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Faith and

Mental Health

BRAND NEW COURSE

Sunburnt Souls podcast on YouTube – raw and real conversations on faith, mental health, and recovery with Pastor Dave Quak
Sunburnt Souls podcast on Apple Podcasts – honest faith-based conversations about mental health, healing, and hope with Pastor Dave Quak
Sunburnt Souls podcast on Spotify – Christian mental health stories of hope, healing, and faith with Pastor Dave Quak
Dave and Jess Quak, founders of Sunburnt Souls Christian mental health podcast, smiling at the beach

Sunburnt Souls is a Christian podcast exploring mental health, mental illness, and faith in Jesus.

Hosted by Australian pastor Dave Quak, each episode features real stories of hope, healing, and spiritual growth for anyone facing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, religious burnout and more.

Whether you're a Christian seeking support, a curious seeker, or someone feeling lost in the mess — you’re not alone.

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

At least 1 in 4 people struggle with their mental health — and the people within churches are faith communities are no exception.


The difference? We often stay silent about it. But mental illness, anxiety, depression, and burnout don’t disappear as we arrive at Church.

At Sunburnt Souls, we break the silence. This is a Christian space for raw stories, real hope, and honest conversations about faith and mental well-being.

How Sunburnt Souls is Making a Difference

  • 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- Fire Church

  • 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

Make an impact today

Your donation helps us equip people to love life with faith and mental health. Mental illness can be messy, but it doesn’t have to be hopeless. With Jesus, there is hope, healing, and purpose—even in the mess.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Christians struggle with mental illness?

Yes. Faith doesn’t make us immune to depression, anxiety, or trauma. Mental illness is not a sign of weak faith. It’s part of being human — and God meets us in the middle of it.

Q: Is it okay to take medication and still follow Jesus?

Absolutely. Many Christians take medication for their mental health and experience healing through both spiritual and medical support.

Q: What topics does Sunburnt Souls cover?

We talk about faith, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, recovery, church hurt, spiritual burnout, and hope in Jesus.

Q: Who is Dave Quak?

Dave is an Australian pastor, speaker, and the founder of Sunburnt Souls. He lives with bipolar disorder and shares openly about faith and mental health.

Q: Do I have to be a Christian to listen?

Not at all. If you’re curious about faith, struggling with life, or just want honest conversations, this podcast is for you. Plenty of people that do not call themselves Christian listen to Sunburnt Souls