CXMH: On Faith & Mental Health

By Robert Vore & Dr. Holly Oxhandler

Religion & Spirituality Spirituality Christianity

What's CXMH: On Faith & Mental Health about?

Hosts Robert Vore & Dr. Holly Oxhandler discuss the intersection of Christianity and mental health. Guests include pastors, ministry workers, mental health professionals, and more.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

CXMH: On Faith & Mental Health episodes:

02.26.2024
178 - Starting the Year Slow
Robert and Holly talk about starting off a new year slowly (6:23): why it might be important (7:32), some practical ideas for being proactive (13:23), and some tools to keep for along the way (27:08).Things we mention in this episode/other...
12.11.2023
177 - Dementia, Memory Ministry, & Informed Compassion (feat. Mary McDaniel Cail)
Content warning: this episode contains mentions of suicide, miscarriage, and loss.This week we’re joined by Dr. Mary Cail, author of Dementia and the Church: Memory, Care, and Inclusion and Alzheimer's: A Crash Course for Friends and Relatives. She explains why...
11.13.2023
176 - Integrating Behavioral Health into Primary Care (feat. Dr. Becky Bell Scott)
This week Dr. Becky Bell Scott joins us to talk about integrating behavioral health into primary care settings. Dr. Scott is the Program Director for Social Work in Primary Care Programs at Baylor University.Things we mention in this episode/other resources:- the...
10.23.2023
175 - Moving Into Healthier Paradigms (feat. Aurelia Dávila Pratt)
This week we’re joined by Aureila Dávila Pratt: pastor, social work graduate, and author of A Brown Girl's Epiphany: Reclaim Your Intuition and Step into Your Power. We talk about stepping out of harmful paradigms and stepping into helpful ones.Things...
10.16.2023
174 - 3 Ways to Change How We Understand Adolescents (feat. Robert Vore)
This week, Holly interviews Robert! We talk about how we define adolescence, why it’s such an important time of life, and three specific shifts in our understanding that can be helpful when working with adolescents. This one’s for the parents,...
10.10.2023
173 - The Science of the Good Samaritan (feat. Dr. Emily Smith)
Our favorite epidemiologist, Dr. Emily Smith, returns to the show this week for the first time since November 2020! She talks with us about her new book, The Science of the Good Samaritan: Thinking Bigger about Loving Our Neighbors.Things we...
10.02.2023
172 - Sacredness in Every Season (feat. Kayla Craig)
This week Kayla Craig returns (having previously been on episode 134 (https://cxmhpodcast.com/show-notes/2021/09/27/134-kayla-craig)) to talk about her new book, Every Season Sacred: Reflections, Prayers, and Invitations to Nourish Your Soul and Nurture Your Family throughout the Year . We talk about...
09.25.2023
171 - Creativity, Recovering from Burnout, & Joy-Based Education (feat. Dr. Merideth Hite Estevez)
To kick off season 8, we’re joined by Dr. Merideth Hite Estevez. Dr. Estevez talks to us about using creativity to reconnect with spirituality, recovering from burnout, and why inspiration should replace shame as the basis of education. Dr. Estevez...
09.19.2023
Season 8 Is Here!
Robert and Holly return to kick off Season 8 of CXMH!Things we mention in this episode/other resources:- CXMH ep. Recast - Getting the Rest You Actually Need (feat. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith) (https://cxmhpodcast.com/show-notes/2023/03/20/recast-dalton-smith)- CXMH ep. 168 - Our Teens are Sleep-Deprived (&...
05.15.2023
Summer 2023! // Season 7 Finale
We (Robert & Holly) reflect on Season 7, what we’ve learned over the past year (from the show and our lives), and look ahead to the summer.Things we mention in this episode/other resources:- Check out all the episodes from Season 7...
05.08.2023
170 - Felt Safety, Honoring Our Needs, & the Flow of Strength (feat. Aundi Kolber)
We’re closing out Season 7 with one of our favorite people! Therapist and author Aundi Kolber is back to talk about her new book, Strong like Water: Finding the Freedom, Safety, and Compassion to Move through Hard Things--and Experience True...
05.01.2023
169 - Enneagram Stances, Balance, & Moving Towards Wholeness (feat. Suzanne Stabile)
