Ep. 57 - Healing from Church Hurt with Neuroscience & Grace: Christian Mental Health Tools That Actually Work​ with Joe Padilla from Mental Health Grace Alliance

In this transformative conversation, Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, CTP, QS sits down with Joe Padilla, co-founder of Mental Health Grace Alliance, for a deeply enriching and spiritually grounded discussion on mental health recovery, neuroplasticity, and faith. Joe shares his raw and inspiring personal journey—from homelessness and adversity to ministry, marriage, and the co-creation of one of the most impactful Christian mental health nonprofits worldwide.

Together, they break down how neuroscience and Scripture align, the missteps of traditional therapy models, and why it's essential to meet people with grace rather than guilt. If you've ever wrestled with religious trauma, church hurt, or wondered how to integrate science and faith without compromising either—this episode is for you.

 Key Topics Covered:

• Joe's powerful testimony of healing and resilience

• The origin story of Mental Health Grace Alliance

• The neuroscience behind trauma, anxiety, and the healing power of faith

• Why the Holy Spirit is more about comfort than conviction

• CBT, DBT, ACT, and the importance of using the right tool at the right time

• The dangers of spiritual bypassing and sin-consciousness in church culture

• The mental health implications of a loving vs. punitive view of God

• How Grace Alliance workbooks, groups, and free tools are changing lives

 Memorable Quotes:

• “Right now, God is absolutely and completely satisfied with you.” — Joe Padilla

• “The brain is not a stimulus-response machine. It’s a predictive organ. It only changes through experience.” — Joe Padilla

• “Let’s stop making it Christianese. If there's grace, make it practical.” — Diana S. Rice

• “If you start with sin, you’re building a sin-consciousness. If you start with love, you build a grace-consciousness.” — Joe Padilla

• “We are not trying to avoid suffering—we are learning how to walk through it, equipped with tools and truth.” — Diana S. Rice

 Featured Resources:

• Mental Health Grace Alliance Workbooks (Free Downloads)

• Living Grace: for individuals with mental health struggles

• Family Grace: for families and caregivers

• Redefine Grace: for students

• Thrive Workbook: a 200-page neuroscience-informed workbook for holistic recovery

• Training to lead a group: Free and accessible for anyone

• Dr. Matthew Stanford's book: Grace for the Afflicted

• Dr. Lisa Miller: The Awakened Brain and her work on spirituality and neuroscience

• Andrew Huberman (Huberman Lab Podcast) on fight/flight/freeze states and the predictive brain