Better Days

How can we support leaders when they are suffering? In this episode, I talk about false expectations around leaders who suffer, paint a picture of the pressures they face while suffering, and give twelve ways that you can support a leader who is suffering. 

When we look at successful leaders, we often view their life through the lens of idealism. We think that they have everything figured out, which is never the case. In this episode, John Mark Comer joins me to talk about leading a mega-church, facing mental health challenges and burnout, and how he reoriented his life around healthy rhythms that he saw in the life of Jesus. This all laid the ground...

Leadership is hard. It comes with unique complexities. Sometimes we forget that we are human as we experience the weight of stress, anxiety, depression, and suffering. In this episode, I discuss the common struggles leaders face around Mental Health + Suffering, and the shame we feel in light of these struggles. I offer a pathway forward and deconstruct the lies of shame.   

Welcome to Better Days, Season 3. Better Days is a podcast about Mental Health + Suffering, and the hope we have for Better Days ahead.  In Season 3, we will be hearing stories from leaders who have faced suffering or mental health challenges, and glean from the lessons they learned along the way. Throughout season 3, I will also be sharing my story as a leader suffering and the lessoned I have le...

Being a leader or public figure and suffering has always been challenging territory. In this episode, I discuss the unique challenges leaders face when living through personal suffering or experiencing mental health conditions. I offer some encouraging thoughts that I have learned along the way.  This is the final episode of Season Two, and a preview into Season Three. 

Hope is an appealing word to those who are suffering. How we frame the idea of hope is crucial. In this episode, I talk about popular ideas of hope that are unhelpful, and then I explain Honest Hope--what I believe to be the true concept of hope.    

Patterns of thinking are formed intentionally and unintentionally. When it comes to living with an anxious mind, it is important to begin to evaluate patterns of thinking and what has formed those patterns over time. In this episode, I talk about the anxious mind, the role of prayer, and how to intentionally form new patterns of thinking. 

There are so many false ideas about mental health + suffering. In this episode, I deconstruct a number of stigmas about mental health and suffering through the ancient story of Job. 

Sometimes we view people who are successful as immune from suffering and pain. In this episode, I interview Kelli Murray. Kelli is the owner and designer of Rylee + Cru and Quincy Mae, two successful children's clothing brands. In the midst of her success, she has faced personal pain and suffering.

How should we think about our doubts? Some people demonize doubts, and others idolize  doubts. But there must be a better way forward. In this episode, I interview Dominic Done about his book When Faith Fails as he offers a better way forward for our doubts.  

How do we talk to people who are suffering? In this episode, I offer six thoughts about healthy communication with people who are suffering. 

In this episode, I respond to questions from Better Days listeners about Mental Health + Suffering. I answer questions about meditation, exercise, responding to someone close to you who believes stigmas, having faith in the midst of mental health and suffering, what to do if God does not heal you, and looking below the surface instead of focusing on symptoms. 

In this episode, I talk about the lie of perfectionism, how life as humans is not perfect, how being flawed is normal, and give a few thoughts deconstructing the mindset of perfectionism. 

In this episode, I share five thoughts about anxiety. I talk about false stigmas around anxiety, false views and teachings about anxiety, and tools and help for anxiety. 

In this episode, I share eight thoughts about depression. I talk about the challenge and confusing nature of depression, dismantle some false viewpoints in Christianity about depression, and end with some hopeful words for those of you who are facing depression. 

In this episode, I respond to questions from Better Days listeners about Mental Health + Suffering. I answer questions about how to respond to guilt and irrational feelings, challenging family relationships and boundaries, anger, and is it ok for Christians to take anti-anxiety medications. 

In this episode, I talk about the anatomy of emotions. I discuss where emotions come from, the original design of emotions, and offer a construct for emotional health. 

In this episode, I talk about the anatomy of emotions. I discuss emotions and our culture, how families suppress emotions, the nature of emotions, and emotional intelligence. 

In this episode, I interview Hannah and Rousseaux about Hannah’s long journey of suffering. We talk about the hardships of long term suffering, various challenges she has faced, and what has been helpful. Her husband, Rousseaux, shares a raw story about failing to understand her and what he has learned about loving her in her pain. 

In this episode, I respond to questions from Better Days listeners about Mental Health + Suffering. I answer questions about long term suffering, forgiving people who treat you wrong in suffering, stress in college, and more. 

In this episode, I talk about what mental health is and how we can be proactive with our mental health. I offer practical suggestions for being proactive with your mental health. 

Welcome to Better Days, Season 2. This is a podcast about Mental Health + Suffering, and the hope we have for Better Days ahead.