Fresh Hope for Mental Health

In this powerful episode, J.M.D. Myers shares her personal journey with OCD — a journey that for years was misread as a spiritual problem. Growing up in a devout Christian family in Massachusetts, JDM was a child who took her faith seriously. But what looked to others like legalism or being overly judgmental was actually undiagnosed OCD. For years she carried the weight of that misidentification, feeling like something was fundamentally wrong with her spiritually — and the guilt that came with it.
It wasn't until much later in life that she finally received a proper diagnosis of OCD. That diagnosis changed everything. Her story is a reminder that what the church sometimes labels as a "spiritual issue" may in fact be a mental health condition — and that getting the right language for what you're experiencing can be profoundly healing.
J.M.D Myers loves to work with theatre, where she helps people connect with God through dialogue rather than lecture. You can learn more about her work in theatre at jesterandbard.com. She tells her full story in her book But What If I'm the 99th?, a biblically grounded and refreshingly honest companion for anyone who has ever wondered what their place is in God's story — especially those who don't see themselves as the rebel or the prodigal, but still have deep questions about identity, belonging, and whether God truly delights in them.
Fresh Hope for Mental Health exists to bring hope to those living with mental health challeges and to the people who love them. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

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.
During a particularly difficult season that included separation from his wife and a severe mixed episode, Adam experienced a suicide attempt. Thankfully, he was stabilized again using the same medication that had helped him previously, which also allowed him to break free from addiction and begin rebuilding his life.
Today, Adam is thriving, remarried, and pursuing a new calling in theology. His story is honest, hopeful, and deeply encouraging for anyone navigating bipolar disorder, addiction, setbacks, or the long road toward healing and stability.

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. Eventually, through treatment and deeper reflection, the root of her struggles was uncovered—pain connected to her childhood relationship with her father.
Through faith, support, and healing, Maria experienced restoration and now shares her story to help others who are struggling with anxiety and depression. This episode is a powerful and hope-filled conversation for anyone walking through similar challenges.
About the Guest:
Maria I. Morgan is the award-winning author of the Louie the Lawnmower children's series and Outrageously Fruitful, a women's Bible study. Passionate about helping women find freedom from anxiety and depression, her book Hope Ignited: Set Free from the Grip of Anxiety and Depression (available spring 2026) offers a faith-centered, holistic approach to healing—addressing body, soul, and spirit. Maria lives in Georgia with her husband, Steve, and their playful pets, who bring laughter and creativity to her journey.

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.

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. As his faith deepened, he sensed a calling into full-time ministry.
Years later, after a particularly stressful season of leadership, Dustin experienced a two-year struggle with anxiety and depression. In this conversation, he reflects on the lessons God taught him during that difficult season and how those experiences inspired his book, The Wilderness Way. Dustin shares how the wilderness seasons of life, though painful, can become places where God forms deeper faith, healing, and hope.