Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

How honest is too honest when it comes to faith, mental illness, and ministry? In this revealing conversation, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford sit down with Joey Svenson—pastor, podcaster (Bad Christian, Pastor With No Answers), and author of the raw and unflinching memoir "Fundamentalist"—to explore how extreme fundamentalism and OCD collided in his early faith journey, how he found healing, and why he believes radical vulnerability is essential to authentic Christianity. Mike and Tim reflect on their own experiences with mental health, church trauma, and spiritual deconstruction, sharing laughs, cringes, and powerful insights as Joey opens up about his struggles and hopes for the church. This is a permission-granting episode—for those wrestling with faith or mental health, for those bearing secrets under the pressure to perform holiness, and for anyone hungering for a church that welcomes honest questions and raw humanity. Key Takeaways: • Mental Illness in the Church – Joey unpacks his journey with OCD and anxi