Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, we dive into the inspiring transformation of Zac Morrison, a man who battled crippling anxiety, wrestled with his identity, and found profound healing in the embrace of God’s love.

Zac’s story is a raw and honest look at what it means to struggle with unworthiness, face life’s setbacks, and ultimately discover a renewed sense of identity in Christ. If you’ve ever felt anxious, disconnected, or unsure of your place in the world, this episode is for you.

A Life Defined by Anxiety

• From a young age, Zac felt inadequate and unworthy, constantly plagued by insecurity.
• Even in moments of conflict, he found himself shutting down, unable to confront his fears.

Navigating Faith: Feeling Disconnected from God

• Though he occasionally attended church events, spirituality felt distant.
• His anxiety often held him back from fully engaging with life, leaving him feeling lost.

The Battle with Anxiety: Searching for Relief

• Zac tried anti-anxiety medication, hoping for peace, but found little relief.
• He searched for ways to manage his inner turmoil but continued to struggle with fear and uncertainty.

Navigating Life’s Challenges: Rebuilding After Brokenness

• After facing a divorce, Zac had to start over, rebuilding his life from the ground up.
• Despite the pain, he persevered, slowly rediscovering hope and purpose.

A Divine Encounter: The Moment That Changed Everything

• Through a series of miraculous and divinely appointed encounters, Zac experienced God’s love in a way he never had before.
• As God revealed His grace and acceptance, Zac discovered a newfound peace and purpose.

Embracing a New Identity: A Son of God, Not a Slave to Fear

• As Zac deepened his relationship with God, his understanding of self transformed.
• No longer defined by anxiety and self-doubt, he embraced his identity as a beloved son of God—cherished, valued, and secure in his Creator’s love.

Living in Delight: A Life of Freedom & Faith

• Zac’s journey has led him to a place o

CONNECT

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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

💌 Join Our Community

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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

Welcome to Sunburnt Souls, the podcast that uncovers stories of transformation, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of hope in Jesus. I’m your host, Dave Quak, and today’s guest is Anthony Top—a man who went from the depths of addiction and destruction to a life of purpose, faith, and restoration.

Anthony’s story is raw, real, and a testament to the power of grace. Once a self-described “ratbag,” caught in the grip of heroin addiction and crime, he encountered Jesus in a way that changed everything. This is a conversation about redemption, second chances, and the unbreakable power of God’s love.

A Troubled Young Man: The Early Years

• Anthony reflects on his tumultuous upbringing, growing up as an energetic kid who veered down the wrong path.
• As a teenager, he was drawn to the thrill of rebellion, experimenting with drugs and engaging in reckless behaviour.

The Grip of Addiction: A Life Spiralling Out of Control

• By 15 years old, Anthony was deep in heroin addiction, caught in a destructive cycle of theft, robbery, and chaos.
• Despite the consequences, he found a false sense of identity in his actions, chasing validation in all the wrong places.

A Life-Altering Encounter with Grace

• After 13 years on heroin, Anthony had a divine intervention—a friend introduced him to Jesus, sparking a glimmer of hope in the darkness.
• With newfound faith and the determination to escape addiction, he entered a residential rehab program that changed the course of his life.

The Road to Recovery: From Brokenness to Breakthrough

• Facing his demons, Anthony immersed himself in the rehabilitation process, confronting the roots of his addiction.
• Through perseverance, community, and the power of the Holy Spirit, he emerged from addiction with a renewed sense of purpose.

A New Man: Education, Career & Purpose

• With a fresh start, Anthony returned to school, pursued studies in geotechnical engineering, and forged a successful career in a respected firm.
• Today, he is happily married, thriving in his career, and using his

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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Overcoming Burnout & Embracing Grace with Wes Jessop

Welcome to Sunburnt Souls, the podcast where faith and mental health meet in raw, unfiltered conversations. I’m Dave Quak, and today’s guest is Wes Jessop—a minister, evangelist, and former Christian Surfers leader who has experienced both the highs and lows of ministry.

If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, spiritual exhaustion, or mental health battles, this episode is for you. Wes opens up about the hidden struggles of pastoral life, the weight of expectations, and the radical grace that changed everything.

