Better Days: Recent Episodes
Wesley Towne
The subjects of Mental Health and Suffering have left us all with many questions. Join Wesley Towne as he discusses what it means to be human and follow Jesus, and have hope for better days ahead.
When we lose someone in our life we feel deep grief. How do we process grief after loss? In this week's episode, I have a conversation with Jason Caine and Stephanie Caine about the stages of grief after loss and how we should process our grief in a healthy manner as followers of Jesus.
For more resources from Better Days check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co.
Suffering changes us. Most people who have walked through moments of suffering in life will tell you two truths they reflect on: (1) they would never wish those circumstances of suffering to be repeated in their life, and (2) they would not want to change the person they have become through suffering. In this week’s episode, I have a conversation with Jason Caine and Stephanie Caine about how suffering makes us think deeply about our life and can change us for the good.
For more resources from Better Days check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co.
The intersection between joy and suffering is hard to process. Hearing someone talk about joy in the midst of suffering can feel deeply conflicting. How are we supposed to find joy in the midst of pain? That is a perfectly fair question. Are we able to feel joy in suffering? In this week's episode, I have a conversation with Stephanie Caine and Jason Caine answering this question and pointing out popular misunderstands about joy and suffering.
For more resources from Better Days check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co.
We all have insecurities. Sometimes we struggle with negative viewpoints about ourselves. How do we learn to value and become confident in the person that God created us to be? In this week’s episode, I have a conversation with Stephanie Caine and Jason Caine about how to value God's Image in you, process insecurities in a healthy manner and change the inner dialogue about ourselves.
For more resources from Better Days check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co.
Where is God in my suffering? That is a question that many have asked. Sometimes it feels like we are alone in our suffering. We may think that God has, for some reason, detached from us in our suffering. The Bible's storyline around suffering indicates the opposite. God is near to us in our suffering. How does this work out relationally and practically with God as we are walking through suffering? In this week’s episode, I have a conversation with Stephanie Caine and Jason Caine answering the question—Where Is God In My Suffering?
For more resources from Better Days check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co.
I have always wrestled with the idea that there is a silver lining in all suffering. Maybe you have too. There are moments of suffering that are devastating. There are people across the globe experiencing horrific pain. How could experiences like these have a silver lining? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Stephanie Caine and Jason Caine about the reality of pain and suffering being not good, and how God by his very presence, nature and redemptive plan can bring good into our not good human experiences.
For more resources from Better Days check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co.
Why does God allow suffering? This question has been asked throughout human history. And many who are in the midst of personal suffering wrestle with this question. In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Dominic Done, Mark Clark and Jason Caine about the story of creation and fall in Genesis, reasons why God allows suffering and offer practical encouragement for those who are presently suffering.
For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co.
This week we continue the conversation we began last week about How to Flourish in Your Mental Health. There are two sides to mental health—suffering and flourishing. When we discuss mental health, we are often talking about how people suffer in relationship to their mental health. And that is an important conversation. In addition to that conversation, we also need to talk about how to flourish in our mental health. In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine and Jason Caine about core aspects of how God designed us to flourish in our mental health and how we can practically invest in each of those areas of life. This is part 02 of a two part discussion. Make sure to check out the previous episode for part 01.
For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co
There are two sides to mental health—suffering and flourishing. When we discuss mental health, we are often talking about how people suffer in relationship to their mental health. And that is an important conversation. In addition to that conversation, we also need to talk about how to flourish in our mental health. In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine and Jason Caine about core aspects of how God designed us to flourish in our mental health and how we can practically invest in each of those areas of life. This is part 01 of a two part discussion on How to Flourish in Your Mental Health.
For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co
Welcome to Better Days Podcast, Season 9.
This season of the Better Days Podcast we are going to talk about different aspects of mental health + suffering. Througout these episodes we are going to lay a theological framework for each topic, flesh out misunderstandings that we sometimes hold as followers of Jesus and offer practical tips to help you along in your journey.
