Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

In this first part of our series, we dive into DJ’s early years and his relationship with his father—a man of extraordinary creativity and energy.

DJ’s dad, who lived with bipolar disorder, was a whirlwind of inspiration—a showman who brought every moment to life with passion and colour. Whether through music, storytelling, or pure enthusiasm, he never did things by halves, leaving an indelible impact on DJ’s worldview.

Learning to See the World Differently

Through his father’s boundless imagination, DJ discovered:

• The power of creativity in shaping identity and faith.
• How to embrace life with a sense of playfulness and wonder.
• The lasting legacy of love and inspiration, even in the midst of struggle.

A Tribute to a Father’s Influence

Despite his challenges with mental illness, DJ’s dad left behind more than just memories—he left a legacy of joy, creativity, and heart. This episode is a tribute to a man who shaped DJ’s faith and artistry, proving that even in brokenness, beauty remains.

Listen Now: A Story of Inspiration and Faith

This episode is a must-listen for those who have been shaped by complex but deeply meaningful relationships.

• Check out Streetlights Bible – Visit Here
• Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more stories on faith, creativity, and mental health.
• Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform

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🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you:
✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus
✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith
👉 Start your 28-day journey today

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Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content:
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Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, we welcome Dr. John Warlow, a Christian psychiatrist and member of the Living Wholeness Medical Team, to explore the intersection of faith and mental health.

Dr. John’s work with Living Wholeness is dedicated to equipping Christian leaders, pastors, and mental health professionals with the tools they need to foster holistic transformation within their communities. His faith-integrated approach combines spiritual formation with psychological expertise, offering a model of care that nurtures both mental and spiritual well-being.

The Church and Mental Health: A Holistic Approach

Dr. John shares practical ways that Christian communities can:

• Integrate mental health care into their ministries.
• Train leaders to address mental health with compassion and understanding.
• Create safe spaces for individuals to find support and healing.

Transforming Churches into Places of Healing

Through Living Wholeness, Dr. John envisions a future where:

• Mental health care is a natural part of Christian ministry.
• Communities develop resilience and spiritual depth through faith-driven mental health support.
• People struggling with mental illness feel seen, valued, and encouraged in their faith journey.

Listen Now: A Conversation on Faith-Driven Mental Health Care

This episode is for pastors, leaders, and anyone passionate about mental health in Christian communities.

• Learn more about Living Wholeness and their mission.
• Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more conversations on faith, healing, and mental well-being.
• Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
🔗 Facebook | 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Instagram

BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!
🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you:
✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus
✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith
👉 Start your 28-day journey today

💌 Join Our Community

Get weekly encouragement, bonus content, and resources in your inbox:
👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

🙌 Support the Mission

Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content:
👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls

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Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

Today on Sunburnt Souls, we sit down with the one and only Tom Boyd to explore his personal journey through grief, suffering, ADHD, and restoration in Christ.

Tom is a unique blend of depth and contradiction—a sci-fi nerd with a Black Belt in martial arts, making him just as comfortable discussing Dungeons & Dragons as he is navigating life’s toughest battles.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Coping with ADHD and Mental Health – How Tom has learned to manage ADHD while maintaining resilience in faith.
• Grieving and Navigating Personal Suffering – A candid discussion on loss, hardship, and what it means to endure.
• Finding Hope and Resilience in Hard Times – How faith provides strength in moments of doubt and despair.
• Faith, Healing, and Mental Health in Today’s World – Why faith and mental health are not separate conversations but deeply intertwined.

Listen Now: A Conversation on Strength, Struggle, and Redemption

This episode is for anyone seeking hope in the midst of suffering, learning to navigate ADHD and mental health, or needing a reminder that faith is for the messy, the broken, and the searching.

• Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more real conversations about faith and mental well-being.
• Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform.

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
🔗 Facebook | 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Instagram

BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!
🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you:
✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus
✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith
👉 Start your 28-day journey today

💌 Join Our Community

Get weekly encouragement, bonus content, and resources in your inbox:
👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

🙌 Support the Mission

Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content:
👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls

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Amanda Barclay's story is one of resilience and faith, having navigated a long, complex journey with her own mental health, and that of her loved ones and friends.  After several misdiagnoses and traumatic experiences within both public and private mental health systems, Amanda fought for her son, eventually seeing progress when he attended Teen Challenge, which provided a significant digital detox. Through this experience, her son found stability, started a lawn mowing business, and got his medication in order.

Amanda’s personal journey also involved her own mental health challenges, for which she took medication for anxiety and depression. A breakthrough for her came through the Richards Trauma Process (TRTP), a method of trauma counselling she learned about through a Christian friend. Amanda found healing through this process, which helped resolve her PTSD and brought profound emotional relief, allowing her to care for her family and even leaving her teenagers at home enjoying a trip for the first time without constant worry. Amanda started a counselling practice offering TRTP to others, helping them resolve distress from past events without re traumatisation.

