Mental Health and the Mission of the Church

From Pulpit to Practice: Mental Health as Discipleship

What if mental health wasn’t separate from discipleship… but essential to it? Chip Judd, Pastor Armando, and Dr. Chris Adams explore how the church can better care for people by integrating mental health principles into everyday ministry. This is the kind of conversation that creates healthier leaders—and a healthier church.

Why Pastors Should See a Therapist

In this episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, Chip Judd and guests explore the growing conversation around mental health within the church. Through personal stories and honest discussion, they unpack how anxiety, depression, and leadership pressures affect pastors and ministry leaders. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating mental health awareness into pastoral care, understanding the difference between moral failure and predatory behavior, and why healthy leaders are essential to a healthy church.

Fake Vulnerability | A Chip Mini

In this mini episode, Chip Judd and Chip Henderson unpack the idea of “fake vulnerability” — the kind of honesty that sounds transparent but still keeps people at a safe distance. With clarity and humility, they challenge church leaders to move beyond surface-level transparency and into the kind of self-awareness and courage that fosters genuine mental and emotional health. This conversation builds on the powerful stories and insights shared in Part 1 and Part 2 of Building a Mentally Healthy Church — be sure to listen to the full episodes for the complete picture.

From Crisis to Culture: Building a Mentally Healthy Church| Part 2

In Part 2 with Chip and Christie Henderson, the conversation shifts from personal mental health struggles to the broader impact of emotional health on church leadership and culture. They explore the difference between faux vulnerability and true authenticity, the role of medication and professional help in healing, and the resistance leaders often face when advocating for change. The episode emphasizes that emotional health is part of spiritual formation, that integrity requires alignment in every area of a leader’s life, and that a healthy ministry begins with healthy individuals. Ultimately, they argue that creating a shame-free, restorative church culture is a fight — but one worth pursuing.

From Crisis to Culture: Building a Mentally Healthy Church | Part 1

Chip Judd and Joey Svendsen sit down with Chip and Christy Henderson for an honest, deeply personal conversation about mental health in ministry. This episode is a reminder that mental health awareness is not optional in ministry—it’s essential. P.S. Click HERE to download My Toad app and use promo code “CHIP10”.

Unlocking Your Brain: The Role of Dopamine

In this conversation, Hannah Bookbinder discusses the critical role of dopamine as a neurotransmitter in executive functioning. She explains how dopamine is necessary for following through on plans and how its absence can hinder various cognitive skills.

Is the Church Failing at Its Mission?

The church talks a lot about discipleship but what if we’re overlooking something essential?
In our latest episode of Mental Health and the Mission of the Church, we sit down for a candid and challenging conversation about the intersection of faith, emotional health, and the true mission of the church.
Together, we explore hard questions many leaders and believers are already wrestling with.

Understanding the Spectrum of Autism

In this conversation, Chip Judd, Joey Svendsen, and Jen Jackson explore the intersection of mental health and autism. Jen shares her personal journey of discovering her autism diagnosis in adulthood and discusses the unique experiences of autistic individuals, including sensory processing differences, the concept of masking, and the importance of self-acceptance. The discussion also touches on the challenges of anxiety and depression within the autistic community and emphasizes the need for supportive environments that foster emotional well-being.

The story behind the lungs that saved my life

He shot himself. And the lungs that once gave him life… gave life again.
This story isn’t easy—but it’s full of redemption, faith, and the power of generosity in the face of grief.

Reforming Church Leadership for Better Mental Health

In this powerful episode, Chip Judd and Joey sit down with Armando Palazzo—a licensed pastor and therapist who works with church leaders around the world. Together, they explore the deep connection between emotional health and spiritual maturity, especially in the lives of those leading others. Armando shares how returning to life after a major shift can feel like stepping into a different movie and why tending to the soul is critical in every season. They discuss the impact of early life experiences, the importance of integrating faith with mental health practices, and how vulnerability in leadership can create a culture of healing. This conversation is a timely reminder that emotional health is not separate from discipleship—it’s central to it.