The Best of You

Dr. Alison Cook
  • 4.9 (977)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Join therapist and author, Dr. Alison Cook, as she guides you through some of your toughest challenges with wisdom, kindness, 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.

  1. 1h ago

    220. Is Your Faith Falling Apart—or Growing Deeper? With Ian Morgan Cron

    What happens when the faith that once held you no longer feels like it can carry the questions you’re asking now? You may still love God. You don’t want to leave your faith behind. But the beliefs, practices, or ways of relating to God that once sustained you begin to feel too small for the life you’re living. In this week’s conversation, Dr. Alison is joined by bestselling author, psychotherapist, and spiritual director Ian Morgan Cron to explore the tender space between silencing your questions and burning everything down. Through Ian’s brand-new novel Chasing Francis, they discuss how a crisis of faith can become an invitation to spiritual growth, deeper intimacy with God, and a faith that is more fully your own. Why a crisis of faith can become an opportunity for deeper spiritual growth The difference between healthy questioning and becoming trapped in cynicism What spiritual individuation looks like and why it matters Why the faith that sustained an earlier version of you may need room to grow How to return to the foundation that God is love and you are loved Why resisting a difficult spiritual season can create even more suffering How beauty, imagination, story, and nature can restore perspective What St. Francis can teach us about simplicity, compassion, and an embodied faith Your questions do not necessarily mean that you are losing your faith. They may be an invitation to examine what you inherited, hold on to what is true, and allow God to build something deeper. As Ian reminds us, sometimes the work is not forcing yourself back into a previous expression of faith. It is asking: What is the invitation here? You can now preorder Dr. Alison’s newest book, The Secure Soul, and immediately receive the first 3 chapters as well as early access to the companion guide! Connect further with @dralisoncook on Instagram Curious what Family Role may have shaped you? Take the Family Role Quiz to learn how you may be showing up in your relationships with others. 📖 Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here Don't forget to browse this week's sponsors, who make it possible for me to bring you these resources for free + provide you with additional discounts! Quince - How you dress affects your mood and you can trust that Quince has you covered in every day sustainable wardrobe staples. Go to ⁠Quince.com/bestofyou⁠ for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Aqua Tru - Join 98% of customers who have made their drinking water cleaner, safer, & healthier by visiting AquaTru.com and use promo code BESTOFYOU to get 20% off today! *Some of the links above are Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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.‍ You’ll explore:More Resources: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    220. Is Your Faith Falling Apart—or Growing Deeper? With Ian Morgan Cron

  2. 1d ago

    When Shame Makes You Feel Like Hiding

    Today's Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1–8What do you do when shame tells you that you are too damaged, too much, or too far behind to belong? Today’s Scripture tells the story of a wounded man who is hiding, and King David’s kindness that brings him back to the table. This episode helps you recognize the hiding place inside your soul, receive kindness without self-evisceration, and begin to trust that belonging can meet you wounds and all. You’ll learn:*Why shame drives us into hiding and withdrawal*How belonging can feel threatening when your history with power has been painful*Why kindness often has to be received repeatedly over time*How wounded younger parts of us learn to stay hidden*What it means to believe the seat at the table is actually yours Go Deeper: Listen to the daily episode on Mark 5: When Your Pain Becomes Your Identity: How Jesus Gives You a New Name Episode 160: When You Feel Unwanted—Meeting the Parts of You That Long to Belong with IFS Therapist Tammy Sollenberger 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

    When Shame Makes You Feel Like Hiding

  3. 2d ago

    When You’re Afraid God Won’t Be Kind

    Today's Scripture: Luke 11:9–13 What do you do when you believe God is good, but your body still braces when it’s time to ask him for help? Today’s Scripture speaks to the history beneath our prayers — the early experiences that taught us whether asking was safe, ignored, punished, or met with care. This episode helps you notice the inner flinch, honor the part of you that stopped asking, and begin rebuilding trust with God one small request at a time. You’ll learn: *Why asking God for help can feel risky *How early attachment wounds shape what you expect from God *Why what you believe and what you feel can be different systems *How to notice the inner flinch without shaming it *One small way to practice asking God for something real Go Deeper: Pre-order The Secure Soul to learn how your earliest attachments shape what you expect from God — and how to begin repairing those patterns. 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

    When You’re Afraid God Won’t Be Kind

  4. 3d ago

    When Your Soul Feels Empty and Depleted

    Today's Scripture: Psalm 107:4–9 What do you do when your soul feels empty, disoriented, or far from anything that feels like home? Today’s Scripture gives language for the part of us that is hungry, thirsty, wandering, and running on empty. This episode helps you stop shaming your depletion, recognize hunger as a signal, and cry out to the God who meets us with direction, belonging, and good things. You’ll learn: *Why emptiness and disorientation are not failures *How Scripture names the soul’s hunger without shame *Why depletion can make life feel flat or colorless *How crying out can become an attachment move *One honest need you can bring to God and someone safe Go Deeper: Listen to the daily episode on Psalm 37, and pre-order The Secure Soul to learn how to repair inner attachment wounds with God. 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

