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One of the most difficult parts of mental health struggle is feeling alone. Shame, fear, and stigma keep us isolated and reinforce the belief I am the only one who struggles with mental health. When someone shares their struggle with us, suddenly we have hope. Even when pain is present, there is something so healing about being in community. How do we build a community in the middle of our struggle?

Someone needs to start the conversation.

Most of the time we are hoping someone else will be the one to do it. What if we stopped waiting on others and told our story. What if we said, “I’ll start.” “I’ll Start” is a podcast where individuals bravely share their stories, listen with compassion, and connect through their faith and mental health experiences.

Each episode of “I’ll Start” highlights a personal story of mental health challenge, endurance, and hope. At the end of each episode, you will receive mental health tools and theological truth from our Co-hosts, Morgan Arseneau and Heather Kaloupek.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, call 9-8-8 to speak to a professional 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are not alone.

In this episode of I’ll Start, Hannah shares what it’s like to live inside a mind that won’t turn off. From childhood panic attacks to compulsions that made everyday moments like church, Target runs, and dinners with friends feel impossible, she names the shame, fear, and exhaustion of living with OCD. Heather unpacks radical acceptance and the Both/And mindset—learning to say, “This is hard, and I’m not alone.” Morgan reflects on Psalm 34:18 and reminds us that God is close to the brokenhearted, even when the struggle doesn’t go away.

Key Takeaways:

• Radical acceptance asks us to name our pain as the starting point for growth. • The Both/And mindset helps us hold two concepts at once: “I’m struggling, and I can still take a step forward.” • God’s presence is not measured by our circumstances; He meets us in the middle of our reality, not after it’s all resolved.

💬 Let’s keep the conversation going!

Follow @illstartpodcast on Instagram and Facebook for behind-the-scenes moments, listener reflections, and new episode updates.

Together, we share, listen, and connect.

X: @illstartpodcast Instagram: @illstartpodcast Facebook: I’ll Start Tag us and share your thoughts using #IllStartPodcast

One of the most difficult parts of mental health struggle is feeling alone. Shame, fear, and stigma keep us isolated and reinforce the belief I am the only one who struggles with mental health. When someone shares their struggle with us, suddenly we have hope. Even when pain is present, there is something so healing about being in community. How do we build a community in the middle of our struggle?

Someone needs to start the conversation.

Most of the time we are hoping someone else will be the one to do it. What if we stopped waiting on others and told our story. What if we said, “I’ll start.” “I’ll Start” is a podcast where individuals bravely share their stories, listen with compassion, and connect through their faith and mental health experiences.

Each episode of “I’ll Start” highlights a personal story of mental health challenge, endurance, and hope. At the end of each episode, you will receive mental health tools and theological truth from our Co-hosts, Morgan Arseneau and Heather Kaloupek.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, call 9-8-8 to speak to a professional 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are not alone.

We’re back! Season 2 of I’ll Start launches October 21! Join Heather, Morgan, and Fred as they share what’s ahead: more stories of mental health and faith, honest conversations about courage and healing, and a reminder that your story matters.

This sneak peek dives into what it means to integrate Scripture and psychology, to hold both faith and evidence-based tools with integrity, and to build a bridge where hope lives in both. If you’ve ever heard “you just need to pray harder” or “mental health struggles mean weak faith,” this season is for you.

What to look for this season:

1. Real stories of anxiety, OCD, trauma, and addiction
2. Faith-filled conversations that don’t shy away from hard questions
3. Hope, empathy, and a safe space to say “I’ll start.”

Season 2 premieres October 21. Follow I’ll Start wherever you listen to podcasts and be part of the community that’s sharing, listening, and connecting faith and mental health — one story at a time.

Connect With Us: X: @illstartpodcast Instagram: @illstartpodcast Facebook: I’ll Start Tag us and share your thoughts using #IllStartPodcast

One of the most difficult parts of mental health struggle is feeling alone. Shame, fear, and stigma keep us isolated and reinforce the belief I am the only one who struggles with mental health. When someone shares their struggle with us, suddenly we have hope. Even when pain is present, there is something so healing about being in community. How do we build a community in the middle of our struggle?

Someone needs to start the conversation.

Most of the time we are hoping someone else will be the one to do it. What if we stopped waiting on others and told our story. What if we said, “I’ll start.” “I’ll Start” is a podcast where individuals bravely share their stories, listen with compassion, and connect through their faith and mental health experiences.

Each episode of “I’ll Start” highlights a personal story of mental health challenge, endurance, and hope. At the end of each episode, you will receive mental health tools and theological truth from our Co-hosts, Morgan Arseneau and Heather Kaloupek.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, call 9-8-8 to speak to a professional 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are not alone.