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Here at Sunburnt Souls, we explore the messiness of faith and mental ill-health. I'm Dave Quak, a pastor navigating my own mental health journey with Bipolar Disorder. We aim to provide authentic support to those facing the highs and lows of following Jesus while managing mental health challenges. Join me and my friends as we candidly share our experiences living at this complex intersection. If you're seeking hope, a good laugh, and perhaps some unexpected wisdom, Sunburnt Souls could be a ...
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“Zen is not an established technique. It's sitting down and admitting that nobody can tell you what is right but you. No one knows the ground beneath your feet but you. Nobody can bear witness for you. And when something really shakes you, there can be a powerful moment where all of the sudden you just know one thing for certain. But it might be di…
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In this first part of our series, we take a look at DJ's early years with his father, a man of incredible creativity and infectious energy. Living with bipolar disorder, DJ’s dad was a whirlwind of inspiration, a true showman who brought every moment to life in vibrant colour. DJ remembers him as someone who never did things by halves; whether he w…
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Dr. John Warlow, a Christian psychiatrist and member of the Living Wholeness Medical Team, brings a unique perspective to the intersection of faith and mental health. Living Wholeness is dedicated to equipping Christian leaders, pastors, and mental health professionals with the tools they need to foster holistic transformation within their communit…
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“If there is just one person in the world, he will always be neutral. If someone is very angry, but is the only person in the world, he's a little crazy.“ - Kobun Chino Chris opens up the pandoras box of trying to productively deal with anger. We get angry, we vow not to indulge it, we know we can’t wish it away. Is it wisdom, skill, or spiritual b…
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Today we will sit down with the one and only Tom Boyd to dive deep into his personal journey through grief, suffering, ADHD, and restoration in Jesus. Tom Boyd is an enigma. He nerds on all things sci-fi, yet could bash most of us thanks to his martial arts Black Belt. Topics covered: Coping with ADHD and Mental Health Grieving and Navigating Perso…
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“The most destabilizing thing I know is trying to impose harmony on other people. Because it always finds a way to explode. Everything finds a way to come out.” - Dave Cuomo Dave looks into harmony and discord, and whether trying to all just get along means suppressing our unruly little individualities (as much of our teachings and training seem to…
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Amanda Barclay's story is one of resilience and faith, having navigated a long, complex journey with her own mental health, and that of her loved ones and friends. After several misdiagnoses and traumatic experiences within both public and private mental health systems, Amanda fought for her son, eventually seeing progress when he attended Teen Cha…
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“Revenge fantasy #3: Live a satisfactory life. Rescue from the rubble what I still love about Buddhism…” - Samm Samm brings us the unvarnished story of what she’s doing and why she’s here as a second generation Zennie growing up in Buddhist America; a story of snake oil salesmen, tyrants, a revenge best served warm, and a Buddhism that somehow surv…
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In this episode we dive deep into Sharayah’s powerful testimony of overcoming anxiety and depression through the transformative friendship of Jesus. Sharayah candidly shares her journey, from the weight of mental illness that once left her feeling isolated and lonely to discovering a life-changing relationship with Christ. As she opens up about the…
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“If you don't want a boss, don't need a boss. If you don't like your country, be a better one.” - Dave Cuomo Dave takes us out to the odd intersection where the warm fuzzies of scrappy boot strap community organizing meet the wild and wonderful mysticisms of space, time, and being. Can all that trippy transcendent brain candy of Zen philosophy help…
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Today we explore the raw, vulnerable prayers of lament in three powerful Psalms—Psalm 51, Psalm 3, and Psalm 88. These Psalms reflect different kinds of pain: Psalm 51 is David's cry for mercy when he's caused his own suffering; Psalm 3 is a plea for deliverance from the pain inflicted by others; and Psalm 88 voices the anguish of feeling like God …
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“Let it run. Let your mind go. Let it wear itself out like a kid running around going crazy while their parents say, ‘They’ll sleep good tonight.’”- Patrick Carroll Patrick draws on the full education of his bartending certificate and his sobriety chips to sort through our most intoxicating impulses with a deeply person talk on the 5th precept - no…
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In this special episode, Sunburnt Souls brings you Pearls of Truth: ten powerful stories from 2024 that offer deep wisdom and insight. From overcoming mental health challenges to navigating faith in uncertain times, these ten individuals will inspire, uplift, and challenge your perspective. Whether you’re seeking encouragement, spiritual growth, or…
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“I have no self. I'm fully responsible for everything. I can't control anything. Also I'll do better next time. Also we don't technically believe in time...” - Dave Cuomo Do we need to change the world, or do we need to change ourselves? Dave tries to figure out if Buddhism is advocating for supreme personal responsibility, or ultimate social accou…
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**Trigger Warning: Sexual Abuse** This podcast discusses sensitive topics related to adult sexual abuse that may be triggering for some listeners. We advise caution and encourage you to prioritise your well-being while listening. If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, we recommend seeking support. If you need assistance or someone …
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“If you dislike a sound, listen to it again. If you still dislike it, listen to it again. If you dislike that, listen to it again. And if you like something, listen to it again. If you still like it, listen to it again…” - Robert Holliday Robert demonstrates how creativity can lead to realization in an autobiography of deconstructing himself throug…
