The Best of You

Today's Scripture: Matthew 5:29–30

**Today's devotional is in response to listener requests.** Some Bible passages don’t just make us think—they make our bodies brace. In today’s reflection on Matthew 5:29–30, Dr. Alison Cook offers a compassionate way to read one of Jesus’ hardest teachings without fear, shame, or self-condemnation. This episode explores:

*How fear-based religion can shape the way your body hears Scripture

*What happens in the brain when the amygdala perceives threat

*Why repentance means turning toward love, not turning against yourself

*How God’s holiness always leads us toward healing and wholeness.

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.‍

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Today's Scripture: Psalm 121:1–8

When life feels uncertain, your nervous system may start scanning for safety—looking for reassurance, protection, or some solid place to land. In today’s reflection on Psalm 121, Dr. Alison Cook explores how God meets us in that vulnerable place as the One who watches over our coming and going. We explore:

*Why your nervous system scans for safety

*How hypervigilance develops

*Why “God watches over you” may take time to feel true in your body

*How dwelling on scripture can slowly retrain your soul toward safety

Go Deeper:

Get my Masterclass "Healing the Wounds that Shape Us" when you preorder The Secure Soul

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: Galatians 1:10

Have you ever said yes when something inside you wanted to say no?

In today’s episode, we look at Galatians 1:10 and the hidden cost of living for approval. In this episode, you’ll learn:

*How approval-seeking disconnects you from your own voice

*How early family roles shape your need for approval

*Why the helper, peacekeeper, or responsible one within may still be leading

•How to find your own inner compass instead

Go Deeper:

Take our new Family Roles Quiz!

Episode 147: Making Sense of Your Family Story with Adam Young

Episode 85: The Goal of a Healthy Family & 6 Roles We Take on in Dysfunction

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 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

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

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

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

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

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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

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.

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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.

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Today's Scripture: Psalm 73:1–3, 12–17

Have you ever looked at someone else’s life and felt that quiet ache—like you’re somehow behind? In today’s episode, Dr. Alison Cook explores Psalm 73 and the deeply human struggle of comparison. With insight from psychology and attachment patterns, she unpacks why comparison can feel so destabilizing—and how to return to your own life with clarity and compassion. We explore:
*Why upward social comparison can distort your sense of worth
*How comparison pulls you out of your own life and into an imagined hierarchy
*The connection between comparison, self-doubt, and over-functioning
*Why you can’t “think” your way out of comparison—and what actually helps
*A grounding practice to help you return to your own life and God’s presence

Go Deeper:
Episode 183: The Real Reason You Compare Yourself (and How to Heal It)
When Life Feels Unfair (and Why Comparison Keeps you Stuck
Read the first 3 chapters of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

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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

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

Today's Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1–11
If you feel stuck in a season that won’t change, this episode offers a grounded, compassionate way to navigate uncertainty without forcing what isn’t ready.

We explore:
*Emotional stuckness and waiting
*Anxiety about the future
*Control vs. surrender
*Finding peace in the uncertainty
Email us at info@dralisoncook.com with topics or passages you'd like us to cover!

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

Today's Scripture: Matthew 20:1–16
Ever notice how quickly comparison can steal your peace—even when life is going well? In this episode, Dr. Alison explores the psychology of social comparison and how it shapes your sense of worth, helping you move from insecurity to grounded confidence .

We explore:
*Social comparison and insecurity
*Why comparison feels like a threat
*Letting go of keeping score
*Finding peace in your own story
Go Deeper:
Episode 183: The Real Reason You Compare Yourself—and How to Heal It
Read my free e-book She's Better Than Me here

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

Today's Scripture: Psalm 127:1–2
If you feel constantly exhausted, it may not be about doing too much—but about carrying what was never yours to carry. In this episode, Dr. Alison explores Psalm 127 and the concept of “anxious toil,” integrating attachment theory and nervous system insight to help you release over-responsibility and rediscover rest.

We explore:
*Overfunctioning and burnout
*Hypervigilance and the nervous system
*How we start to build the wrong thing
Go Deeper:
Episode 138: Breaking Free from Overfunctioning—Discover the Hidden Costs of Always Being 'The Responsible One’
Check out our new webpage here

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Today’s Scripture is: 1 Thessalonians 5:9–11

In a culture that prizes independence, this episode offers a countercultural truth: healing happens in connection. Drawing on both Scripture and research on community and mental health, Dr. Alison explores how small, consistent relationships can restore your sense of belonging.

In this episode:

*Why community is essential for emotional health

*Research on connection, resilience, and well-being

*The power of micro-connections (small, daily interactions)

*How to rebuild trust after relational hurt or church hurt

*What mutual, healthy connection really looks like

Go Deeper:

Episode 17: What is Church Hurt and How do I Heal It?

