Join psychologist and author, Dr. Alison Cook, as she guides you through some of your toughest challenges with wisdom, humor, and grace. Together with friends and experts we'll unpack the best of psychology from a faith-based perspective. You’ll discover how to break free from painful patterns, mend your past, and discover what brings out the best of you.
The Best of You podcast has become an essential part of my healing journey and transformation. Dr. Alison's words speak directly to the pain and trauma I have carried from my childhood, and her insight is incredibly comforting. The presence of the Holy Spirit can be felt through her teachings, as they bring comfort and healing to the wounded child within me. I am immensely grateful for Dr. Alison's wisdom and her role in facilitating my healing process. Thank you, Jesus!
One of the best aspects of this podcast is how it provides bite-sized nuggets of truth, encouragement, and valuable content. I was able to listen to all four episodes in one afternoon, and I have revisited some of them for reference. The biblical definitions and explanations of psychological terms make sense and are relatable, leading to several moments of revelation, validation, and curiosity. Each new episode brings further clarification and insightful education that I eagerly anticipate.
Dr. Alison's brilliance shines through in her ability to present complex concepts in an easily understandable and applicable manner. Her teachings have not only helped me understand myself better but have also equipped me with tools for meaningful conversations with others. This podcast has empowered me to show empathy and offer hope to those around me who may be struggling as well. I am deeply grateful for Dr. Alison's contributions towards empowering listeners like myself with truth.
I have been a follower of Dr. Alison for quite some time, eagerly awaiting the release of this podcast so that her positive faith-based messages could reach even more people. The episode on narcissism resonated deeply with me as it provided a thorough understanding of a term I had frequently heard but never truly grasped before. It shed light on a somewhat toxic relationship I am currently navigating, enabling me to gain greater clarity and understanding about the dynamics at play. This podcast feels like uncharted territory as it breaks down complex psychological terms while emphasizing the importance of leaning into God's healing grace, making it an invaluable resource that feels like free therapy.
Thank you, Dr. Alison, for sharing your God-given wisdom so generously. Your podcast has been a tremendous blessing in my life.
In conclusion, The Best of You podcast is a game-changer. Dr. Alison's kind and welcoming voice guide listeners towards self-love, enabling them to love others better as well. The episodes are informative and easy to digest, providing real guidance that brings about tangible change. The combination of psychological knowledge and biblical truth creates a powerful listening experience that I highly recommend. This podcast is a beacon of light in today's world, offering an integration of faith and psychology that makes it both enlightening and enjoyable. I am thrilled to continue listening and learning from Dr. Alison on this holistic journey towards mental health and self-discovery.
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Even after moments of clarity or growth, many of us find ourselves returning to familiar patterns. Back to what we know. Back to what once felt safe. In John 21, the disciples go back to fishing—returning to something familiar after everything they've just experienced. And it's there, in the middle of that return, that Jesus meets them again. In this episode, Dr. Alison reflects on why we go back to old patterns—not as failure, but as something deeply human—and how those very places can become the ground where we are met with grace and invited into something new. Today's Scripture is: John 21:1–14 Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if the health of your relationship is shaping more of your life than you realize? We spend so much time focusing on our individual growth—our healing, our self-awareness, our inner work. But at some point, that work has to find its way into our closest relationships. And that's where things often get complicated. In this episode, Dr. Alison is joined by Dr. James Cordova to explore what it actually looks like to build and sustain healthy, connected relationships over time—and why it's so much harder than we expect. Because the truth is, relationships aren't neutral. They're either strengthening and supporting your overall well-being…or quietly eroding it. If you've ever felt close to someone you love… and also strangely disconnected, this conversation will help you understand why. You'll explore: Why relationships are more foundational to your health than you might think What actually happens as intimacy shifts