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?
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).
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.
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?’.
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.
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.
Ep9 - How One Journey With Mental Illness Sparked Anxious Faith
This episode, things are looking a little different. We’re hearing from James today not as our podcast host, but as our interviewee; listening as he shares about his family’s journey through mental health struggles and how they led to starting Anxious Faith.
Ep8 - Does Gratitude Help Our Mental Health?
If you’re someone who has been around the mental health space for a bit, whether just from reading or hearing things, or dealing with it yourself, you’ve probably come across the concept of gratitude. And that’s for a reason - gratitude is actually something that can help our mental health.
Ep7 - Is Faith Always Helpful?
In this episode Chris shares his story, and how chasing all the answers to the anxiety-inducing questions of his faith didn’t lead to answers. Instead, he learned how to live out his faith in a more personal way, and find peace along the way.
Ep4 - A Pastor Who’s Been Through It
This episode, we're speaking with Jordan, a pastor from Melbourne who has lived the experience first hand. We hear his story, but also what he's learned along the way about how he views God, and how God views him.
Ep3 - Owning Your Labels
If you’ve struggled with anxiety, depression, or any other mental health challenges, and you’ve been open about it – there’s a fair chance that you might be labelled that way by people.
Ep2 - Using Your Anxiety
As we start the new year, it’s often a time for people to reflect on the past, and what they might like to change for the future. For people who have struggled with anxiety, trying to factor that in can be difficult. What are we supposed to do with our anxiety? Do we just write that time off, try and move on, and not let it impact us any more? Or can something more come from it?