Meet Rev. Dr. Bob Flanagan

“When wrestling with depression and anxiety, getting out of bed is a courageous move,” shares Rev. Dr. Bob Flanagan in the first of his two books in the Courage to Thrive series. “When panic attacks and suicidal thoughts strike, finding victories in the small things of life and reframing feelings can help a person flourish even in the midst of mental health struggles.”

He knows all about that. “I have spent two decades combating mental illness head-on,” he says.

In his first-person spiritual journal, Courage to Thrive: Finding Joy and Hope in the Midst of Mental Health Struggles, published in June 2020, Father Bob takes the reader with him as he traverses the dark and scary landscape of his mind and then the paths of faith that lead him to the Source of light and hope. Through a vulnerable look at the realities of a priest battling mental illness and still thriving, readers–whether dealing with similar mental health challenges or the stressors of everyday life–are left with a quiet confidence that assures them they, too, can thrive and enjoy the gifts God has given them. Each of the forty reflections concludes with a heartfelt prayer that revels in God’s healing mercies.

In his second book, Courage to Thrive: Discovering Your True Self, published in January 2025, Father Bob asks, “Do you long to know yourself, the world, and God better and thrive in all of life’s many transitions? We are here on earth not just to live but to thrive. We can know who we are and how to live in this “crazy, beautiful world as a follower of Jesus and a child of God.”

He knows that we do that by relating well to ourselves and others, the world and its various creatures and places—and God. “We thrive when we relate to who and what is around us in a healthy manner. We can discover ourselves—who we are—in beautiful, elegant, hope-filled, positive ways,” says Father Bob, who newest book gives us a unique, six-week Bible study has thirty-six lessons to help you know your true self and learn a new way of being as a child of God as you examine the family connections and relationships with others and the world. Self-discovery tools such as directed Bible readings with commentaries, daily prayers, and links to poems, art, and music will facilitate personal growth and provide fresh insights.

Today, we welcome to his the Courage to Thrive podcast! We invite you to join Father Bob on a journey to joy, peace, and hope.

About our host: The Rev. Robert D. Flanagan has served as a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of New York since 2003. He also holds a doctor of ministry in Christian Spirituality and is Chaplain at General Theological Seminary in New York City. He has served for over ten years as a state and federal advocate for and regional board member of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Bob’s latest book, The Letters of an Unexpected Mystic, is a 2023 Selah Book Award finalist. Bob and his wife, Lanie, live in Litchfield County, Connecticut.

Learn more: robertdflanagan.com