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    Health & Fitness

    The Best of You

    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.

    Advertise

    Copyright: © Dr. Alison Cook

    • Apple Podcasts
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    Latest Episodes:
    208. Spiritual Dryness, Burnout, and the Desert Seasons of Faith with Tish Harrison Warren May 14, 2026
    Show notes

    What if the dry, weary place you’re in isn’t something to escape—but a place where God is working?

    So many of us know that quiet middle space: you’re not in crisis, but you’re not exactly flourishing either. You’re tired, spiritually dry, disconnected, or simply going through the motions. It’s not dramatic enough to call a breakdown, but something in you knows you’re weary.

    In this episode, Dr. Alison and author/priest Tish Harrison Warren explore what grows in these weary places—and why seasons of spiritual dryness, burnout, and languishing aren’t signs that something is wrong with you.

    They may be part of how God forms you.

    Together, they talk about aridity, resilience, stability, and what it means to stay present to the life you actually have instead of constantly looking for a way out.

    You’ll discover:

    • Why spiritual dryness doesn’t mean you’re failing
    • The difference between depression, burnout, and languishing
    • What the desert fathers and mothers can teach us about resilience
    • Why “staying in your cell” can become a path of formation
    • How ordinary repair, routines, and relationships shape us over time
    • What it means to let where you are do its work
    • How hope changes the way we endure hard seasons

    This conversation offers a counter-cultural invitation: you don’t have to rush out of the weary place. There may be something growing there.


    More Resources:

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

    Order What Grows in Weary Lands - out this week!

    You can 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 159:Spiritual Drowning, Honest Questions, and a God Who Doesn’t Let Go with Heather Thompson Day

    Episode 176: Dr. Stephen Macchia on Intimacy with God in a Noisy World


    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!
    • Remi - Start sleeping better with a Remi nightguard and use code BESTOFYOU and get 50% off your purchase. Go to ShopRemi.com/BESTOFYOU and use code BESTOFYOU.
    • 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!
    • StoryWorth - Give your loved ones a unique keepsake you’ll all cherish for years—Storyworth Memoirs! Right now, save $10 or more during their Holiday sale when you go to StoryWorth.com/BESTOFYOU!

    *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


    The Ache of Feeling Unseen or Overlooked May 13, 2026
    Show notes

    Today's Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1–7

    Have you ever felt overlooked— not chosen, not noticed, not even considered?

    In today’s episode, we look at the story of Samuel anointing David and what it reveals about how easily we evaluate ourselves and others by what is visible. We explore:

    *How the halo effect shapes who gets noticed, chosen, or valued

    *Why external validation is a shaky foundation for your identity

    *How to stop measuring your worth by systems that were never designed to see you clearly

    *What David’s story reveals about hidden faithfulness, quiet seasons, and the God who sees what others miss

    Go Deeper:

    Dr. Alison shares her journey through feeling unseen in The Secure Soul. Click here to read the first 3 chapters & join free masterclass on the wounds that shape you

    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 Feel Judged May 12, 2026
    Show notes

    Today's Scripture: Luke 7:37–39

    Have you ever wanted to bring something real into the light—but felt afraid of being judged?

    In today’s episode, we look at the woman in Luke 7 who walks into a room full of people who already think they know her story and brings her whole self to the feet of Jesus. This passage shows us the difference between shame that keeps us hiding and the kind of love that helps us come close. We’ll explore:

    *Why shame thrives in secrecy

    *Why people judge & how it affects both the person judging & others

    *The corrective emotional experience of dignity, compassion, and love found in Jesus

    Go Deeper:

    Episode 23: Am I Wounded or am I Sinful?

    Read the first 3 Chapters of my new book The Secure Soul, when you preorder

    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


    The Neuroscience of Guilt and Confession May 11, 2026
    Show notes

    Today's Scripture: Psalm 32:3–7

    Have you ever carried something so long that it started to feel normal?

