In this compelling episode of the Unconventional Ministry Podcast, host Dennis Wiens talks with Emily Scheffel, an OCD advocate and founder of the Facebook community for women Healing the Hot Mess.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects millions of Americans, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions. Far more than a preference for cleanliness or organization, OCD can become a debilitating struggle involving intrusive thoughts, overwhelming anxiety, and repetitive behaviors, many of which are completely invisible to others.

Emily courageously shares her personal journey, including a five-day psychiatric hospitalization during pregnancy, the terrifying experience of unwanted intrusive thoughts, and the relief of finally receiving a diagnosis that helped explain years of suffering.

“I can look very, very normal… while my mind is racing with thoughts,” Emily explains.

Their conversation explores why OCD is so frequently misunderstood, how shame and fear keep people suffering in silence, and why family support, education, and appropriate treatment are essential. Dennis and Emily also discuss an often-overlooked challenge: What happens when OCD becomes entangled with Christian faith, prayer, guilt, and spiritual anxiety? How can churches respond with compassion rather than judgment?

Most importantly, this episode offers hope. OCD is treatable, and understanding the disorder is an important first step toward recovery.

If you struggle with OCD, love someone who does, or serve as a pastor or ministry leader, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Discover how awareness, faith, professional care, and supportive relationships can help replace isolation and shame with understanding and hope.

Emily suggested Resources:

• Read the book Brain Lock by Jeffrey Schwartz. Available on Amazon
• Checkout the many resources the International OCD Foundation has.

Human trafficking is not just a big-city problem, and it is not waiting for churches to notice. Dan Stevenson, author of Noonday Light explains why the real front line is the local church, and why prevention may be the most powerful anti-trafficking strategy most people are overlooking. After 42 years as a trial lawyer, Dan Stevenson walked away from major litigation and into a very different kind of fight. In this episode, he shares how God used his legal career, his first encounter with a trafficking survivor, and the example of William Wilberforce to reshape his calling around modern slavery, church training, and protecting vulnerable children before exploitation begins. You’ll discover:

• What human trafficking actually is, and why Dan calls it modern slavery
• Why most trafficking is sex trafficking, and why children are so often the target
• How traffickers use social media and the internet to recruit victims in plain sight
• Why foster care, homelessness, and vulnerable families are such critical pressure points
• What a “church as a refuge” really looks like in practice
• The global work of ZimZamGlobal and their vision for a church for every child.

What if Scripture sounded as though Peter, Paul, and John had stepped into the room? In this episode, biblical dramatist Lester Smith shares how a life-changing accident redirected his theatrical ambitions for Hollywood into ministry.

Through his ministry, Return of the Apostles, he presents memorized books of the Bible with clarity, emotion, and reverence. Lester explains how he memorized more than 1,000 verses, why entire biblical letters affect listeners differently, and how he remains faithful to the text. He also offers practical memorization advice and recounts an unforgettable encounter demonstrating how vividly presented Scripture can still lead people to Jesus Christ today.

Lester turned his theatrical gifts into a unique presentation style built on memorized books of the Bible and delivered with a conviction that God still uses dramatic action to communicate truth.

Inviting Lester to your group or church will not disappoint!