over time—and why it's not a sign something is wrong The “porcupine dilemma” and why closeness and hurt often go hand in hand How small, everyday moments either build or erode connection What it means to respond to bids for connection—and why they matter more than you realize How mindfulness and presence shape the quality of your relationships What to do when you feel stuck, disconnected, or like you're the only one trying This conversation offers a compassionate and practical reframe:Healthy relationships aren't about avoiding conflict or getting it right all the time. They're about learning how to stay present, stay curious, and stay connected—even when it's hard. More Resources: Connect further with @dralisoncook on Instagram Read Dr. James Cordova's Book: The Mindful Path to Intimacy: Cultivating a Deeper Connectin With Your Partner Want to go deeper? Join 80,000+ soul menders in our email community and receive weekly reflections and gentle practices here. Want to hear more like this? Start here: Episode 115: 4 Ways to Transform Your Relationship—Expert Tips to Heal Pain Points and Deepen Intimacy Episode 148: Dan Allendar on Healing, Intimacy, and Hard Fights Episode 137: The Mindful Marriage with Ron and Nan Deal
Sometimes the hardest limits we face are not external—they're the expectations we've quietly learned to live within. In Acts 3, we meet a man who has spent years sitting at the temple gate, asking for what he believes is possible. When Peter and John encounter him, they offer something entirely different—something he wasn't even expecting to receive. In this episode, Dr. Alison reflects on how limiting beliefs shape what we ask for, what we notice, and what we believe is available to us—and how God often meets us beyond those expectations. Today's Scripture is: Acts 3:1–10 Go Deeper: Episode 10: What are Limiting Beliefs? Episode 106: Transform Limiting Beliefs Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There are moments when we find ourselves looping—replaying conversations, trying to make sense of what happened, analyzing every detail. We stay in our heads, searching for clarity This episode explores what it means to get stuck in our thoughts—and how, often, what we most need is not more analysis, but a return to presence, to relationship, and to the love already with us. Today's Scripture is: Luke 24:13–35 Go Deeper: Episode 51: The 12 Common Thinking Traps Episode 158: The Hidden Pain Behind Distressing Thoughts Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today's Scripture is: Psalm 118 There are seasons in life when we are simply trying to get through. Holding it together. Managing what's hard. Surviving. And then there comes a moment when something begins to shift. In this episode, Dr. Alison reflects on what it means to relearn joy after survival—and how joy can return, gently and gradually, as we begin to feel safe again. Go Deeper: Episode 172: Daring Joy & Breaking Free From Toxic Positivity with Nicole Zasowski Episode 188: Tiny Joys, Big Healing : Retraining the Brain for Hope with Dr. MaryCatherine Mcdonald Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
He is risen! After walking through this Holy Week together—from safety, to betrayal, to suffering, to loss—we arrive at the moment that changes everything. Resurrection. New Life. In this short Easter bonus episode, Dr. Alison reflects on John 20 and the deeply personal nature of resurrection—how Love meets us, finds us, and calls us by name. This is the hope that allows us to face the hard places in our lives. This is the reason we can walk through grief without losing ourselves. Because what feels like an ending is not the end of the story. Today's Scripture is: John 20 Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, we've been walking through a special Easter devotional journey—following the story of Jesus as it unfolds from safety, to rupture, to suffering. Today, we arrive at Good Friday. This is the day everything seems to fall apart. The day marked by loss, grief, and deep disorientation. In John 19, we witness the final moments of Jesus' life—where hope appears to give way to death, and nothing makes sense in the way it once did. This episode creates space to sit in that reality—to acknowledge the weight of what is lost, and the very human experience of not yet knowing what comes next. Today's Scripture is: John 19 **Join me for a special Easter devotional on Sunday. Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if love doesn't wait until you're ready… but meets you right in the middle of the mess? This week, as part of the Holy Week series on The Best of You Every Day, Dr. Alison offers a deeper dive into one of the most intimate and unsettling moments in the story of Jesus—the night before everything changes. At the table, surrounded by people who will betray, deny, and abandon him, Jesus doesn't withdraw. He doesn't wait for clarity or understanding. He offers himself anyway. If you've ever struggled to receive love… especially after being hurt, this episode will help you understand why. Let's explore: Why doesn't healing always feel comfortable in the moment? The reasons we sometimes struggle to receive love The difference between protecting yourself… and closing yourself off How to take one small step toward receiving love This conversation offers a gentle, faith-rooted invitation to slow down this Holy Week—to sit in the tension, the confusion, and the not-yet—and to begin receiving love right where you are, even if it feels unfamiliar, imperfect, or hard to trust. More Resources: Connect further with @dralisoncook on Instagram Want to go deeper? Join 80,000+ soul menders in our email community and receive weekly reflections and gentle practices here. Want to hear more like this? Start here:
It's the week leading up to Easter, and each day we're walking through the story of Jesus—moving from safety, to rupture, to suffering, and ultimately, to love. Today, we enter into a quiet, but deeply powerful part of that journey: what it means to remain steady in the midst of suffering. In this passage, we're given a picture of resilience—as a grounded, daily returning to what sustains us. A kind of strength that stays open, even when life is hard. This episode explores how to stay present in difficulty without shutting down or losing yourself—and how resilience is formed, not all at once, but moment by moment. Today's Scripture is: Isaiah 50:4–9 Go Deeper: Episode 141: How Self-Compassion Strengthens Resilience with Aundi Kolber Episode 76: Finding the Strength to Move Forward After Loss with Granger Smith Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's the week leading up to Easter, and each day we're walking through the story of Jesus—moving from safety, to rupture, to suffering, and ultimately, to love. Today, we step into one of the most vulnerable and human moments in that story: betrayal. This episode explores what it means to face relational hurt without losing yourself—how to acknowledge the pain of betrayal while staying connected to what is true. Today's Scripture is: John 13:21–33, 36–38 Go Deeper: Episode 100: I Shouldn't Feel Betrayed by Someone I Trust with Steve Carter Episode 201: "It Must Be My Fault" with Dr. Peace Amadi Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's the week leading up to Easter, and so every reading this week is designed to guide us through the story of Jesus—moving from safety, to rupture, to suffering, and ultimately, to Love. Today, we begin with a grounding question:Where do I find safety? In this episode, we reflect on Psalm 27 and the invitation to locate our sense of safety not in circumstances, but in the steady presence of God. This is not about eliminating fear. It's about gently practicing a return—again and again—to what holds us. Today's Scripture is: Psalm 27: 1-8 Go Deeper: Find free resources integrating faith with psychology—including guided reflections, devotionals, and tools for emotional and spiritual growth—at dralisoncook.com. Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 When life feels like it's wearing you down on the outside, something deeper is often growing within you. This episode is for anyone walking through a difficult season—when life feels heavy, uncertain, or slowly wearing you down. In 2 Corinthians 4:16–18, we explore the truth that even when outward circumstances are hard, something unseen can still be taking root within you. Together, we'll learn how to notice that inner renewal—and trust that God is at work in ways you can't always see. To Go Deeper: Get a free map of your soul & guided audio reflection here. Email us at info@dralisoncook.com with scriptures or topics you'd like us to feature on the podcast! Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if heartbreak isn't just about what happened to you—but what it reveals about what you believe about yourself? At its core, heartbreak isn't just about loss. It's about the meaning your mind and body begin to make of that loss—especially when it touches something older. Rejection, betrayal, and disappointment have a way of surfacing deeper questions about who we are… and whether we are still worthy of love. If you've ever found yourself asking, why does this hurt so much more than it should?… this conversation between Dr. Alison Cook and Dr. Peace Amadi will help you begin to understand why—and what healing might look like. You'll explore: Why rejection can feel deeply personal… even when it isn't The hidden beliefs heartbreak can quietly bring to the surface Why certain patterns in your life keep getting replayed How past wounds can shape your present reactions What happens to your faith when pain doesn't make sense Where healing begins when nothing feels resolved yet This conversation offers a compassionate, faith-rooted path forward—helping you make sense of what's been stirred up within you, and gently move toward a deeper sense of peace. More Resources: Check out Dr. Peace Amadi's brand new book, The Wholehearted Way: Finding Peace After Life's Heartbreaks, Disappointments, and Rejections Connect further with @dralisoncook on Instagram Want to go deeper? Join 80,000+ soul menders in our email community and receive weekly reflections and gentle practices here. If you liked this episode, then you'll love: Episode 200: Trauma, Safety, and Healing—3 Trauma Responses + 4 Ways to Restore Trust Episode 179: Building Wise Trust - How to Protect Your Heart Without Closing It Off Episode 188: The Healing Power of Safe People (Not Just Safe Spaces)
