CXMH: On Faith & Mental Health

Trigger warning: sexual abuse. In this important episode, we talk with Dr. David Pooler, who has done extensive research talking with survivors of sexual abuse perpetrated by faith leaders. Dr. Pooler talks us through the survivors’ experiences within their churches (largely bad), as well as those survivors’ suggestions for preventing abuse, being prepared to respond, helping the victims find heal...

He’s baaaaaack! Steve Austin is back, and boy is this episode no fun at all. He chats with us about his new book, the power of saying no, and how to slow down. (Just a heads up, Robert had a long time to stock up fake names to call Steve.) Things we mention in this episode/other resources:- We mention Jon Singletary. Check out his episodes on the Enneagram here and here .- Our friend Sarah Robinso...

In this jam-packed episode, we talk with Dr. Meredith Gould about being an activist online, balancing that with self-care, and topics like art & beauty. Dr. Gould is a sociologist, activist, artist, and tons more. In the intro, Robert & Holly talk about why last week’s episode was late and share what’s been happening in their lives. For more info about the Suicide Prevention Training on No...

This week, we’re joined by Phileena Heuertz, co-founder of Gravity: A Center for Contemplative Activism, and author of Pilgrimage of a Soul: Contemplative Spirituality for the Active Life. In this episode, Phileena talks with us about her first book (one of Holly’s favorite books, which you’ll soon understand why!) and unpacks the seven stages of the spiritual journey. What are the seven stages an...

This week, we’re joined by Waco-area pastor Mary Alice Birdwhistell to talk about preaching on mental health. Why is it important? How can pastors do it well? Can we get Mary Alice to read us an entire sermon she’s written? We get answers to all of these and more!   Things we mention in this episode/other resources:-  Gravity: A Center for Contemplative Activism - Chris Heuertz - Phileena Heuertz...

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Who’s hungry? In this episode, we get to talk with Dr. Leslie Korn, an expert on how nutrition impacts our mental health. We talk about the gut as the ‘second brain,’ what foods are good for depression, anxiety, focus, sleeping, etc., and how to start evaluating your diet and making changes that stick. [Confession from Robert: I literally finished eating an ice cream sandwich before typing these s...

This week, we get into the interviews for Season 3 by addressing one of the most common questions we hear: how do you find affordable mental healthcare? Joining us is Dr. Kevin Tarlow, the founder of LowCostHelp.com. Helpful tips for finding affordable counseling:- figure out what your health insurance covers- ask a local provider for referral options- check local college/university counseling cen...

This one's getting a little meta, folks. When Holly first agreed to be the new cohost for CXMH ( listen to her intro here ), she asked if I would be willing to do an episode where she interviewed me about my vision for the show and how it came to be. I was caught somewhat off guard, and alternated between 'surely we've already done that' and 'no one would want to listen to that.' I eventually gave...

Welcome to Season 3! We're so excited to announce our new co-host, Dr. Holly Oxhandler! Holly's been both a guest and a guest host before, and is a professor of social work at Baylor University. In this special kick-off to Season 3, we get to know Holly and why she's excited to join the show. Connect with Holly on  her website or  Twitter . Things we mention in this episode/other resources:-  Epis...

Surprise! We're still on summer break, but we're popping in with this episode. I get the chance to talk to award-winning author Jonathan Merritt about why people are using sacred language less, why that matters, and what we can do about it. We'll see you in a few weeks for Season 3, kicking off in September! Things we mention in this episode/other resources:-  Studies in Words by C. S. Lewis- If y...

It's summertime! Like last year, I'll be taking the summer off from the show. In this short episode, I talk a little bit about the reasonings behind that, as well as give you some recommendations of things to read and listen to over the next few months! This episode of CXMH is brought to you by Stigma Fighters. Learn more at  StigmaFighters.com . Things I mention in this episode:-  How To Be Yours...

June is Men's Health Month, so this week I'm rebroadcasting an episode we did about exactly that! Dr. Bart Andrews & pastor/author Nate Pyle join us to talk about all things related to men's mental health. Check out more info below, along with original show notes! Things we mention in this episode/other resources:-  Here's the CXMH store I mention in the intro, and here's a  direct link to the...

