Podcast
Jesus and Your Mental Health
Jesus and your mental health, a podcast exploring the links between behavioral science and Gods word to help you live the life God intended. Visit jesusandyourmentalhealth.com to learn more.
Jesus and Your Mental Health and the information provided by Rebecca Maxwell are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Rebecca Maxwell is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
If you are in crisis, please contact the Crisis Text Line at 988, National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or your local emergency services.
- Episodes
- 62
- Releases
- Every two weeks
- Typical length
- 49 min
- On air since
- 2024
- Latest episode
- 2 weeks ago
Episodes
62 episodes, newest first
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43 min
S3 E5: What do you mean? Bible words meet Therapeutic Language, Pt. 2
Episode 58
Show notes
This episode is part 2 in our exploration of biblical words—like bitterness, hope, and faith—that also show up in therapy and in everyday life. Rebecca Maxwell and Jonathan Vinke help to define the vocabulary of spiritual growth concepts and their mental health counterparts in order to bring together both disciplines to produce healing and growth.
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
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45 min
S3 E4: What do you mean? Bible Words Meet Therapeutic Language, Pt. 1
Episode 57
Show notes
In this episode Rebecca Maxwell helps translate common biblical words—like lust, pride, and envy—into clinical and practical mental health terms. She explores scripture, clinical perspectives, and the deeper longings behind these struggles.
The conversation will help you bridge the gap between words you might hear in church and what you'll hear in a therapy session. What we find is that God in his wisdom has created us and knows us, and it's always fun to see scientific and psychological "discoveries" catching up with his timeless word.
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
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1 hr 1 min
S3 E3: BONUS - Protecting Kids from Porn with special guest Joshua Broome
Episode 56
Show notes
WARNING: This episode deals with mature themes and may not be suitable for children. Listener discretion is advised.
In today's bonus episode, Rebecca and her special guest Joshua Broome explore the timely topic of pornography and its many effects on children and families. Understand the dangers of early exposure, the brain science behind pornography use, characteristics of addiction, and the real links between porn and violence — and why parents need to work hard to prepare and protect their kids.
Joshua Broome is a pastor and author and shares his journey from the adult industry to ministry, offers practical, faith-based advice for shame-free conversations, resources for parents, and hope for recovery and reconciliation. You can order his book 7 Lies That Will Ruin Your Life: What My Journey from Porn Star to Preacher Taught Me About the Truth That Sets Us Free by clicking hereor by visiting https://www.joshuabroome.me/
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
If you or someone you know is struggling, please text 988 or call your local emergency services by dialing 911.
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46 min
S3 E2: How Now Shall We Live? Christians Navigating Culture
Episode 55
Show notes
This episode explores what it means to be "in the world but not of it," unpacking some scripture verses from 1 John 2 as we understand how the world, the flesh, and the devil shape our choices.
Jonathan Vinke and Rebecca Maxwell offer practical guidance through using the three R's—receive, reject, redeem—and discuss boundaries, technology, music, and counseling to help Christians live faithfully in everyday culture.
For more information about Rebecca Maxwell or her practice, please visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
If you or someone you know is struggling, please text 988 or call your local emergency services by dialing 911.
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49 min
S3 E1: What is Mental Health? Living God's Vision for Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength
Season 3, Episode 1
Show notes
Welcome to Jesus and Your Mental Health Season 3! In this episode, we take a “zoom out” to define mental health biblically—examining personhood as heart, soul, mind, and strength—and discuss the ways that stress, Sabbath, and faith shape resilience.
Even with the challenges presented by this cultural moment of constant screens, it is possible to live a full and healthy life. As we work to incorporate daily Scripture reading and prayer, bodily movement, relational connection, personal reflection, journaling, and other practices, we find God's grace and wisdom poured out as he has provided us these ways to live according to his design.
For more information about Rebecca Maxwell or her practice, please visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
If you or someone you know is struggling, please text 988 or call your local emergency services by dialing 911.