If you are new to Better Days, we are a nonprofit seeking to bring hope, awareness and education to all things mental health + suffering. We help people, churches and leaders understand the intersection between mental health + suffering, and following Jesus.
For more content from Better Days or to support our work, check out our website www.betterdaysfmly.co.
How do we help hurting people? And how do we know when to reach out for help with our mental health? In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Jason Caine and Dr. Casey Taylor about how to help hurting people, knowing when to reach out for help, and therapy 101.
For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co
Relationships are a core component to mental health. Healthy relationships can cause us to flourish. And unhealthy relationships bring us stress and pain. In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Jason Caine and Dr. Casey Taylor about God's design for relationships, healthy traits in relationships, unhealthy traits in relationships and wisdom to navigate relationships.
For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co
Grief is a normal human response to loss and painful moments in life. Followers of Jesus should learn to grieve in an emotionally and spiritually healthy manner. What does that look like? In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Jason Caine and Dr. Casey Taylor about the anatomy of grief, grief in the Bible and how to have a healthy relationship with grief as a follower of Jesus.
For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co
Trauma is a popular topic in our culture. What is trauma? And how should followers of Jesus think about trauma? In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Jason Caine and Dr. Casey Taylor about trauma in our culture, a theology of trauma, the danger of thinking that everything has a silver lining, and what not to say to someone who has experienced trauma.
For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co
Suicide is a sensitive topic. The reality of suicide has intersected with many people’s lives. Some have thought about suicide in their deep pain and hopelessness, and others have been affected personally through losing someone they loved to suicide. In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Jason Caine and Dr. Casey Taylor about suicide, wisdom for pastors interacting with people in pain, and finding help and hope when you feel hopeless.
For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co
What is self-care? Should followers of Jesus have a healthy theology and practice of self-care? In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine and Dr. Casey Taylor discussing a healthy theology of self-care, misconceptions around self-care, and offer practices for followers of Jesus to steward their body and soul as an investment in their mental health.
For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co
Burnout seems to be an epidemic in western culture. Burnout is no longer the experience of a few. Burnout has become the experience of the majority. In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Dr. Casey Taylor and Jason Caine about the anatomy of burnout, causes of burnout, what the Bible says about burnout, and how to prevent and heal from burnout.
For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co
Millions of people are living through the reality of depression in this moment. Depression is a complex and often confusing experience. In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Dr. Casey Taylor and Jason Caine about what depression is, why people are afraid to talk about depression, what the Bible says about depression, and healthy practices and pathways for those who are suffering with depression.
For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co
Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health condition in the US. What does the Bible say about anxiety? And how can followers of Jesus navigate anxiety? In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Dr. Casey Taylor and Jason Caine about what the Bible says about anxiety, different types of anxiety, and healthy practices for adults and kids to navigate anxiety.
For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co
Mental health challenges appear to be affecting every generation in our culture, particularly the youngest generations. Why are mental health statistics rising in our culture? And what are the causes behind these rising mental health challenges? In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Dr. Casey Taylor and Jason Caine about current mental health statistics and trends in our culture, causes behind the rising statistics, and how we can shape mentally and emotionally healthy followers of Jesus.
For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co
How does mental health relate to Christianity and following Jesus? Mental health is deeply rooted in the story of the Bible. Mental health and every bit of human flourishing was God's design from the beginning. In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Dr. Casey Taylor and Jason Caine about the intersection between mental health, Christianity and following Jesus.
Welcome to Better Days Podcast, Season 08!
Suicide is a reality for many people. Some have thought about suicide in their deep pain and hopelessness, and others have been affected personally through losing someone they knew to suicide. In this weeks episode, I talk about the reality of suicide in this current moment, and share help and hope for those who are walking through deep pain and suicidal ideation.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, please reach out for help. Here are two resources:
You can call the national suicide prevention lifeline 1-800-273-8255.
You can text the Crisis Text Line. This is a free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.
Trauma is an emotional response to disturbing or life-threatening events. Trauma leaves an imprint on our lives. In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Stephanie Caine about the anatomy of trauma and how to process through trauma in a healthy manner.
