117 episodes

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.

The Best of You That Sounds Fun Network

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.9 • 612 Ratings

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.

    Episode 113: A New Vision of Human Flourishing—A Christian Approach to Mental Health with Duke University Psychiatrist & Theologian Warren Kinghorn

    Episode 113: A New Vision of Human Flourishing—A Christian Approach to Mental Health with Duke University Psychiatrist & Theologian Warren Kinghorn

    Why do I struggle with mental health?
    How do I respond to Christians who claim there's no such thing as mental illness?
    What does my mental health diagnosis mean?

    If you've asked any of these questions, you don't want to miss today's episode! Join me as I discuss these crucial topics with Duke University psychiatrist and theologian, Warren Kinghorn, a leading expert in integrating Christian faith and mental health.

    Here’s what we cover:


    Does anxiety come from inside of me or outside of me? (7:22)

    The most important questions we must answer as human beings (11:03)

    What are the 7 benchmarks of mental health? (30:57)

    What is a Christian vision of flourishing? (34:27)

    Warren’s response to John MacArthur’s claims that there is no such thing as mental illness (41:08)

    How to think about diagnoses & what to look for in a clinician (46:23)


    Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here.

    Do you have questions for Dr. Alison?⁠ Leave them here.

    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love Episode 45: Strong like Water—Finding the Freedom, Safety, & Compassion to Move through Hard Things & Experience True Flourishing with Aundi Kolber

    Thanks to our sponsors:

    Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.

    Go to AquaTru.com and enter code BESTOFYOU at checkout to get 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier!

    Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code BESTOFYOU to receive UP TO 39%!

    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BESTOFYOU and get on your way to being your best self.

    Go to thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!


    Music by Andy Luiten
    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
    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

    • 56 min
    Episode 112: Navigating Anxiety—Practical, Powerful Tips to Recognize and Transform Anxiety In Your Life

    Episode 112: Navigating Anxiety—Practical, Powerful Tips to Recognize and Transform Anxiety In Your Life

    What if anxiety isn't your enemy?
    What if it's trying to help?

    We all feel anxious at times. As we close out this series on Inside Out, we're bring you some powerful tips about how to transform anxiety into a powerful ally.

    Here’s what we cover:

    1. The most important strategy when you feel anxious (12:59)
    2. How to recognize the voice of anxiety (14:03)
    3. The relationship between anxiety & numbing (18:07)
    4. Healthy “escape” vs. unhealthy numbing (21:22)
    5. How to understand passages like “Do not be anxious” in the Bible (22:36)

    Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here.

    Related Episodes:
    Episode 67: The Link Between Faith & Emotional Healing—Gen Z, College Life, & A Hidden Search for Meaning with Cindy Gao
    Episode 39: Boundaries for Your Soul—How to Navigate Your Overwhelming Thoughts & Feelings
    Episode 41: Boundaries With Fear And Anxiety—How to Calm the Chaos Within and the Joy of Internal Boundaries

    Thanks to our sponsors:
    Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.
    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BESTOFYOU and get on your way to being your best self.
    Become the best version of yourself and get 15% off Ned products with code BESTOFYOU. Go to helloned.com/BESTOFYOU or enter code BESTOFYOU at checkout.
    Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code BESTOFYOU to receive UP TO 39%!
    Go to thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!

    Music by Andy Luiten
    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
    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

    • 37 min
    Episode 111: The Enneagram For Moms—How to Transforms Parenting Triggers & Blind Spots Into Growth & Connection With Beth McCord

    Episode 111: The Enneagram For Moms—How to Transforms Parenting Triggers & Blind Spots Into Growth & Connection With Beth McCord

    Do you ever get activated by your kids—even when they’re not really doing anything wrong?

    It happens to the best of parents! Today’s episode, featuring renowned Enneagram expert, Beth McCord, is such an incredibly helpful and practical conversation about how to transform triggers into opportunities for health and connection.