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Proverbs 19:11 When someone pushes your buttons and you feel that instant urge to react, Scripture offers a different kind of strength—the strength to pause, steady yourself, and choose your response. This episode is for anyone who's ever felt triggered, reactive, or pulled into conflict they didn't want. In Proverbs 19:11, we explore what it means to “not take the bait”—and how real strength often looks like restraint, not reaction. Together, we'll look at how to slow your nervous system, protect your energy, and choose a steadier, wiser response in difficult moments. To Go Deeper: Episode 193: Why Relationships Feel Hard Even When You Care: An Unfiltered Conversation with Relationship Expert Debra Fileta Episode 195: Caring for Others Without Carrying Them with Nedra Tawab Email us at info@dralisoncook.com with scriptures or topics you'd like us to feature on the podcast! Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Matthew 11:28–30 Feeling weary, burdened, or burned out? Jesus offers rest that meets you right in the middle of the overwhelm. This episode is for anyone feeling exhausted, overloaded, or stretched too thin by the pressure to keep going. Jesus speaks directly to the weary and burdened, reminding us that rest is not something we earn after everything is done—it's something he offers in the middle of the weight. Together, we explore what it means to loosen your grip, let yourself be human, and receive the kind of rest that steadies your body and soul. Go Deeper: Episode 199: How the Body Teaches the Soul Episode 170: Science-Backed Tools to Actually Restore Your Brain and Body Email us at info@dralisoncook.com with scriptures or topics you'd like us to feature on the podcast! Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Psalm 13 This episode is for anyone feeling overwhelmed, burdened, or emotionally exhausted—especially when the pain feels too heavy and the answers don't come. Together, we explore what it means to wrestle honestly with God, even in seasons when you feel forgotten, and how faith can make room for both deep questions and quiet trust. Go Deeper: Episode 74: How to Find Hope in Hard Times with Curt Thompson Episode: 185: A Real-time Practice to Help You Return to God's Loving Presence Email us at info@dralisoncook.com with scriptures or topics you'd like us to feature on the podcast! Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Ephesians 4:25–32 Topics covered: Why avoiding conflict can quietly damage relationships more than disagreement itself. The surprising tension between honesty, anger, and compassion in Ephesians 4. A different way to approach hard conversations, repair, and emotional reactions. To go deeper: Episode 86: Embracing Conflict—Why It's Essential & 4 Simple Ways to Tackle It Email us at info@dralisoncook.com with scriptures or topics you'd like us to feature on the podcast! Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if trauma isn't just about what happened to you—but what your body learned about safety in relationships? If you've ever wondered why it's hard to feel safe in relationships… this episode will help you understand why—and where healing begins. You'll learn: The 3 ways trauma reshapes your sense of safety The deeper story behind patterns of anxiety, shutdown, or people-pleasing The patterns your nervous system uses to protect you (without you realizing it) The hidden ways trauma can impact your relationship with God 4 shifts that begin to restore safety At its core, trauma isn't just about what happened to you. It's about what your body learned in relationships—especially when safety was broken. Whether those wounds began early in life or emerged later through betrayal, loss, or disappointment, your nervous system adapts in ways that are meant to protect you. This conversation offers a compassionate, faith-rooted path forward—helping you understand how your soul and body respond to broken trust, and how safety can be restored over time. More Resources: Connect with @dralisoncook on Instagram Want to go deeper? Join 80,000+ soul menders in our email community and receive weekly reflections and gentle practices here. If you liked this episode, then you'll love: Episode 179: Building Wise Trust - How to Protect Your Heart Without Closing It Off Episode 188: The Healing Power of Safe People (Not Just Safe Spaces) Episode 191: The 5 Most Important Things I've Learned About Faith, Attachment, & The Inner Life