Grief is an emotion that we feel when we experience a loss. What does healthy grief look like? How can we both grieve and find joy simultaneously? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation about the anatomy of grief and how to process through grief in a healthy manner.
We cannot spend our lives leading others well if we have not made intentional decisions to lead ourselves well. Emotionally healthy leadership influences the health of our internal well-being and the health of our leadership with people. What is emotionally healthy leadership? How do we become emotionally healthy leaders? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Benji Horning and Xavier Brasseur about our current journeys toward emotionally healthy leadership and what we have learned along the way.
Anger can be a confusing emotion. It is also an emotion that is often hard to navigate. What is anger? Why do we become angry? How should we think about anger as followers of Jesus? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation about the anatomy of anger and how to process through anger in a healthy manner.
Shame is a powerful emotion. It can attack our identity and worth as humans created in the Image of God. What is shame? How does shame influence our lives? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Casey Shortt, a clinical psychologist, about the anatomy of shame and how to process through shame in a healthy manner.
Guilt is an emotion that all humans feel. We are imperfect and experience the internal sense of wrongdoing. How do we process our guilt in a healthy manner? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Casey Shortt, a clinical psychologist, about the anatomy of guilt and how to process through guilt in a healthy manner.
Identity is not a simple topic, nor is it is a simple endeavor to understand. Identity is complex and layered. Many of us struggle with our identity, and this struggle can often shape our internal emotional and mental narrative. In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with my friend Dominic Done about human identity, how identity influences us mentally and emotionally, and how to practically understand and shape our identity.
Emotional health is a popular topic in our culture. What is emotional health? How do we cultivate emotional health? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with my friend Xavier Brasseur about the different facets of emotional health, how to cultivate emotional health, and our stories growing up in broken homes and how we have pursued emotional health as adults.
Welcome to Better Days Podcast, The Summer Session!
This summer I am looking forward to having conversations with people about emotional and mental health. I will end each episode with a tip to practice. These tips will help you process and navigate your own mental and emotional health.
I am so looking forward to these conversations.
Join us next week for our first episode.
Hope is one of the most important and life giving words for humans walking through the hard moments of life. What is hope? In this episode, I discuss various versions of hope, and spend time explaining a version of hope that allows us to enter into our present experience while also believing that there are Better Days Ahead.
Suffering is a universal human experience. How do we walk through moments of suffering? In this weeks episode, I talk about how lament teaches to engage with reality, have honest faith, be emotionally aware and present, wrestle with our suffering, and follow the example of Jesus who practiced lament when he faced deep pain and sorrow.
Suffering is a universal human experience. How do we walk through moments of suffering? In this weeks episode, I talk about several core facets of lament, and how these truths help us to walk through moments of suffering.
Many of us are deeply familiar with the experience of grief. Grief is an emotion that we feel when we experience loss. What does grief look like? And, what does lament teach us about grief? In this weeks podcast, I talk about the anatomy of grief and how lament encourages us to engage with loss and enter into our grief.
We live in a culture obsessed with happiness, positivity and success. This cultural atmosphere makes us uncomfortable communicating the pain and emotions around suffering. The biblical world had a language and response to pain and suffering called lament. In this weeks podcast, I talk about what lament is, how our western culture is hindering us from processing the painful moments of life, and how lament gives us a shared language and pathway to process our pain and suffering.
We all desire to feel at peace. We all want to live fully in the reality of the present. We all want a future where feel emotionally, mentally, and relationally unhindered so that we can fully engage in our relationships. Sometimes we have to process our past in order to find healing, freedom and growth for our future. In this weeks podcast, I talk about the value of processing our past, the influence our past has on our present and future, and I share a framework for processing our past.
Anxiety is so prevalent in this moment. Many of us are feeling anxious about the events that we are living through. In this weeks episode, I talk about anxiety and stress, anxiety and self-care, anxiety and relational support, and the importance of professional help.
Anxiety is so prevalent in this moment. Many of us are feeling anxious about the events that we are living through. In this weeks episode, I share my experience with anxiety, along with practices and concepts that have helped me.