    Here’s what we cover:

    1. How the Enneagram helped Beth stop comparing herself to other moms (7:46)
    2. Why neither shaming yourself—or blaming others works (10:16)
    3. A step by step process for what to do when you get activated by your kids (21:30)
    4. How Beth's family’s love for debate triggered childhood wounds & how she worked through it (29:37)
    5. How and when to talk about the Enneagram with your kids (39:00)

    Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here.

    Related Episodes:
    Episode 52: The Enneagram—9 Ways to Uncover the Best (and Worst) of Who You Are, Get Honest With Yourself, & Improve Your Relationships
    Episode 109: Healing Burdens From the Past—How to Overcome Childhood Wounds and Heal Your Younger Self with Tammy Sollenberger

    Thanks to our sponsors:
    Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.
    Become the best version of yourself and get 15% off Ned products with code BESTOFYOU.
    Go to helloned.com/BESTOFYOU or enter code BESTOFYOU at checkout. Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code BESTOFYOU to receive UP TO 39%!
    Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to SundaysForDogs.com/BESTOFYOU or use code BESTOFYOU at checkout.
    Go to thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!

    Music by Andy Luiten
    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
    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

    • 48 min
    Episode 110: How to Be Wise When People Are Difficult—Biblical Strategies For Keeping Your Emotional Health & Mental Sanity

    Episode 110: How to Be Wise When People Are Difficult—Biblical Strategies For Keeping Your Emotional Health & Mental Sanity

    We all need to tune up our boundaries from time to time, especially when encountering difficult people. Today, I'm sharing an encore episode about the Biblical mandate to "Turn the Other Cheek." Spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with being a doormat in the face of toxicity!

    Originally titled, Should I Turn the Other Cheek? Why It's the Opposite of Being a Doormat & How to Stand Firm in the Face of Gaslighting, Manipulation, & Toxicity, today's episode shows you how to detect toxic strategies and navigate tricky relational situations with wisdom and clarity.

    Here's what we cover:
    1. What the Bible has to say about toxic behavior (5:24)
    2. Does it work to “love people into change”? (14:56)
    3. Biblical examples of being a fool (33:14)
    4. Biblical strategies for being wise like Jesus (36:52)
    Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here.
    Related Episodes:
    Episode 2: What Should I Know About Gaslighting?
    Episode 24: Boundaries, the Spectrum of Toxicity, and a Note About Evil
    Episode 25: Types of No Part 1—How to Say “No” in Healthy Relationships
    Episode 26: Types of "No" Part 2—How to Say "No" to Toxicity, The Real Meaning of Turn the Other Cheek & How to Form a Boundaries Committee

    Thanks to our sponsors:
    Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.
    Get 40% off your first order of Sundays.
    Go to SundaysForDogs.com/BESTOFYOU or use code BESTOFYOU at checkout.
    Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code BESTOFYOU to receive UP TO 39%!
    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BESTOFYOU and get on your way to being your best self.
    Go to thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!
    Music by Andy Luiten
    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
    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

    • 46 min
    Episode 109: Healing Burdens From the Past—How to Overcome Childhood Wounds and Heal Your Younger Self with Tammy Sollenberger

    Episode 109: Healing Burdens From the Past—How to Overcome Childhood Wounds and Heal Your Younger Self with Tammy Sollenberger

    Do you ever struggle with negative beliefs about yourself, even though you know they aren't true?
    We all carry burdens that we pick up in childhood, and these burdens can be surprisingly persistent. Today's guest, therapist, author of The One Inside, & host of The One Inside IFS podcast, Tammy Sollenberger shares her journey of healing her younger self from these painful burdens.
    Here's what we cover:

    The surprising way we can connect with God's healing

    Why we pick up burdens in childhood

    How Tammy healed her burden of "I'm not wanted"

    The impact of childhood burdens on marriage and parenting

    The spiritual practices that have helped Tammy heal

    Find the transcript and resources from the episode here.
    Want to receive free bonus content? ⁠⁠Sign up for my free weekly email here.
    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:
    Episode 108: Inside Out—Internal Family Systems, Therapy, and High-Performing Protectors with Jenna Riemersma

