Mental Health and the Mission of the Church

What happens when mental illness and faith become tangled together? In this episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, Pastor Chip Judd, Joey Svendsen, Dr. Cassie Reid, and Christie Henderson have an honest conversation about intrusive thoughts, OCD, scrupulosity, depression, and the culture of mental health within the church. Whether you've personally struggled, love someone who has,...

Church leadership can be deeply meaningful, but it can also be emotionally demanding. In this episode, Pastor Chip Judd is joined by leadership coach and pastor Mac Lake for a conversation about mental health, ministry, and the importance of healthy boundaries. Together, they discuss the pressures many church leaders face, why isolation can be so damaging, and how creating margin in our lives allo...

Mental health is more than a diagnosis. In this episode, Pastor Chip Judd and Dr. Baron Short explore four dimensions that shape our mental well-being: Disease, Disorder, Disconnection, and Disorientation. Joined by Pastor Chris Russo, who shares his experience with severe OCD, and Joey Svendsen, who opens up about a recent struggle with anxiety, the conversation offers an honest look at mental he...

This episode explores the growing divide between mental health conversations and the church, featuring Dr. Warren Kinghorn, a psychiatrist and professor with deep roots in Christian faith. Dr. Kinghorn draws a distinction between clinical mental health care and the church’s role in discipleship, while Chip Judd challenges the need for greater integration between the two. Ultimately, it’s a thought...

What happens when cutting-edge science collides with a life-changing encounter with Jesus? In this episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, Joey and I are joined by Jeff Leinberger and Dr. Baron Short—psychiatrist, researcher, and leader in brain stimulation treatments for depression. But this conversation goes beyond clinical insight. Dr. Short shares a recent, deeply personal enco...

In this episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, Pastor Scott Sauls shares his journey through burnout and recovery, offering honest insight into the pressures of church leadership. He highlights the importance of mental health, healthy organizational structures, and leading with humility, challenging leaders to honor their limits and build sustainable, life-giving ministries.

What if mental health wasn’t separate from discipleship… but essential to it? Chip Judd, Pastor Armando, and Dr. Chris Adams explore how the church can better care for people by integrating mental health principles into everyday ministry. This is the kind of conversation that creates healthier leaders—and a healthier church.

In this episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, Chip Judd and guests explore the growing conversation around mental health within the church. Through personal stories and honest discussion, they unpack how anxiety, depression, and leadership pressures affect pastors and ministry leaders. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating mental health awareness into pastoral...

In this mini episode, Chip Judd and Chip Henderson unpack the idea of “fake vulnerability” — the kind of honesty that sounds transparent but still keeps people at a safe distance. With clarity and humility, they challenge church leaders to move beyond surface-level transparency and into the kind of self-awareness and courage that fosters genuine mental and emotional health. This conversation build...

In Part 2 with Chip and Christie Henderson, the conversation shifts from personal mental health struggles to the broader impact of emotional health on church leadership and culture. They explore the difference between faux vulnerability and true authenticity, the role of medication and professional help in healing, and the resistance leaders often face when advocating for change. The episode empha...

Chip Judd and Joey Svendsen sit down with Chip and Christy Henderson for an honest, deeply personal conversation about mental health in ministry. This episode is a reminder that mental health awareness is not optional in ministry—it’s essential.  P.S. Click HERE to download My Toad app and use promo code “CHIP10”.

In this conversation, Hannah Bookbinder discusses the critical role of dopamine as a neurotransmitter in executive functioning. She explains how dopamine is necessary for following through on plans and how its absence can hinder various cognitive skills.

The church talks a lot about discipleship but what if we’re overlooking something essential? In our latest episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, we sit down for a candid and challenging conversation about the intersection of faith, emotional health, and the true mission of the church. Together, we explore hard questions many leaders and believers are already wrestling with.

In this conversation, Chip Judd, Joey Svendsen, and Jen Jackson explore the intersection of mental health and autism. Jen shares her personal journey of discovering her autism diagnosis in adulthood and discusses the unique experiences of autistic individuals, including sensory processing differences, the concept of masking, and the importance of self-acceptance. The discussion also touches on the...

He shot himself. And the lungs that once gave him life… gave life again. This story isn’t easy—but it’s full of redemption, faith, and the power of generosity in the face of grief.

In this powerful episode, Chip Judd and Joey sit down with Armando Palazzo—a licensed pastor and therapist who works with church leaders around the world. Together, they explore the deep connection between emotional health and spiritual maturity, especially in the lives of those leading others. Armando shares how returning to life after a major shift can feel like stepping into a different movie a...

What happens when pastors get real about mental health, community, and the messiness of leadership? In this episode, Chip Judd, Josh Roberts, Virgil Sierra, and Joey Svendsen open up about: – The power of friendship among pastors – Leading diverse, bilingual churches – Therapy, emotional health, and why it all matters for ministry – Normalizing counseling in discipleship – Laughing through the har...

In this conversation, Chip Judd, Chris Russo, and Joey discuss the complexities of mental health, particularly in the context of church leadership. They explore personal experiences with anxiety, OCD, and the role of medication in managing mental health. The discussion highlights the intersection of faith and mental health, the importance of self-awareness, and the challenges of coping mechanisms....

In this conversation, Chip and Jesse dive into the complexities of authority within the church, the importance of community in spiritual growth, and the need to re-evaluate leadership structures. They discuss the burdens placed on pastors, the intersection of pastoring and counseling, and the necessity of creating a safe environment for spiritual exploration.

Chip and Jesse Evans (licensed therapist, and owner of Steadfast Christian Counseling,) discuss personal experiences, the role of pastoral counseling versus professional therapy, and the need for education and understanding in both communities. They highlight the misconceptions surrounding mental health and the necessity of building bridges between mental health professionals and church leaders to...

Chip discusses faith, intimacy, and the irony of surviving due to another’s mental health crisis. The conversation explores grief, mental illness, organ donation, and the importance of boundaries in relationships. It also underscores the non-linear nature of grief, the role of medication, and the need for compassion, professional support, and honoring lost loved ones.

Chip is back and sharing the incredible, divine story of how he got his new lungs! From the unexpected call from the donor's family and the road to recovery, this episode is filled with faith, miracles, and resilience. You won’t want to miss hearing Chip’s firsthand account—and seeing him back in his seat where he belongs! 

In this episode, Chip's family joins us to share their incredible journey through his lung transplant surgery. They open up about the challenges, the emotional highs and lows, and what the recovery process has been like for them. Tune in as they reflect on their experiences, lessons learned, and how the journey has shaped their perspective on life moving forward.

Welcome to a special episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church! We know you've been missing Chip and his unparalleled wisdom as much as we have. While Chip is taking some well-deserved time to recover from his recent lung transplant surgery, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to reflect on some of his most memorable moments. In this episode, we're celebrating Chip's unique...

In this heartfelt and candid episode, Chip shares an inspiring conversation about navigating life’s toughest challenges with faith, community, and resilience. He opens up about his battle with the severe lung condition, the journey toward a potential lung transplant, and the profound lessons he’s learned along the way.