This week we’re joined by the one and only Enneagram Godmother, Suzanne Stabile! Suzanne is one of the most renowned experts on the Enneagram, as well as being the author/co-author of books such as The R...
04.24.2023
168 - Our Teens are Sleep-Deprived (& It's Hurting Their Mental Health) (feat. Lisa L. Lewis)
Studies show that when our teenagers get adequate sleep, it has huge impacts. From grades to safety to mental health, adolescents need more sleep then other ages. Unfortunately, the majority of adolescents in the United States aren’t getting enough sleep...
04.17.2023
167 - Christian Mindfulness (feat. Dr. Regina Chow Trammel)
This week we’re joined by Regina Chow Trammel, co-author of A Counselor's Guide to Christian Mindfulness: Engaging the Mind, Body, and Soul in Biblical Practices and Therapies. She teaches us about the basics of mindfulness, how it can help, how...
04.10.2023
166 - Humility in a Narcissistic World (feat. Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren)
This week we’re joined by Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren, the author of Humble: Free Yourself from the Traps of a Narcissistic World. Daryl teaches us about different types of humility, how it can impact us & those around us, and...
04.03.2023
165 - Trauma-Informed Preaching (feat. Dr. Sarah Travis)
Today we’re joined by Rev. Dr. Sarah Travis, the author of Unspeakable: Preaching and Trauma-Informed Theology. She talks about what trauma-informed theology means, how that can shape preaching, and why preaching matters in the context of trauma. Dr. Travis teaches...
03.27.2023
164 - Self-Harm: Compassionate Understanding & Healing (feat. Dr. Janis Whitlock)
Content warning: discussion of self-harm, suicide, and related topics.This week we’re joined by Dr. Janis Whitlock, one of the authors of Healing Self-Injury: A Compassionate Guide for Parents and Other Loved Ones. Dr. Whitlock talks about what self-injury is (2:46),...
03.20.2023
Recast - Getting the Rest You Actually Need (feat. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith)
This week we’re rebroadcasting our interview from 2019 with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith about different types of rest. Original show notes:- - -Have you ever wondered why you’re still tired if you’re getting enough sleep? How do we know if we’re...
03.13.2023
163 - Mr. Rogers, Hospital Chaplaincy, & Living as a Holistic Story (feat. Rick Lee James)
We’re joined this week by Rick Lee James. Rick is a musician and worship leader, as well as running the biggest Mr. Rogers quotes account on Twitter, hosting a few podcasts, and is currently in a hospital chaplaincy program. We...
03.06.2023
162 - Celebrating One Year of The Soul of the Helper (feat. Dr. Holly Oxhandler)
This week we celebrate that Holly’s book, The Soul of The Helper (https://amzn.to/3mwhata), has been out for over a year! She reflects on the past year and answers some Q&As that she’s gotten since the book released. At the end,...
02.27.2023
Recast - Black Mental Wellness, the Black Church, & Public Health (feat. Brandon Johnson)
This week, we’re recasting our interview from early 2021 with Brandon Johnson. The original show note is below:---Content warning: in this episode we talk about suicideThis week we’re joined by Brandon Johnson, public health expert and creator of The Black...
02.13.2023
161 - Vulnerability vs. Exploitation & How We Find Our Self-Worth (feat. Eryn Eddy)
This week we’re joined by Eryn Eddy, founder of So Worth Loving! We talk about sharing our stories, when that can be unhealthy, navigating burnout & divorce, healing, and how we can find our self-worth along the journey. Eryn is...
02.06.2023
160 - Letting Go & Finding Joy (feat. Kevin Sweeney)
This week we’re joined by Kevin Sweeney to talk about letting go, and how that can change both our internal & external lives. We also talk about mysticism, mushrooms, and weird interactions at the airport. Kevin is the author of...
01.30.2023
159 - Creativity, Faith, & Mental Health (feat. Stephen Roach)
In our first interview for Season 7, we’re joined by Stephen Roach. Stephen talks to us about creativity, faith, mental health, and how all of those things intersect.Things we mention in this episode/other resources:- Makers & Mystics S9 E02: The Soul...
01.23.2023
We're Back! // Welcome to Season 7.