From the Ocean to the Pulpit: Wes’s Journey of Faith

• Christian Surfers & Early Ministry Days – Spreading the Gospel through surfing, building faith-based communities, and seeing lives transformed.
• Thriving in Youth Ministry – A decade of revival moments, life-changing encounters, and witnessing God’s power at work.

The Dark Side of Ministry: Burnout & Breaking Point

• Solo Pastoring & Unexpected Struggles – The reality of ministry challenges, disappointment, and the emotional toll of leadership.
• The Depths of Burnout – Loneliness, resentment, and wrestling with anger toward God after years of relentless service.

Healing & Restoration: Finding Grace in Brokenness

• A Life-Changing Revelation – Wes shares the powerful moment that freed him from burnout and redefined his identity in Christ.
• Letting Go & Embracing Joy – The journey from striving to surrender, from exhaustion to true peace in God’s love.

Listen Now and Be Encouraged

If you’re facing ministry fatigue, faith struggles, or mental health battles, this episode offers a powerful reminder that you don’t have to carry the burden alone. Wes’s story is a testament to God’s restoring grace and the freedom found in surrender.

Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more real conversations on faith and mental health.
Follow us on social media for ongoing encouragement and discussion.

Book Mentioned: Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen – Available on Kindle, Amazon, and Christian bookstores.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast 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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Faith, Mental Health, and a Mission to Make a Difference

In this special episode of Sunburnt Souls, we flip the script and put Dave Quak—pastor, mental health advocate, and podcast founder—on the other side of the mic. Sunburnt Souls is more than just a podcast; it's a movement dedicated to honest conversations at the intersection of faith and mental health, breaking the stigma around mental illness in the church.

Who is Dave Quak?

Pastor, Podcast Host, and Mental Health Advocate

For over 20 years, Dave has served as a pastor on the Gold Coast, leading in youth ministry, church planting, and pastoral leadership. His personal struggles with mental health have shaped his ministry, giving him a deep empathy for those walking a similar path.

Faith and Mental Health: A Personal Journey

Despite his unwavering faith, Dave has faced the realities of depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, all while shepherding a church and supporting others in their faith journeys. His story is one of resilience, healing, and learning to embrace both faith and mental health as part of his calling.

Beyond Ministry: Family and Life

A Husband and Father First

Beyond the pulpit and the podcast mic, Dave is a husband to Jess and a father to Milani and Josiah. His family plays a crucial role in his journey, offering both support and perspective as he navigates the challenges of ministry and mental well-being.

Why Sunburnt Souls?

Creating a Safe Space for Honest Conversations

Sunburnt Souls was born out of a desire to bridge the gap between faith and mental health, tackling the tough conversations that many in the church avoid. With personal experience, Dave brings authenticity, wisdom, and hope, helping others see that faith and mental illness are not mutually exclusive.

Join the Conversation

Tune in to this powerful episode as we dive into Dave’s story, his struggles, and his mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the church.

✅ Subscribe to Sunburnt Souls for more real, unfiltered conversations.
✅ Follow us on social media to stay connected and be part of the movement.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast 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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PARTNERS

🎙️ Sunburnt Souls is proudly produced by ...

Here at Sunburnt Souls,  we dive into the messiness of faith and mental ill-health. I'm Dave Quak, a pastor who's been at it for over two decades, and guess what? I'm dealing with my own mental health stuff too. I'm fully alive in Christ, and fully on a journey with my mental well being . It's for people like us that this podcast exists.

We're here to keep it real and encourage those who are navigating the ups and downs of following Jesus, while wrestling with mental illness. Join me and some friends as we share our unfiltered experiences of what it's like to live at this complicated intersection.

Our goal? Building a spiritual community of like-minded legends who want to live for Christ, flaws and all. No judgment here, just a bunch of broken people cheering each other on toward restoration. So, if you're looking for hope, a bit of a laugh, and maybe some unexpected wisdom, you're in the right place.
Sunburnt Souls

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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

PARTNERS

🎙️ Sunburnt Souls is proudly produced by ...