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Isaiah 43:1–3 Topics covered: How Isaiah 43 offers comfort during anxiety, grief, and overwhelming seasons. Why hardship is not a failure of faith—and what God actually promises in suffering. A powerful way to find spiritual resilience Email us at info@dralisoncook.com with scriptures or topics you'd like us to feature on the podcast. Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Matthew 5:3-10 Topics covered: A fresh look at the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) and what Jesus meant by “blessed.” Why grief, humility, and spiritual need are not failures—but sacred openings. How Jesus' teaching reshapes the way we understand emotional and spiritual strength. To go deeper: Episode 99: Exploring a Broken Spirit and Dark Night of the Soul with Christopher Cook Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Psalm 139:23–24 Topics covered: How to notice what's really happening inside you—anxiety, stress, and hidden emotions. A gentle approach to self-awareness and emotional healing How to stop avoiding your inner world and let God meet you with insight, peace, and direction instead of shame. Get a free map of your soul here. Go Deeper: Episode 186: Stuck Overthinking? A Simple Practice to Interrupt Stress, Overwhelm, and Habit Loops Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: 2 Corinthians 7:9–10 Topics covered: The kind of guilt that heals The kind that traps you How to tell the difference Go Deeper: Episode 140: If You Struggle with Guilt and Second-Guessing Yourself, This Will Set You Free – How to Stop Blaming Yourself for Things That Aren't Your Fault Read the first 3 chapters of I Shouldn't Feel This Way: Name What's Hard, Tame Your Guilt, and Transform Self-Sabotage Into Brave Action Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What happens when your body starts telling a story your mind cannot ignore? In this episode, Dr. Alison sits down with author Justin Whitmel Earley to explore the connection between spiritual formation and the everyday rhythms of our bodies. From the outside, Justin's life looked stable and successful. But anxiety and panic began surfacing in ways he could no longer explain away. What followed was a deeper question many of us quietly carry: what if our bodies are revealing something about how we are living? Together, Alison and Justin explore the forgotten wisdom of embodied faith and how small daily practices shape the soul over time. In this conversation, they explore: Why anxiety sometimes appears even when life “looks fine” on the surface The surprising ways your body may be revealing deeper patterns in your life What modern faith may have forgotten about the role of the body How simple daily rhythms can slowly reshape who we are becoming This conversation is not about fixing yourself. It's about learning to listen because most likely your body knew something before you had words for it. Because sometimes the path toward healing begins by paying attention to the wisdom already present in your body. More Resources: Connect with @justinwhitmelearley on InstagramOrder Justin's latest book The Body Teaches the Soul. Connect with @dralisoncook on Instagram Join the 80,000+ soul menders in our email community and receive weekly reflections and gentle practices here. If you liked this episode, then you'll love: Episode 186: Stuck in Overthinking? A Simple Practice to Interrupt Stress, Overwhelm, and Habit Loops Episode 184: Stop Running From Anxiety - How to Tell Normal Stress from Unhealthy Anxiety and Find Peace Over Panic
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Genesis 37:2-24 Topics covered: The family wound nobody names Different family roles & how they wound Signs of a healthy family Go Deeper: Episode 85: The Goal of a Healthy Family & 6 Roles We Take On In Dysfunction Episode 161: Healing from Dysfunctional Family Patterns with Jerry Wise Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Matthew 10:16 Topics covered: What “wise as serpents, innocent as doves” looks like in real relationships How to stay anchored in love while facing what's real—without naivety or hypervigilance Go Deeper: Read Should I Turn The Other Cheek? on my blog For more on healthy boundary setting check out the first 3 chapters of The Best of You here. Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Psalm 4:4–8 Topics covered: How to acknowledge anger without letting it hijack your nervous system A simple practice for calming anger and choosing groundedness without denial Go Deeper: Episode 44: Why Anger is a Surprising Friend, What Happens When You Avoid It, and How to Create Space for Healthy Expression of Anger in Your Family Get a free guided journal + read the first 3 chapters of I Shouldn't Feel This Way here! Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison's free email community for weekly ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: 1 Corinthians 3:3–7 Topics covered: Why comparison isn't just a “social media issue" The deeper ache underneath envy & comparison A grounding reframe to use when you're tempted to compare Go Deeper: Episode 183: The Real Reason You Compare Yourself & How to Heal It Get my free PDF book "She's Better Than Me" here Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What do you do when the person who was supposed to nurture you becomes the source of your deepest wounds? In this episode, Dr. Alison sits down with writer, speaker, and host of the Big Boo Cast, Melanie Shankle to explore the complicated terrain of mother wounds, emotional enmeshment, and the long road toward healing. From the outside, it can look like “normal family tension.” But in the body, something feels off. Together, they explore: What happens when your nervous system knew something wasn't safe before you had language for it The impact of criticism, competitiveness, and emotional parentification How shame can keep you believing the problem is you he difference between honoring a parent and tolerating hard Why distance sometimes becomes part of healing This isn't a conversation about blame. It's a conversation about truth-telling. About untangling enmeshment. About breaking generational patterns. About discovering what safety actually feels like. If you've ever felt torn between loyalty and self-protection… If you've wondered whether what you experienced “counts”… If you're learning to trust what your body has always known… This episode is honest, nuanced, and ultimately hopeful. Because healing one life can change a generation. More Resources: Connect with @melanieshankle on Instagram Order Melanie's latest book Here Be Dragons. Connect with @dralisoncook on Instagram Join the 80,000+ soul menders in our email community and receive weekly reflections and gentle practices here. If you liked this episode, then you'll love: Episode 144: Healing the Soul Through Encounters with Jesus Featuring John Eldredge Episode 128: Generational Trauma—Overcoming Inherited Dysfunction & Legacy Burdens with therapist Gina Birkemeier
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Isaiah 41:10 Topics covered: There's no shame in fear What God promises Strength that doesn't come from striving Go Deeper: Episode 41: Boundaries with Fear & Anxiety Episode 156: Why Fear Shows Up When You're About to Grow & How to Break Free from Self-Sabotage with Mary Marantz Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Luke 17:1-5 Topics covered: Why Jesus starts with the reality of harm How to forgive without minimizing The relationship between forgiveness & boundaries Go Deeper: Episode 79: Surviving Trauma & A Path to Forgiveness with Esau McCaullay Episode 78: The Mental Health Benefits of Forgiveness & Thoughts on Grace with Max Lucado Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Psalm 25:1-7 Topics covered: Why shame makes you want to hide A prayer to steady you through shame How to return to connection & trust Go Deeper: See The Soul of Shame, by Curt Thompson Episode 74: The Neurobiology of Hope and How to Find Hope in Hard Times with Dr. Curt Thompson Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisoncook/?hl=en Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Phillipians 2:1-11 Topics covered: Humility that isn't self-erasure How to cultivate true inner strength A daily reset for uncovering confident humility Go Deeper: Episode 18: Selfhood vs. Selfishness Episode 56: Am I Really Supposed to Die to Myself? Misconstrued Messages and How to Disentangle From Them Be sure to share this episode with a friend! And don't forget to leave your 5-star review—it helps get the word out to others. Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Have you ever wondered if there's something spiritual happening beneath what you're carrying? You're doing the work.You're praying.You're going to therapy.You're trying to take responsibility. And still… something feels off. In this episode, Dr. Alison sits down with Theologian Joel Muddamalle to explore spiritual warfare — not through fear or sensationalism, but through clarity and discernment. Together, they examine: How the enemy works through systems, structures, and misaligned desires The difference between personal responsibility and spiritual opposition Why obsession with darkness is just as unhelpful as dismissing it How to stay grounded in Christ's victory rather than panic This conversation reframes spiritual warfare as something far more ordinary — and far more hopeful — than we often imagine. Not demon hunting.Not blame shifting.But cultivating wholeness. Because the center of the Christian story is not darkness.It's restoration. If you've ever felt confused about this topic — or unsure how to integrate faith, mental health, and spiritual reality — this episode offers grounded wisdom for everyday life. More Resources: Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram @dralisoncook Join the 80,000+ soul menders in our email community and receive weekly reflections and gentle practices here. Learn more about Joel Muddamalle's work. Order The Unseen Battle. If you liked this episode, then you'll love: Episode 144: Healing the Soul Through Encounters with Jesus Featuring John Eldredge Episode 122: Navigating Anxiety, Therapy, and Spiritual Formation—Balancing Mental, Emotional, & Spiritual Health with John Mark Comer