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1 hr 1 min
S2 E29: BONUS - Faith Meets Physiology: Healing Anxiety Beyond 'Pray More' with Brook Rozzie
Episode 54
Show notes
In this episode, Rebecca Maxwell and Brooke "Rozzie" discuss how functional nutrition, nervous system regulation, and spiritual practices intersect to explain symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, and brain fog—especially for women navigating hormonal changes, chronic stress, and grief.
They offer simple, practical rhythms and root‑focused steps for recovery that honor body, soul, and spirit, and point listeners to resources for personalized support through Faithfully Nourished.
Brooke Rozmenoski (aka Brooke Rozzie) is a Christian Counselor, Functional Nutrition Coach and the founder of Faithfully Nourished. As a wife and mother of two, Brooke understands firsthand the challenges women face in tending to their health while navigating the demands of marriage, motherhood, and ministry.
Through her podcast, coaching programs, retreats, and practice, she has helped hundreds of women uncover the emotional, spiritual, and relational roots of their physical symptoms—restoring God’s order to their health, homes, and hearts. Brooke combines counseling, functional nutrition, nervous system support, and biblical truth to guide women out of survival mode and into Spirit-led, sustainable wholeness—so they can stop “doing healing” and start living from a place of Holy Spirit-led freedom.
Follow Brooke on Instagram: @brookerozzie
Inquire about Brooke's ministry here: https://l.bttr.to/U3LMb
For more information about Rebecca Maxwell, please visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
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46 min
S2 E 28: More than Tired - Recognizing & Preventing Spiritual & Emotional Burnout
Episode 53
Show notes
Today's episode explores how burnout shows up across heart, soul, mind, and strength—especially for those in ministry and caregiving roles. Rebecca Maxwell and Jonathan Vinke identify early warning signs like poor sleep, emotional numbness, irritability, loss of motivation, and physical symptoms. Burnout differs from ordinary fatigue, and it's important that we don't ignore the signs.
Gain practical steps for prevention and recovery: learn to set boundaries, pursue restorative practices for body and spirit, seek community and professional help when needed, and remember that healing takes time and intentional stewardship of your life.
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit http://Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
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51 min
S2 E27: Breaking Free from Toxic Negativity
Episode 52
Show notes
Have you ever felt like everything in your life was going wrong? In today's episode, Rebecca Maxwell and Jonathan Vinke dig into chronic negativity—how it forms as a learned defense, shows up as catastrophizing, rumination, or bitterness, and goes on to damage relationships and spiritual life.
You will find practical, biblical tools to help you find freedom: lamenting to God instead of bypassing with toxic positivity, celebrating small wins, measuring the gain rather than the gap, staying on the present ‘page,’ and replacing negative thoughts with Scripture and truth.
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit http://Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
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46 min
S2 E26: A God-Shaped Mind: How Faith Rewires the Brain with Dr. Chuck Coker
Episode 51
Show notes
In this episode Jonathan Vinke talks with Dr. Chuck Coker about his book A God-Shaped Mind, which explains how spiritual transformation shows up physically in the brain. They explore topics of neuroplasticity, the "faith portal," and four stages of spiritual maturity drawn from Scripture. You'll learn how spiritual practices and gifts can reshape neural pathways and reduce fear while increasing peace and trust.
Dr. Coker discusses practical applications, the many assessments he has developed, and who will benefit most from the book. If you are a spiritual seeker, or if you are feeling stuck in your faith, you will be encouraged. Also if you purchase a book and send to Dr. Coker, he will send you a complimentary companion 16-week study for readers.
For more information about Chuck, visit http://chuckcoker.com or lifethrive.com. Reach him by email at cwcoker@lifethrive.com
For more information about Rebecca Maxwell and her practice please visit http://Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
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58 min
S2 E25: OCD Part 2 - Finding Freedom Through ERP with Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood
Episode 50
Show notes
This episode continues our deep dive into OCD and unpacks exposure and response prevention (ERP), a standard treatment for OCD.
Rebecca Maxwell talks with OCD clinicians Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood as they explain scrupulosity and how faith practices can be supported without fueling OCD. You will hear practical tips for starting treatment and find out about key resources and group options for getting help. ERP is a proven method to build tolerance to uncertainty, reduce OCD’s power, and help people live according to their values.