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In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave discusses how to help a friend who might be struggling with mental illness but doesn't believe they are. He shares seven practical steps that can be taken to offer support with love, patience, and wisdom. Key Points: Build Trust and Listen Start by approaching your friend with empathy, not judgement, and list…
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“Don't sell yourself short. It's been done by lesser people than you. It might've even been done by you when you weren't paying attention and didn't count it.” - Dave Cuomo Dave takes a nitty gritty bare bones look at spiritual attainments in Buddhism while trying to find out where Zen gets it credibility from, whether we can trust them on that, an…
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In this episode, Dave sits down with Dr. Stephen Beaumont to explore the concept of the midlife crisis. Dr. Beaumont, an expert in counselling and pastoral supervision, sheds light on whether the midlife crisis is a legitimate psychological phenomenon or more of a cultural myth. He explains that while people in their 40s to 60s often face significa…
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“Just living my life has a very big effect on the planet, there's a cost to me living my life. And, I still belong here. I have just as much right to belong here as the crickets, and greedy politicians, or righteous beautiful people.” - Jitsujo Gauthier Jitsujo helps us find a way through the stuckness of the internalized hierarchies that can both …
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In this powerful episode of Sunburnt Souls, we dive deep into the world of Christian Hip Hop and Mental Health with our special guest, Dani B. For the past six years, Dani B has been courageously sharing her testimony of God's grace through her podcast, poetry, and digital gospel radio station. As the owner of this impactful radio station, Dani's m…
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“We're not here to be martyrs, we’re not here to take care of others at our own expense. The more I respect myself, the more I can support and give to others.” - Sara Campbell Sara tries to find out what it takes to find contentment in any weather. Do we owe it to the world to be pleasant people, and if not can our bs be at least entertaining? Are …
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Today on Sunburnt Souls, we delve into the complexities of faith and mental illness, exploring the tension between spiritual transformation and persistent struggles with negative thought patterns. We start by questioning why, if God can renew our mind, spirit, and body, we still find ourselves trapped in the same unhealthy mental processes. Despite…
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“Shitsticks become dirty to clean us. If these are not Buddhas, what is?“ - Shundo Aoyama After a messy month of his own, Dave gives us a Zen (and personal) look at conflict in practice, how it happens, whether it’s a problem, and how to work with it in meditation and maybe even with other people. Can we meditate arguments away? Is there a healthy …
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Today we sit down with Mark McCrindle, a leading social researcher and futurist, to explore mental health trends with a special focus on Generation Alpha. As the man who coined the term 'Generation Alpha,' Mark provides unique insights into the youngest generation, who are growing up in an unprecedented digital landscape. We discuss how their upbri…
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“The dissidents, the ones who disagree, the most eccentric figures… in the world where Soto Zen teaching is alive, these figures become the leadership.” - Gyokei Yokoyama Gyokei has an unfortunate incident at his temple and takes the opportunity to contemplate his life choices, question entanglements, questions the tradition, and give us a little d…
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Welcome back to Sunburnt Souls. In today’s episode, we’re tackling a tough but necessary topic: why church can be horrible for the mentally ill. It’s a conversation that’s long overdue, and I’m here to unpack some of the ways our well-meaning churches can unintentionally become places of discomfort and pain for those battling mental health issues. …
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Today we sit down with Matt Prater, a man whose journey through life is marked by faith, excitement, and a deep passion for sharing the Gospel. Matt's story is one of early beginnings in radio, where he started as an announcer at just 15. Over the years, he has worn many hats, from youth pastor and DJ to children’s entertainer, while always maintai…
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“Roshi said, go outside and look at the moon and I promise you, you will be enlightened. but I looked tonight and there was no moon. What’s so wrong with us the way we are, Roshi? an angry cloud wants to know” - Angry Cloud Dave gives us a raw and honest report on his personal experience at the monastery over the Spring. Does Zen inherently breed c…
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In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, Amelia Rees interviews her best friend and born-again Christian, Emma Moffat. Emma opens up about her transformative mental health journey and the profound impact her faith has had on her life. This conversation delves into the way we use language to describe ourselves and its effects. Emma shares her personal che…
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“If we want to be true to the tradition of Zen, what were the ancients doing? They were throwing away tradition and recreating it for their time and place. And it worked gangbusters.” - Dave Cuomo Dave returns home from his final round of monastery training with a few thoughts on this whole Zen thing (and a two parter of a talk). This week! The his…
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In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, we welcome Michael, a Eunuch who shares his remarkable journey of understanding his unique identity in God's image. Together, we delve into the biology of being a eunuch, exploring historical and modern perspectives, and reflect on biblical references that highlight God's love and purpose for everyone. Michael ope…
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"There's an very easy way to become a Buddha. Stop doing things wrong.” - Dogen Muhō, Former longtime abbot of Antaiji Monastery (home temple of Kodo Sawaki), treats us to a talk about best practices for farming students and the self, and why zazen alone might not be the answer to Zen. Do each of us really create the whole universe, and if so, how …