    When Your Soul Feels Empty and Depleted

  5. 6d ago

    When Spiritual Growth Starts to Feel Like Pressure

    Today's Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3–8 What do you do when even spiritual growth starts to feel like another standard you’re failing to meet? Today’s Scripture reminds us that growth begins not with deficiency, but with what God has already given. This episode helps you notice when healing turns into hustle, receive growth as participation with grace, and remember that the goal is not flawless self-mastery, but love. You’ll learn: *Why spiritual growth can become another form of pressure *How to tell the difference between effort rooted in fear and effort rooted in love *Why growth happens in“increasing measure” *How healing can become hustle when it’s driven by proving yourself *One way to notice the fruit already growing in you Go Deeper: This weekend, pause and name one area where you can already see the fruit of growth. 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

  6. Jul 30

    219. Why Rejection Hurts So Much—and How to Stop Abandoning Yourself When It Happens

    Rejection has a way of feeling bigger than the moment itself. A missed invitation. An unanswered text. A friendship that seems to be slipping away. An opportunity that goes to someone else. Even when we can understand why it happened, something inside us can begin telling a much older story: I'm not enough. I don't belong. This always happens to me. In this deeply personal solo episode, Dr. Alison shares a recent experience with rejection and explores why present-day disappointments often awaken wounds from the past. Drawing from Psalm 27, attachment psychology, and the healing practice she calls Recognize and Return, she offers a compassionate framework for tending the sting of rejection without letting it define your worth. You'll learn: Why rejection often activates emotional memories far older than the present moment How to recognize when today's hurt has become an old inner narrative Why logic alone can't heal wounded places inside us How self-compassion helps right-size present disappointments The difference between extending grace to others and abandoning yourself A practical practice for moving through rejection with God's loving presence Rejection may still hurt. But it doesn't have to become the story you tell about yourself. Healing begins when today's pain is allowed to be today's pain—instead of carrying every hurt you've ever known. More Resources: You can now preorder Dr. Alison’s newest book, The Secure Soul, and immediately receive the first 3 chapters as well as early access to the companion guide! Connect further with @dralisoncook on Instagram Curious what Family Role may have shaped you? Take the Family Role Quiz to learn how you may be showing up in your relationships with others. Want to hear more like this? Start here: Episode 201: “This Must Be My Fault”—Why We Take Rejection So Personally 📖 Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here Don't forget to browse this week's sponsors, who make it possible for me to bring you these resources for free + provide you with additional discounts! Quince - How you dress affects your mood and you can trust that Quince has you covered in every day sustainable wardrobe staples. Go to ⁠Quince.com/bestofyou⁠ for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! AirDoctor - Did you know the quality of oxygen you breathe affects your brain which in turn your thoughts? Eliminate 99.9% contaminants in your home with AirDoctor by visiting AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code BESTOFYOU to get UP TO $300 off today! *Some of the links above are Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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

    219. Why Rejection Hurts So Much—and How to Stop Abandoning Yourself When It Happens

  7. Jul 29

    How to Start Rebuilding When Something Has Been Broken

    Today's Scripture: Nehemiah 2:11–18 What do you do when something in your life has been broken for a long time, but rebuilding feels overwhelming? Today’s Scripture shows us that restoration often begins by honestly looking at the damage, listening for what God is stirring, and taking one faithful next step. This episode helps you name what has been left unprotected, discern what is yours to rebuild, and begin the good work one brick at a time. You’ll learn: *Why rebuilding begins with honest assessment *How to look at damage without becoming defined by it *Why some early hopes need to be protected before they are shared *How healthy boundaries create safety for love *One small “brick” you can put in place today Go Deeper: Share this episode with someone you trust to walk with you in the work of rebuilding. 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

    How to Start Rebuilding When Something Has Been Broken

  8. Jul 28

    How to Stay Tender Without Being Naive

    Today's Scripture: Mark 10:13–16 What do you do when being tender, dependent, or open feels risky? Today’s Scripture shows Jesus welcoming the children others tried to push aside — and inviting us to receive the kingdom like a child. This episode helps you reconnect with the tender, curious, receptive part of you without abandoning wisdom, discernment, or strength. You’ll learn: *Why childlike faith is not the same as being childish *How early experiences can teach us to hide tenderness or need *Why strength does not have to mean needing nothing *How Jesus welcomes the childlike part of you *What it means to receive love without earning it Go Deeper: Take the Family Roles Quiz at dralisoncook.com/quiz to better understand the role you learned to play early in life. 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

    How to Stay Tender Without Being Naive
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out of 5
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About

Join therapist and author, Dr. Alison Cook, as she guides you through some of your toughest challenges with wisdom, kindness, 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.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Alison Cook
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    349
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Alison Cook
  • Show Website
    The Best of You

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