#137: Creating suicide-safe churches (Steve Austin tribute)

Two years ago, my friend Steve Austin, an author, mental health advocate and former pastor, died by suicide. Ever since then, I’ve intended to dedicate an episode to his memory and his work, and this is that episode. Including a powerful interview with Lindsey Austin, Steve’s wife, along with a selection of readings from Steve’s book, Hiding In The Pews: Shining Light on Mental Illness in the Church, this is a vulnerable and sacred discussion that filled me with more hope and joy than I expected. I’ve lost count of the number of people who have reached out to me this Spring while hitting really dark patches in their mental health. Pastors, it is our job to help, but not always in the ways we expect or assume. This episode is for all of us, so we can learn to create suicide-safe spaces.

Jonathan PuddleMay 26, 2023suicide, mental health, therapy, pastoring, churchComment

#98: Poems of Disappointment and Discovery (with David Tensen)

My guest on the show this week is poet David Tensen. Once upon a time, David was the worship director at a megachurch… then he led a large inner healing prayer ministry… then his life fell apart and he started writing poetry. David recently released his first book The Wrestle: Poems of Divine Disappointment and Discovery. We talked all about breakdown, disappointment and surprising joy. David read a few of his poems for us—if you’ve ever experienced your life falling apart then this will be a blessing for your heart’s journey.

Jonathan PuddleJanuary 22, 2021poetry, brokenness, emotions, suicideComment

#97: Masks of Masculinity (with Brendan Kwiatkowski)

Brendan Kwiatkowski is a PhD candidate, researching adolescent males’ levels of emotional restriction and related pressures. I’ve loved the work that Brendan shares on his Instagram and so he joined me on the show to discuss the masks that men & boys wear, trust vs vulnerability, issues of identity and sense of purpose, and the fragmentation that results from not being our true selves. If you have a male in your life, listen in.

Jonathan PuddleJanuary 15, 2021masculinity, embodiment, emotions, suicideComment

#85: De-stigmatizing Suicide (with Kayla Stoecklein)

This week we look at a crucially important topic: suicide and mental health. My guest is Kayla Stoecklein, whose husband Andrew died by suicide two years ago. Andrew had been the lead pastor of their church, and had struggled with significant mental health issues for some time. Kayla shares vulnerably how warning signs were missed and a great tragedy could have been averted. She provides hope and practical help for anyone facing depression, anxiety, panic attacks or suicidal ideation, as well as for those people loving others through it.

Jonathan PuddleSeptember 3, 2020covid-19, family, suicide, mental health, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, pastoringComment