Mental Health and the Mission of the Church

What happens when two Christian psychiatrists sit down with two pastors to tackle one of the most misunderstood conversations in the Church? In this powerful discussion, Dr. Baron Short and Dr. Ethan Ashley explore the intersection of faith, psychiatry, and brain science, challenging the false choice between trusting God and embracing modern mental health treatment. Together with Chip Judd and Joey Svendsen, they unpack why mental illness has often been treated differently than physical illne...

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, or serve in church leadership, this episode is an invitation to replace simplistic answers wit...

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 allows us to serve others more effectively. Mac shares practical insights from years of ministry exp...

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 health through both scientific and spiritual lenses.

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 thoughtful, “iron sharpens iron” dialogue about how faith and mental health can work together—not in c...