    In today’s episode, we look at Psalm 32 and what happens when hidden guilt, shame, or regret stays buried inside the body and soul. I’ll walk you through the difference between true guilt and shame, why suppression can take such a physical toll, and how honest confession can become a doorway into freedom, safety, and deeper connection with God. We'll explore:

    *Why hidden guilt can show up in your body as tension, exhaustion, or anxiety

    *The difference between true guilt and shame

    *What psychology research us shows us about confession as a path toward safety, not rejection

    *How God meets you with mercy when you stop hiding

    Go Deeper:

    Read True Guilt vs. False Guilt on my blog

    Visit dralisoncook.com/podcast and type “guilt” into the search bar to find past episodes on this topic.

    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


    Why You Feel Powerless (and How to Find Your Voice) May 08, 2026
    Show notes

    Today's Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7
    There’s a kind of exhaustion that comes from feeling like nothing you do makes a difference. In today’s episode, Dr. Alison Cook explores 2 Timothy 1:7 and the psychology of feeling powerless. Drawing on the concept of learned helplessness and nervous system overwhelm, she unpacks why you may feel stuck, shut down, or unable to act—and how to begin reclaiming your voice, one small step at a time. We'll explore:
    *What learned helplessness is and how it shapes your sense of agency
    *Why feeling powerless isn’t weakness—but a nervous system adaptation
    *The difference between true power vs. control or over-functioning
    *A simple, grounded way to begin reclaiming your voice today
    Go Deeper:
    Read the first 3 chapters of The Best of You
    Read blog post on Confident Leadership

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


    207. Why You Can’t Stop Overthinking—and How to Break the Spiral May 07, 2026
    Show notes

    Have you ever replayed a conversation over and over in your mind?

    Maybe it was something your partner said. A text that felt off. A moment at work. A look on someone’s face. Suddenly your mind is looping, analyzing, judging, and trying to solve something that never seems to resolve.

    Today’s conversation with science writer Donna Jackson Nakazawa is about rumination—what many of us experience as overthinking, thought spirals, or getting mentally stuck.

    Donna brings together powerful neuroscience, personal story, and practical tools to help us understand why our minds loop, what those loops are trying to show us, and how we can begin to interrupt them with compassion and clarity.

    We explore:

    • Why rumination is not random—and what it reveals
    • The difference between productive reflection and a mental loop that leaves you feeling worse
    • Why social media can trigger rumination so quickly
    • Donna’s MIST framework for stopping the spiral

    This conversation is especially for you if you’ve ever thought, Why can’t I just let this go? or Why am I still thinking about this?


    Get Donna's new book, Mind Drama here

    Connect with Donna here

    Preorder my brand new book The Secure Soul


    Want to hear more episodes like this? Start here:

    Episode 158: Your Pain Has a Name: The Deeper Hurt Behind Distressing Thoughts with Therapist Monica DiCristina

    Episode 51: The 12 Common Thinking Traps, Mind Reading, Mental Filters, and How To Stop Taking Things Personally

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

    Connect further with @dralisoncook on Instagram

    Join 80,000+ soul tenders in our email community and receive weekly wisdom here.

    ‍Don't forget to browse this week's sponsors, who make it possible for us 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!
    • StoryWorth - Give your loved ones a unique keepsake you’ll all cherish for years—Storyworth Memoirs! Right now, save $10 or more during their Holiday sale when you go to StoryWorth.com/BESTOFYOU!