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In this installment of Sunburnt Souls, Dave and Amelia provide a recap of events since the Podcast began. They delve into the recent works of the Lord in their lives over the past months. True to form, they engage in a profound, swift, and forthright discussion on spirituality and mental well-being. If you'd like to learn more or explore additional…
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“One of the hardest things about being human is that you have to be with other human beings.” - Emily Eslami In a particularly divided year, in a particularly divisive culture, Emily tackles the uncomfortableness of living with other human beings, and how to manage argument and conflict as a practice all their own. When should we speak up and when …
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Join us for an inspiring and delightful conversation with Joanne Hilder on this week's episode of Sunburnt Souls! Diagnosed with dyslexia in year 2 and expected to follow a traditional path as a farmer's wife, Jo defied the odds. She pursued a PhD and now lectures at universities and works in hospitals, making a significant impact in the academic a…
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“Illness vanishes. Stress vanishes. Depression vanishes. So where do they go? Don't worry. If you want, you can pull them back at any moment.“ - Gary Shinshin Wick Corey gets a bad diagnosis and gets inspired to give us some Zen teachings on sickness - how to deal with it, how to view it, and how to work with it as practice. Can we meditate the pai…
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In this episode, we chat with Dr. Rob Waller, a seasoned Consultant Psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience. Rob’s journey in medicine started in London, took him to the University of Cambridge for his medical studies, and then to Yorkshire for his postgraduate psychiatry training. Now based in Scotland, he’s spent nearly 15 years as a Consul…
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“It freaks me out to even think about ordaining someone whose goodness hasn't been shattered.” - Gyokei Yokoyama First, we learn to be good. Then we have that goodness shattered. And then, when we stop trying to do anything, the true goodness can shine through. Dave walks us through Baizhang’s three teachings to try to find out if we are inherently…
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Jess is the best! Being in ministry and life with her is the absolute best! In this episode, you will hear more about the way God has used us in ministry together, and what it's like to co-lead a church. We Spirit-Led segue into speaking about Jess' testimony, and the way God has set her free from depression and brokenness.... Although we didn't pl…
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“Be nice to yourself, include yourself in that ancient twisted karma, allow for the inevitability of people just being people and how irritating that is, but then also how beautiful it is too.“ - Jordan Mylet Jordan takes us on a guided tour of our ancient twisted karma - what it is, where it comes from, and what the hell we’re supposed to do with …
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This week we dive into a candid conversation with Sarah Sibi Thomas. Sarah Sibi is a legend! She shares with such wisdom and love and genuineness, we couldn’t help but go for longer than usual :)... We tackle love, faith, grief, loss, healing, restoration and most importantly, Jesus! This episode is a straight-up exploration of human challenges, of…
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“Westerners like to conquer mountains. Easterners like to contemplate them. As for me, I like to taste them” - Santoka Taneda Henry brings us a highly entertaining poetry hour as we follow the the lives and words of two Buddhist poets; Miyazawa Kenji trying to help the masses one annoyed farmer at a time, and Santoka Kenji picking himself up from a…
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Today we have best-selling author T.I. Lowe on Sunburnt Souls. As we explore her novel, "Under the Magnolias". Lowe, renowned for her talent in weaving remarkable narratives from everyday life, invites us to explore the intricate blend of faith, family, and mental health portrayed in her characters' journeys of struggle and triumph. Within the page…
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“We are the lonely all together. All together, we’re all alone.” - John Prine Dave indulges us in a little story time while also indulging in some explananing of how koans work with a classic tale of dharma drama, jealous rivalries, and onomatopoetic poetry. What should we ask in practice discussion when we don’t know what to say? Can we find a saf…
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We are blessed to have Paul Grimmond as our guest this week. At the core of our discussion lies Paul Grimmond's book on Christian Anxiety, "When the Noise Won’t Stop," a helpful Christian resource that seamlessly intertwines personal narratives with theological musings. With a blend of raw vulnerability and scholarly expertise, Grimmond encourages …
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This week, we chat to my amazing daughter, Milani. Our goal at sunburnt souls is to encourage people walking with faith an mental ill-health. In this chat- we see what its like to live in Milani's shoes... as a child of somebody struggling mentally, and a peer to many teenagers facing the pressures of life, she demonstrates wisdom beyond her years.…
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“I've seen too much, man. I know what's out there. And it's not all bad. And it's also not all good.” - Sara Campbell Sara revels in the nightmare of a beautiful spring evening, the fragility of the daffodils, the darkness of the rain, and the five powers that can turn that nightmare into a perfectly present dream. How do we remember to notice the …
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Warning: This podcast contains material that is sometimes confronting and disturbing. Words or images can cause sadness or distress, or trigger traumatic memories for people, particularly survivors of violence or childhood trauma. In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, host Dave Quak sits down with Brad Johnson for a candid conversation about faith, me…
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“When the problem is a part of you, there is no problem, because you are the problem itself.” - Shunryu Suzuki Emily brings us a meditation on problems, problem solving, and all the machinations, rationalizations, and somersaults we do to try to prove that our problems are somewhere outside of ourselves, and then what happens when we start to point…
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