Sunburnt Souls

In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave sits down with his wife, Pastor Jess Quak, to talk candidly about the realities of being a woman in church leadership — and the unique mental health challenges that come with it.

From their early ministry years juggling Bible college, youth ministry, and financial strain, to navigating decades of denominational debates over women in ministry, Jess shares her story with honesty and grace. She u...

Unlike our usual Sunburnt Souls episodes that dive deep into mental health, this conversation takes a different turn, touching lightly on mental health while delivering an engaging and inspiring focus on faith, leadership, and purpose with Joel A’Bell’s incredible journey.

What happens when you transition from leading thousands at Hillsong to championing a global mission of hope? In this heartfelt Sunburnt Souls episode, Joel A&apos...

In this fresh episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave Quak sits down with pastor, photographer, and YouTube creator Ralph Mayhew to talk about the raw realities of following Jesus while navigating mental health struggles. Ralph shares his personal journey with depression, the lessons learned in both life and ministry, and how he’s found joy in Christ through it all.

You’ll hear stories about marriage in the midst of mental illness, the impo...

In this second part of Ash Morrison’s story on Sunburnt Souls, host Dave Quak explores Ash’s journey of rebuilding her life as a Christian woman after divorce. Ash shares the challenges of navigating divorce, parenting three young children (including one with disabilities), and unexpectedly meeting and marrying Zac, a non-Christian at the time. She discusses wrestling with guilt, biblical interpretations of divorce, and the transf...

Summary: In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, host Dave Quak sits down with Ash Morrison to discuss the complexities of parenting a child with disabilities, blending two families through faith, and navigating personal challenges like perfectionism and childhood trauma. Ash shares her journey of raising five children, including her youngest, Archer, who has tuberous sclerosis complex, and how her faith and intentional gratitude practi...

Host: Dave Quak

Overview: In this solo episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave Quak explores the role of AI chatbots, like Wysa, in supporting mental wellbeing, particularly from a Christian perspective. He examines their benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations, drawing on Christian thinkers to provide a balanced view on integrating AI into faith and mental health practices.

Key Points:

1. Introduction to AI Chatbots:
   • AI chatbot...

In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, host Dave Quak and his wife, Jess, dive into the vital topic of how individuals with mental health challenges can still be a source of support for their families. Focusing on faith, collaboration, and practical contributions, they explore five key areas—spiritual leadership, household help, financial management, practical support, and personal growth—where those with mental health struggles can fo...

📝 Podcast Show Notes

Episode Summary:
In this powerful episode, we follow one woman’s raw and redemptive journey through decades of mental illness, childhood trauma, sexual abuse, postpartum depression, stage 3 brain cancer, epilepsy, and a massive stroke. From the depths of despair to the heights of hope, she shares how Jesus carried her through the darkest valleys—and how a 75-mile bike ride became a lifeline of purpose and ...

This week on Sunburnt Souls, Dave Quak is back with another raw, real, and at times ridiculous episode—recorded while on family holiday, but packed with depth. He reflects on how short radio soundbites have unexpectedly spread across 14+ stations in Australia, sharing stories that connect faith and mental health in bite-sized doses.

In this episode, Dave takes us on a journey that includes:

• Singing the Home and Away theme in Thai...

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)
• ...

What happens when postpartum joy collides with deep-seated fear? Lydia Farbach opens up about her raw and powerful journey through postpartum psychosis, growing up with a mum diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, and the fear that she might follow the same path. From sleepless nights and spiritual confusion to calling out to God in the back of an ambulance, Lydia shares what it’s like to lose grip on reality—while holding onto J...

Dave Quak sits down with Christian sexologist Monica Cook for a raw and refreshing conversation about faith, sex, and the sacred wisdom of the Song of Songs. They unpack how theology and sexology can work together, challenge the silence around Christian intimacy, and explore how God’s design for desire is both holy and healing.

Whether you’re married, single, or somewhere in between, this episode brings grace, wisdom, and real talk ...

This week Dave Quak sits down with Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, the woman at the centre of one of Australia’s most infamous miscarriages of justice. Wrongfully convicted of her baby daughter’s murder, Lindy endured prison, public hatred, and unimaginable grief—but never let go of her faith.

Hear her powerful reflections on:

– Trusting God through pain and injustice
 – Finding peace in prison
 – The choice to forgive
 – Re...

In this powerful episode, Dave sits down with Pastor Noriko Reid, one of the senior pastors at Hope Church on the Gold Coast, to share her raw and redemptive journey through anxiety, depression, and into freedom through Jesus.

Through God’s faithfulness, the power of His Word, and the support of faith-filled community, Noriko experienced healing. Today, she leads with compassion, offering hope to those still in the fight. Her story ...

Today, we sits down with Elle McBride— a leading voice in trauma recovery and one of the first 150 globally trained Certified Havening Techniques Practitioners and Trainers. Elle introduces us to Neuro Self-Care — a practical, neuroscience-based approach that helps people manage stress, regulate emotions, and build resilience by tapping into the brain’s natural healing abilities. Blending Havening, cutting-edge techniques, and a fa...

In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave sits down with Esther Thomas, Clinical Naturopath and owner of Olea Health, to explore the powerful connection between gut health and mental well-being. With her extensive background in holistic healthcare, Esther dives into how imbalances in digestive health can contribute to stress, anxiety, poor sleep, and fatigue. She shares practical insights on how addressing these imbalances can suppor...

In this powerful episode, Dave Quak sits down with Scott Cunningham, a self-proclaimed late bloomer who met Jesus at the age of 60. Scott shares his raw, redemptive journey through addiction, brokenness, recovery, and the relentless love of God.

💥 The Turning Point at 60

Scott opens up about:

• His early years of pain, self-sabotage, and addiction
• The turning point that led him to cry out to Jesus
• Why healing doesn’t always come quic...

In this episode, Dave sits down with Andrew ‘Robbo’ Robinson — beloved Christian radio host and long-time voice of the Rise & Shine breakfast show on Vision Christian Radio. For over 17 years, Robbo has brought joy, encouragement, and truth to the airwaves — all while navigating life on the Autism Spectrum (ASD).

Robbo opens up about the unique challenges and surprising strengths that come with being neurodivergent in a public m...

In this second part of the conversation, Dr Ashleigh unpacks how true transformation isn’t just about changing thoughts, but about healing the nervous system, renewing the mind, and living in alignment with who God created us to be.

If you're a leader, a parent, or simply someone longing to live from a place of peace rather than pressure—this episode is packed with wisdom you won't want to miss.

🔗 Connect with Ash and Re-M...