Episode 181: The Healing Power of Safe People (Not Just Safe Spaces)

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 a diagnosis, chronic illness, or unexpected health challenge enters your life, it can divide your story into a before and after. And often, we don’t have language for what’s happening beneath the surface.

In this episode, Dr. Alison and Dr. James C. Jackson explore the concept of medical trauma—and how it impacts not just your body, but your identity, your relationships, and your sense of meaning.

Because medical trauma isn’t just about what happened to you physically.

It’s about what it begins to reshape internally—your sense of safety, control, and who you are.

If you’ve ever felt disoriented, overwhelmed, or like life doesn’t fit the way it used to… this conversation will help you understand why and what healing can look like.

You’ll explore:

• What medical trauma is and why it’s often overlooked

• The psychological impact of diagnosis, chronic illness, and navigating healthcare

• How suffering can reshape your identity—and how to gently reframe it

• The role of community in healing and why support matters

• What it means to live in the “both/and” of grief and hope

This conversation offers a compassionate path forward—helping you learn how to live with what’s hard without letting it define all of who you are.

Purchase Reclaiming Your Life From Medical Trauma here.

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 on parts work here. 

Want to hear more like this? Start here:

Episode 64: Women’s Health—Menopause, Hormones, Depression and How to Advocate for Yourself Through Your Body’s Changes

Episode 19: My Stroke, A Process of Healing, and How I Began to Write The Best of You

📖 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! 

• MOSH - Save 20% shipping plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack or the plant-based trial pack when you visit MoshLife.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.‍

More Resources:

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

Today’s Scripture is: Proverbs 27:6

**Today's devotional is in response to listener requests.**

When a relationship feels powerful, fast, and deeply affirming, it can be hard to slow down and discern what’s real. This episode unpacks the difference between emotional intensity and genuine love—helping you recognize red flags, trust your intuition, and move toward steady, grounded connection.

In this episode:

*Why intensity ≠ intimacy

*The psychology behind fast attachment and emotional acceleration

*Subtle signs of love bombing and relational urgency

*How to evaluate consistency over chemistry

*What it means to build safe, sustainable connection

Go Deeper:

Episode 178: How to Recognize Toxic Tactics, and Stop Taking the Bait

Episode 24: Boundaries, the Spectrum of Toxicity, and a Note About Evil

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: Matthew 5:33-37

Why is it so hard to say what we really mean? This episode explores the emotional and psychological roots of people-pleasing, over-explaining, and softening our truth. With insight from Scripture and psychology, you’ll learn how to move toward clarity, integrity, and more honest connection.

In this episode:

*The hidden cost of people-pleasing and overfunctioning

*How empathy and attunement can make boundaries harder

*The role of the nervous system in saying yes or no

*Why clarity actually creates deeper connection

*Simple ways to practice honest communication without guilt

Go Deeper:

Episode 14: The Fawn Response & the Hidden Root of People Pleasing

Episode 171: Why People Pleasing Actually Makes You Feel More Alone, and 3 Steps to Create Real Connection

Learn healthy boundaries in The Best of You - get the first 3 chapters free 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

Today’s Scripture is: Psalm 68:4-10

If you’ve felt the ache of loneliness, this episode offers a deeply grounding reminder: your longing for connection is not a weakness, it’s part of how you were created. Blending Scripture with attachment psychology, Dr. Alison explores how God meets us within loneliness, not just after it’s resolved.

In this episode:

*The difference between loneliness and disconnection

*How attachment needs shape your emotional world

*Why loneliness is a signal, not a failure

*A reframe of the “in-between” (wilderness) season

*How to notice small, real forms of connection already present

Go Deeper:

Episode 42: How to Honor & Set Boundaries with Sadness & Loneliness

Visit our new The Best of You Every Day web page 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

Today’s Scripture is: Romans 12:9–18

**Today's devotional is in response to listener requests.**

"Hate what is evil" and "bless those who persecute you" can feel like an impossible tension — until you understand what Paul is actually asking for. This episode unpacks one of scripture's most demanding passages and makes the case that clarity and love are not opposites. We explore:

We'll explore:

-The difference between naming harm and becoming hardened by it

-What the research tells us about resentment and what chronic unforgiveness does to our bodies and brains

-The two dimensions of forgiveness — and why neither requires you to minimize harm or trust someone who hasn't earned it

We love hearing from you! If there is a topic or Scripture you'd like us to cover on the podcast, please email us at info@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

What if procrastination isn’t about laziness… but a disconnect between who you want to be and what you actually do?

