The Bryce Crawford Podcast

Episode 138: Battling Mental Health ft. Judah Smith

September 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and honest episode, Bryce Crawford welcomes back Pastor Judah Smith for a deep dive into mental health struggles, faith, vulnerability, and the power of confronting negative thoughts. Together, they unpack anxiety, overthinking, the impact of others' words, the role of community, and the overwhelming grace of God amid brokenness. Judah’s new book, Bad Thoughts, co-authored with his therapist, is a springboard for their timely conversation about reclaiming your mind and soul.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Vulnerability of Mental Health and the Power of Words

• Fragility and Influence of Others' Thoughts
  • Judah confesses to being deeply affected by people's opinions, leading to internal spirals.
  • Quote: “People’s words, people’s thoughts affect me more than I want to admit.” — Pastor Judah Smith (00:02)
• Overthinking as a Shared Struggle
  • Bryce relates with stories of overanalyzing even positive experiences, demonstrating how common and relatable these struggles are.

2. The Battle of the Mind: Overcoming Negative Thought Patterns

• Recognizing and Challenging Thoughts
  • Judah shares practical advice from his therapist: “Don’t believe everything you think.” (07:50)
  • Both emphasize not taking every thought at face value.
• The Power of Speaking Out
  • Judah finds relief in voicing worries aloud to God or trusted people, reducing their power over him.
  • Quote: “I really talk out loud to God and I tell him how I feel, and I can’t imagine where I’d be emotionally if I didn’t do that.” — Pastor Judah Smith (10:50)
• The Value of Trusted Relationships
  • Pastor Judah highlights the power of sharing anxieties with those close to you and the importance of having a non-judgmental support system.

3. Hiding, Shame, and Spiritual Identity

• The Instinct to Hide
  • Both hosts discuss the urge to self-isolate or hide when overwhelmed by criticism or inner turmoil.
  • Judah explains this through spiritual stories (Adam and Eve) and his own marriage, noting how self-protection often leads to emotional ruts.
• Bringing Brokenness to God
  • Judah challenges the notion that God wants our perfection, instead declaring, “What God wants from us is our brokenness.” (18:14)
  • Memorable Moment: “A broken and a contrite spirit you can’t deny... God wants us to give him our brokenness.” — Pastor Judah Smith (19:16)

4. The Shame of Mental Relapse and Christ’s Compassion

• Experiencing Setbacks as a Christian
  • Bryce candidly shares about a recent anxiety attack after years of freedom, the shame he felt, and how opening up to God helped him process and heal. (21:01–24:42)
  • Quote: “It is intimidating after you claim to have put faith in Jesus and be set free, to go, ‘Oh man... this thing’s coming back on me.’” — Bryce Crawford (21:10)
• Grace When We Can’t Fix It Ourselves
  • The duo reflects on Jesus’ acceptance of the broken and His declaration, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” challenging a performance-based view of worth.

5. Vulnerability as a Source of Strength and Connection

• Leaning into Weakness
  • Judah explains that admitting and sharing weakness is often where real human connection and encouragement comes from.
  • Quote: “People identify with our weaknesses far more than our strengths.” — Pastor Judah Smith (28:45)
• Practical Advice for Those Struggling
  • They suggest being honest with God—“lay there and ask him to meet you”—instead of always forcing activity.

6. Navigating Criticism and Remaining Steadfast in Calling

• The Weight of Public Criticism
  • Bryce describes receiving hate videos and the pain of being misunderstood online.
  • Judah reframes criticism as a byproduct of living a noteworthy life, quoting Bishop Jakes: “You better hope to God that there’s going to be somebody, somewhere, that proves that at one point you were here.” (40:02)
• Mercy over Sacrifice
  • Judah urges framing life through mercy (grace we don’t deserve), not sacrifice (what we think we’re owed).
  • Quote: “Gratitude is the antidote to entitlement. Entitlement says, I’m owed this. Gratitude says, dude, I’m so blessed.” — Pastor Judah Smith (45:00)

7. Mercy, Gratitude, and Purposeful Living

• Whirling in the Wonder of God’s Mercy
  • Judah shares the spiritual practice of “whirling”—lingering in thankfulness for God’s mercy as the ultimate antidote to anxiety and entitlement. (44:30)
• Anchoring Identity in God’s Love
  • Bryce highlights the gospel truth: “Before he ever did any ministry, did anything, God’s like, ‘Yep, that’s my son. And I’m completely pleased and content with him just existing and being loved by me.’” (47:37)

8. Introducing “Bad Thoughts”: Judah Smith’s New Book

• A Preacher and a Shrink Collaborate
  • Judah explains the unique concept: writing a book with his therapist to demystify mental health in faith spaces.
  • The book tackles five of the most toxic thought patterns and offers practical, faith-driven steps to replace them.
  • Quote: “If God can do that for Judah, he can do that for anybody... It’s less of a book, more of a journal from my therapy sessions.” — Pastor Judah Smith (49:21)
• Accessible and Relatable Format
  • Short, practical chapters aim to make real therapeutic tools and biblical wisdom easily digestible for a wide audience.
  • Audiobook available for those who prefer to listen. (52:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Overthinking:
  “Don’t believe everything you think.” — Therapist advice shared by Pastor Judah Smith (07:50)
• On Communicating with God:
  “I really talk out loud to God and I tell him how I feel... That helps me more than I’m willing to admit.” — Pastor Judah Smith (10:50)
• On Mental Health Setbacks:
  “It is intimidating after you claim to have put faith in Jesus... to go, ‘Oh man, this thing’s coming back on me.’” — Bryce Crawford (21:10)
• On Vulnerability:
  “People identify with our weaknesses far more than our strengths.” — Pastor Judah Smith (28:45)
• On Criticism:
  “Apparently we have done something noteworthy enough that people want to comment on it.” — Pastor Judah Smith (40:20)
• On Mercy and Gratitude:
  “Gratitude is the antidote to entitlement... a life framed by mercy.” — Pastor Judah Smith (45:00)
• On Spiritual Identity:
  “God’s like, ‘Yep, that’s my son. And I’m completely pleased... with him just existing and being loved by me.’” — Bryce Crawford (47:37)

Recommended Timestamps

• Intro, Vulnerability, and Words That Hurt: 00:00–04:56
• Overthinking & Thought Life: 04:56–11:32
• Processing & Trusted Relationships: 11:32–18:14
• Hiding & Spiritual Identity: 18:14–21:01
• Mental Relapse & Shame: 21:01–24:42
• Thoughts Affecting the Heart: 24:42–30:34
• Criticism & Responding to Public Scrutiny: 33:43–40:00
• Mercy Over Sacrifice and the Gift of Life: 40:00–47:37
• Book Discussion (“Bad Thoughts”): 47:37–52:50

Additional Highlights

• Tattoo Talk & Personal Life Banter: Authentic, lighthearted opening and camaraderie (01:14–02:08).
• Practical Encouragement: Being real, reaching out to safe friends, turning to God with honesty, and remembering purpose beyond criticism.
• Resource: Bad Thoughts by Judah Smith and therapist Les Parrott—preorder available; audiobook recommended for an immersive experience.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for anyone wrestling with anxiety, negative self-talk, or shame—especially within Christian communities. Bryce and Judah model compassionate vulnerability, debunk stigma around mental health, and offer faith-based yet practical wisdom grounded in real-life struggles. Their banter and loving candor remind listeners: your brokenness isn’t a barrier to God—it’s the very thing He invites you to bring.