Anxiety is so prevalent in this moment. Many of us are feeling anxious about the events that we are living through. In this weeks episode, we have a conversation about the narratives around anxiety in Christianity, what the Bible teaches about anxiety, unhealthy thought patterns, and getting to the root cause of anxiety.
Anxiety is so prevalent in this moment. Many of us are feeling anxious about the events that we are living through. In this weeks episode, we have a conversation around why people are feeling anxiety in this moment, the difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder, and I share some of my own personal challenges with anxiety.
Depression is a widespread reality in our world. People are walking through the pain, confusion, and deeply complex experience of depression. In this weeks episode, we have a conversation about the difference between stigmas vs. understanding when it comes to depression, and offer five tips to understand a person who is experiencing depression.
Depression is a widespread reality in our world. People are walking through the pain, confusion, and deeply complex experience of depression. In this weeks episode, we have a conversation about depression in the Bible, the mental and emotional pain that Jesus and others experienced throughout history, and how this validates us being human.
Depression is a widespread reality in 2020. People are walking through the pain, confusion, and deeply complex experience of depression. In this weeks episode, we have a conversation about depression in this moment, learn basics about the experience of depression, and explain the need to deconstruct and reconstruct the conversation around depression in Christianity.
All of us have been walking through one of the hardest moments in modern history--a global crisis that has deeply shaped our lives. How do we navigate the effects of this moment? In this weeks episode, we have a conversation about the mental and emotional effects of this crisis on our lives, and offer four practical responses to a crisis that we learn from the life of Jesus.
Suffering and pain have a way of overshadowing essential parts of being human. We have a tendency to withdraw, isolate and lose our self-worth during seasons of suffering. It is easy to get so enveloped in our pain that we forget that we are still a living human. In this episode, I talk about losing ourselves in suffering, how to be fully alive in the midst of suffering, and offer some practical steps forward.
Welcome to Better Days Podcast, Season 6.
Better Days is a podcast about Mental Health + Suffering, and what it means to be human and follow Jesus.
In Season 6, we will be exploring various topics around Mental Health + Suffering and how they relate to this cultural moment we are living through. Follow along as we find hope, help and wisdom to navigate through the mental health challenges and suffering that we face in this moment.
In Season 5, we are opening up a conversations to learn about the Pain of Racism. In Episode 6, Efrem Smith shares his story--his pain, the mental and emotional toll of racism, and offers practical steps toward equality and reconciliation. Efrem is a leading voice in Christianity around the subjects of racial reconciliation and justice.
Visit betterdaysfmly.co to support Better Days and for more content around Mental Health + Suffering.
In Season 5, we are opening up a conversations to learn about the Pain of Racism. In Episode 5, Kayla Johnson shares her story--her pain, the mental and emotional toll of racism, and her hope for change.
Visit betterdaysfmly.co to support Better Days and for more content around Mental Health + Suffering.
In Season 5, we are opening up a conversations to learn about the Pain of Racism. In Episode 4, Tyronne Gross shares his story--his pain, the mental and emotional toll of racism, how he talks to his kids about racism, and his hope for change.
Visit betterdaysfmly.co to support Better Days and for more content around Mental Health + Suffering.
In Season 5, we are opening up a conversations to learn about the Pain of Racism. In Episode 3, Christa Armstead shares her story--her pain, not wanting to live, the mental and emotional toll of racism, and her hope for change.
Visit betterdaysfmly.co to support Better Days and for more content around Mental Health + Suffering.
In Season 5, we are opening up a conversations to learn about the Pain of Racism. In Episode 2, Tim Johnson shares his story--his pain, the mental and emotional toll of racism, and his hope for change.
Visit betterdaysfmly.co to support Better Days and for more content around Mental Health + Suffering.
In Season 5, we are opening up a conversations to learn about the Pain of Racism. In Episode 1, Michael Metcalf shares his story--his pain, the mental and emotional toll of racism, and his hope for change.
Visit betterdaysfmly.co to support Better Days and for more content around Mental Health + Suffering.