    Thanks to our sponsors:
    Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.
    Sign up for AromaTru's Insider Club today and you'll receive a FREE Waterless Oil Diffuser and a FREE lemon eucalyptus oil - that's over $200 in savings. Head to aromatruorganics.com/bestofyou to take advantage of this exclusive offer.
    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BESTOFYOU and get on your way to being your best self.
    Head over to WildHealth.com/BESTOFYOU and use code BESTOFYOU at checkout for 20% off!
    Whether you're exploring distant lands or enjoying a staycation at home, Cozy Earth has your back. Visit cozyearth.com and unlock an exclusive 35% off with code BESTOFYOU.
    Go to thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!
    Music by Andy Luiten / Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
    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

    • 55 min
    Episode 108: Inside Out—Internal Family Systems, Therapy, and High-Performing Protectors with Jenna Riemersma

    Episode 108: Inside Out—Internal Family Systems, Therapy, and High-Performing Protectors with Jenna Riemersma

    Do you ever feel like you're wearing a mask, hiding how you really feel from others?
    Do you find yourself in conflict with different aspects of your personality, struggling to find harmony?
    In honor of the new Pixar movie, Inside Out 2, we're diving into Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy in a brand new series this week! Today's guest, Jenna Riemersma is an amazing human, an expert IFS clinician, and the bestselling author of 2 books on IFS.
    Here's what we cover:

    What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)?

    The hidden cost of high-performance armor

    Are kids truly resilient or just coping?

    3 signs of a good therapist

    Jenna's journey of writing her book on IFS

    Innovative Practices for ongoing healing

    Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here.
    Connect with Jenna at: https://jennariemersma.com/
    Get Jenna's free Insight Timer IFS meditations
    Read Altogether You and Altogether Us
    If you like this episode you'll love:


    Episode 39: Boundaries For Your Soul: How to Navigate Your Overwhelming Thoughts & Feelings


    Episode 40: 5 Steps to Healing Painful Emotions


    Episode 43: How to Tame Your Inner Critic & Why All Parts Are Welcome


    Thanks to our sponsors:

    Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.

    Become the best version of yourself and get 15% off Ned products with code BESTOFYOU. Go to helloned.com/BESTOFYOU or enter code BESTOFYOU at checkout.

    Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code BESTOFYOU to receive UP TO 39%! Get 40% off your first order of Sundays.

    Go to SundaysForDogs.com/BESTOFYOU or use code BESTOFYOU at checkout.

    Whether you're exploring distant lands or enjoying a staycation at home, Cozy Earth has your back. Visit cozyearth.com and unlock an exclusive 35% off with code BESTOFYOU.

    Go to thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!

    Music by Andy Luiten
    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
    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

    • 49 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
612 Ratings

612 Ratings

Dlight44 ,

Miraculous First Time

Last night I saw INSIDE OUT 2, without seeing #1. This am, when I got up to do my daily meditation, I found Your podcast 109 staring at me for the first time without my seeking. I clicked and listened and was thrilled deep down inside by the incredible honesty of these two ladies. I am often capable of this simple honesty and I recognize God’s presence usually appears in these moments, pin dropping moments. In addition, I am familiar with IFS but not fluent with it. But I found I could, at least, keep up with a sense of what was occurring between these two ladies. Love and healing for them and me was in the air as they shared. I would recommend to myself, my friends and anyone else in recovery from addictions, trauma, or just life’s struggle to come here for hope, healing and a new life worth living.

KHentsch ,

Military families

Thank you so much for this episode. I’m curious about any studies that have been done regarding the attachment styles/issues for military kids. By the time I was 27 I had moved 14 times- starting in Germany, east coast, west coast, mid west, the Deep South and northeast of the United States. My family- army dad, mom, 2 older brothers, 1 older sister, 1 younger brother. (Oldest brother was 7 1/2 yrs old when youngest brother was born.) Thanks for considering this subject. Kathy

Dr Clark Fan ,

Lies We Tell

Hate to admit it, but this was really convicting & discouraging, actually… “oh woe is me, unclean lips.”! Very thorough. Good transcript notes. Please do an episode on how to determine if we are lying to ourselves vs listening to the father of lies.

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