    *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


    Why You Resist the Very Thing That Could Help You May 06, 2026
    Show notes

    Today's Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1–14
    Why do we resist the very things that could actually help us heal? In today’s episode, Dr. Alison Cook explores the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 and the deeply human tendency to reject simple, meaningful steps toward healing. With insight from psychology and identity formation, she unpacks why small, ordinary actions can feel threatening—especially when your sense of self has been built around strength, control, or self-sufficiency. We’ll explore:
    *Why we resist change—even when we want it
    *How the false self and identity can block healing
    *Why simple solutions can feel “too small” for deep pain
    *How small, repeated steps become the pathway to real transformation

    Go Deeper:
    Episode 199: How the Body Teaches the Soul with Justin Whitmel Earley
    Check out our new website with all the daily episodes linked.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


    When Everything Feels Out of Control May 05, 2026
    Show notes

    Today's Scripture: Mark 4:35–41
    What happens when fear takes over your body—and you can’t think clearly? In today’s episode, Dr. Alison Cook explores the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4, alongside the psychology of panic, fear, and the nervous system. She explains why your body goes into fight-or-flight mode, why you feel the urge to fix or control everything, and how to gently return to calm. We'll explore:
    *What’s happening in your brain during panic
    *Why anxiety can feel urgent and all-consuming
    *The link between fear, over-functioning, and control
    *A simple grounding practice to help your body return to calm and presence
    Go Deeper:
    Episode 185: A Real-Time Practice to Help You Return to God’s Loving Presence When You're Anxious or Overwhelmed
    Episode 129: Understanding Anxiety: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Calm, Advocating For Yourself, and Cultivating Inner Resilience
    Email your topics and passage ideas at info@dralisoncook.com
    Sign up for Dr. Alison's free weekly email for more insight and resources.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


    Why You Feel Indecisive (and What to Do About It) May 01, 2026
    Show notes

    Today's Scripture: James 1:5–8
    Struggling to make a decision or stuck in overthinking? In this episode, Dr. Alison explores the real reason behind indecision and how learning to work with the different parts of you can help you find clarity and move forward.

    We explore:
    *Indecision and overthinking
    *Inner conflict and parts work
    *Decision fatigue and self-doubt
    *Finding clarity without forcing answers


    Go Deeper:
    Get a guided journal and the first 3 chapters of I Shouldn't Feel This Way here

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


    206. Getting Unstuck: When Parts of You Are in Conflict (And How to Find Relief) Apr 30, 2026
    Show notes

    What if the reason you feel stuck… isn’t because something is wrong with you, but because different parts of you are pulling in different directions?

    We all know that feeling: one part of you wants to follow through, while another part resists. And often, one side takes over… leaving you with regret or confusion afterward.

    In this episode, Dr. Alison is joined by IFS therapist and best-selling author Jenna Riemersma to explore what’s really happening beneath that inner conflict and how to respond differently.

    Because the goal isn’t to fight those parts of you.

    It’s to understand them.

    Together, they walk through Jenna’s simple, practical framework that helps you move toward yourself with curiosity and compassion instead of shame or control.

    You’ll explore:

    • Why the parts of you that frustrate you most may be trying to help
    • What keeps you stuck in the same inner battles again and again
    • The surprising shift that can calm the conflict inside
    • How to know when to share what’s happening inside you—and when it’s wiser to protect yourself
    • What real relief can look like when you stop fighting yourself

    If you’ve ever felt stuck in cycles of overthinking, self-criticism, or reacting in ways you later regret, this conversation will help you understand why and what to do in the moment.

    Want to go deeper?

    Get Jenna’s new book, Move Toward.

    Get Jenna's free Guided Meditations and Journaling Worksheets here.

    Connect further with ⁠@dralisoncook⁠ on Instagram

    Join 80,000+ soul tenders in our email community and receive weekly reflections and gentle practices on parts work ⁠here⁠.

    Want to hear more like this? Start here:

    Episode 160: When You Feel Unwanted—Meeting the Parts of You That Long to Belong with IFS Therapist Tammy Sollenberger

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

    📖 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!
    • StoryWorth - Give your loved ones a unique keepsake you’ll all cherish for years—Storyworth Memoirs! Right now, save $10 or more during their Holiday sale when you go to StoryWorth.com/BESTOFYOU!
    • 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


    Previous 1 7 8 9 10 11 37 Next

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