Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, host Dave Quak sits down with Andrew McLennan from Into All the World Ministry (i2aw.org) for a candid and thought-provoking conversation about mental health, faith, and ministry.

Navigating Mental Health Without Conventional Treatment

Andrew opens up about his personal journey with mental health, sharing:

• How his mental well-being has evolved over time.
• The challenges he has faced and overcome.
• His decision to manage his mental health without conventional medical interventions.
• The strategies and spiritual practices he relies on for ongoing well-being.

Faith, Calling, and Impact in Ministry

Beyond mental health, Andrew reflects on his experiences in ministry, including:

• Speaking and preaching across Australia and beyond.
• Co-hosting the Twenty20 podcast and radio show with Neil Johnson on Vision Radio.
• Encouraging others in their faith through his work in Christian media and outreach.

Listen Now: Real Conversations on Faith and Mental Health

Join us as we explore the intersection of faith, mental well-being, and ministry, gaining valuable insights from Andrew’s unique journey.

• Listen to ‘Faith Boost’ Podcast with Andrew McLennan
• Tune in to Vision Radio
• Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more conversations that matter.
• 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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In today’s episode, we’re honoured to sit down with Stu Cameron, CEO and Superintendent of Wesley Mission—one of Australia’s most influential faith-based organisations.

From simple beginnings in Naracoorte (with bakery treats and young love) to leading mental health innovation on a national scale, Stu shares his journey of faith, leadership, and compassion.

🧠 Inside This Episode:

• The legacy of Wesley Mission in providing mental health care for over 60 years
• How stigma around mental illness still lingers in churches and communities
• What it means to lead with both theology and empathy in a modern world
• Practical ways churches can respond with grace, support, and real help
• How faith and professional care can work hand-in-hand

🙏 Theological Insight Meets Real-World Leadership

Stu offers a deeply grounded Christian perspective on mental health—framing it not as weakness or failure, but as part of God’s redemptive story for individuals and communities.

If you care about the future of the Church, mental health care, or loving people like Jesus did—this conversation is essential.

🎧 Listen Now:

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
 Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more raw, hope-filled conversations about faith and mental wellbeing.

CONNECT

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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:
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Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

Welcome to another episode of Sunburnt Souls, where we explore faith, mental health, and resilience through powerful stories. Today, we have the privilege of sitting down with Wai Jia Tam, a woman whose life is a testament to God’s provision, courage, and unwavering faith.

A Life of Impact: Kitesong and a Calling to Serve

At just 18 years old, Wai Jia published her first book, Kitesong, raising over $100,000 for a children’s home in Nepal. From an early age, her life reflected a heart surrendered to God’s calling, but as she pursued her medical studies, she faced battles she never expected.

Walking the Tightrope: Faith, Depression, and Anorexia

At 19, while studying medicine, Wai Jia found herself navigating the shadows of depression and anorexia, all while learning to trust God for provision and direction.

• What did depression look like for her?
• How did anorexia take hold?
• Does she still battle these struggles today?

In this candid conversation, Wai Jia bravely shares her journey—the challenges, setbacks, and victories—and how she found hope in the midst of turmoil.

Faith as a Cornerstone: Growing Through the Struggle

Despite the weight of mental illness, faith became her anchor. Wai Jia shares how her relationship with Jesus shaped her outlook on life, leading her to trust in His plan, even in the darkest moments.

Dreaming Brave: A New Chapter

Today, Wai Jia is pioneering a new podcast, "Dream Brave", inspiring others to step out in faith even when they feel too small. She continues to speak globally and will be visiting Australia in the coming weeks to share her story.

Listen Now: A Testament to God's Faithfulness

Join us as we uncover Wai Jia’s powerful testimony of resilience, healing, and courage.

• Get your copy of Dream Brave: A Dare to Live By Faith When You Feel Too Small
• Read Kitesong
• Connect with Wai Jia Tam on Instagram
• Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more real conversations on faith and mental health.
• Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your pref

CONNECT

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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:
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Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

In this fun and insightful episode of Sunburnt Souls, we sit down with W.R. Gingell, a prolific author and all-around legend. With nearly 30 books to her name, Wendee shares her journey of writing, faith, and navigating life with ADHD and dyslexia.

The Writing Journey: Inspiration and Challenges

Wendee takes us behind the scenes of her creative process, sharing:

• Unexpected sources of inspiration that fuel her storytelling.
• How faith shapes her writing, infusing wisdom, adventure, and beauty into her fantasy fiction.
• The challenges of writing with ADHD and dyslexia, and how she has learned to embrace them.

Faith and Mental Health: Walking the Journey with God

As an author living at the intersection of faith and mental health, Wendee opens up about:

• How her faith strengthens her daily life, guiding her through struggles and triumphs.
• The role of creativity in mental well-being, and how writing serves as an outlet for expression and healing.
• Her testimony of God’s faithfulness, even in seasons of uncertainty.