After taking the fall off, we’re back and excited to kick off Season 7! In this episode, we talk about why we paused the show and where we go from here.Things we mention in this episode/other resources:- Embracing Rhythms of Work...
05.24.2022
Summer 2022! // Season 6 Finale
Robert and Holly reflect on Season 6 and look toward the summer break from the show.Connect with Robert on his website (https://robert-vore.com), Twitter (https://twitter.com/RobertVore), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RobertVoreCounseling/), or Instagram. (https://www.instagram.com/robertvore/)Connect with Holly on her website (https://hollyoxhandler.com/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/hollyoxhandler/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/hollyoxhandler/), or...
05.18.2022
Bonus! "Witness" by Morgan Harper Nichols
Morgan Harper Nichols reading her poem “Witness.” This clip is from our recent episode, 158 - Peace as a Practice (feat. Morgan Harper Nichols) (https://cxmhpodcast.com/show-notes/2022/05/16/158-mhn-peace).Connect with Morgan on her website (https://morganharpernichols.com/), on Instagram (http://instagram.com/morganharpernichols), on Twitter (https://twitter.com/morganhnichols), on Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/morganharpernichols),...
05.16.2022
158 - Peace as a Practice (feat. Morgan Harper Nichols)
For our last interview of Season 6, we’re excited to have the return of Morgan Harper Nichols! She talks to us about her recent autism diagnosis, how viewing peace as a practice is helpful, and some ways to engage in...
05.09.2022
157 - What If Our Pain Is Telling Us Something? (feat. Eric Minton)
This week we talk with writer, pastor, and therapist Eric Minton. He talks to us about his new book It's Not You, It's Everything: What Our Pain Reveals about the Anxious Pursuit of the Good Life. Why are we all...
05.02.2022
156 - Navigating Depression & Doubt with Saints (feat. Diana Gruver)
This week we talk with Diana Gruver, author of Companions in the Darkness: Seven Saints Who Struggled with Depression and Doubt. She talks to us about the struggles of people like Charles Spurgeon, Mother Theresa, William Cowper, Martin Luther King...
04.25.2022
155 - Spirituality in Therapy Sessions (feat. Russell Siler Jones)
This week we’re joined by Russell Siler Jones to talk about his book Spirit in Session: Working with Your Client’s Spirituality (and Your Own) in Psychotherapy. He talks with us about why spirituality matters for all of us, some ways...
04.18.2022
154 - How We Grieve and Why 'Moving On' Isn't the Goal (feat. Dr. Jill Harrington)
Content warning: grief, death, loss, and brief mention of suicide deathToday we’re joined by Dr. Jill Harrington, editor of Superhero Grief: the Transformative Power of Loss. She teaches us about grieving styles, the continuing bonds theory, and unpacks some types...
04.11.2022
153 - How to Be a Trauma-Informed Community (feat. Dr. Amy Marschall)
On this week’s episode we’re joined by Dr. Amy Marschall to talk about being a trauma-informed community. What does ‘trauma-informed’ even mean? What changes when we use that lens? How does it shape caring for others (and ourselves)? We talk...
04.05.2022
152 - How to Find Contentment (Instead of Happiness) (feat. Niro Feliciano)
This week we talk with Niro Feliciano about the difference between happiness & contentment (13:02), why happiness is so hard to find in the first place (17:37), and the 8 keys to contentment (24:11). These keys include things like connection...
03.28.2022
151 - Grief, Certainty, Deconstruction, & Superheroes (feat. James Prescott)
On today’s episode, we talk with author & podcaster James Prescott! We talk about grief, how learning how to grief can guide us through certainty & deconstruction, and we hear a lot of James’s story. Also, he talks about superheroes!
03.21.2022
150 - Faith, Mental Health, & Rest for the Weary (feat. Emmy Kegler)
Today we’re joined by Emmy Kegler to talk about her new book, All Who Are Weary: Easing the Burden on the Walk with Mental Illness. In the intro, we talk about Spring Break and how Holly might’ve taken the ‘break’...
03.07.2022
149 - Black Mental Wellness, the Black Church, and Public Health (feat. Brandon Johnson)
