Today we explore the raw, vulnerable prayers of lament in three powerful Psalms—Psalm 51, Psalm 3, and Psalm 88. These Psalms reflect different kinds of pain: Psalm 51 is David's cry for mercy when he's caused his own suffering; Psalm 3 is a plea for deliverance from the pain inflicted by others; and Psalm 88 voices the anguish of feeling like God Himself is the source of the pain. We dive into what it means to bring our deepest struggles to God, no matter the source, and how lament can lead us back to hope. If you're wrestling with sorrow, this episode offers a path forward from brokenness to restoration

Today on Sunburnt Souls, we delve into the complexities of faith and mental illness, exploring the tension between spiritual transformation and persistent struggles with negative thought patterns. We start by questioning why, if God can renew our mind, spirit, and body, we still find ourselves trapped in the same unhealthy mental processes. Despite receiving the Holy Spirit, experiencing divine intervention, and holding onto a deep-rooted hope, the weight of mental illness often feels at odds with the joy and freedom promised in our faith.

In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, we welcomed Jess Quak as our special guest, sharing her journey of living with a spouse with mental illness.

Jess shared her experiences and insights in navigating the challenges of mental illness within her marriage, highlighting the role of faith in her life.

Today we have best-selling author T.I. Lowe on Sunburnt Souls. As we explore her novel, "Under the Magnolias". Lowe, renowned for her talent in weaving remarkable narratives from everyday life, invites us to explore the intricate blend of faith, family, and mental health portrayed in her characters' journeys of struggle and triumph.

Welcome back to Sunburnt Souls. In today’s episode, we’re tackling a tough but necessary topic: why church can be horrible for the mentally ill. It’s a conversation that’s long overdue, and I’m here to unpack some of the ways our well-meaning churches can unintentionally become places of discomfort and pain for those battling mental health issues. From rigid structures to misconceptions about spirituality, we’re diving into the deep end.

Today we sit down with Mark McCrindle, a leading social researcher and futurist, to explore mental health trends with a special focus on Generation Alpha. As the man who coined the term 'Generation Alpha,' Mark provides unique insights into the youngest generation, who are growing up in an unprecedented digital landscape. 

In this raw and real conversation, host Dave Quak engages in an eye-opening interview with Karl Faase, delving deeply into the unsettling realities of spiritual abuse within Christian faith organisations. 

In this special episode, Amelia takes over as host and sits down with Dave Quak, the voice behind Sunburnt Souls. Stepping into the guest seat, Dave opens up about his journey as a pastor living with bipolar disorder, the highs and lows of navigating faith and mental health, and what it’s been like hosting a podcast for the last year. 

In this episode, Dave sits down with Dr. Stephen Beaumont to explore the concept of the midlife crisis. Dr. Beaumont, an expert in counselling and pastoral supervision, sheds light on whether the midlife crisis is a legitimate psychological phenomenon or more of a cultural myth. He explains that while people in their 40s to 60s often face significant life transitions and moments of self-reflection, there are ways to implement healthy practices that will help people navigate this season well.

In this episode we dive deep into Sharayah’s powerful testimony of overcoming anxiety and depression through the transformative friendship of Jesus. Sharayah candidly shares her journey, from the weight of mental illness that once left her feeling isolated and lonely to discovering a life-changing relationship with Christ. 

Sunburnt souls. You guys are blessed because I have got Tom Boyd with me today. Now, I don't usually name an episode before we do the episode. I normally name it after when I upload it, but I am going to call this the Enigma that is Tom Boyd because you, my friend, are a riddle.

In this inaugural episode, we turn the tables and interview Dave Quak, the founder of Sunburnt Souls; a podcast dedicated to the intersection between faith and mental health.

For over two decades, Dave has served as a pastor on the Gold Coast.  While running youth ministries and planting a church, he was able to push through the early days of mental ill-health without really understanding the magnitude of his conditions.