Project 1:8 – Episode 014: Matt Sharpe – Pastor, Therapist, Comedian

Host: Scott
Guest: Matt Sharpe
Date: September 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Matt Sharpe—an ordained pastor, licensed therapist, and stand-up comedian. Host Scott and Matt have a candid, wide-ranging conversation exploring the intersections between faith, mental health, and humor. The episode offers practical advice for those struggling with mental health issues, insight into the unique challenges within church communities, and an honest look at suicide prevention. Together, they dive into how joy and laughter coexist with pain, and the importance of connection, authenticity, and support.

Meet Matt Sharpe: A Multi-Faceted Ministry

[00:36 – 02:07]

• Matt introduces himself, highlighting his journey from youth pastoring to licensed counseling and stand-up comedy.
• He expresses his love for “merging all things spiritual, psychological and humoral” in his daily work.
• Matt briefly discusses his book, From My Throne to His:
  • A devotional born from researching “the most awkward and uncomfortable Bible passages,” written to help readers “look at the hard stuff square in the face and see if we can find some truth and some joy in there.”

    “As men, that's where we do some of our best and deepest thinking, of course, is when we're having a deep stirring of the spirit.” —Matt Sharpe [01:20]

Ministry, Therapy, and Comedy: An Unlikely Symbiosis

[02:07 – 04:11]

• Matt reflects on his early ministry, sharing how the desire for “effectiveness” led him to counseling.
• He now practices full-time as a therapist while staying active in ministry and stand-up:

  “I do cognitive therapy, which is helping people think gooder…change the parts of their thought patterns that aren't lining up with reality or truth. Well, that's kind of what comedy does…we take one situation and turn it suddenly and make people laugh about it, and here we are.” —Matt Sharpe [03:26]

• He affirms that integrating these aspects brings him joy and job satisfaction—“no committee meetings” is a definite perk!

Observations from the Frontlines: Loneliness, the Church, and Connection

[04:11 – 06:12]

• Matt identifies loneliness and overwhelm as the root of many struggles he encounters—often masked as depression or anxiety.
• He sees comedy as a tool for community and healing:

  “Comedy is the only art form where success is based on the entire group having the same emotional reaction together at the same time.” —Matt Sharpe [04:46]

• Discussion shifts to the church’s dual nature—it can be a place of healing and grace or, at times, a source of pain:

  “…there are times the church has fangs and people walk away bleeding and wounded…part of what I get to do is help churches…where the broken come, they find love, grace, people around them, and we see transformation.” —Matt Sharpe [05:44]

How to Connect with Matt

[06:12 – 07:05]

• For comedy, speaking, or therapy resources, Matt directs listeners to standuptherapylive.com (fictional in this context).

Advice for Helping Hurting People

[07:05 – 10:22]

• Addressing the “veneer of perfection” (particularly referencing West Michigan culture), Matt stresses the airplane oxygen mask principle:

  “Put your mask on first, then help the person next to you…So often we have people in our lives struggling and we want to help them, and we don’t realize the toll that takes on us.” —Matt Sharpe [08:17]

• Healthy helpers need their own support. It doesn’t have to be therapy; a trusted pastor or friend suffices.
• Matt demystifies therapy, especially for men:

  “Therapy is really simple. You sit in a chair, I sit in a chair, and we talk. People say, ‘I don’t know what to say.’ That’s right. That’s my job. I get you talking.” —Matt Sharpe [10:07]

• Scott adds that a “ministry of presence” can be just as healing.

Patterns in Struggle: The Value of Addressing Recurring Issues

[10:22 – 12:09]

• Matt observes most clients face recurring issues—anxiety, depression, stress—that return if not dealt with.
• He likens it to ignoring physical symptoms:

  “Is that a pulled muscle or a heart attack? We should probably get it checked.” —Matt Sharpe [12:01]

Suicide, Hope, and Practical Response

[12:09 – 19:00]

The Growing Weight of Hopelessness

• Scott shares the sobering reality of suicides occurring at a campus near him, prompting a deep dive into suicide prevention.

