Have you ever felt like everything in your life was going wrong? In today's episode, Rebecca Maxwell and Jonathan Vinke dig into chronic negativity—how it forms as a learned defense, shows up as catastrophizing, rumination, or bitterness, and goes on to damage relationships and spiritual life.

You will find practical, biblical tools to help you find freedom: lamenting to God instead of bypassing with toxic positivity, celebrating small wins, measuring the gain rather than the gap, staying on the present ‘page,’ and replacing negative thoughts with Scripture and truth.

For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com 

In this episode Jonathan Vinke talks with Dr. Chuck Coker about his book A God-Shaped Mind, which explains how spiritual transformation shows up physically in the brain. They explore topics of neuroplasticity, the "faith portal," and four stages of spiritual maturity drawn from Scripture. You'll learn how spiritual practices and gifts can reshape neural pathways and reduce fear while increasing peace and trust.

Dr. Coker discusses practical applications, the many assessments he has developed, and who will benefit most from the book. If you are a spiritual seeker, or if you are feeling stuck in your faith, you will be encouraged. Also if you purchase a book and send to Dr. Coker, he will send you a complimentary companion 16-week study for readers.

This episode continues our deep dive into OCD and unpacks exposure and response prevention (ERP), a standard treatment for OCD.

Rebecca Maxwell talks with OCD clinicians Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood as they explain scrupulosity and how faith practices can be supported without fueling OCD. You will hear practical tips for starting treatment and find out about key resources and group options for getting help. ERP is a proven method to build tolerance to uncertainty, reduce OCD’s power, and help people live according to their values.

In this episode Rebecca Maxwell welcomes Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood to explain what obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) looks like, how it differs from normal anxiety or perfectionism, and why it is often underdiagnosed. They describe the OCD loop—intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and compulsive responses—and give real examples of common compulsions and reassurance-seeking behaviors.

From a Christian perspective they discuss how OCD thought patterns can be mistaken for spiritual discernment, how it impacts identity and daily life, and why reassurance can unintentionally feed the cycle. The episode ends with hope: an introduction to evidence-based treatment (ERP), resources for support, and encouragement that recovery is possible.

In this episode Rebecca Maxwell interviews Amber Hicks, a friend and kids minister at Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida. They dive deep into the philosophy behind gospel-centered kids ministry and partnering with parents in making disciples. Parents are encouraged to focus on setting up practical rhythms for family life (scripture, prayer, worship, memorization), and prioritizing heart-focused parenting over mere behavior management.

Amber and Rebecca also address challenges kids face today—screens, social media, and cultural noise—and offer simple, everyday practices to disciple children, share stories of the unique challenges ministry families face, and point listeners to resources and community support for raising faith-filled kids.

For more information on Rebecca Maxwell or her practice, please visit https://www.jesusandyourmentalhealth.com/

In today's episode, Rebecca Maxwell interviews Lori Newell about her new children's book, The Big Brave Choice, co-written with Pastor Joby Martin.

The episode explores how the book uses a relatable story about twins to teach forgiveness as a gospel-centered, courageous choice and includes practical parent resources and church curriculum for ages 4–8 (usable through elementary school).

They discuss why forgiveness matters for faith and mental health, the importance of parents modeling forgiveness, and how the book can help families and churches plant lasting gospel truths in children’s hearts.

The book releases June 9. For more information and to pre-order, visit https://jobymartin.com/books/the-big-brave-choice

For more information on Rebecca and her practice, please visit https://www.jesusandyourmentalhealth.com/

Parenting part 4 explores the challenges and transitions of parenting late teenagers into adulthood, covering identity formation, responsibility, faith development, and practical boundaries around dating, work, and finances.

Rebecca Maxwell and Jonathan Vinke share real-life examples, explore mental health signs to watch for, and suggest strategies for mentoring rather than controlling. You'll be encouraged to remember the importance of community, prayer, and maintaining your own identity beyond parenting.

In part 3 of our parenting series, we explore parenting during the volatile middle-school-to-high-school years (roughly ages 12–16), covering brain development, puberty, identity formation, and the growing importance of peers. We discuss effective approaches to discipline (authoritative vs. authoritarian), maintaining connection, friendship circles, privacy and phone/social media boundaries, and how to coach rather than control.

You'll be encouraged to stay present, set clear values and boundaries, involve teens in consequences, protect face-to-face relationships over screens, and don’t give up—this stage is intense but temporary and shapeable with steady, loving guidance.

Welcome to part two of our multi-part series on parenting. This episode explores parenting elementary-aged children (roughly 6–12). We explore a range of topics, including building resilience and confidence, setting consistent discipline tied to family values, managing friendships and bullying, handling technology and screen limits, making schooling and extracurricular choices, and guiding spiritual formation including conversations about baptism.

We want you to gain practical wisdom centered on relationship-building, staying steady through boundary-pushing, and preparing kids for future independence.

For more information on Rebecca and her practice, please visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com

Welcome to part one of our multi-part series on parenting. This episode focuses on parenting children ages 0–5, emphasizing how rapid brain development and early attachments shape trust, safety, and emotional growth.

Rebecca Maxwell and Jonathan Vinke discuss practical approaches to soothing, teaching self-regulation, setting balanced consequences, the role of play and routine, and concerns about screen distraction—offering realistic guidance rather than perfectionism.

Our hope is that as you listen you'll receive encouragement, ideas for community support, and a reminder that consistency, presence, and grace help parents steward these formative years.

For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit jesusandyourmentalhealth.com