Through Rough Waters

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Nicole Fryling as they begin a new series exploring depression. We ask the question, “What even is depression?” and in addition to helping define it, we look at some Biblical examples of people who have gone through depression and talk about how someone who is feeling depressed can begin their healing process. If you have a question for our Q&A segment,...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Josh Wilson to talk about his new album, “Mental Help.” Josh shares his own mental health journey through anxiety, depression, addiction, and recovery, as well as the stories and sentiment behind his new album. Connect with Josh: https://www.joshwilsonmusic.com/ https://www.instagram.com/joshwilsonmusic/ https://www.tiktok.com/@joshwilsonofficial https:/...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Carmen Schierbeek from Pine Rest, as we continue our conversation about the intersection of medication and mental health. We talk about why sometimes medicine is necessary, the importance of lifestyle modifications and therapy along with medication when addressing our mental health, how to talk with your doctor and your therapist about medication, and ho...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Dr. Aaron Plattner as we begin a new series about the role of medication in mental health. We discuss how medicine actually works in the brain, how physicians go about prescribing medicine, and how therapy and medication work together. We also answer a listener’s question about why some people need medication for life, and some only need it for a season....

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Alaina Smith from Mariposa Counseling, as we wrap up our series on addictions. Alaina is a certified sex addiction therapist, and we spend this episode talking about the addictions and behaviors that impact marriages and intimacy. We talk about the lies that we believe when we fall into this temptation, and how there is hope and healing available in Chri...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Dr. Joel Robertson from Robertson Brain Health, a nationally recognized leader in the field of brain chemistry. They discuss how brain development early in life can impact the sorts of things that can tempt us later in life, and how we can use the wisdom from Philippians 4:8 to fill our minds with good things instead of being drawn into addictions or oth...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Marge Lucas from West Michigan Wellness Group. Marge is a social worker and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with decades of experience working with families in the area of addictions. We talk about how an addiction doesn’t impact only the addict themselves, but the entire family - as well as answer a question about what a parent should do if...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Matt Krieg from Second Story Counseling and the Hole In My Heart Podcast as we begin a series about addiction. Matt shares his story of overcoming his addiction, and we spend some time talking about what is physically and chemically happening inside your brain when you are addicted, how you can identify addiction, and how even strong believers in Jesus c...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by Brooke Holmes from West Michigan Wellness Group as we wrap up our first season by talking about self-awareness, specifically how to be self-aware during conflict. We talk about how important it is to be humble, be aware of your own past hurts and experiences, and to be curious. We also discuss what happens when you don’t work through your conflicts and l...

In this episode, Zach & Kevin are joined by family and marriage therapist Jim Brazel as we continue our series on family by looking at repairing problems and setting boundaries. We spend some time reflecting on what Proverbs 4:23 means when it calls us to “guard our hearts,” as well as talk about the process of repairing problems within the family unit and discuss the importance of setting appropr...

This week, Zach and Kevin are joined by Rev. Dr. Brian Smilde as they take a deep dive on the idea of family wounds and trauma. They unpack Ephesians 6:1-4 and the idea of both honoring your parents and of parents not provoking their children, as well as discuss wounds of withholding (neglect) and wounds of aggression (abuse). They also discuss how to identify trauma and how important it is to get...

This week, we start our new series looking at conflict within the family. Zach and Kevin spend some time unpacking the nature of conflict itself, talk about what it means to transcend conflict, and go through a few scenarios putting conflict resolution into practice. We also meditate on Proverbs 15:18, and answer a heavy listener question about working through conflict in marriage. If you have a q...

This week, we wrap up our series on anxiety with a look at the transition period of college & young adulthood. Zach and Kevin are joined by Amy Zeilstra from West Michigan Wellness Group who specializes in working with young adults. We talk about what it looks like for this generation to figure out “adulting,” the importance of allowing ourselves to actually feel our feelings, and spend some time...

We continue our series on anxiety, this time focusing on teenagers and the high school years.. Zach and Kevin are joined by James Murray from West Michigan Wellness Group, who specializes in working through anxiety with teens. We talk about what anxiety looks like in teenagers today, how parents can help their kids both before and during the therapy process, the difference between voluntary and in...

We continue our series on anxiety, moving our focus toward adolescents. Zach and Kevin are once again joined by Linda Saum and Caleb Jones from West Michigan Wellness Group. This is a continuation of the conversation started in the last episode, so go back and listen to Episode 03 if you haven’t yet. We take a look at some more Scripture and jump back into our conversation on anxiety, this time fo...

We continue our series on anxiety, focusing on early childhood in this episode. Zach & Kevin are joined by Linda Saum and Caleb Jones from West Michigan Wellness Group. In addition to meditating on some scripture about anxiety, we take a deeper look at what anxiety looks like in young children, some questions that parents can ask their kids when they notice symptoms of anxiety, and discuss when it...

In this episode, we begin our series on anxiety. Thanks to Nicole Fryling from West Michigan Wellness Group for joining us! In addition to meditating on some scripture about anxiety, Kevin and Nicole take a deeper look at what’s actually happening in your brain when you feel anxious and share some practical steps to work through your anxiety. If you have a question for our Q&A segment, you can ema...

Thank you for joining us for the first episode of Through Rough Waters! In this debut episode, we will discuss the reason behind this podcast, spend some time meditating on our theme verse from Isaiah 43, and dispel some myths about mental health and therapy. If you have a question for our Q&A segment, you can email throughroughwaters@wcsg.org. Thanks to West Michigan Wellness Group for supporting...