Episodes
Ep29 - Is Counselling Actually Biblical?
We’re chatting with Noni Potter, the Head of Undergraduate Counselling at Tabor, a Christian college in Australia. She’s passionate about combining her faith with evidence-based psychological methods which, she believes, echo God’s truths.
Ep28 - But Isn’t Anxiety a Sin?
A common thread through many of the stories we share is our guests’ experiences of being told that their anxiety or other mental health struggles are a faith issue, not a mental one. With a growing awareness of the reality and prevalence of mental health struggles, are there really people who don’t believe that mental illnesses can be a sign of our fallen world, and are instead the result of wilful disobedience to God?
Ep27 - Let’s Talk About Autism & Accessibility
With today being the International Day of Autism Awareness, we’re broadening our scope to learn a little about how autism and other neurodivergent conditions can impact someone’s engagement with church. Our team member Maddy, who is autistic, leads this conversation with Dr Katy Unwin, a Lecturer in Psychology with a PhD in Autism.
Ep26 - Old People Get Depressed, Too
Today we’re talking with Ben, an Aged-Care Chaplain here in Australia. Through our chat with Ben, we want to learn more of what mental ill-health looks like for the older members of our society, and what we—as individuals, and the broader church—can be doing to better love, care, and support them.
Ep25 - What if the Anxiety Comes Back?
How do you deal with anxiety that returns, even after doing “all the right things”? Tiffany shares what it’s like to feel like you’ve ‘beaten’ anxiety, only to have it return again. She talks about how she learned to recognise the physical sensations her body was experiencing as “somatic anxiety” — a physical manifestation of anxiety without the typical “anxious thoughts”.
Ep24 - We Are Not Our Feelings
It wasn’t until his 30’s that Akos faced anxiety for the first time, in the form of a panic attack while seated on a small aircraft. That seemingly isolated incident led to a second panic attack, and a third, until his anxiety worsened.
Ep23 - Managing OCD With God
At first, Amelie and her family chalked her anxiety up to the usual stresses of teenagehood and highschool exams, but when it only intensified after high school, she sought professional help. It was then that Amelie was diagnosed with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).
Ep22 - Wrapping up the Year With the Anxious Faith Team
Join James, Maddy and Ethan in our final episode of the year to take a look back on where Anxious Faith began and where we’re heading.
Ep21 - When Your OCD Is About Your Faith
This episode we’re chatting to Mary, a young woman in the UK who has religious OCD or “scrupulosity”, a type of OCD where the obsession and intrusive thoughts are all focused around religion and faith.
Ep20 - When Trauma Leads to Addiction
As a child, Mark suffered significant trauma and abuse, which he did his best to numb himself from. After his doctor noticed he was struggling with a substance addiction, Mark was referred to a rehab centre that could help. Mark calls that day the best and worst day of his life.
Ep19 - A Psychologist Answers Your Questions
Have you ever wondered, ‘What exactly does a psychologist do?’ Or maybe you’ve heard about cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and ‘measurement-based practice’ and have no idea what those things involve. Well, Dr Sarah is here to answer all our questions!
Ep18 - Is ‘Mindfulness’ Okay as a Christian?
‘Mindfulness’ is one of the big practices that are often recommended or suggested to people who are struggling with their mental health. But as Christians, is mindfulness something that we should throw ourselves into without question? Do we need to be careful in following these exercises?
Ep17 - When Suicide Strikes
As our Suicide Awareness Month comes to a close, we’re taking a look at some of the bigger questions that come along with the topic, such as ‘Was this my fault?’, ‘Could I have done more?’, and ‘How could God let this happen?’.
Ep16 - Surviving Being Suicidal
In this episode we’re hearing from Joshua, a young guy from New Zealand who suffered depression as a teen and came to the point of wanting to end his life. Joshua shares vulnerably with us about his thoughts at the time, including walking us through what was meant to be his ‘final day’ and sharing about the letter he wrote to farewell friends and family.
Ep15 - Losing a Son to Suicide
In this episode we’re hearing from Pippa. Four years ago, Pippa’s faith was challenged as she and her husband dealt with their teenage son’s deteriorating mental health. Sadly, they lost that son to suicide. Pippa is raw and honest as she shares her family’s story of unimaginable grief and pain, but she also encourages us that God is no less with us in the messiness of life.
Ep14 - A Psychiatrist Explains Mental Illness
This episode, we’re hearing from an expert about some of the different types of mental illnesses, their risk factors, and how we can respond to those struggling. And who better to learn from than Dr Kuruvilla George, a psychiatrist with over 40 years of experience?
Ep13 - Church, We Need to Talk
Harrison and his church’s mission is simple: to bring God into the discussions around our mental health. In a world where the topic of mental health is going to be talked about at school, university, work and many other secular places, they want to make sure that the church is talking about it just as much.
Ep12 - Was God There During My Depression, Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts?
Depression came for Maddy in her late teens. A gradual descent into a darkness so deep that it consumed everything in her life. Worried about being a burden and afraid of letting people down, Maddy struggled with thoughts that maybe life would be better for others without her in it.
Ep11 - Is There Tension Between Faith and Psychology?
In this episode, we’re chatting with Chris–a familiar voice here at Anxious Faith. Chris has studied two theological degrees, planted and pastored a church, and is now studying psychology. In this episode, we’re chatting with Chris about his experiences from both sides–as a recipient of therapy, and now as a student of psychology, too.
Ep10 - Why Hasn’t God Cured My OCD?
Jemimah shares with us what it’s like to live with OCD, and the way it affects her life. But Jemimah is also a person of faith, and today, she opens up about what it’s like to know that she is a new creation in Christ, all the while still dealing with the intrusive thoughts and negative effects of her mental health disorder.