Welcome to Better Days, Season 5.
Most of us have a personal knowledge of human suffering. We have suffered. Someone close to us has suffered. And we all realize that suffering comes in many forms. Yet, many us have never experienced racism. Racism is a devastating form of human suffering. We are in a cultural moment where each one of us is aware of the pervasive reality of racism and the human suffering associated with it. We are living in a moment where each of us has the opportunity to learn, listen, empathize and collectively enter into the change process. In Season 5, we will open up a conversation and listen to the stories of friends of mine who have lived through racism. They will talk about their pain, the mental and emotional toll of racism, and their hope for change. Join me, as we enter into this important conversation about The Pain of Racism.
All is not good when we live through moments of pain and crisis. So how do we make good when all feels bad? In this episode, I talk about finding meaning and good in the midst of pain.
We are all feeling stress and anxiety during this time. How do we process our anxiety in this moment? In this episode, I talk about anxiety, why we are feeling it, what God thinks about human anxieties, and practical tips to process anxiety in a healthy manner.
Being a leader in this moment is challenging. We are living through an unprecedented and complex crisis. The people we are leading are searching for answers, carrying various burdens, and trying to process a crisis that they have never faced. In this episode, I share 6 tips for leading yourself, your team, and the people you influence in this moment.
There are so many people struggling with pain and grief in this crisis. How do we relationally help and engage with those around us who are hurting? In this episode, I offer six tips for relationally helping people who are struggling with mental health or suffering during this crisis.
This is a time when we are all in a vulnerable state—thinking about life, feeling a myriad of emotions, and possibly experiencing the resurfacing of unprocessed pain. In this episode, I talk about how Jesus processed human pain, and the lessons we can learn from his interaction with pain.
How do we process through the emotional disruption that we are feeling? In this episode, I talk about the importance of emotions, how our brain and body react to a crisis, and how to cultivate emotional health during this time.
A crisis disrupts routines, relational rhythms, and emotional capacity. This can either put a strain on a relationship or lead to greater growth and depth. In this episode, I explain how this crisis is an oppurtunity to grow in our relationships, and offer four categories of relational growth during a crisis.
We are all living through an unprecedented crisis. This global pandemic is reshaping the way we live our lives. Many of us are feeling a little unsettled, stressed, and anxious. Life has been disrupted. How do we cultivate spiritual health in the midst of disruption? In this episode, I explain the importance of investing in what we can control, share two opportunities we have in this moment, and offer six words to cultivate spiritual health in the midst of disruption.
We are all living through an unprecedented crisis. This global pandemic is reshaping the way we live our lives. Many of us are feeling a little unsettled, stressed, and anxious. How do we remain mentally healthy in this new reality? In this episode, I explain the anatomy of a crisis and offer five tips to remain mentally healthy during a crisis.
Jarid Wilson was a voice of hope in Christianity to so many people walking through Mental Health conditions. He shared openly about his own personal struggles with anxiety and depression. In September of 2019, Jarid passed away by suicide. In this episode, Juli Wilson and Christian Wilson share their story, their commitment to carry on Jarid's legacy, and the incredible work they are doing with Anthem of Hope—a faith-centered organization dedicated to amplifying hope for those battling brokenness, depression, anxiety, self-harm, addiction and suicide.
How do you keep moving forward as a human and leader when you feel weary and numb inside? In this episode, I share my experience of coming to a point of feeling numb inside after years of suffering, and practical lessons I learned along the way.
How do you lead people while you are suffering? After living through long term suffering, my wife and I learned a lot about navigating this complex reality. In this episode, I share practical lessons to help you navigate personal or family suffering while leading.
All of us have experienced fear and insecurity. These are real and challenging mental and emotional experiences. How do we filter through our fears and insecurities in a healthy way, so that they do not overtake our mental, emotional, and relational health? How do we understand these concepts and not feel shame about them as followers of Jesus? In this episode, Xavier Brasseur and I talk about our own experiences with fear and insecurity, give a framework for each, and share tools to help you not be overtaken by them.
