CXMH: On Faith & Mental Health

Robert and Holly talk about starting off a new year slowly (6:23): why it might be important (7:32), some practical ideas for being proactive (13:23), and some tools to keep for along the way (27:08). Things we mention in this episode/other resources:- Ruth Haley Barton’s Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again- CXMH ep. 57 - Why We Need Better Sleep (& How to...

Content warning: this episode contains mentions of suicide, miscarriage, and loss.  This week we’re joined by Dr. Mary Cail, author of Dementia and the Church: Memory, Care, and Inclusion and Alzheimer's: A Crash Course for Friends and Relatives . She explains why the church’s role can be so important in caring for those impacted by dementia, some basic steps to start in memory ministry, and why...

This week Dr. Becky Bell Scott joins us to talk about integrating behavioral health into primary care settings. Dr. Scott is the Program Director for Social Work in Primary Care Programs at Baylor University. Things we mention in this episode/other resources: -  the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health - Collaborative Family Healthcare Association - the Behavioral Health Consultant Certificate Course...

This week we’re joined by Aureila Dávila Pratt: pastor, social work graduate, and author of A Brown Girl's Epiphany: Reclaim Your Intuition and Step into Your Power . We talk about stepping out of harmful paradigms and stepping into helpful ones. Things we mention in this episode/other resources: - CXMH ep. 41 - Putting the Revolution Back In Racial Reconciliation (feat. Austin Channing Brown) - C...

This week, Holly interviews Robert! We talk about how we define adolescence, why it’s such an important time of life, and three specific shifts in our understanding that can be helpful when working with adolescents. This one’s for the parents, teachers, youth workers, therapists, and more! Things we mention in this episode/other resources: -  Age Of Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Ado...

Our favorite epidemiologist, Dr. Emily Smith, returns to the show this week for the first time since November 2020! She talks with us about her new book, The Science of the Good Samaritan: Thinking Bigger about Loving Our Neighbors . Things we mention in this episode/other resources: - CXMH ep. 116 - Loving Your Neighbor During a Pandemic (feat. Dr. Emily Smith) Connect with Dr. Smith on her SubSt...

This week Kayla Craig returns (having previously been on episode 134 ) to talk about her new book, Every Season Sacred: Reflections, Prayers, and Invitations to Nourish Your Soul and Nurture Your Family throughout the Year . We talk about praying with your kids, finding what works, how seasons shape us, and more. Kayla is the creator of Liturgies for Parents. Things we mention in this episode/othe...

To kick off season 8, we’re joined by Dr. Merideth Hite Estevez. Dr. Estevez talks to us about using creativity to reconnect with spirituality, recovering from burnout, and why inspiration should replace shame as the basis of education. Dr. Estevez is a professional oboist, founder of The Artists Joy , and author of The Artist's Joy: A Guide to Getting Unstuck, Embracing Imperfection, and Loving Y...

Robert and Holly return to kick off Season 8 of CXMH!

We (Robert & Holly) reflect on Season 7, what we’ve learned over the past year (from the show and our lives), and look ahead to the summer. Things we mention in this episode/other resources: - Check out all the episodes from Season 7 and beyond on our episodes page ! - specific episodes we mention (in order of mention): - CXMH ep. 170 - Felt Safety, Honoring Our Needs, & the Flow of Streng...

We’re closing out Season 7 with one of our favorite people! Therapist and author Aundi Kolber is back to talk about her new book, Strong like Water: Finding the Freedom, Safety, and Compassion to Move through Hard Things--and Experience True Flourishing . We talk about why feeling safe matters, what our window of tolerance is, how the idea of our container can help, and how to navigate those thing...

This week we’re joined by the one and only Enneagram Godmother, Suzanne Stabile! Suzanne is one of the most renowned experts on the Enneagram, as well as being the author/co-author of books such as The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery , The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships , and her latest: The Journey Toward Wholeness: Enneagram Wisdom for Str...

Studies show that when our teenagers get adequate sleep, it has huge impacts. From grades to safety to mental health, adolescents need more sleep then other ages. Unfortunately, the majority of adolescents in the United States aren’t getting enough sleep (and it’s usually because of school start times). This week we’re joined by Lisa L. Lewis, author of The Sleep-Deprived Teen: Why Our Teenagers A...