A Heart of Kindness and Generosity

Beyond her work, Wendee is a woman of deep kindness, blessing those around her in countless ways. Her generosity and faith shine through in everything she does, and her impact reaches far beyond the pages of her books.

Listen Now: A Conversation Full of Wisdom, Adventure, and Faith

Join us for this inspiring and lighthearted conversation, celebrating creativity, resilience, and the way God works through storytelling.

• Buy W.R. Gingell’s books here: Amazon Store
• Connect with W.R. Gingell on Facebook: WR's FB
• Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more stories of faith, creativity, and mental health.
• Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform.

CONNECT

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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, we welcome Bronwen, a woman whose life reflects the grace and kindness of Jesus through every trial and triumph. As an author, motivational speaker, charity director, social enterprise founder, mum, and professional counsellor, Bronwen’s journey is a testament to God’s faithfulness in every season.

Navigating the Wilderness with Jesus

For the past few years, Bronwen found herself in a wilderness season, marked by pain, uncertainty, and solitude. She shares how, despite feeling lost, Jesus never left her side, carrying her through the darkest moments and teaching her to trust in His presence.

Embracing the Second Bloom: A Season of Renewal

Transitioning from the wilderness to renewal, Bronwen discovered that her season of struggle was a necessary preparation for growth. Now stepping into a new chapter filled with purpose and anticipation, she reflects on how Jesus restores, renews, and leads us into our next calling.

Lessons Learned and Words of Encouragement

Bronwen shares the invaluable lessons Jesus taught her, reminding us that:

• God is always present, even in the silence.
• Wilderness seasons are not wasted—they prepare us for new beginnings.
• Healing and growth come through surrendering to Jesus' grace.

Looking Ahead with Faith

With her future deeply rooted in faith, Bronwen embraces what lies ahead, trusting that Jesus will continue to guide, provide, and open doors in His perfect timing.

Listen Now: Hope for Every Season

Bronwen’s story is a powerful reminder that Jesus walks with us through every high and low, leading us into restoration, renewal, and purpose.

• Connect with Bronwen on Instagram
• Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more stories of faith, resilience, and hope.
• Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred platform.

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
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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

In this raw and real conversation, host Dave Quak sits down with Karl Faase to tackle one of the most unsettling realities in Christian communities—spiritual abuse within faith organisations.

When Leadership Fails: Reckoning with Spiritual Abuse

How do influential organisations like Mars Hill, Willow Creek, Hillsong, and RZIM handle the fallout of leadership failure? What happens when the institutions meant to guide and uplift instead become places of abuse, manipulation, and ethical breaches?

The Need for Change in Faith and Authority

This episode dives into the complex landscape of faith, power, and accountability, addressing:

• The root causes of spiritual abuse and authoritarian leadership.
• The societal and personal impact of failed leadership within churches and ministries.
• How the Church can move forward, ensuring transparency, accountability, and genuine Christlike leadership.

Hope, Healing, and a Call to Reform

With Karl’s extensive experience and insight, we discuss:

• Why systemic change is necessary to restore trust in spiritual leadership.
• How individuals and churches can heal from the wounds of abuse.
• The role of accountability and ethical leadership in preventing future failures.

Listen Now: Confronting the Uncomfortable Truths

This episode of Sunburnt Souls is a crucial conversation for anyone who has been affected by leadership failures in faith communities.

Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more honest discussions on faith, mental health, and the future of the Church. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
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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:
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Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

Welcome back to Sunburnt Souls, the podcast where we explore the intersection of faith and mental health through real stories of transformation. Today, we sit down with Jon Owen, a man who traded a promising career in computer science for a life dedicated to serving the broken and forgotten.

Opening Doors and Changing Lives

Jon and his wife, Lisa, made a radical decision—to open their home in Mount Druitt, Sydney to those struggling with addiction, homelessness, and the aftermath of life’s hardships. Their home became more than just a shelter; it became a place of belonging, offering love, dignity, and community to those society often overlooks.

From Family Home to Leading Wayside Chapel

Jon’s journey of serving the most vulnerable didn’t stop there. Today, he is the Pastor and CEO of Sydney’s Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross, continuing his mission to bring hope, kindness, and love to those in need. His story is a powerful reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can transform lives.

A Life of Radical Hospitality and Faith

Jon’s life is an example of what happens when we say ‘yes’ to Jesus—no matter the cost. His faith has led him into messy, beautiful, and life-changing relationships, showing that true Christianity is found in serving the least of these.

Listen Now: Be Inspired to Love Boldly

Jon Owen’s story challenges us to live with open hands and open hearts, making space for those in need.

• Learn more about Wayside Chapel and their work here
• Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more conversations on faith, mental health, and radical love.
• Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
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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:
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Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, we welcome Jess Quak as she shares her journey of living with a spouse with mental illness. Through honesty, faith, and resilience, Jess offers a unique perspective on the challenges and victories of walking this road together.

