Better Days artwork

Better Days

147 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 months ago - ★★★★★ - 119 ratings

The subjects of Mental Health + Suffering have left us all with many questions. Join Wesley Towne as he discusses all things Mental Health + Suffering, and the hope we have for Better Days Ahead. 

Christianity Religion & Spirituality Health & Fitness mental health suffering christianity bible help depression anxiety illness jesus church
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Episodes

Therapy & Helping Hurting People

August 15, 2023 20:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MB

How do we help hurting people? And how do we know when to reach out for help with our mental health?  In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Jason Caine and Dr. Casey Taylor about how to help hurting people, knowing when to reach out for help, and therapy 101.  For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co

Relationships

August 08, 2023 13:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MB

Relationships are a core component to mental health. Healthy relationships can cause us to flourish. And unhealthy relationships bring us stress and pain. In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Jason Caine and Dr. Casey Taylor about God's design for relationships, healthy traits in relationships, unhealthy traits in relationships and wisdom to navigate relationships. For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co

Grief

August 01, 2023 12:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MB

Grief is a normal human response to loss and painful moments in life. Followers of Jesus should learn to grieve in an emotionally and spiritually healthy manner. What does that look like? In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Jason Caine and Dr. Casey Taylor about  the anatomy of grief, grief in the Bible and how to have a healthy relationship with grief as a follower of Jesus.  For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co

Trauma

July 25, 2023 12:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MB

Trauma is a popular topic in our culture. What is trauma? And how should followers of Jesus think about trauma? In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Jason Caine and Dr. Casey Taylor about trauma in our culture, a theology of trauma, the danger of thinking that everything has a silver lining, and what not to say to someone who has experienced trauma.  For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co

Suicide

July 18, 2023 12:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MB

Suicide is a sensitive topic. The reality of suicide has intersected with many people’s lives. Some have thought about suicide in their deep pain and hopelessness, and others have been affected personally through losing someone they loved to suicide. In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Jason Caine and Dr. Casey Taylor about suicide, wisdom for pastors interacting with people in pain, and finding help and hope when you feel hopeless.  For more res...

Theology of Self-Care

July 11, 2023 12:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MB

What is self-care? Should followers of Jesus have a healthy theology and practice of self-care? In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine and Dr. Casey Taylor discussing a healthy theology of self-care, misconceptions around self-care, and offer practices for followers of Jesus to steward their body and soul as an investment in their mental health.  For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co

Burnout

July 05, 2023 12:00 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MB

Burnout seems to be an epidemic in western culture. Burnout is no longer the experience of a few. Burnout has become the experience of the majority. In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Dr. Casey Taylor and Jason Caine about the anatomy of burnout, causes of burnout, what the Bible says about burnout, and how to prevent and heal from burnout.  For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co

Depression

June 27, 2023 12:00 - 39 minutes - 27.4 MB

Millions of people are living through the reality of depression in this moment. Depression is a complex and often confusing experience. In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Dr. Casey Taylor and Jason Caine about what depression is, why people are afraid to talk about depression, what the Bible says about depression, and healthy practices and pathways for those who are  suffering with depression. For more resources check out https://www.betterdays...

Anxiety

June 20, 2023 12:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MB

Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health condition in the US. What does the Bible say about anxiety? And how can followers of Jesus navigate anxiety? In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Dr. Casey Taylor and Jason Caine about what the Bible says about anxiety, different types of anxiety, and healthy practices for adults and kids to navigate anxiety. For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co

Mental Health & Culture

June 13, 2023 02:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MB

Mental health challenges appear to be affecting every generation in our culture, particularly the youngest generations. Why are mental health statistics rising in our culture? And what are the causes behind these rising mental health challenges? In this weeks episode, Wesley Towne has a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Dr. Casey Taylor and Jason Caine about current mental health statistics and trends in our culture, causes behind the rising statistics, and how we can shape mentally and...

Mental Health & Christianity

June 06, 2023 11:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MB

How does mental health relate to Christianity and following Jesus? Mental health is deeply rooted in the story of the Bible. Mental health and every bit of human flourishing was God's design from the beginning. In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Caine, Dr. Casey Taylor and Jason Caine about the intersection between mental health, Christianity and following Jesus. For more resources check out https://www.betterdaysfmly.co

The Reality of Suicide

September 14, 2021 06:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MB

Suicide is a reality for many people. Some have thought about suicide in their deep pain and hopelessness, and others have been affected personally through losing someone they knew to suicide. In this weeks episode, I talk about the reality of suicide in this current moment, and share help and hope for those who are walking through deep pain and suicidal ideation.  If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, please reach out for help. Here are two resources:  You can c...