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Genesis 3:12–13 Go Deeper: Episode 178: How to Recognize Toxic Tactics & Stop Taking the Bait Episode 149: 5 Toxic Behaviors & How to Protect Your Soul Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Luke 15:11–32 Go Deeper: Episode 78: Thoughts on Grace with Max Lucado Episode 136: Escaping Spiritual Exhaustion and Trusting in Divine Love with Michael John Cusick Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Psalm 23 Go Deeper: Episode 176: Intimacy with God in a Noisy World Episode 191: The 5 Most Important Things I've Learned About Faith, Attachment, & The Inner Life Find rest for your soul through a guided audio reflection here or check out my book with Kimberly Miller, Boundaries For Your Soul. Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Romans 12:9–18 Go Deeper: Episode 194: Discernment in Relationships: How to Stay Connected Without Losing Yourself Read more about becoming your true self & healthy boundary setting here. Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisoncook/?hl=en Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“A joyful heart is good medicine.” But not the kind of joy you fake. In this episode, Dr. Alison explores the difference between healthy humor and harmful humor — and why that distinction matters for your nervous system, your relationships, and your spiritual formation. Humor can soothe. It can bond. It can bring relief. But it can also deflect. Minimize. Or quietly wound. You'll learn: Why humor can feel safe for one person and threatening for another How teasing can create intimacy… or erode it What it looks like to practice discernment without shaming yourself Why “getting your joy back” is often a sign of real healing This conversation is part of Pillar Three in Dr. Cook's Four Pillars series: Joy & Delight — not as a personality trait or a passing mood, but as a practice of inner formation. Because joy is not just an emotional expression. It's a signal. When your nervous system begins to feel safe enough to soften, laughter shifts. Delight becomes accessible. Connection deepens. And sometimes the kind of humor you practice reveals more about your healing than you realize. More Resources: Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram @dralisoncook Join the 80,000+ soul menders in our email community and receive weekly reflections and gentle practices here. If you liked this episode, then you'll love: Episode 191: The 5 Most Important Things I've Learned About Faith, Attachment, & The Inner Life Episode 194: When Relationships Start to Drain You—Using Discernment to Stay Connected Without Losing Yourself Episode 111: How to Transforms Parenting Triggers & Blind Spots Into Growth & Connection With Beth McCord
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Lamentations 3:19–26 Go Deeper: Episode 190: Self-Brain Surgery, Overcoming Trauma, and the Courage to Change How You Think with Dr. Lee Warren Episode 158: Your Pain Has a Name: The Deeper Hurt Behind Distressing Thoughts with Monica DiCristina Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisoncook/?hl=en Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: John 20:24–29 Go Deeper: Episode 159: Spiritual Drowning, Honest Questions, and a God Who Doesn't Let Go with Heather Thompson Day Episode 74: The Neurobiology of Hope and How to Find Hope in Hard Times with Dr. Curt Thompson Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: Psalm 146 1:-10 Go Deeper: Episode 119: Drawing Strength From the Past—The Spirit of Justice with Dr. Jemar Tisby Check our more topical deep-dive episodes at https://www.dralisoncook.com/podcast Join over 80,000 in my email community for more weekly wisdom. Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram @dralisoncook Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to The Best of You Every Day. Today's Scripture is: 2 Corinthians 4:7–10 Go Deeper: Learn more about strength through fragility through inner parts work here or check out my book with Kimberly Miller, Boundaries For Your Soul. Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram @dralisoncook Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for ongoing reflection and support. While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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