This week we’re joined by Regina Chow Trammel, co-author of A Counselor's Guide to Christian Mindfulness: Engaging the Mind, Body, and Soul in Biblical Practices and Therapies . She teaches us about the basics of mindfulness, how it can help, how it can work with Christian spirituality, and some practical tips for when mindfulness is hard. Things we mention in this episode/other resources: - Dr. T...

This week we’re joined by Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren, the author of Humble: Free Yourself from the Traps of a Narcissistic World . Daryl teaches us about different types of humility, how it can impact us & those around us, and how to cultivate humility in a world that’s increasingly narcissistic. Things we mention in this episode/other resources: - CXMH ep. 103 - How We Move Through Suffering (fea...

Today we’re joined by Rev. Dr. Sarah Travis, the author of Unspeakable: Preaching and Trauma-Informed Theology . She talks about what trauma-informed theology means, how that can shape preaching, and why preaching matters in the context of trauma. Dr. Travis teaches preaching at the University of Toronto and is also the author of Decolonizing Preaching: Decolonizing Preaching The Pulpit as Postcol...

Content warning: discussion of self-harm, suicide, and related topics.  This week we’re joined by Dr. Janis Whitlock, one of the authors of Healing Self-Injury: A Compassionate Guide for Parents and Other Loved Ones. Dr. Whitlock talks about what self-injury is (2:46), how it differs from suicidal actions (3:47), ways self-harm can happen (4:59), current rates/trends (6:07), how self-harm works (...

This week we’re rebroadcasting our interview from 2019 with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith about different types of rest. Original show notes: - - - Have you ever wondered why you’re still tired if you’re getting enough sleep? How do we know if we’re actually even resting? Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith stops by the show to tell us about 7 different types of rest and how to make sure we’re actually restoring...

We’re joined this week by Rick Lee James. Rick is a musician and worship leader, as well as running the biggest Mr. Rogers quotes account on Twitter, hosting a few podcasts, and is currently in a hospital chaplaincy program. We talk about all of those things, and how they interweave despite seemingly like separate areas of his life. Things we mention in this episode/other resources: -  The Simple...

This week we celebrate that Holly’s book, The Soul of The Helper , has been out for over a year! She reflects on the past year and answers some Q&As that she’s gotten since the book released. At the end, she shares an excerpt from the book chosen specifically for the CXMH audience as well as an exclusive reflection & unpacking of the excerpt. Things we mention in this episode/other resourc...

This week, we’re recasting our interview from early 2021 with Brandon Johnson. The original show note is below: --- Content warning: in this episode we talk about suicide This week we’re joined by Brandon Johnson, public health expert and creator of The Black Mental Wellness Lounge. We talk about why conversations specific to black mental health matter (including suicide prevention), how a public...

This week we’re joined by Eryn Eddy, founder of So Worth Loving! We talk about sharing our stories, when that can be unhealthy, navigating burnout & divorce, healing, and how we can find our self-worth along the journey. Eryn is also the author of So Worth Loving: How Discovering Your True Value Changes Everything. Things we mention in this episode/other resources: -  Waiting to be Wanted: A S...

This week we’re joined by Kevin Sweeney to talk about letting go, and how that can change both our internal & external lives. We also talk about mysticism, mushrooms, and weird interactions at the airport. Kevin is the author of The Joy of Letting Go: How One Thing Has the Power to Change Everything . Connect with Kevin on Instagram or buy his books on Amazon . Listen to ‘The Church Needs Ther...

In our first interview for Season 7, we’re joined by Stephen Roach. Stephen talks to us about creativity, faith, mental health, and how all of those things intersect. Things we mention in this episode/other resources: - Makers & Mystics S9 E02: The Soul of The Helper with Holly Oxhandler - Stephen’s book Naming the Animals: An Invitation to Creativity - CXMH ep. 80 - Music & Ministry (feat...

After taking the fall off, we’re back and excited to kick off Season 7! In this episode, we talk about why we paused the show and where we go from here. Things we mention in this episode/other resources: -  Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again by Ruth Haley Barton Connect with Robert on his website , Twitter , Facebook , or Instagram. Connect with Holly on...