Taking a Breath: Dave and Jess on Rest, Renewal, and Reconnection

After 89 episodes, Dave and Jess Quak open up about taking a short, intentional break from producing the Sunburnt Souls podcast. This conversation dives deep into the rhythms of rest, spiritual renewal, and what it means to step back without stepping away.They share honestly about attending to their inner life, protecting their marriage, finding God in the quiet, and letting go of performance and pressure. This is a heartfelt conversation about being human, listening to God, and trusting that pause doesn’t mean stop — it means prepare.Episode Highlights00:00 – 00:20 — Dave announces a surprise break for Sunburnt Souls00:55 – 01:56 — Attending to the inner life and intimacy with God02:41 – 03:08 — Dave’s plan: focus on God, marriage, and self-care03:50 – 04:45 — Craving silence after seasons of constant noise05:28 – 06:05 — Cultivating rhythms of quiet and presence07:20 – 07:57 — Letting go of analytics and redefining success08:41 – 09:34 — Working on marriage before problems arise10:53 – 11:30 — Balancing ministry, work, and family demands12:55 – 13:10 — Catching a giant Spanish mackerel (and having fun!)14:22 – 15:33 — Encouragement for listeners heading into Christmas16:34 – 17:48 — Giving and receiving love this Christmas18:32 – 19:54 — The free course: Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health21:44 – 22:51 — Jess closes in prayer for rest, renewal, and blessingReflectionThis episode is a reminder that even in ministry and creativity, our souls need rest. Dave and Jess model how to pause without guilt, to listen for God’s voice again, and to protect what matters most — their relationship with God, each other, and their own wellbeing.Maybe this episode is your invitation to take a breath too.🙏 IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONHelp us keep producing Christian mental health podcasts and resources that bring hope to listeners around the world and breaks the stigma in the Church. 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls. ALL DONATIONS OVER $2 ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.🧠 NEW ONLINE COURSE: Loving Life with Faith and Mental HealthA 28-day, FREE journey to help you:Embrace your identity in JesusBuild life-giving spiritual rhythmsNavigate anxiety, depression, and burnout with honesty and grace👉 Start your 28-day journey today📩 JOIN OUR COMMUNITYGet weekly encouragement, bonus podcast clips, and faith-informed mental health resources in your inbox. 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter⭐ LEAVE A REVIEWLove this episode? Your review helps others discover faith-based mental health resources and find hope for their journey.Listen and Rate on Apple PodcastsListen & Rate on SpotifySunburnt Souls is produced by Pretty Podcasts — a Christian mental health production where faith meets real life through stories ...