About the Author

In this episode of About the Author, host Hannah Harris speaks with counselor, author, and ministry founder Kent Darcie about the growing phenomenon known as gray divorce—when parents choose to divorce after their children are already grown. Kent explains what distinguishes gray divorce from earlier-life divorce and why its emotional impact on adult children is often misunderstood and underestimated.

Through real-life examples and professional insight, Kent explores how gray divorce can disrupt family identity, strain relationships across generations, intensify loyalty conflicts, and introduce doubt into adults’ views of marriage, faith, and stability. He also addresses the lack of support adult children often face, the burden of navigating new family dynamics, and the importance of boundaries, truth, and intentional healing. This conversation offers clarity and perspective for adults seeking to understand the ripple effects of late-life divorce—and reassurance that their parents’ choices do not have to define their own future.

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In this episode of About the Author, host Hannah Harris welcomes counselor, author, and ministry leader Kent Darcie for a focused conversation on father hunger—the deep emotional impact that can occur when a father is absent after divorce. Kent explains how a child’s unmet need for connection, affirmation, and guidance from a father can quietly shape identity, behavior, and relationships well into adulthood.

Kent explores how father hunger affects daughters and sons differently, addressing issues such as self-worth, relational patterns, masculinity, femininity, and the ways individuals seek validation when foundational questions go unanswered. He also discusses how faith, truth, and intentional healing can help adults recognize these patterns and begin restoring what was missing. This episode offers thoughtful insight for anyone seeking to better understand the long-term effects of divorce and the possibility of healing across generations.

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In this episode of About the Author, host Hannah Harris speaks with counselor, author, and ministry founder Kent Darcie about one of the most common—and least understood—effects of parental divorce: unresolved anger. Kent explains why anger is the primary emotional struggle for adults with divorced parents and how loss, loyalty conflicts, and unprocessed childhood experiences can quietly carry into adulthood.

Drawing from personal experience, research, and years of counseling work, Kent unpacks how anger can manifest as irritability, resentment, avoidance, or emotional outbursts, and how the “loyalty challenge” continues to affect adult relationships long after childhood. He also shares practical insight on recognizing the roots of anger, the importance of acknowledgment over denial, and healthy pathways toward healing through faith, self-awareness, and support. This conversation offers clarity, compassion, and hope for adults seeking to understand their emotions and break long-standing patterns.

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In this episode of About the Author, host Hannah Harris sits down with counselor, author, and ministry founder Kent Darie to explore the often-overlooked impact of parental divorce on adult children. Drawing from his personal story and decades of professional experience, Kent explains how unresolved anger, fear of conflict, trust issues, and emotional patterns formed in childhood can quietly shape adult relationships—especially marriage.

Kent also discusses his book *Preparing to Say “I Do” When Parents Said “I Don’t,” a premarital guide designed to address challenges traditional counseling often misses, and shares insights into the growing phenomenon of “gray divorce” and its effects on adult families. This thoughtful conversation offers practical tools, hope-filled perspective, and encouragement for adults with divorced parents who want to build healthier relationships and break generational cycles.

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In this episode, we explore several impactful topics from The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry—including cultural dynamics, LGBT+ conversations, children’s mental health, and biblical support for marriage. Dr. Mark Mayfield discusses how the Church can enter into people’s stories without assumptions, creating a supportive and understanding community. He offers practical guidance for pastors navigating LGBT+ issues with both grace and truth. He also explains how ministry leaders can come alongside families to recognize mental health concerns in children and help parents disciple their kids well. Additionally, Dr. Mayfield shares insight on how the Church can respond to the growing challenges facing marriages today and encourage healthy, Christ-centered relationships.

To book Dr. Mark Mayfield for a media interview, contact Serena Dillon at [email protected].

Dr. Mark Mayfield is an author, speaker, leadership coach, and licensed counselor. He is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Colorado Christian University and serves with the AACC as the Director of Practice and Ministry Development. His newest book is The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry: A Practical Guide for Supporting the Church's Mental and Emotional Well-Being. To Find out more go to MentalHealthMadeSimple.life or DrMayfield.com.

