Sunburnt Souls

This week on Sunburnt Souls, Dave Quak is back with another raw, real, and at times ridiculous episode—recorded while on family holiday, but packed with depth. He reflects on how short radio soundbites have unexpectedly spread across 14+ stations in Australia, sharing stories that connect faith and mental health in bite-sized doses.

In this episode, Dave takes us on a journey that includes:

• Singing the Home and Away theme in Thai...

Dave Quak shares five real-life stories pulled from our one-minute soundbites airing on 14 Christian radio stations around Australia. From impulsively buying a house during a manic episode to watching a pelican steal a puppy, these moments are strange, hilarious, painful, and deeply human.

Topics we cover:

• 🏠 Mental illness & impulse control (bipolar mania and regret)
• 🐭 Carrying invisible burdens (the mouse on Mum’s shoulder)
• ...

What happens when postpartum joy collides with deep-seated fear? Lydia Farbach opens up about her raw and powerful journey through postpartum psychosis, growing up with a mum diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, and the fear that she might follow the same path. From sleepless nights and spiritual confusion to calling out to God in the back of an ambulance, Lydia shares what it’s like to lose grip on reality—while holding onto J...

Dave Quak sits down with Christian sexologist Monica Cook for a raw and refreshing conversation about faith, sex, and the sacred wisdom of the Song of Songs. They unpack how theology and sexology can work together, challenge the silence around Christian intimacy, and explore how God’s design for desire is both holy and healing.

Whether you’re married, single, or somewhere in between, this episode brings grace, wisdom, and real talk ...

This week Dave Quak sits down with Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, the woman at the centre of one of Australia’s most infamous miscarriages of justice. Wrongfully convicted of her baby daughter’s murder, Lindy endured prison, public hatred, and unimaginable grief—but never let go of her faith.

Hear her powerful reflections on:

– Trusting God through pain and injustice
 – Finding peace in prison
 – The choice to forgive
 – Re...

In this powerful episode, Dave sits down with Pastor Noriko Reid, one of the senior pastors at Hope Church on the Gold Coast, to share her raw and redemptive journey through anxiety, depression, and into freedom through Jesus.

Through God’s faithfulness, the power of His Word, and the support of faith-filled community, Noriko experienced healing. Today, she leads with compassion, offering hope to those still in the fight. Her story ...

Today, we sits down with Elle McBride— a leading voice in trauma recovery and one of the first 150 globally trained Certified Havening Techniques Practitioners and Trainers. Elle introduces us to Neuro Self-Care — a practical, neuroscience-based approach that helps people manage stress, regulate emotions, and build resilience by tapping into the brain’s natural healing abilities. Blending Havening, cutting-edge techniques, and a fa...

In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave sits down with Esther Thomas, Clinical Naturopath and owner of Olea Health, to explore the powerful connection between gut health and mental well-being. With her extensive background in holistic healthcare, Esther dives into how imbalances in digestive health can contribute to stress, anxiety, poor sleep, and fatigue. She shares practical insights on how addressing these imbalances can suppor...

In this powerful episode, Dave Quak sits down with Scott Cunningham, a self-proclaimed late bloomer who met Jesus at the age of 60. Scott shares his raw, redemptive journey through addiction, brokenness, recovery, and the relentless love of God.

💥 The Turning Point at 60

Scott opens up about:

• His early years of pain, self-sabotage, and addiction
• The turning point that led him to cry out to Jesus
• Why healing doesn’t always come quic...

In this episode, Dave sits down with Andrew ‘Robbo’ Robinson — beloved Christian radio host and long-time voice of the Rise & Shine breakfast show on Vision Christian Radio. For over 17 years, Robbo has brought joy, encouragement, and truth to the airwaves — all while navigating life on the Autism Spectrum (ASD).

Robbo opens up about the unique challenges and surprising strengths that come with being neurodivergent in a public m...

In this second part of the conversation, Dr Ashleigh unpacks how true transformation isn’t just about changing thoughts, but about healing the nervous system, renewing the mind, and living in alignment with who God created us to be.

If you're a leader, a parent, or simply someone longing to live from a place of peace rather than pressure—this episode is packed with wisdom you won't want to miss.

🔗 Connect with Ash and Re-M...

In this episode, Dave sits down with Dr Ashleigh Moreland to explore the intersection of science, spirit, and the renewing of the mind. If you’ve ever felt stuck in survival mode or like you’re just getting through the day, this conversation is for you.

Ash brings both personal insight and professional expertise to the table, helping us understand how the brain, body, and spirit all work together—and how transformation begins when w...

This week I sit down with Rev Dr Tania Harris — pastor, theologian, and founder of God Conversations — to explore what it really looks like to recognise and respond to God’s voice.

We talk about:

• Why God still speaks today — and how He does it
• The difference between hearing God and just hearing your own thoughts
• How to test what you’re hearing (without spiralling into doubt)
• The role mental health plays in the conversation — and why...

In Part 2 of our Walk for a Bloke special, Dave, Zac, Jared, and Brad go deeper. If Part 1 was about the event, Part 2 is about the men behind it — their stories, their struggles, and the hope they’re clinging to.

We talk about what it’s like to feel completely lost as a man, how faith intersects with mental illness, and why these chat might be uncomfortable… but they’re also vital.

If you’ve ever thought “I’m not okay,” or you’ve wa...

Join Dave Quak as he sits down with Zac, Jared, and Brad for a raw and real chat about men’s suicide prevention. This one’s personal, powerful, and packed with purpose. The crew chats about the Walk for a Bloke event on the Gold Coast (25km from Surfers to Cooly), and why initiatives like this are more important than ever.

We’re not here to sugar-coat anything — this is about showing up for your mates, starting real conversations, a...

Ever feel like your approach to mental health is totally different from the people around you? Maybe you're The Owl, overthinking every decision, or The Goldfish, moving on before fully processing your emotions. In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, we dive into The 10 Animal Personalities of Mental Health—from The Dog (the support-seeking connector) to The Elephant (the deep feeler).

Each personality type has unique strengths and...

In this powerful episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave Quak sits down with Jennifer Jessop to explore the depths of spiritual warfare, deliverance, and the transformative power of the Love of Jesus. As a minister with a deep passion for setting captives free, Jennifer shares her experiences in prayer, spiritual discernment, and the authority believers have in Christ to overcome darkness.

We dive into questions like:
🔥 What is spiritu...

Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

Join us for a refreshing and insightful conversation with Chris Cipollone, one year after his first appearance on Sunburnt Souls. In this episode, Chris reflects on how the vision of embracing life in its entirety—heart, soul, mind, and strength—has taken shape over the past year.

Integrating Faith, Mental Health, and Everyday Life

With a practical and faith-filled approach, Chris...

Sunburnt Souls – Where Faith and Mental Health Collide

In this insightful and relatable episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave Quak takes a deep dive into the reality of frustration—whether it’s caused by difficult people, unexpected life challenges, or the struggles of mental health.

Using a personal story about an incredibly frustrating encounter at the shops, Dave explores how faith intersects with our everyday frustrations. Life can be ...