Find out more about Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood from Marsh Landing Behavioral Group here in Jacksonville, Florida. http://mlbgroup.com/ Additional resources can be found at IOCDF.org and JackMHA.org For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
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54 min
S2 E24: BONUS - Understanding OCD and Finding Freedom with Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood (Part 1)
Episode 49
Show notes
In this episode Rebecca Maxwell welcomes Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood to explain what obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) looks like, how it differs from normal anxiety or perfectionism, and why it is often underdiagnosed. They describe the OCD loop—intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and compulsive responses—and give real examples of common compulsions and reassurance-seeking behaviors.
From a Christian perspective they discuss how OCD thought patterns can be mistaken for spiritual discernment, how it impacts identity and daily life, and why reassurance can unintentionally feed the cycle. The episode ends with hope: an introduction to evidence-based treatment (ERP), resources for support, and encouragement that recovery is possible.
Find out more about Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood from Marsh Landing Behavioral Group here in Jacksonville, Florida. http://mlbgroup.com/ Additional resources can be found at IOCDF.org and JackMHA.org
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit https://www.jesusandyourmentalhealth.com/
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56 min
S2 E23: Raising Disciples, Not Just Good Kids: Gospel-Centered Parenting with Amber Hicks
Episode 48
Show notes
In this episode Rebecca Maxwell interviews Amber Hicks, a friend and kids minister at Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida. They dive deep into the philosophy behind gospel-centered kids ministry and partnering with parents in making disciples. Parents are encouraged to focus on setting up practical rhythms for family life (scripture, prayer, worship, memorization), and prioritizing heart-focused parenting over mere behavior management.
Amber and Rebecca also address challenges kids face today—screens, social media, and cultural noise—and offer simple, everyday practices to disciple children, share stories of the unique challenges ministry families face, and point listeners to resources and community support for raising faith-filled kids.
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell or her practice, please visit https://www.jesusandyourmentalhealth.com/
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51 min
S2 E22: The Big Brave Choice: Teaching Kids the Courage to Forgive with Lori Newell
Episode 47
Show notes
In today's episode, Rebecca Maxwell interviews Lori Newell about her new children's book, The Big Brave Choice, co-written with Pastor Joby Martin.
The episode explores how the book uses a relatable story about twins to teach forgiveness as a gospel-centered, courageous choice and includes practical parent resources and church curriculum for ages 4–8 (usable through elementary school).
They discuss why forgiveness matters for faith and mental health, the importance of parents modeling forgiveness, and how the book can help families and churches plant lasting gospel truths in children’s hearts.
The book releases June 9. For more information and to pre-order, visit https://jobymartin.com/books/the-big-brave-choice
For other trusted children's resources: https://coe22.com/resources/all/recommended-family-discipleship/
To reach Lori Newell: Instagram @lorinewell_ lori.newell@coe22.com
For more information on Rebecca and her practice, please visit https://www.jesusandyourmentalhealth.com/
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55 min
S2 E21: Parenting Help Pt. 4 - Letting Go Without Losing It: Parenting Late Teens to Young Adults (17-20)
Episode 46
Show notes
Parenting part 4 explores the challenges and transitions of parenting late teenagers into adulthood, covering identity formation, responsibility, faith development, and practical boundaries around dating, work, and finances.
Rebecca Maxwell and Jonathan Vinke share real-life examples, explore mental health signs to watch for, and suggest strategies for mentoring rather than controlling. You'll be encouraged to remember the importance of community, prayer, and maintaining your own identity beyond parenting.
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
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49 min
S2 E20: Parenting Help Pt. 3 When Kids Become Teens: Navigating Identity, Hormones, and Boundaries (12-16)
Episode 45
Show notes
In part 3 of our parenting series, we explore parenting during the volatile middle-school-to-high-school years (roughly ages 12–16), covering brain development, puberty, identity formation, and the growing importance of peers. We discuss effective approaches to discipline (authoritative vs. authoritarian), maintaining connection, friendship circles, privacy and phone/social media boundaries, and how to coach rather than control.