Content warning: in this episode we talk about suicideThis week we’re joined by Brandon Johnson, public health expert and creator of The Black Mental Wellness Lounge. We talk about why conversations specific to black mental health matter (including suicide prevention),...
02.28.2022
Recast - Seeing the Sacred in Ourselves & Each Other (feat. Dr. Holly Oxhandler)
It’s book launch day for Holly’s brand new book The Soul of The Helper! To celebrate, we’re releasing the interview we did where Robert interviews Holly about it. In a really special intro, Robert’s copy of the book gets delivered...
02.21.2022
148 - Homelessness & Housing Insecurity (feat. Kevin Nye)
This week we talk with Kevin Nye, author of the upcoming book Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Call to End Homelessness. Kevin tells us about how COVID has impacted homelessness, why the housing first model is so important,...
02.14.2022
Recast - Singleness (feat. Holly Stallcup & Dr. Bella DePaulo)
This week we’re rereleasing our conversation from 2019 with Holly Stallcup & Dr. Bella DePaulo about singleness. Here’s the link to preorder Dr. Holly Oxhandler’s new book (https://amzn.to/34EcOYf)! Original show notes below:--------------------------------------------------It’s Valentine’s week, and one important conversation to...
02.07.2022
147 - How To Play (& Why It Matters) (feat. Courtney Ellis)
This week we talk with pastor & author Courtney Ellis about playfulness! Why it matters, how it can show up in our everyday lives, and how to play more regularly. In the intro, Robert & Holly talk about games they’ve...
01.31.2022
146 - How Patriarchy Got Baptized (feat. Dr. Beth Allison Barr)
This week we’re joined by Dr. Beth Allison Barr, historian and author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth. She tells us about the role of women throughout Christian history, why understand that...
01.24.2022
145 - How Children's Books Can Shape Our View of God & Ourselves (feat. Matthew Paul Turner)
This week we’re joined by Matthew Paul Turner (author of children’s books like When God Made Light, When God Made You, and more). Matthew talks to us about why children’s books is important in our view of ourselves & God,...
01.17.2022
144 - Embodiment, Healing, & Working With Our Bodies (feat. Dr. Hillary McBride)
To kick off the second half of Season 6, we talk with Dr. Hillary McBride! Hillary is a therapist, research, podcaster, and the author of The Wisdom of Your Body: Finding Healing, Wholeness, and Connection Through Embodied Living. She talks...
12.13.2021
Christmas 2021!
Robert and Holly chat before taking the holiday break off! We talk about our experiences being in Christmas plays (03:51), our favorite Christmas songs (10:56), reflect on the first half of Season 6 (14:18), and our hopes for the listeners...
12.06.2021
143 - Seeing the Sacred in Ourselves & Each Other (feat. Dr. Holly Oxhandler)
This week is a special episode of CXMH! Robert interviews our very own Dr. Holly Oxhandler about the ideas in her upcoming book, The Soul of The Helper. Holly teaches us about her Namaste Theory, how we can see the...
11.29.2021
Bonus! "Walk a Little Slower" by Tanner Olson
To celebrate Tanner Olson’s new book Walk A Little Slower: A Collection of Poems and Other Words, we’re sharing this recording of ‘Walk A Little Slower’ that Tanner recorded specifically for CXMH. You can hear more from Tanner on ep....
11.22.2021
142 - People Living With Dementia and Their Caregivers (feat. Dr. Brianna Garrison & Dr. Dennis Myers)
This week we’re joined by Dr. Brianna Garrison & Dr. Dennis Myers. They teach us about dementia, how to care for those living with it, and how to care for their caregivers. In the intro, Robert & Holly talk about...
11.15.2021
141 - Navigating Suicidal Thoughts (feat. Dr. Kathryn Gordon)
Content warning: suicide, suicidal thoughtsThis week we share part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Kathryn Gordon based on The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook. She talks us through some strategies for navigating suicidal thoughts such as Uncovering Causes (08:18), Coping with...
11.08.2021
140 - Understanding Suicidal Thoughts (feat. Dr. Kathryn Gordon)
Content warning: suicide, self-injuryIn part 1 of a 2 part conversation with Dr. Kathryn Gordon, she tells us how we can understand suicidal thoughts, how contexts & environments might play a role, and more. Dr. Gordon is the author of...

