls
Dave Quak, pastor and founder of Sunburnt Souls, shares his raw journey with bipolar disorder, faith, and leadership. A powerful story of darkness, breakthrough, and discovering that God doesn't just love you—He likes you.
Faith in the Fire: Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton's Story
Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton shares her powerful story of faith, resilience, and hope after being wrongly imprisoned. A rare interview exploring the spiritual dimension of her journey.
Taking a Short Break: Why We’re Resting (for Now) — And How You Can Rest Well Too
After 89 straight weeks, Dave and Jess Quak share why Sunburnt Souls is taking a short break. Discover how to rest well, reconnect with God, and access a free 4-week Christian wellbeing course designed to strengthen faith and mental health this Christmas
Paralysed but Not Defeated: A Christian Mental Health Journey from Depression to Hope
After a BMX crash left him paralysed, he faced years of depression, doubt, and silence. This powerful Christian mental health story reveals how faith, therapy, and community turned pain into purpose.
How to Connect with God When You’re Mentally Unwell (And Why the Bible Always Meets You There)
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.
Navigating the World of Blunt People: Insights from the Latest Episode of Sunburnt Souls
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.
Supporting Your Family While Managing Bipolar: 5 Ways to Lead Even with Mental Illness
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.
The Role of AI in Mental Wellbeing: Finding Balance in Technology and Faith
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.
Schizophrenia, Faith & Business: Loving Jesus While Running a Startup
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.
Faith & Mental Health: Finding God in the Mess of Bipolar, Anxiety & Depression
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
The Single Life: Faith and Mental Health in the Church
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.
Women in Leadership, Ministry, & Mental Health: A Conversation with Jess Quak and Maddy Mandall (Part 1 & 2)
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.
Women in Ministry: Calling, Church Stigma, and Mental Health — with Jess Quak
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.
From Hillsong to Humanitarian: Joel A'Bell on Faith and Leadership
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.
Faith, Mental Health & Ministry: Ralph Mayhew on Depression, Pastoring, and Finding Joy in Jesus
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
Christian Mental Health & Divorce: Ash Morrison on Healing Guilt and Finding Faith
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!