The Reality of Suicide

September 14, 2021 06:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MB

Suicide is a reality for many people. Some have thought about suicide in their deep pain and hopelessness, and others have been affected personally through losing someone they knew to suicide. In this weeks episode, I talk about the reality of suicide in this current moment, and share help and hope for those who are walking through deep pain and suicidal ideation.  If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, please reach out for help. Here are two resources:  You can c...

A Conversation on Trauma with Stephanie Caine

September 07, 2021 05:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MB

Trauma is an emotional response to disturbing or life-threatening events. Trauma leaves an imprint on our lives. In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Stephanie Caine about the anatomy of trauma and how to process through trauma in a healthy manner. 

A Conversation on Trauma with Stephanie Caine

September 07, 2021 05:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MB

Trauma is an emotional response to disturbing or life-threatening events. Trauma leaves an imprint on our lives. In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Stephanie Caine about the anatomy of trauma and how to process through trauma in a healthy manner. 

A Conversation about Grief

August 31, 2021 14:00 - 10 minutes - 7.11 MB

Grief is an emotion that we feel when we experience a loss. What does healthy grief look like? How can we both grieve and find joy simultaneously? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation about the anatomy of grief and how to process through grief in a healthy manner. 

A Conversation about Grief

August 31, 2021 14:00 - 10 minutes - 7.11 MB

Grief is an emotion that we feel when we experience a loss. What does healthy grief look like? How can we both grieve and find joy simultaneously? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation about the anatomy of grief and how to process through grief in a healthy manner. 

A Conversation on Emotionally Healthy Leadership with Benji Horning + Xavier Brasseur

August 24, 2021 14:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MB

We cannot spend our lives leading others well if we have not made intentional decisions to lead ourselves well. Emotionally healthy leadership influences the health of our internal well-being and the health of our leadership with people. What is emotionally healthy leadership? How do we become emotionally healthy leaders? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Benji Horning and Xavier Brasseur about our current journeys toward emotionally healthy leadership and what we have learne...

A Conversation about Anger

August 17, 2021 12:00 - 20 minutes - 13.9 MB

Anger can be a confusing emotion. It is also an emotion that is often hard to navigate. What is anger? Why do we become angry? How should we think about anger as followers of Jesus? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation about the anatomy of anger and how to process through anger in a healthy manner. 

A Conversation about Anger

August 17, 2021 12:00 - 20 minutes - 13.9 MB

Anger can be a confusing emotion. It is also an emotion that is often hard to navigate. What is anger? Why do we become angry? How should we think about anger as followers of Jesus? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation about the anatomy of anger and how to process through anger in a healthy manner. 

A Conversation on Shame with Casey Shortt

August 10, 2021 13:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MB

Shame is a powerful emotion. It can attack our identity and worth as humans created in the Image of God. What is shame? How does shame influence our lives? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Casey Shortt, a clinical psychologist, about the anatomy of shame and how to process through shame in a healthy manner. 

A Conversation on Guilt with Casey Shortt

August 03, 2021 14:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MB

Guilt is an emotion that all humans feel. We are imperfect and experience the internal sense of wrongdoing. How do we process our guilt in a healthy manner? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Casey Shortt, a clinical psychologist, about the anatomy of guilt and how to process through guilt in a healthy manner. 

A Conversation on Guilt with Casey Shortt

August 03, 2021 14:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MB

Guilt is an emotion that all humans feel. We are imperfect and experience the internal sense of wrongdoing. How do we process our guilt in a healthy manner? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with Casey Shortt, a clinical psychologist, about the anatomy of guilt and how to process through guilt in a healthy manner. 

A Conversation on Identity with Dominic Done

July 27, 2021 21:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MB

Identity is not a simple topic, nor is it is a simple endeavor to understand. Identity is complex and layered. Many of us struggle with our identity, and this struggle can often shape our internal emotional and mental narrative. In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with my friend Dominic Done about human identity, how identity influences us mentally and emotionally, and how to practically understand and shape our identity. 

A Conversation on Identity with Dominic Done

July 27, 2021 21:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MB

Identity is not a simple topic, nor is it is a simple endeavor to understand. Identity is complex and layered. Many of us struggle with our identity, and this struggle can often shape our internal emotional and mental narrative. In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with my friend Dominic Done about human identity, how identity influences us mentally and emotionally, and how to practically understand and shape our identity. 