What's CXMH: On Faith & Mental Health about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

CXMH: On Faith & Mental Health episodes:

178 - Starting the Year Slow

177 - Dementia, Memory Ministry, & Informed Compassion (feat. Mary McDaniel Cail)

176 - Integrating Behavioral Health into Primary Care (feat. Dr. Becky Bell Scott)

175 - Moving Into Healthier Paradigms (feat. Aurelia Dávila Pratt)

174 - 3 Ways to Change How We Understand Adolescents (feat. Robert Vore)

173 - The Science of the Good Samaritan (feat. Dr. Emily Smith)

172 - Sacredness in Every Season (feat. Kayla Craig)

171 - Creativity, Recovering from Burnout, & Joy-Based Education (feat. Dr. Merideth Hite Estevez)

Season 8 Is Here!

Summer 2023! // Season 7 Finale

170 - Felt Safety, Honoring Our Needs, & the Flow of Strength (feat. Aundi Kolber)

169 - Enneagram Stances, Balance, & Moving Towards Wholeness (feat. Suzanne Stabile)

168 - Our Teens are Sleep-Deprived (& It's Hurting Their Mental Health) (feat. Lisa L. Lewis)

167 - Christian Mindfulness (feat. Dr. Regina Chow Trammel)

166 - Humility in a Narcissistic World (feat. Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren)

165 - Trauma-Informed Preaching (feat. Dr. Sarah Travis)

164 - Self-Harm: Compassionate Understanding & Healing (feat. Dr. Janis Whitlock)

Recast - Getting the Rest You Actually Need (feat. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith)

163 - Mr. Rogers, Hospital Chaplaincy, & Living as a Holistic Story (feat. Rick Lee James)

162 - Celebrating One Year of The Soul of the Helper (feat. Dr. Holly Oxhandler)

Recast - Black Mental Wellness, the Black Church, & Public Health (feat. Brandon Johnson)

161 - Vulnerability vs. Exploitation & How We Find Our Self-Worth (feat. Eryn Eddy)

160 - Letting Go & Finding Joy (feat. Kevin Sweeney)

159 - Creativity, Faith, & Mental Health (feat. Stephen Roach)

We're Back! // Welcome to Season 7.

Summer 2022! // Season 6 Finale

Bonus! "Witness" by Morgan Harper Nichols

158 - Peace as a Practice (feat. Morgan Harper Nichols)

157 - What If Our Pain Is Telling Us Something? (feat. Eric Minton)

156 - Navigating Depression & Doubt with Saints (feat. Diana Gruver)

155 - Spirituality in Therapy Sessions (feat. Russell Siler Jones)

154 - How We Grieve and Why 'Moving On' Isn't the Goal (feat. Dr. Jill Harrington)

153 - How to Be a Trauma-Informed Community (feat. Dr. Amy Marschall)

152 - How to Find Contentment (Instead of Happiness) (feat. Niro Feliciano)

151 - Grief, Certainty, Deconstruction, & Superheroes (feat. James Prescott)

150 - Faith, Mental Health, & Rest for the Weary (feat. Emmy Kegler)

149 - Black Mental Wellness, the Black Church, and Public Health (feat. Brandon Johnson)

Recast - Seeing the Sacred in Ourselves & Each Other (feat. Dr. Holly Oxhandler)

148 - Homelessness & Housing Insecurity (feat. Kevin Nye)

Recast - Singleness (feat. Holly Stallcup & Dr. Bella DePaulo)

147 - How To Play (& Why It Matters) (feat. Courtney Ellis)

146 - How Patriarchy Got Baptized (feat. Dr. Beth Allison Barr)

145 - How Children's Books Can Shape Our View of God & Ourselves (feat. Matthew Paul Turner)

144 - Embodiment, Healing, & Working With Our Bodies (feat. Dr. Hillary McBride)

Christmas 2021!

143 - Seeing the Sacred in Ourselves & Each Other (feat. Dr. Holly Oxhandler)

Bonus! "Walk a Little Slower" by Tanner Olson

142 - People Living With Dementia and Their Caregivers (feat. Dr. Brianna Garrison & Dr. Dennis Myers)

141 - Navigating Suicidal Thoughts (feat. Dr. Kathryn Gordon)

140 - Understanding Suicidal Thoughts (feat. Dr. Kathryn Gordon)