Dave and Jess Quak sit down for a candid conversation about the relationship between physical illness and mental health, from everyday flu moments to chronic conditions that keep coming back when you least expect them.

We talk through Jess’ long trail of medical issues and the emotional strain that comes with unpredictable symptoms, delayed diagnoses, and repeated recovery. Migraines come up as a brutal example of how pain steals capacity and creates ripple effects in marriage, parenting, and leadership, along with the hidden pressures that healthy people often miss. We also name the real-world costs: sick days, feeling unreliable at work, the financial hit of MRIs and specialist visits, and the guilt that shows up when you need help.

If you know chronic illness, chronic pain, migraines, sleep apnea, depression recovery, or just the mental weight of being unwell, this one is for you. Subscribe for more conversations on life, faith, and mental well-being.

If Sunburnt Souls has helped or blessed you in any way, can I ask a small favour? Would you consider telling someone about the podcast, reposting an episode link, or bringing it up over dinner with a mate sometime? Word of mouth is how this podcast spreads. We don’t have the budget for advertising, so every share genuinely helps more people discover the conversations we’re having around faith and mental health.

🙏 IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO SUPPORT THE MISSION

Help us keep producing Christian mental health podcasts and resources that bring hope to listeners around the world and breaks the stigma in the Church. 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls. ALL DONATIONS OVER $2 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

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

A 28-day, FREE 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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⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW

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Sunburnt Souls is produced by Pretty Podcasts — a Christian mental health production where faith meets real life through stories ...

After a live radio interview where most callers were supportive, one angry voice spewed out and suddenly that one comment became louder than all the encouragement.

Why does criticism stick so deeply, and why do we replay the negative while forgetting the good? In this episode, we unpack the mental health reality of negativity, rejection, and learning to live from our identity in Christ instead of the approval of others. We explore why our hearts are often drawn toward the one thing that steals our peace, and how encouragement, forgiveness, and wisdom help us respond differently.

Through Romans 12:19 and Luke 6:27-31, we look at Jesus’ call to love our enemies, bless those who hurt us, and break free from bitterness — while recognising that forgiveness doesn’t mean ignoring boundaries or staying in harmful situations. If you’re navigating criticism, hurt, or the challenge of letting go, this episode is for you

If Sunburnt Souls has helped or blessed you in any way, can I ask a small favour? Would you consider telling someone about the podcast, reposting an episode link, or bringing it up over dinner with a mate sometime? Word of mouth is how this podcast spreads. We don’t have the budget for advertising, so every share genuinely helps more people discover the conversations we’re having around faith and mental health.

🙏 IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO SUPPORT THE MISSION

Help us keep producing Christian mental health podcasts and resources that bring hope to listeners around the world and breaks the stigma in the Church. 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls. ALL DONATIONS OVER $2 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

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

A 28-day, FREE 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

📩 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

Get weekly encouragement, bonus podcast clips, and faith-informed mental health resources in your inbox. 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW

Love this episode? Your review helps others discover faith-based mental health resources and find hope for their journey.

• Listen and Rate on Apple Podcasts
• Listen & Rate on Spotify

Sunburnt Souls is produced by Pretty Podcasts — a Christian mental health production where faith meets real life through stories ...

Retreating is a core practice for Christian mental health, especially when anxiety, depression, burnout, or emotional numbness start running the show. We’re not interested in pretending faith means you’re always fine. We want honesty, rest, and real connection with Jesus right in the middle of the mess.

We lay out a simple framework for spiritual retreat that actually matches real life: forced, frustrated, and fun. We walk through Elijah’s collapse under the broom tree and what God does first (sleep, food, water, time), plus Job’s painful invitation to grieve without rushing to explain it. If you’re in a forced retreat season, we offer practical guidance for slowing down, paying attention to your inner world, and letting God meet you there without shame.

Then we move into the frustrated retreat, using Jacob’s all-night wilderness wrestle as a picture of how anger, fear, and unmet hopes can become a holy turning point. Finally, we reclaim fun retreat as biblical, healing, and good for your nervous system, whether that’s a beach day, art, hiking, laughter, or a phone-free reset. If a full getaway isn’t possible, we share micro retreat options and resources like Lectio 365, the Bible app, and Bible Project to help you build a sustainable rhythm.

If this helps you, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s running on empty, and leave a review so more people can find honest conversations about faith and mental well-being. What kind of retreat do you need right now?

If Sunburnt Souls has helped or blessed you in any way, can I ask a small favour? Would you consider telling someone about the podcast, reposting an episode link, or bringing it up over dinner with a mate sometime? Word of mouth is how this podcast spreads. We don’t have the budget for advertising, so every share genuinely helps more people discover the conversations we’re having around faith and mental health.

🙏 IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO SUPPORT THE MISSION

Help us keep producing Christian mental health podcasts and resources that bring hope to listeners around the world and breaks the stigma in the Church. 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls. ALL DONATIONS OVER $2 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

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

A 28-day, FREE 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

📩 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

Get weekly encouragement, bonus podcast clips, and faith-informed mental health resources in your inbox. 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW

Love this episode? Your review helps others discover faith-based mental health resources and find hope for their journey.

• Listen and Rate on Apple Podcasts
• Listen & Rate on Spotify

Sunburnt Souls is produced by Pretty Podcasts — a Christian mental health production where faith meets real life through stories ...