Throughout her journey, Amanda grappled with understanding why bad things happen, finding comfort and clarity through the allegory in *The Shack*. This perspective solidified her belief that God is inherently good and never the source of evil. She emphasises the importance of trusting that God only brings good and that evil arises from the brokenness of the world. For her, God's redemption is key—turning even the worst situations for good, while never being the author of evil.

to Contact Amanda

[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556558804725&mibextid=JRoKGi
0421239630

also, if you're interested in studying the Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for mental health that Amanda recommends, do so here
https://bst.qld.edu.au/graduate-certificate-of-pastoral-care-for-mental-health/

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
🔗 Facebook | 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Instagram

BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!
🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you:
✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus
✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith
👉 Start your 28-day journey today

💌 Join Our Community

Get weekly encouragement, bonus content, and resources in your inbox:
👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

🙌 Support the Mission

Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content:
👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls

⭐️ Leave a Review

Love this episode? A quick rating or review helps more people find hope.
👉 Rate us on Apple Podcasts | 👉 Rate on Spotify

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🎙️ Sunburnt Souls is proudly produced by Pretty Podcasts

Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, we dive deep into Sharayah’s powerful testimony of overcoming anxiety and depression through the transformative friendship of Jesus.

Sharayah candidly shares her journey—from the weight of mental illness that left her feeling isolated and alone to the life-changing relationship with Christ that brought her healing and hope.

Finding Jesus in the Darkest Moments

Sharayah opens up about:

• The depth of her struggle with anxiety and depression.
• How Jesus met her at her lowest point—offering more than just comfort, but true friendship and restoration.
• The transformation that took place when she surrendered her pain to God.

Hope for Anyone Struggling with Mental Health

This episode is for:

• Anyone battling anxiety, depression, or loneliness.
• Those searching for hope and healing in their faith journey.
• Anyone needing a reminder that they are never alone in their struggles.

Listen Now: A Story of Grace, Healing, and Hope

Sharayah’s testimony is a powerful reminder that no matter how dark life feels, Jesus is always near, ready to restore and renew.

• Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more real conversations about faith and mental health.
• Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform.

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
🔗 Facebook | 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Instagram

BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!
🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you:
✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus
✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith
👉 Start your 28-day journey today

💌 Join Our Community

Get weekly encouragement, bonus content, and resources in your inbox:
👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

🙌 Support the Mission

Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content:
👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls

⭐️ Leave a Review

Love this episode? A quick rating or review helps more people find hope.
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Psalms of Lament: Praying Through Pain, Regret & Spiritual Darkness

🎧 Episode Description:
On this episode of Sunburnt Souls, we dive into three raw and powerful Psalms—Psalm 51, Psalm 3, and Psalm 88—that reveal the honesty of mental anguish, spiritual despair, and the hope found in crying out to God.

Three Types of Pain, One God Who Listens:

• Psalm 51 – When we’re crushed by guilt and our own failure.
• Psalm 3 – When betrayal or harm from others leaves us reeling.
• Psalm 88 – When even God feels distant and the darkness won't lift.

We unpack how lament is not a lack of faith—but a brave step toward healing, trust, and restoration.

In this episode, we explore:

• How to talk to God when you're at your lowest.
• Why lament is a path to hope, not a dead-end.
• What the Psalms teach us about processing mental and emotional suffering.

If you’re battling grief, regret, or feeling like God is far away—this one’s for you.

Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more honest conversations on Christian faith and mental health.
Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
🔗 Facebook | 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Instagram

BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!
🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you:
✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus
✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith
👉 Start your 28-day journey today

💌 Join Our Community

Get weekly encouragement, bonus content, and resources in your inbox:
👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

🙌 Support the Mission

Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content:
👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls

⭐️ Leave a Review

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🎙️ Sunburnt Souls is proudly produced by Pretty Podcasts

Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

In this special episode of Sunburnt Souls, we bring you Pearls of Truth—a collection of ten powerful stories filled with wisdom, resilience, and faith.

From overcoming mental health challenges to navigating faith in uncertain times, these stories will inspire, uplift, and challenge your perspective. Each one is a testament to the intimacy with God that can emerge from brokenness, proving that even in life’s darkest seasons, hope is never lost.

Why This Episode Matters

Whether you are:

• Seeking encouragement in your faith journey.
• Struggling with mental health and needing a reminder that you’re not alone.
• Looking for spiritual growth and insight from real-life testimonies.

These ten stories will speak directly to your soul, offering hope, strength, and the assurance that God is present in every season.

Listen Now: Stories That Will Transform Your Faith

Let these testimonies of faith, healing, and perseverance encourage you as you navigate your own journey.

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
🔗 Facebook | 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Instagram

BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!
🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you:
✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus
✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith
👉 Start your 28-day journey today

💌 Join Our Community

Get weekly encouragement, bonus content, and resources in your inbox:
👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

🙌 Support the Mission

Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content:
👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls

⭐️ Leave a Review

Love this episode? A quick rating or review helps more people find hope.
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PARTNERS

🎙️ Sunburnt Souls is proudly produced by Pretty Podcasts

Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Sexual Abuse
This episode discusses sensitive topics related to adult sexual abuse that may be triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know is affected, please seek support from the following Australian resources:

• 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 (24/7 support and information)
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 (Crisis support and suicide prevention)
• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 (Mental health support)

In today’s episode of Sunburnt Souls, we sit down with Isaac, a man whose life has been shaped by mental illness, trauma, and resilience. His story is one of pain, perseverance, and faith—a testament to the strength it takes to keep pushing forward even when the past feels overwhelming.