Getting to Know Jess

Jess shares her background and personal experiences, offering insight into the realities of navigating mental illness within marriage. She reflects on how faith has been a foundation in facing both the struggles and the victories.

The Bright Side: Finding Joy in the Journey

Despite the challenges, Jess speaks about the silver linings—moments of fun, adventure, and abundant life. Through personal stories, she illustrates how faith has provided hope, strength, and a sense of purpose, even in difficult seasons.

The Darker Moments: Facing the Hardships

Jess opens up about the struggles of supporting a spouse with mental illness, sharing the emotional toll and how it impacted her own faith and mental well-being. She speaks candidly about the internal battles, exhaustion, and moments of doubt that have shaped her journey.

Leaning into God: Faith as a Source of Strength

In times of hardship, faith became Jess’s anchor. She shares how she has learned to lean into God’s presence, find comfort in prayer, and surrender to His plan. Her journey serves as a reminder that even in uncertainty, God is constant and faithful.

Moving Forward Together: Strengthening Relationships Through Faith

Jess offers practical encouragement for couples navigating mental illness within their relationship. She shares insights on fostering communication, practicing empathy, and cultivating unity, ensuring that challenges don’t divide but strengthen the bond between partners.

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:
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Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

Welcome to Sunburnt Souls, the podcast dedicated to finding hope amidst life’s challenges. Today, we sit down with Chris Cipollone, author of Down, Not Out, to explore the journey of discovering hope in brokenness.

Gospel Identity and Overcoming Adversity

Chris introduces the concept of gospel identity and its role in shaping how we navigate adversity. Understanding who we are in Christ provides strength and resilience, allowing us to face life’s trials with renewed perspective.

Theology of Mental Health and the Power of Spiritual Retreat

Chris discusses the intersection of theology and mental health, highlighting the importance of addressing spiritual well-being alongside psychological well-being.

We explore how spiritual retreats and disciplines—such as prayer, meditation, and mindfulness—create space for reflection, healing, and renewal in the midst of struggle. These practices serve as tools for maintaining mental wellness and grounding ourselves in the hope found in Christ.

The Role of Community in Healing

Chris emphasises the crucial role of community in navigating difficult seasons. A strong support system fosters compassion, understanding, and connection, creating a space where those facing mental health challenges can find encouragement and hope.

Closing Thoughts: You Are Loved

Chris shares a key message from Down, Not Out: "You are loved." This truth, rooted in the gospel of Jesus, reminds us that our struggles do not define us. Finding supportive, empathetic community is essential in the journey toward healing and renewal.

Listen Now and Be Encouraged

Join us in this conversation as we discuss faith, mental health, and the transformative power of gospel identity.

• Buy Chris’ book: Down, Not Out: Depression, Anxiety, and the Difference Jesus Makes
• Book Chris for a speaking engagement
• Check out the “Dead Elephants” podcast

Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more stories of faith, mental health, and hope. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.

Buy Chris’ book :

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

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about trauma, violence, grief, and addiction, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you or someone you know needs support, please seek professional help.

In this deeply moving episode of Sunburnt Souls, Amelia Rees shares her powerful story of faith, trauma, healing, and purpose. From losing a close friend to murder to battling mental health struggles, opioid addiction, and physical pain, Amelia’s journey is one of resilience, redemption, and finding hope in Jesus.

A Life Shattered: Dealing with the Murder of a Friend

• Amelia recounts the tragic loss of her friend Tania, whose murder left her emotionally and psychologically shattered.
• She opens up about the five years of internal turmoil, wrestling with grief, anger, and deep confusion.

Seeking Help: The Road to Healing

• Recognizing the weight of her struggles, Amelia took the brave step of seeking professional help.
• She discusses her experience with counselling, therapy, and medication for anxiety and depression.

Physical Pain & Addiction: Overcoming Another Battle

• On top of her mental health challenges, Amelia endured multiple surgeries, including the removal of her shoulder bone.
• She opens up about her struggle with opioid addiction, a battle that arose from prolonged pain medication use.

Finding Hope in Faith: Strength in the Darkness

• Despite the overwhelming hardships, Amelia found comfort, strength, and healing in her faith journey.
• She shares how her relationship with Jesus became her anchor, guiding her through the darkest moments.

Living a Life of Purpose: From Brokenness to Impact

• Today, Amelia is dedicated to helping others through various ventures, turning pain into purpose:
  • 🎙 Founder of Pretty Podcasts, a podcast production company.
  • 💄 Owner of Glow Studio by Velbella, a hair styling business.
  • 🎨 Creator of Velbella Airbrush, an airbrush makeup line.
  • ❤️ Founder of Raising Dignity, a charity supporting communities in the Congo.

Li

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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