So many of us carry goals we care deeply about: habits we want to build, changes we long to make, ways we want to grow. And yet, we find ourselves stuck in the same patterns, circling the same resistance, wondering why it’s so hard to follow through.

In this episode, Dr. Alison Cook and goals expert and New York Times bestselling author Jon Acuff explore what’s really happening beneath procrastination and how to finally begin moving forward.

Because procrastination isn’t a character flaw. It’s a gap.

A gap between your intentions and your actions.

And over time, that gap can quietly erode something deeper: your trust in yourself.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed by your goals, or caught in cycles of starting and stopping… this conversation will help you understand why and what to do next.

You’ll explore:

• Why procrastination isn’t about laziness and what’s actually driving it

• The hidden impact of broken self-trust (and how to begin rebuilding it)

• How your “soundtracks” (repetitive thoughts) shape your actions and results

• The real reason discipline alone doesn’t work and what does

• The 4 key places people get stuck in the growth process (and how to move forward)

This conversation offers a practical, compassionate path forward, helping you close the gap between who you want to be and how you’re actually living, one small step at a time.

More Resources:

Make sure to grab Jon Acuff’s latest book Procrastination Proof: Never Get Stuck Again and then claim $97 worth of free bonuses.

Take Jon's free procrastination profile here.

Connect further with ⁠@dralisoncook⁠ on Instagram

Want to go deeper with Dr. Alison? 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 199: How the Body Teaches the Soul with Justin Whitmel Earley

Episode 157: Braving Change—3 Ways to Get Unstuck and Transform Guilt and Regret

📖 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!
• 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

Today’s Scripture is: Proverbs 4:20-23

Many of us have been taught that setting limits is selfish — that real love means giving without reserve. This episode makes the case, from both scripture and science, that boundaries are not walls against love but what protect love's integrity.

We'll explore:

-The research on compassion fatigue and what happens neurologically when we chronically override our own limits

-The full context of Proverbs 4 — and why the wisdom writer connects attentiveness to your inner life with health to your whole body

-Why guarding your heart is not a selfish act, but an act of profound faithfulness to God and the people you love

To Go Deeper:

Visit my blog, and type "boundaries" into the search bar.

Visit my podcast, and type "boundaries" into the search bar.

For more on external boundaries, see The Best of You or click here to get the first 3 chapters free

For more on internal boundaries, see Boundaries For Your Soul, or click here to get free resources.

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: Mark 8:34–36

**Today's devotional is in response to listener requests.**

This episode tackles one of the most misused phrases in all of scripture — and one that has caused real harm for a lot of people. We look at what Jesus was actually calling us toward, through the lens of psychology and the concept of the true and false self.

We explore:

-The difference between denying the false self and erasing your personhood

-How fear-based identity forms — and why it's not the truest version of who you are

-Why "take up your cross" is not an invitation to accept abuse, toxic relationships, or depression as God's will

-Jesus as a model of strength, not smallness — and what that means for us

To Go Deeper:

Blog post: What Does It Really Mean to Deny Yourself

Get the first 3 chapters free of The Best of You

Episode 56: Am I Really Supposed to Die To Myself?

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 27:10-14

This episode explores the psychology of attachment wounds through the lens of Psalm 27—one of scripture's most honest cries about being left behind.

We explore:

-what neuroscience tells us about how early attachment experiences literally shape brain architecture

-why our nervous systems stay on alert long after the original wound,

-how the psalmist's declaration speaks directly into that place.

We also explore the research on prayer and the brain, and what it might mean for our nervous systems to slowly experience being held.

To Go Deeper:

Episode 16: What are Attachment Styles and Why do They Matter?

Episode 136: Sacred Attachment—Escaping Spiritual Exhaustion and Trusting in Divine Love with Michael John Cusick

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

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

📖 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

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:

📖 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!
• 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.

*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

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)

📖 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!

• Cozy Earth - Cozy up in every day luxury bedding and their bamboo pajamas and physically feel your nervous system take a breath. Head to Cozyearth.com and use my code BESTOFYOU for up to 20% off.

• Caraway - Save even more on non-toxic cookware and get an additional 10% off your order when you visit Carawayhome.com/BESTOFYOU or use code BESTOFYOU at checkout.

*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

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

📖 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!
• MOSH - Save 20% shipping plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack or the plant-based trial pack when you visit MoshLife.com/BESTOFYOU.

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: 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

Episode 167: Can I Pray My Anxiety Away?

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

📖 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!
• Cozy Earth - Cozy up in every day luxury bedding and their bamboo pajamas and physically feel your nervous system take a breath. Head to Cozyearth.com and use my code BESTOFYOU for up to 20% off.
• 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.

*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