Growing Up with a Parent Who Had Bipolar Disorder

Isaac’s mother lived with bipolar disorder, and growing up in a home shaped by unpredictable moods and emotional highs and lows was challenging. We discuss:

• How a parent’s mental illness affects childhood and identity.
• The confusion of navigating relationships when emotions shift unpredictably.
• How faith and personal growth have helped him process these early experiences.

Facing Childhood Anxiety and the Weight of Trauma

Isaac shares his personal battle with anxiety, which began in childhood, and bravely opens up about the sexual abuse he endured between the ages of 8 and 10. This discussion explores:

• How childhood trauma impacts mental health into adulthood.
• Ways he has learned to heal and find strength despite the pain.
• How faith and perseverance continue to shape his journey forward.

Listen Now: A Story of Strength, Healing, and Hope

Isaac’s story is raw, heartbreaking, and deeply inspiring. Whether you have walked a similar path or know someone who has, this episode is a powerful reminder that healing is possible and no one is alone in their struggles.

• If you need support, please reach out to the resources listed above.
• Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more honest conversations at the intersection of faith and mental health.
• Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform.

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
🔗 Facebook | 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Instagram

BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!
🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you:
✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus
✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith
👉 Start your 28-day journey today

💌 Join Our Community

Get weekly encouragement, bonus content, and resources in your inbox:
👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

🙌 Support the Mission

Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content:
👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls

⭐️ Leave a Review

Love this episode? A quick rating or review helps more people find hope.
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🎙️ Sunburnt Souls is proudly produced by Pretty Podcasts

Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave tackles a challenging but important topic: how to support a friend who may be struggling with mental illness but doesn’t believe they are.

Many people fear judgment or don’t recognise their own struggles, making it difficult to help them. In this conversation, Dave shares seven practical steps to approach the situation with love, patience, and wisdom.

Key Steps to Supporting a Friend with Mental Illness

1. Build Trust and Listen – Approach with empathy, not judgment, and create a space where they feel safe to share.
2. Be Gentle, Not Confrontational – Avoid labelling them as “mentally ill” and instead focus on observations and concerns in a non-defensive way.
3. Offer Support, Not Solutions – Walk alongside them rather than trying to fix them—sometimes, presence matters more than answers.
4. Highlight the Benefits of Professional Help – Encourage them to speak to a GP or seek counselling, making it clear that support is available without pressure.
5. Give Them Space to Process – They may not accept help immediately, but your patience and continued support can make a difference over time.
6. Pray for Guidance and Healing – As a believer, ask God for wisdom in approaching the situation and for their healing and breakthrough.
7. Set Boundaries if Necessary – If their refusal to seek help affects your own mental health, it’s okay to set healthy boundaries while still showing love.

Listen Now: A Conversation on Supporting Others with Grace

Helping a struggling friend requires patience, empathy, and trust in God’s presence. If you’re walking this journey with someone, you’re not alone—this episode is here to offer guidance, encouragement, and practical wisdom.

• Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more real conversations about faith and mental health.
• Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform.

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
🔗 Facebook | 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Instagram

BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!
🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you:
✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus
✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith
👉 Start your 28-day journey today

💌 Join Our Community

Get weekly encouragement, bonus content, and resources in your inbox:
👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

🙌 Support the Mission

Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content:
👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls

⭐️ Leave a Review

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Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave sits down with Dr. Stephen Beaumont, an expert in counselling and pastoral supervision, to unpack the mystery of the midlife crisis. Is it a legitimate psychological phenomenon, or is it just a cultural myth?

Understanding the Midlife Transition

For those in their 40s to 60s, life can bring significant transitions—career shifts, relationship changes, aging parents, and deep moments of self-reflection. Dr. Beaumont helps us explore:

• What actually happens in midlife—biologically, emotionally, and spiritually.
• How culture shapes our expectations of this life stage.
• Whether the "midlife crisis" is inevitable or just a Western construct.

How to Navigate Midlife Well

Instead of viewing midlife as a season of crisis, Dr. Beaumont shares healthy practices for embracing it as a time of growth, renewal, and purpose. Topics include:

• How to process identity shifts with faith and wisdom.
• The role of self-reflection in shaping a meaningful second half of life.
• How spiritual and mental health practices can bring clarity and peace.

Listen Now: A Real Talk on Midlife, Faith, and Change

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, "What the heck is happening to me?", this episode is for you.

• Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more honest conversations on faith and mental health.
• Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform.

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
🔗 Facebook | 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Instagram

BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!
🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you:
✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus
✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith
👉 Start your 28-day journey today

💌 Join Our Community

Get weekly encouragement, bonus content, and resources in your inbox:
👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

🙌 Support the Mission

Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content:
👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls

⭐️ Leave a Review

Love this episode? A quick rating or review helps more people find hope.
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🎙️ Sunburnt Souls is proudly produced by Pretty Podcasts