In this heartfelt and reflective season finale, we wrap up our deep dive into mental health with a conversation that ties together key themes from throughout the series. We revisit powerful insights on anxiety, depression, and the challenges of emotional well-being, reflecting on how faith and community can provide real hope and healing.

Looking back at the season we explore that we are integrated beings—mind, body, and spirit—and how understanding this unity is essential to mental and emotional well-being. God’s grace is essential steps toward true wholeness. We also reflect on the importance of rest, spiritual resilience, and the ways the church can continue to grow as a place of support and understanding.

Whether you’ve been with us from the start or are just tuning in, this episode offers an encouraging and grace-filled reminder that none of us are alone in the struggle for mental and emotional health. Join us as we celebrate the journey so far and look ahead with hope.

In this profound and hope-filled conversation, award-winning theologian Dr. Kelly M. Kapic joins us to explore the intersection of mental health, anxiety, and theology. Drawing from his acclaimed book You’re Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God’s Design and Why That’s Good News, Kapic challenges the cultural narrative that treats human limitations as flaws to be fixed. Instead, he invites us to see our finitude as part of God’s good design—a truth that offers deep relief in the face of anxiety, burnout, and unrealistic expectations.

We also touch on insights from his other works, including Embodied Hope and Becoming Whole, as we discuss how accepting our God-given limits can lead to greater spiritual health, emotional honesty, and a more grounded life. If you're wrestling with perfectionism, exhaustion, or a pressure to "do it all," this episode is for you.

We talk about why our limits are not sins, the theological roots of anxiety and performance culture, how embracing finitude opens the door to real community and grace, and what it means to be fully human in a fast-paced, success-driven world. Join us for a refreshing and compassionate take on what it means to be whole in a world that prizes productivity over presence.

Check out Kelly’s book: You’re Only Human

Also, see his new 40 day devotional: You Were Never Meant to Do It All

In this episode, we explore the deep and often challenging experience of grief through the lens of faith. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be in the world but not of it, and that includes how we respond to those in grief and how we navigate it ourselves. Our guest, grief counselor Cindi Sinnema, shares insights on how we can walk alongside others who are grieving, as well as practical guidance for those who are personally facing loss. Whether you’re supporting a loved one or struggling with grief yourself, this conversation offers compassion, wisdom, and hope.

Cindi Sinnema is the Director of The Grief Companioning Project and has spent over 25 years working in the field of traumatic response and community support. Her expertise spans from working with Separation and Loss Services at Virginia Mason to providing chaplaincy services both locally and nationwide. Cindi has supported individuals, families, and communities affected by disasters—both natural and man-made—and trained volunteers to help in the aftermath of trauma. She has also worked with the Behind the Badge Foundation to support first responders across the country. Through her work, Cindi has gained deep insight into the challenges of grief and loss and the healing that comes from walking through it with others.

To learn more about Cindy and her work here.

In this episode, we sit down with author and pastor Patrick Miller to explore his book, Joyful Outsider, through the lens of mental health. As our culture changes rapidly, many of us feel isolated, overwhelmed, and disconnected—but what if embracing our role as outsiders could lead to peace and joy? Patrick discusses how Jesus invites us to experience the “joy of missing out” (JOMO) instead of succumbing to the pressure of fitting in or chasing after approval. We dive into practical ways to navigate stress, anxiety, and fear in today’s world by finding our identity in Christ, not in external validation. Whether you identify as an artist, protestor, builder, advisor, ambassador, or trainer, Patrick provides actionable insights on how to cultivate mental well-being and emotional resilience through faith. Tune in for a hopeful conversation on healing, finding purpose, and embracing the peace of being a joyful outsider.

Patrick Miller is a pastor and cultural commentator who writes about politics, culture, and technology, contributing articles to Christianity Today, Newsweek, The Gospel Coalition, and other publications. His podcast, Truth Over Tribe, is one of Apple's top news commentary podcasts, featuring interviews with leading Christian thinkers, writers, and scholars. He’s the co-author of Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant. Patrick holds a Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary and pastors a politically diverse church, The Crossing. He and his wife, Emily, have two children.