A Conversation on Emotional Health with Xavier Brasseur

July 20, 2021 20:00 - 37 minutes - 26 MB

Emotional health is a popular topic in our culture. What is emotional health? How do we cultivate emotional health? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with my friend Xavier Brasseur about the different facets of emotional health, how to cultivate emotional health, and our stories growing up in broken homes and how we have pursued emotional health as adults. 

A Conversation on Emotional Health with Xavier Brasseur

July 20, 2021 20:00 - 37 minutes - 26 MB

Emotional health is a popular topic in our culture. What is emotional health? How do we cultivate emotional health? In this weeks episode, I have a conversation with my friend Xavier Brasseur about the different facets of emotional health, how to cultivate emotional health, and our stories growing up in broken homes and how we have pursued emotional health as adults. 

Summer Session S07

July 17, 2021 04:00 - 2 minutes - 1.47 MB

Welcome to Better Days Podcast, The Summer Session!  This summer I am looking forward to having conversations with people about emotional and mental health. I will end each episode with a tip to practice. These tips will help you process and navigate your own mental and emotional health.  I am so looking forward to these conversations.  Join us next week for our first episode.

Honest Hope

March 23, 2021 20:00 - 10 minutes - 7.14 MB

Hope is one of the most important and life giving words for humans walking through the hard moments of life. What is hope? In this episode, I discuss various versions of hope, and spend time explaining a version of hope that allows us to enter into our present experience while also believing that there are Better Days Ahead. 

Honest Hope

March 23, 2021 20:00 - 10 minutes - 7.14 MB

Hope is one of the most important and life giving words for humans walking through the hard moments of life. What is hope? In this episode, I discuss various versions of hope, and spend time explaining a version of hope that allows us to enter into our present experience while also believing that there are Better Days Ahead. 

Lament, Suffering + Following Jesus 02

March 16, 2021 14:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MB

Suffering is a universal human experience. How do we walk through moments of suffering? In this weeks episode, I talk about how lament teaches to engage with reality, have honest faith, be emotionally aware and present, wrestle with our suffering, and follow the example of Jesus who practiced lament when he faced deep pain and sorrow. 

Lament, Suffering + Following Jesus 01

March 09, 2021 15:00 - 12 minutes - 8.79 MB

Suffering is a universal human experience. How do we walk through moments of suffering? In this weeks episode, I talk about several core facets of lament, and how these truths help us to walk through moments of suffering. 

Lament + Grief

March 02, 2021 15:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MB

Many of us are deeply familiar with the experience of grief. Grief is an emotion that we feel when we experience loss. What does grief look like? And, what does lament teach us about grief?  In this weeks podcast, I talk about the anatomy of grief and how lament encourages us to engage with loss and enter into our grief. 

Lament + Grief

March 02, 2021 15:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MB

Many of us are deeply familiar with the experience of grief. Grief is an emotion that we feel when we experience loss. What does grief look like? And, what does lament teach us about grief?  In this weeks podcast, I talk about the anatomy of grief and how lament encourages us to engage with loss and enter into our grief. 

Lament + American Christianity

February 23, 2021 16:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MB

We live in a culture obsessed with happiness, positivity and success. This cultural atmosphere makes us uncomfortable communicating the pain and emotions around suffering. The biblical world had a language and response to pain and suffering called lament. In this weeks podcast, I talk about what lament is, how our western culture is hindering us from processing the painful moments of life, and how lament gives us a shared language and pathway to process our pain and suffering. 

Lament + American Christianity

February 23, 2021 16:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MB

We live in a culture obsessed with happiness, positivity and success. This cultural atmosphere makes us uncomfortable communicating the pain and emotions around suffering. The biblical world had a language and response to pain and suffering called lament. In this weeks podcast, I talk about what lament is, how our western culture is hindering us from processing the painful moments of life, and how lament gives us a shared language and pathway to process our pain and suffering. 

Processing Our Past + Family of Origin

February 16, 2021 18:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MB

We all desire to feel at peace. We all want to live fully in the reality of the present. We all want a future where feel emotionally, mentally, and relationally unhindered so that we can fully engage in our relationships. Sometimes we have to process our past in order to find healing, freedom and growth for our future. In this weeks podcast, I talk about the value of processing our past, the influence our past has on our present and future, and I share a framework for processing our past. 

