In this episode of the Fresh Hope for Mental Health Podcast, Pastor Brad interviews Adam Flesner about his powerful story documented in his book, Still Here: A Bipolar Survival Manual. Adam shares his journey with bipolar disorder, beginning in 2011 while he was in college. At first, doctors believed he was struggling with depression and prescribed an antidepressant, which triggered his first manic episode and eventually led to a bipolar diagnosis.

Adam openly discusses the difficult years that followed as he searched for the right medication and eventually found stability. However, after graduating from college, he decided to stop taking his medication, which led to poor decisions, addiction to performance-enhancing substances and cannabis, and an attempt to self-medicate his condition in unhealthy ways.… Read More

In this episode, Pastor Brad talks with author and speaker Maria I. Morgan about her powerful journey through anxiety and depression. Maria shares how her first experience with anxiety and depression began in 2006 after a car accident. During that season she sought help quickly and spent about nine months receiving medication and therapy, but the deeper root of her struggles was not discovered at that time.

Years later, in 2020, Maria faced a second and much more severe episode after caring for her mother-in-law who had dementia. During this difficult period, she experienced intense depression, suicide attempts, and even a psychosis episode.… Read More

In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews Donavan Wallenburg, a faith-based mental health advocate living with Bipolar I disorder. Donavan shares his personal journey, including his struggles with alcohol that began in high school, the impact of his parents’ divorce at age 18, and later his use of marihuana. He also reflects on the devastating loss of his younger sister, which led him into a deep depression and eventually his first manic episode.

Through proper diagnosis, treatment, and a renewed relationship with God, Donavan found hope and healing. Today, he shares his story to encourage others living with mental illness, reminding them that their diagnosis does not define them and that recovery, purpose, and faith can coexist.… Read More

In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews Pastor Dustin Kleinschmidt, author of The Wilderness Way. Dustin shares his personal journey of faith, beginning with a childhood marked by trauma and growing up without a Christian background. As a teenager, he encountered Jesus through a Christian youth group, where he found the sense of community and belonging he had been missing.

During his college years, God continued to shape his life by placing mentors and people around him who discipled and encouraged him in his faith. During that time, Dustin also met his wife, and together they began building a beautiful family with their two sons.… Read More

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Episode Description

In this episode, Pastor Brad sits down with Dr. Benjamin Long, a sleep medicine physician and author of Sleep Habits Journal: Practices, Prayers, and Devotions to Ease Your Sleepless Nights.

If you’ve struggled with insomnia, restless nights, or simply want to build healthier sleep habits for your physical and emotional well-being, this conversation is for you. 

Together, Pastor Brad and Dr. Long discuss how habits, and spiritual rhythms affect our ability to rest—and how God invites us into restorative sleep.… Read More

In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews Cody Deese, a pastor from Georgia and author of Discovering Your Internal Universe.

Cody opens up about his lifelong struggle with anxiety, which began in childhood. At 40 years old, he received his first diagnosis of panic disorder — the moment that marked the beginning of a deep and challenging journey toward healing.

He shares how he tried numerous approaches — from professional help to various methods and diets — but his real breakthrough came when he began addressing unprocessed pain. By revisiting his childhood memories through imagination and reconnecting with familiar spaces from his past, Cody discovered that his anxiety was not his enemy, but rather an alarm pointing to pain that needed to be healed.… Read More

This week, Pastor Brad sits down with his long-time friend, Jimmy George, the Executive Director of Fresh Start Omaha!

For years, Jimmy served as a pastor at Relevant Church, and now he is dedicated to seeing people set free from the debilitating effects of offense, hurt, and loss.

In this powerful conversation, Jimmy explains the dangerous, subtle ways that unprocessed pain holds us captive. He describes how old wounds can manifest as:

• A self-focused life.

• A victimhood mentality.

• Patterns of self-sabotage.

• Negative thoughts and rumination.

• False identities built out of past experiences.

This episode offers a clear look at the common traps of unhealed pain and shows you the path to forgiveness and the freedom that Jesus intended for you.… Read More

Do you feel like a part of you is stuck in the past, carrying wounds you can’t seem to shake?

In this profoundly important episode, Pastor Brad welcomes Dr. Audrey Davidheiser—a leading expert who is helping people find deep soul healing.

Dr. Davidheiser, a licensed psychologist in California and certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist (PhD, Fuller), specializes in guiding survivors of trauma toward wholeness, including those grappling with the unique and often-misunderstood pain of religious trauma.

Drawing from her powerful experience—which includes founding a counseling center for the Los Angeles Dream Center and assisting in IFS trainings—she demystifies the revolutionary IFS model.… Read More

In this episode, Pastor Brad interviews Ruby Lucas, author and mental health advocate. Ruby was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 19, but her struggles with anxiety began much earlier in childhood.

Her teenage years were marked by depression, sadness, and panic attacks. While studying abroad, Ruby experienced her first manic episode, which led to her diagnosis. The following years were challenging—marked by denial, lack of proper treatment, psychosis, and even times when people took advantage of her vulnerability.

But God broke through. Ruby’s story is one of faith, hope, and recovery. She shares how God restored her life, gave her renewed purpose, and continues to sustain her journey toward healing.… Read More

In this episode, Pastor Brad talks with Katie Allred—professor, author of Church Communication and community builder. Katie shares her story of growing up in the church, the importance of community, and how faith has shaped her journey.

When Katie was just 18 years old, her father passed away, a loss that deeply impacted her and her family. Driven by her natural achiever personality, Katie pursued success, but eventually experienced corporate burnout. This season led to severe depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.

In this conversation, Katie opens up about her path to recovery—what helped, what she learned, and how she now encourages others who might be struggling with similar challenges.… Read More