Right-side Up Leadership Podcast

Pastors and ministry leaders are carrying more than ever—and too many are doing it in silence. Dr. Mark Mayfield (author of The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry, professor, clinician, and former pastor) joins Alan to demystify mental health in the church, unpack the real difference between coaching and counseling, and give you a practical playbook for when struggles walk into your office… or show up on your staff. This isn’t theory—it’s field-tested, grace-filled, and immediately actionable. In this episode you’ll learn: Coaching vs. Counseling (the clean line): when you need tools to move forward vs. when you need to heal backward How to spot pop-psych “silver bullets” and what trustworthy care actually looks like A fast diagnostic lens for depression: intensity + duration (and what to do next) ADHD or overloaded attention? Trauma, screens, and why so many leaders are being mis-labeled Burnout’s bottom layer: dissociation/avoidance—and how to interrupt the loop Boundary basics for pastors (why