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*This episode contains discussions about suicide and self-harm. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988

In this episode, we dive into one of the most challenging yet critical issues facing ministry leaders today—suicide. Dr. Mark Mayfield shares how pastors and church teams can identify warning signs, respond with compassion, and build a culture of hope within their congregations. His book, The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry, equips leaders with practical guidance, including symptoms and behaviors to watch for, and ways the Church can be a place of true help and healing. Dr. Mayfield also addresses self-harm—how it differs from, yet can relate to, suicidal behavior. He explores what Scripture teaches about the sanctity of life and how God’s Word can be a source of wisdom and comfort when walking with someone in deep distress. And for those in ministry who may feel unprepared or overwhelmed by these situations, he offers encouragement and actionable advice for caring well while pointing people to hope.

To book Dr. Mark Mayfield for a media interview, contact Serena Dillon at [email protected].

Dr. Mark Mayfield is an author, speaker, leadership coach, and licensed counselor. He is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Colorado Christian University and serves with the AACC as the Director of Practice and Ministry Development. His newest book is The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry: A Practical Guide for Supporting the Church's Mental and Emotional Well-Being. To Find out more go to MentalHealthMadeSimple.life or DrMayfield.com.

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One of the key topics Dr. Mark Mayfield explores in The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry is anxiety—something increasingly common in today’s world. He encourages people to see anxiety not as a personal failure, but as a signal that something needs attention. Dr. Mayfield explains how God designed the brain and offers guidance on recognizing when someone should move beyond self-help or pastoral care and seek professional counseling. He also provides practical direction for ministry leaders: How can we support those struggling with anxiety disorders in ways that are both compassionate and effective? What does a true culture of care look like within the Church? His insights help leaders respond wisely and create environments where people can pursue real healing.

To book Dr. Mark Mayfield for a media interview, contact Serena Dillon at [email protected].

Dr. Mark Mayfield is an author, speaker, leadership coach, and licensed counselor. He is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Colorado Christian University and serves with the AACC as the Director of Practice and Ministry Development. His newest book is The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry: A Practical Guide for Supporting the Church's Mental and Emotional Well-Being. To Find out more go to MentalHealthMadeSimple.life or DrMayfield.com.

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About The Author welcomes Dr. Mark Mayfield to discuss his latest resource, The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry—a practical, trustworthy, and accessible guide for those serving in the church. Dr. Mayfield shares one of the most common challenges pastors and elders face—the pressure to have all the answers. He explains how the book equips ministry leaders to navigate difficult and often stigmatized topics such as self-harm, depression, suicide, and more—while pointing people to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Counselor. With contributions from respected experts, this handbook offers biblically grounded, clinically informed insight to help the Church become a leading voice for hope and healing.

To book Dr. Mark Mayfield for a media interview, contact Serena Dillon at [email protected].

Dr. Mark Mayfield is an author, speaker, leadership coach, and licensed counselor. He is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Colorado Christian University and serves with the AACC as the Director of Practice and Ministry Development. His newest book is The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry: A Practical Guide for Supporting the Church's Mental and Emotional Well-Being. To Find out more go to MentalHealthMadeSimple.life or DrMayfield.com.

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In this episode of About the Author, Paul and Jeannette discuss the incredible importance of modeling a deep relationship with Jesus for their children. They share how certain Bible verses, personal practices, and acts of service carried them through the difficulties of divorce and the complexities of navigating their new blended family. 

Paul and Jeannette Savage are a Colorado-based couple with a blended family of five adult children and five grandchildren. Despite their grown children, they actively maintain family ties through monthly gatherings and childcare. Jeannette is a seasoned medical professional with 20+ years of experience and has led women’s groups at their church while Paul, a veteran of 35 years in industrial sales, coaches men in recovery. They are authors of the new book, Blended: Navigating the Challenges and Joys of a Stepfamily. To find out more about the Savage family, visit their website: blendedbook.org

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In this episode of About the Author, Paul and Jeannette Savage share insights into successfully blending a family. From necessary conversations with your new spouse on financial planning to creating memories as a new family unit (cruises were their favorite!), from deciding only to discipline their biological children (and come to each other when they had an issue) to spending time individually with their stepchildren to build a friendship - this episode is packed with tips for any blended family listening in. 

Paul and Jeannette Savage are a Colorado-based couple with a blended family of five adult children and five grandchildren. Despite their grown children, they actively maintain family ties through monthly gatherings and childcare. Jeannette is a seasoned medical professional with 20+ years of experience and has led women’s groups at their church while Paul, a veteran of 35 years in industrial sales, coaches men in recovery. They are authors of the new book, Blended: Navigating the Challenges and Joys of a Stepfamily. To find out more about the Savage family, visit their website: blendedbook.org

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