Learn more about Patrick and his podcast here:
https://truthovertribe.com/about
Check out his book Joyful Outsiders

http://amazon.com/Joyful-Outsiders-Jesus-Disorienting-Culture/dp/031036874X/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XNt-GCZXHnB4r9JAGzbj9smVyKsKGcKgaPyfoAQBft3GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.9PUx1HX4RZJydrf1YwR2E6BFb0PO5Xb1GnipEICq3rE&dib_tag=se&hvadid=719674314865&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9024568&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6943957188159859892&hvtargid=kwd-2372010398786&hydadcr=22535_13493342&keywords=joyful+outsiders&mcid=8db605a268293975a1d7539a99ad6a72&qid=1742848166&sr=8-1

In this deeply personal episode, Steve Brooks, one of the regular hosts on Native Exiles, opens up about his struggle with religious OCD and the profound doubts he faced regarding his salvation, despite growing up in a strong Christian family. Steve takes us through his journey of wrestling with fear and uncertainty, which first surfaced while living internationally in Taiwan. He shares the emotional toll of trying to find peace through unhelpful solutions, and how God's intervention, through both books and a reimagining of his faith, eventually reframed his understanding of assurance. This raw and honest conversation offers insight into the complexities of faith, mental health, and the grace that brings clarity amidst confusion.

Native Exiles is a podcast from Alderwood Community Church. In it, we discuss following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that seems to be moving in the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.

For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

In this powerful conversation, Rachael Clinton Chen, a trauma care practitioner and co-host of The Allender Center Podcast, joins us to discuss the deep impact of spiritual abuse and the church’s responsibility in creating safe spaces for healing. With a heart devoted to addressing the harm of abuse, especially spiritual abuse, Rachael shares her insights on trauma, embodiment, and spiritual formation, and how the church can be a place of reclamation rather than harm. As a contemplative charismatic and advocate for justice, mercy, and humility, Rachael offers wisdom on navigating the complexities of healing in faith communities. Join us as we explore the intersection of trauma and spirituality, and discover how we can begin to rebuild the church as a sanctuary for true restoration.

In addition to exploring the healing potential within faith communities, Rachael highlights the critical role that churches can play in cultivating trauma-informed spaces by first acknowledging the realities of abuse. By recognizing the power differences that often exist between leaders and congregants, churches can begin to dismantle harmful structures and create more equitable environments. Rachael emphasizes that addressing abuse openly, offering validation to survivors, and empowering individuals to reclaim their voice are essential steps in transforming communities. By fostering humility, transparency, and a deep commitment to justice, churches can become spaces where trauma is not only acknowledged, but where healing is actively nurtured, restoring trust and hope in the process.

For more information on Rachael's work, check out the Allender Center's Spiritual Abuse & Healing Online Course. Also check out the Allender Center Podcast or Rachel’s bio!

In this thought-provoking episode with Curtis Chang, we explore a radical shift in how we view anxiety—not as a problem to be solved or eliminated, but as an opportunity to draw nearer to Jesus. Curtis delves into how anxiety often marks the people who approach Jesus, and how it can serve as the catalyst for spiritual growth. We discuss the contrasting approaches of the church and the world to anxiety, with prayer as the church's method of elimination and prescription as the world's solution. Curtis offers a mindset switch that invites us to see anxiety not as a sign of distance from Christ, but as an invitation to step closer to Him. Tune in for a transformative perspective on anxiety that could change the way you experience your faith.

Curtis Chang is a consulting professor in innovation and organization at Duke Divinity School and a senior fellow at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is also a faculty member at American University. Curtis has a distinguished background in social innovation, having won an Obama White House award as the founder and head of Consulting Within Reach, a firm dedicated to serving nonprofits and government. His work bridges the worlds of faith, leadership, and mental health, focusing on how spiritual growth can be integrated with personal transformation. Curtis is the author of Engaging Unbelief: A Captivating Strategy from Augustine and Aquinas (IVP) and is a former Rockefeller Fellow. Known for his thoughtful and transformative approach to anxiety, he encourages individuals to view their struggles not as barriers, but as opportunities to grow closer to Jesus.

Check out Dr. Chang's book below:

Anxiety Opportunity

Also listen to his podcast here:

The good faith podcast

Find out more about Dr. Chang’s work on his website:

Redeeming Babble

In this powerful re-release of one of our most impactful episodes, Steve and Wyatt sit down with Dr. Dan Allender, renowned psychologist and author, to unpack the complex role of shame in marriage and deep relationships. Dr. Allender brings his expertise to the table, shedding light on how shame silently shapes the dynamics of intimate partnerships, often leading to disconnection, resentment, and emotional isolation. Through this conversation, we explore how shame takes root, how it impacts communication and trust, and most importantly, how couples can navigate its grip to heal and grow together.

Whether you're in a committed relationship or working through personal struggles with shame, Dr. Allender’s insights offer a roadmap to understanding and transforming the ways shame shows up in our deepest connections.

Join us for a rich discussion on healing, vulnerability, and the journey toward more authentic and resilient relationships.

Read his books!

The Intimate Mystery

The Cry of the Soul

Learn more about Dr. Dan Allender here: https://theallendercenter.org/about/team/dan-allender/

Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.

For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.