Suffering is hard when you are personally facing it. Even more challenging is watching your child suffer. Today's episode is a raw must listen to story of hope amidst pain. In this episode, Dave Hughes shares his journey of watching his daughter face countless life altering medical conditions. He opens up about the challenges his family faced, what he learned from his daughter, and offers wisdom for parents who are facing the reality of watching their child suffer.
Life and leadership can be exhausting, overwhelming, and discouraging. At times we feel like quitting. However, quitting is never the right decision. In this episode, I talk about how to respond to these thoughts, and give seven steps to become practically resilient.
The tragic death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven other victims in a helicopter accident sent our culture into a state of shock, mourning, and grief. How could this happen? How could a hero die so suddenly? How could so many young girls lose their lives in an instant? In this episode, I talk about my love for Kobe, why he was such an inspiration to my life, and share thoughts on processing tragedy and loss.
We live in a fast paced, frenetic, and overloaded culture. Leadership only intensifies this reality. Instead of letting the demands around us to dictate our life rhythms, we need to re-engineer our lives by proactively choosing to build our life around healthy rhythms. Healthy rhythms are life giving, and give us fuel to run the marathon of life and leadership. In this episode, I lay out four categories of healthy rhythms for life and leadership.
Burnout is an epidemic in our culture. Leaders are facing symptoms of burnout, and wondering how to navigate a path out of this overwhelming and exhausting state. In this episode, I talk about my story of burnout, explain what burnout is, and give a pathway to re-engineer your life toward a healthy and thriving future.
All of us experience suffering. Some of us experience long term suffering. What happens when you are a leader experiencing long term suffering that reshapes your life? In this episode, Diane Comer shares her story of life altering suffering and how she found intimacy with God after losing her hearing, as well as lessons she learned through suffering and leadership.
Emotional health is essential for effective leadership. How do we become emotionally healthy leaders? In this episode, Xavier Brasseur and I talk through our own stories around emotional health, discuss the anatomy of emotions, and give practical steps to becoming emotionally healthy.
How do you navigate burnout, depression and bipolar as a leader? Jesse Lusko shares his story and the lessons he learned as he navigated burnout, depression and bipolar while leading a thriving church.
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 groundwork for his new book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.
You can find more info about John Mark here.
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 learned.
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.
What is the story behind Better Days Podcast? In this episode, I share my story and why I am passionate about being a voice for people experiencing Mental Health + Suffering.
Welcome to Better Days, Season 2. This is a podcast about Mental Health + Suffering, and the hope we have for Better Days ahead.
What is hope, and how can we keep it in our struggle and pain? In this episode, we talk about hope, and how important it is in the midst of suffering.
Stress plays a major role in our mental health and our health in general. In this episode, I talk about what stress is and how we can manage stress.
What is depression? What does the Bible say about depression? In this episode, I talk about depression and what the Bible says about it.
What is anxiety? What does the Bible say about anxiety? In this episode, I explain what anxiety is, and what the Bible says about it.
In this episode, we talk about mental health statistics and factors, and how talking to God and a trusted person can be of great help when struggling with mental health.
In this episode, I talk about 9 false views of suffering that float through Christianity.
How do we treat people in pain and suffering? In this episode, we talk about what to do, and what not to do to people who are suffering.
You may feel misunderstood in your suffering. In this episode, we talk about feeling misunderstood, the story of Job, and five ways to understand people going through pain and suffering.
Where is God when we are going through pain and suffering? In this episode, we talk about God’s presence, help, and view of our brokenness and suffering.
Suffering is a part of our story, not an interruption to our story. In this episode, we talk about finding meaning in suffering and how our culture has shaped our views of suffering.
In this episode, we talk about the reality that suffering is a normal experience for all people in human history. We live in a broken world and all experience that brokenness.
Welcome to Conversations around Christianity + Culture, hosted by Wesley Towne. In Season One, we will be talking about Suffering + Mental Health. Life is hard. We all experience various forms of suffering. Join us each week to find encouragement and hope.