Processing Our Past + Family of Origin

February 16, 2021 18:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MB

We all desire to feel at peace. We all want to live fully in the reality of the present. We all want a future where feel emotionally, mentally, and relationally unhindered so that we can fully engage in our relationships. Sometimes we have to process our past in order to find healing, freedom and growth for our future. In this weeks podcast, I talk about the value of processing our past, the influence our past has on our present and future, and I share a framework for processing our past. 

Tips for Anxiety 02

February 09, 2021 15:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MB

Anxiety is so prevalent in this moment. Many of us are feeling anxious about the events that we are living through. In this weeks episode, I talk about anxiety and stress, anxiety and self-care, anxiety and relational support, and the importance of professional help. 

Tips for Anxiety 01

February 02, 2021 22:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MB

Anxiety is so prevalent in this moment. Many of us are feeling anxious about the events that we are living through. In this weeks episode, I share my experience with anxiety, along with practices and concepts that have helped me. 

Anxiety, the Bible + Thought Patterns

January 26, 2021 16:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MB

Anxiety is so prevalent in this moment. Many of us are feeling anxious about the events that we are living through. In this weeks episode, we have a conversation about the narratives around anxiety in Christianity, what the Bible teaches about anxiety, unhealthy thought patterns, and getting to the root cause of anxiety. 

Anxiety, the Bible + Thought Patterns

January 26, 2021 16:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MB

Anxiety is so prevalent in this moment. Many of us are feeling anxious about the events that we are living through. In this weeks episode, we have a conversation about the narratives around anxiety in Christianity, what the Bible teaches about anxiety, unhealthy thought patterns, and getting to the root cause of anxiety. 

Understanding Anxiety

January 19, 2021 20:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MB

Anxiety is so prevalent in this moment. Many of us are feeling anxious about the events that we are living through. In this weeks episode, we have a conversation around why people are feeling anxiety in this moment, the difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder, and I share some of my own personal challenges with anxiety. 

Understanding Anxiety

January 19, 2021 20:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MB

Anxiety is so prevalent in this moment. Many of us are feeling anxious about the events that we are living through. In this weeks episode, we have a conversation around why people are feeling anxiety in this moment, the difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder, and I share some of my own personal challenges with anxiety. 

Depression, Stigmas + Understanding

January 12, 2021 17:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MB

Depression is a widespread reality in our world. People are walking through the pain, confusion, and deeply complex experience of depression. In this weeks episode, we have a conversation about the difference between stigmas vs. understanding when it comes to depression, and offer five tips to understand a person who is experiencing depression. 

Depression + the Bible

January 05, 2021 16:00 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MB

Depression is a widespread reality in our world. People are walking through the pain, confusion, and deeply complex experience of depression. In this weeks episode, we have a conversation about depression in the Bible, the mental and emotional pain that Jesus and others experienced throughout history, and how this validates us being human. 

Depression + Christianity

December 15, 2020 19:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MB

Depression is a widespread reality in 2020. People are walking through the pain, confusion, and deeply complex experience of depression. In this weeks episode, we have a conversation about depression in this moment, learn basics about the experience of depression, and explain the need to deconstruct and reconstruct the conversation around depression in Christianity. 

Processing a Crisis Like Jesus

December 08, 2020 20:00 - 13 minutes - 9.33 MB

All of us have been walking through one of the hardest moments in modern history--a global crisis that has deeply shaped our lives.  How do we navigate the effects of this moment? In this weeks episode, we have a conversation about the mental and emotional effects of this crisis on our lives, and offer four practical responses to a crisis that we learn from the life of Jesus. 

Processing a Crisis Like Jesus

December 08, 2020 20:00 - 13 minutes - 9.33 MB

All of us have been walking through one of the hardest moments in modern history--a global crisis that has deeply shaped our lives.  How do we navigate the effects of this moment? In this weeks episode, we have a conversation about the mental and emotional effects of this crisis on our lives, and offer four practical responses to a crisis that we learn from the life of Jesus. 

Don't Lose Yourself in Suffering

December 02, 2020 02:00 - 10 minutes - 7.58 MB

Suffering and pain have a way of overshadowing essential parts of being human. We have a tendency to withdraw, isolate and lose our self-worth during seasons of suffering. It is easy to get so enveloped in our pain that we forget that we are still a living human. In this episode, I talk about losing ourselves in suffering, how to be fully alive in the midst of suffering, and offer some practical steps forward.