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August 10, 2025 36 mins

In this vital episode of Sunburnt Souls, a Christian mental health podcast, founder Dave Quak (pastor living with bipolar disorder) sits down with pastor, church planter, and creative Ralph Mayhew to explore the raw realities of depression, anxiety, and ministry burnout in the Christian world. Ralph shares his deeply personal journey—struggling with mental health while attending Bible college and serving as a lead pastor—and how he found true joy and identity in Jesus through it all.

You'll hear honest, practical discussion on:

  • The challenge of preaching God's truth when your life doesn't feel congruent with what you proclaim.
  • Why reframing your identity in Christ is the key to overcoming the stigma of anxiety and depression.
  • The role of medication, self-care, and Sabbath in a pastor's life (and why it's not a lack of faith).
  • How to build spiritual disciplines (like Lectio 365) that work with the messiness of life.
  • Finding strength to keep going, one rung of the ladder at a time, and redefining what a "win" looks like.

This conversation is essential for anyone in Christian leadership, anyone struggling with depression, or those seeking faith-based, practical hope for their mental wellbeing.

Links & Resources:

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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.

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