In this fresh episode of Sunburnt Souls, Dave Quak sits down with pastor, photographer, and YouTube creator Ralph Mayhew to talk about the raw realities of following Jesus while navigating mental health struggles. Ralph shares his personal journey with depression, the lessons learned in both life and ministry, and how he’s found joy in Christ through it all.

You’ll hear stories about marriage in the midst of mental illness, the importance of honest conversations in church leadership, and why reframing your identity in light of the gospel matters more than ever. The two also dive into spiritual disciplines, the theology of mental health, and how hobbies like photography can become acts of worship.

Whether you’re a pastor, a creative, or someone walking through mental health challenges, this episode offers hope, honesty, and encouragement to keep going—one rung of the ladder at a time.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Ralph’s journey with depression shaped his pastoral ministry
• Why identity in Christ changes the way we talk about mental illness
• The importance of spiritual disciplines that work with your lifestyle
• How to spot early mental health triggers and take action
• The role hobbies and creativity play in spiritual growth
• Encouragement for those feeling “stuck at the bottom of the pit”

Links & Resources:

• Ralph Mayhew Photography on YouTube
• Village Church Burleigh Heads

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
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BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!
🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you:
✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus
✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith
👉 Start your 28-day journey today

💌 Join Our Community

Get weekly encouragement, bonus content, and resources in your inbox:
👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

🙌 Support the Mission

Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content:
👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls

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PARTNERS

🎙️ Sunburnt Souls is proudly produced by ...

In this second part of Ash Morrison’s story on Sunburnt Souls, host Dave Quak explores Ash’s journey of rebuilding her life as a Christian woman after divorce. Ash shares the challenges of navigating divorce, parenting three young children (including one with disabilities), and unexpectedly meeting and marrying Zac, a non-Christian at the time. She discusses wrestling with guilt, biblical interpretations of divorce, and the transformative power of God’s grace in her unconventional path to remarriage. The episode highlights the importance of seeking God’s guidance, the messiness of life, and finding blessings in brokenness.

Key Takeaways:

• Ash planned to stay single for years post-divorce to focus on healing and parenting, but God had other plans, leading her to meet Zac just three months after her separation.
• Wrestling with biblical teachings on divorce and remarriage, Ash initially felt labeled as an “adulteress” but learned God’s grace covers brokenness.
• Ash and Zac prioritised their children’s needs in blending their families, allowing the kids to guide the pace of their relationship.
• Despite unconventional choices (like moving in together before marriage), Ash and Zac made deliberate decisions to honor their faith, such as abstaining from intimacy until marriage.
• Ash’s story underscores that God can bless and redeem even imperfect choices, offering hope to those navigating divorce and remarriage.

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
🔗 Facebook | 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Instagram

BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!
🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you:
✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus
✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith
👉 Start your 28-day journey today

💌 Join Our Community

Get weekly encouragement, bonus content, and resources in your inbox:
👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

🙌 Support the Mission

Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content:
👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls

⭐️ Leave a Review

Love this episode? A quick rating or review helps more people find hope.
👉 Rate us on Apple Podcasts | 👉 Rate on Spotify

PARTNERS

🎙️ Sunburnt Souls is proudly produced by ...

Summary: In this episode of Sunburnt Souls, host Dave Quak sits down with Ash Morrison to discuss the complexities of parenting a child with disabilities, blending two families through faith, and navigating personal challenges like perfectionism and childhood trauma. Ash shares her journey of raising five children, including her youngest, Archer, who has tuberous sclerosis complex, and how her faith and intentional gratitude practice have transformed her perspective. The episode explores themes of resilience, surrender, and finding God’s grace in life’s hardships.

Key Takeaways:

• Ash’s experience with parenting a child with tuberous sclerosis complex and intellectual impairments highlights the importance of surrendering control and trusting God.
• Blending a family of five children required grace, intentionality, and faith, with Ash emphasizing the seamless integration of her and her husband Zach’s children.
• A year-long gratitude practice helped Ash reframe her mindset, finding peace in small moments during challenging times, such as hospital stays with Archer.
• Ash’s journey from perfectionism and self-criticism to embracing God’s provision offers practical insights for parents struggling with mental well-being.
• Archer’s unfiltered faith and joy serve as a powerful testimony, inspiring his family and others.

CONNECT

Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope:
🔗 Facebook | 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Instagram

BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!
🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health

28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you:
✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus
✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms
✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith
👉 Start your 28-day journey today

💌 Join Our Community

Get weekly encouragement, bonus content, and resources in your inbox:
👉 Subscribe to the newsletter

🙌 Support the Mission

Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content:
👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls

⭐️ Leave a Review

Love this episode? A quick rating or review helps more people find hope.
👉 Rate us on Apple Podcasts | 👉 Rate on Spotify

PARTNERS

🎙️ Sunburnt Souls is proudly produced by ...