You'll be encouraged to stay present, set clear values and boundaries, involve teens in consequences, protect face-to-face relationships over screens, and don’t give up—this stage is intense but temporary and shapeable with steady, loving guidance.
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
Find the book Brainstorm on Amazon here.
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42 min
S2 E19: Parenting Help Pt. 2 - Raising Elementary Kids to be Rooted, Resilient, and Confident (6-12)
Episode 44
Show notes
Welcome to part two of our multi-part series on parenting. This episode explores parenting elementary-aged children (roughly 6–12). We explore a range of topics, including building resilience and confidence, setting consistent discipline tied to family values, managing friendships and bullying, handling technology and screen limits, making schooling and extracurricular choices, and guiding spiritual formation including conversations about baptism.
We want you to gain practical wisdom centered on relationship-building, staying steady through boundary-pushing, and preparing kids for future independence.
For more information on Rebecca and her practice, please visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
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40 min
S2 E18: Parenting Help Pt. 1 - The Crucial Early Years (0–5)
Episode 43
Show notes
Welcome to part one of our multi-part series on parenting. This episode focuses on parenting children ages 0–5, emphasizing how rapid brain development and early attachments shape trust, safety, and emotional growth.
Rebecca Maxwell and Jonathan Vinke discuss practical approaches to soothing, teaching self-regulation, setting balanced consequences, the role of play and routine, and concerns about screen distraction—offering realistic guidance rather than perfectionism.
Our hope is that as you listen you'll receive encouragement, ideas for community support, and a reminder that consistency, presence, and grace help parents steward these formative years.
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
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43 min
S2 E17: BONUS - ADHD, Identity & Shame: Reclaiming Who You Are feat. Julie Norman
Episode 42
Show notes
Rebecca Maxwell and her guest Julie Norman explore how ADHD’s dopamine-sensitive nervous system affects motivation and executive function, and how those challenges often become misread as laziness or moral failure. They introduce the "three C's"—capable, chaotic, critical—and explain how regulation and compassion protect identity from shame.
If today’s conversation about ADHD, identity, and emotional regulation resonated with you, there are a few ways to go deeper. Julie has created a Task Initiation infographic that explains why starting tasks can feel so hard for ADHD brains—and what actually helps.
You can also joinStructure Without Shame, my upcoming course on emotional regulation and sustainable structure for real life, designed for both neurodivergent and neurotypical adults who want more calm and clarity in how they live and work. And if you simply need accountability to get things done, you’re welcome to join our free Friday Body Doubling / Parallel Play sessions at 9am Central for two focused Pomodoro work blocks.
For more information on Julie Norman and her practice, go to https://peaceregardless.com/
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, go to https://www.jesusandyourmentalhealth.com/
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1 hr 1 min
S2 E16: Surrender, Sobriety, and Salvation: A 12‑Step Journey with Steve & Val Crooks
Episode 41
Show notes
In today's episode, Rebecca talks with Steve and Val Crooks about their decades-long recovery through a 12-step program. This important conversation covers the moment they knew they needed help, and how surrender and community transformed their lives.
Hear how faith and practical daily practices—meetings, sponsors, prayer, and accountability—intersect with recovery and offer concrete steps for anyone wondering if they need help.
This episode shares real stories of hope, encouragement to reach out, and the message that healing is possible when honesty replaces secrecy and surrender replaces self-reliance.
For more information on Rebecca and her practice, please visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
If you would like help or information on finding a 12-step program in your area, go to https://www.aa.org/find-aa or dial 988 from any phone.
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50 min
S2 E15: Biblical Acceptance and Peace - Finding Shalom in the Serenity Prayer
Episode 40
Show notes
In this episode, Rebecca Maxwell and Jonathan Vinke explore the Serenity Prayer and its roots in faith-based recovery, exploring what biblical acceptance really means and how to balance accepting what you cannot change with courage to change what you can.
Gain practical steps for finding peace including identifying controllables vs. uncontrollables, surrendering burdens to God, journaling to clarify choices, seeking wise counsel, and taking daily, present-focused actions to grow in peace and purpose.
For more information on Rebecca and her book, go to jesusandyourmentalhealth.com
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