Folks, it's been a tough week. The deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain by suicide filled the headlines, and the CDC released  a new report that suicide rates have been rising across the Unites States. As a result, I wanted to rebroadcast this episode from last year on Suicide Prevention for new listeners or long-time listeners who might find it helpful again. I'll also rebroadcast a bonus ep...

Heads up: this one's got some language. Everyone's favorite bad missionary, Jamie Wright, stops by to talk about her new book, the problems with missions, and how her self-worth and mental health impacted her over the years. Connect with Jamie on  her website ,  Facebook ,  Twitter ,  Instagram , or buy The Very Worst Missionary: A Memoir or Whatever on Amazon . This episode of CXMH is brought to...

Happy Memorial Day! ( go to counseling .) This week, Robert's back as your host to talk with Hannah Brencher, who you might remember from episode 14. Hannah talks about her latest book, the power of being here in a 'getting there' world, and how much her community mattered when she went through a hard season of depression. We also talk about old boyfriends, the Bachelor, and Hannah's process of fi...

This week, our guest host is trauma therapist Aundi Kolber! She talks about how grief is the bedrock of mental health, why smaller traumas & losses are still so important, what it means to really feel our feelings, and how learning how to respond honestly to smaller day-to-day moments sets the stage for encountering larger events. Things Aundi mentions in this episode/other resources:- Hear mo...

We're taking a break from guest hosts this week (a break from a break? I don't know, roll with me) to talk with Austin Channing Brown. Austin's new book I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness is phenomenal, and we talk about a lot of the same topics here: what does 'racial reconciliation' really mean? What can we learn from talking honestly about our past? What's the differenc...

We're gonna keep it rolling with guest hosts: this week we're visited by Kristen Kansiewicz, a counselor who works in the church setting and writes extensively about the topics of integrating faith & mental health. (If you're unfamiliar with Kristen, you should check out the  previous episodes of CXMH she's been on !) Kristen talks about different types of stigma, what our reactions to mental...

Did you like  last week's episode ? Then you're in luck! Dr. Holly Oxhandler returns as this week’s guest host, sitting down with Dr. Jon Singletary again to talk about the Enneagram some more. This week, they talk about how the Enneagram can be applied to communities using the thinking/feeling/doing centers, how each of these centers impacts communities’ responses to various issues (including pro...

Great news! Robert’s out on podternity leave, so Dr. Holly Oxhandler is this week’s guest host. She sits down with Dr. Jon Singletary to talk about the Enneagram in part one of a two-week series. This week, they talk about how the Enneagram helps you learn about yourself including an overview of the Enneagram, what each number means, how they can impact our faith journey and self-awareness, and wh...

Have you ever wondered what would happen if your favorite fictional characters visited a mental health professional? Have no fear, Jedi Counsel is here! Dr. Katie Gordon & Brandon Saxton host a podcast that explores mental health in your favorite characters, as well as being researchers and psychologists. We talk about Darth Vader (narcissistic personality disorder?), Rick & Morty (can a p...

This week, I talk with Carlos Rodríguez. Carlos is an author, non-profit activist, former pastor, and founder of Happy Sonship. We talk about hiding behind masks, using theology to avoid working on ourselves, and Carlos shares his story of finding a more authentic faith. Connect with Carlos on  HappySonship.com ,  Twitter ,  Facebook ,  Pinterest , or  Instagram . Support Happy Sonship's non-profi...

This week, I chat with LCSW and author, Sharon Martin. We talk all about perfectionism, how it impacts our interpersonal relationships, ways to show ourselves more compassion, and more! Sharon is a therapist in San Jose, CA who’s worked with adolescents, the homeless, juvenile offenders, veterans, and individuals struggling with substances, trauma, and mental illness. Her writing on emotional well...

This week I talk with therapist, author, & new co-host of The Liturgists, Hillary McBride. We talk about self-image, creating a new narrative for ourselves and the generations after us, how parenting just needs to be 'good enough', and tons more. Other things we mention:-  Episode 32 of CXMH featuring Aundi Kolber .-  The Liturgists episode on Embodiment (we don't actually mention this, but yo...