Sunburnt Souls

A Christian Mental Health Podcast

Listen to the Latest Episode

Sunburnt Souls is where faith and mental health collide—raw conversations, real hope

The Mental Health Crisis in the Church

Through the Sunburnt Souls Podcast, we share faith-filled stories, biblical wisdom, and honest conversations that bring hope and encouragement to those walking through mental illness.

As a not-for-profit ministry promoting mental wellbeing, we offer faith-informed support, open dialogue, and practical tools to reduce stigma and help people navigate anxiety, depression, burnout, and emotional distress.

Our work is grounded in lived experience and driven by a deep desire for every person to know they are not alone. Hope, healing, and relationship with God is absolutely possible, even in the hardest seasons.

Dave Quak smiling, host of Sunburnt Souls- a Christian mental health podcast

About Dave Quak

Dave is a pastor, speaker, and mental health advocate — and the heart behind Sunburnt Souls: A Christian Mental Health Podcast.

Dave brings a mix of humour, honesty, and lived experience to everything he does. He co-leads Living Temple Christian Church on the Gold Coast with his wife, Jess, while running Sunburnt Souls, a space where faith and mental health collide in real and honest ways.

Living with bipolar disorder himself, Dave doesn’t just talk about mental health — he lives it. His openness has become the heartbeat of the ministry, showing that following Jesus doesn’t mean life is perfect. Some days you love life; some days you hate it. Either way, you’re never alone.

Through Sunburnt Souls, Dave’s mission is simple: to break the stigma, equip churches, and bring real, faith-filled hope to those walking through anxiety, depression, and the messy middle of life.

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Heard on Christian Radio Across Australia and Beyond

What People Are Saying About Sunburnt Souls: A Christian Mental Health Podcast

Dave is a great guy with a great message! His testimony about his mental health battles is so relevant and real, and it’s a topic we should all be learning more about in this season! I highly recommend Dave as a speaker

— Pastor Matt Prater - New Hope Church Brisbane, Vision Christian radio
Dave, I absolutely loved your year-in-review podcast! Every episode of Sunburnt Souls has been such a gift to those struggling with mental health and their families. It creates a space where people feel seen, heard, and reminded that they are not alone. Your honesty about living with bipolar is so refreshing—you don’t sugarcoat anything, and that’s what makes it so powerful. The message of making churches a safe place for the most vulnerable is incredibly important.

Sarah H
I highly recommend Dave as your guest speaker. We had him at Fire Church Gold Coast recently and he knocked the ball out of the park! He handles the word with precision but wraps it up in a package that’s a heap of fun. You’ll love him like our church did

— Wes Jessop- Pastor and Leader
Hey Dave, This might be a bit out of the blue, but I just wanted to say thanks for your podcast. It’s meant a lot to me lately. I’m currently on extended leave for mental health reasons—something I’ve never faced before—and hearing from another pastor who gets it has been really encouraging. Just wanted to let you know I appreciate what you’re doing. Keep going, mate!

Paul R
Dave, thanks for sharing so openly about your lithium journey and medication. It’s so refreshing to hear real talk about this stuff, especially in Christian spaces. Hope you’re doing well, mate. Appreciate you sharing your journey—it helps more than you know."

Jeremy S
Dave, I just wanted to say a massive thank you for your podcast! As someone who struggles with OCD, it has been such a blessing. I binged every episode in just two weeks, and it’s honestly helped me feel seen, understood, and equipped in ways I didn’t expect. Hearing faith and mental health talked about so openly has been incredibly freeing. Please keep doing what you're doing—it’s making a real difference!

Ava M
Dave Quak, through his Sunburnt Souls series has gone where few have dared. Dave’s openness and honesty concerning his own mental health struggle is an amazing and uplifting story.

— Michael Ballard- Wynnum Baptist Church
Dave, I just wanted to thank you for Sunburnt Souls. As a pastor battling depression, there were days I wasn’t sure I could keep going—but your podcast was a real encouragement along the way. Hearing your honesty and faith in the midst of the struggle reminded me I’m not alone and gave me the push I needed to keep pressing on

Joshua H
Our son has bipolar, and walking this journey with him has been overwhelming at times. Your podcast has not only helped us feel less alone but also given us some really practical tools to support him better. Your honesty and wisdom have been such a blessing.

Harry and Jennifer V
We had Dave speak to our church community about the challenges of mental health. It was a powerful time where people were vulnerable and the church community was strengthened.

Steph M

Sunburnt Souls

A Christian Mental Health Podcast

Listen to the Latest Episode

The Mental Health Crisis in the Church

About Dave Quak

Dave is a great guy with a great message! His testimony about his mental health battles is so relevant and real, and it’s a topic we should all be learning more about in this season! I highly recommend Dave as a speaker

I highly recommend Dave as your guest speaker. We had him at Fire Church Gold Coast recently and he knocked the ball out of the park! He handles the word with precision but wraps it up in a package that’s a heap of fun. You’ll love him like our church did

Dave, thanks for sharing so openly about your lithium journey and medication. It’s so refreshing to hear real talk about this stuff, especially in Christian spaces. Hope you’re doing well, mate. Appreciate you sharing your journey—it helps more than you know."

Dave Quak, through his Sunburnt Souls series has gone where few have dared. Dave’s openness and honesty concerning his own mental health struggle is an amazing and uplifting story.

Our son has bipolar, and walking this journey with him has been overwhelming at times. Your podcast has not only helped us feel less alone but also given us some really practical tools to support him better. Your honesty and wisdom have been such a blessing.

We had Dave speak to our church community about the challenges of mental health. It was a powerful time where people were vulnerable and the church community was strengthened.