Immediate Help—988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

[13:29]

• Matt highlights 988, the national suicide hotline, staffed by licensed professionals, as a vital, immediate resource.

Three Risk Factors of Suicidal Crisis

[13:50 – 15:47]

1. Emotional isolation: “It's not just that I feel hopeless. I feel hopeless and alone.”
2. Defenseless personality: The belief, “There’s nothing I can do to fix it.”
3. Performance-based acceptance: Feeling, “I have to be the one to figure it out…and I have nothing.”

• When these combine, risk rises.

How to Help

• Always show love and don’t minimize the struggle.
• Be a safe, non-judgmental listener.
• If you suspect someone is suicidal:
  • Go with them to therapy or the hospital
  • Call 988 with them
  • Never leave them alone in crisis

Notable Quotes:

“Unfortunately, believing in Jesus and going to church does not eliminate suicidal crisis.” —Matt Sharpe [15:48]
“One in five of us as pastors have had active suicidal ideations.” —Matt Sharpe [16:00]
“One in three people who have attempted or completed a suicide have visited a church within one month before the attempt.” —Matt Sharpe [16:07]

QPR Training for Churches

[16:55 – 17:51]

• Matt describes “Semicolon Sunday”—a church-based event that trains congregants in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), an evidence-based approach for suicide prevention:

  “QPR is to a suicidal crisis what CPR is to a heart attack.” —Matt Sharpe [17:36]

Talking About Suicide—Don’t Be Afraid

[18:33 – 19:00]

• Matt explains that asking directly about suicide does not increase risk; it can relieve the burden and open a crucial dialogue:

  “It's kind of like taking the lid off a boiling pot. …Now suddenly I feel like it's a little bit more safe to talk to you about it.” —Matt Sharpe [18:45]

Finding Joy Amidst Struggle

[19:09 – 20:32]

• Matt circles back to joy, humor, and reframing everyday life moments as gifts:

  “In life…there are always sources of joy just happening around us all the time…part of the reason I love comedy is all these sources of joy that are around us all the time.” —Matt Sharpe [19:15]

• He shares a comical anecdote about blind cleaning (“How does he know when he’s done?”), illustrating how humor can reframe a moment and brighten a day.

Closing Thoughts & Memorable Moments

• Both Scott and Matt affirm the biblical foundation for joy and humor—even in hardship (“I made the platypus…Even the Darwinians are going, we give up.” —Matt Sharpe [20:23]).
• Scott encourages listeners to connect with Matt’s work and remember that help is available.

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:36 | Matt’s introduction and background | | 01:15 | Description of “From My Throne to His” | | 03:26 | The connection between therapy and comedy | | 04:46 | Comedy as communal connection | | 05:44 | The church as both healing and hurting space | | 08:17 | “Airplane oxygen mask principle” for caregivers | | 10:07 | Therapy demystified, particularly for men | | 13:29 | Mention of 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | | 15:48 – 16:32| Suicide prevalence among churchgoers and pastors | | 17:20 – 17:51| QPR training & Semicolon Sunday described | | 18:45 | Talking directly about suicide is vital | | 19:15 | Finding and sharing moments of joy | | 20:23 | The theological roots of joy and humor |

Notable Quotes

“Comedy is the only art form where success is based on the entire group having the same emotional reaction together at the same time.” —Matt Sharpe [04:46]

“Unfortunately, believing in Jesus and going to church does not eliminate suicidal crisis.” —Matt Sharpe [15:48]

“Therapy is really simple. You sit in a chair, I sit in a chair, and we talk.” —Matt Sharpe [10:07]

“QPR is to a suicidal crisis what CPR is to a heart attack.” —Matt Sharpe [17:36]

“I made the platypus. Even the Darwinians are going, we give up.” —Matt Sharpe [20:23]

Resources Mentioned

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 for immediate help.
• QPR Suicide Prevention Training: question, persuade, refer.
• Matt’s website: standuptherapylive.com (for speaking, comedy, and counseling resources).

This conversation is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the interplay of faith, mental health, and humor—and for those wanting to offer or receive authentic support in seasons of struggle.