5 Real Stories of Faith and Mental Health: Mania, Grief, Anxiety, and Grace Artwork

Sunburnt Souls: A Christian Mental Health Podcast

Searching for real conversations about Christian mental health — faith, anxiety, depression, and emotional resilience — shared with raw honesty and biblical hope? You’ve found it.

Sunburnt Souls is a Christian mental health podcast where faith and mental health meet real life. Each episode offers faith-based coping strategies, spiritual encouragement, and raw stories of hope.

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.

You’ll hear 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 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 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. 🌐 Learn more at sunburntsouls.com

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Sunburnt Souls: A Christian Mental Health Podcast

5 Real Stories of Faith and Mental Health: Mania, Grief, Anxiety, and Grace

June 23, 2025 • Dave Quak

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 strange, hilarious, painful, and deeply human.

Topics we cover:

🏠 Mental illness & impulse control (bipolar mania and regret)
🐭 Carrying invisible burdens (the mouse on Mum’s shoulder)
🧠 Responding to criticism and trolls with God’s truth
🐦 Coping with grief and unexpected loss (yes, the pelican is real)
🧘‍♂️ Learning to be still in a noisy world

Plus, Dave and his family are broadcasting from Bali — honouring a dear friend, Tony, who recently went to be with Jesus, and finding space to rest, dive, and reflect.

💡 Be encouraged that you’re not alone in your mess. There’s grace. There’s healing. And there’s hope.

☀️ CONNECT with Sunburnt Souls

Discover more from Sunburnt Souls — a Christian mental health podcast sharing real stories of faith, hope, and healing at sunburntsouls.com.

Explore our library of Christian mental health resources, including podcasts, free devotionals, and online courses designed to help you strengthen your faith, overcome anxiety and depression, and experience emotional and spiritual renewal.

🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

A 28-day, $28 journey to help you:

Embrace your identity in Jesus
Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
Navigate anxiety, depression, and burnout with honesty and grace

👉 Start your 28-day journey today

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