When Hurting People Come to Church (with Shaunti Feldhahn)

When Hurting People Come to Church (with Shaunti Feldhahn)

April 9, 2026 · 51 min

In this episode, we’re joined by bestselling author and researcher Shaunti Feldhahn to talk about her book, When Hurting People Come to Church. Shaunti shares her hope story of how her faith was refined during her time at Harvard and the role of a supportive Christian community in that season. We also discuss her unexpected journey from Wall Street to ministry – and what happens when you simply say yes to the Lord.

We also dive into the growing mental health needs in our churches and how we can care well for others who are hurting and broken. This is an encouraging conversation with practical steps on how the church can help address the mental health crisis in our time.

Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.

So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more

[0:02:44] Harvard as a Furnace for Faith

[0:07:29] Bringing Light into Elite Dark Places

[0:15:23] Fired, Humbled, and Launched as an Author

[0:23:50] Mobilizing Laypeople to Tackle the Mental Health Gap

[0:39:25] Why Ordinary Care in the Church Changes the Data

Shaunti Feldhahn Resources

Learn more about Shaunti Feldhahn: https://shaunti.com/

Get Shaunti’s book, When Hurting People Come to Church: https://shaunti.com/shauntis-books/when-hurting-people-come-to-church/

Hope for the Heart resources

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance  100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Join us on Saturday, June 13 for our Called to Care training event. See details and sign up here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/called-to-care

Other Hope for the Heart Resources

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart

Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://hopefortheheart.donorsupport.co/page/hope-talks

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