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.
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Episode 119: Drawing Strength from the Past —The Spirit of Justice & True Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance with Dr. Jemar Tisby
Episode 119
Thursday, September 5, 2024 • Duration 48:11
It was an absolute honor to sit down with New York Times bestselling author & public historian Dr. Jemar Tisby for an incredibly rich conversation about his brand new book,The Spirit of Justice. We discuss his own story of coming to faith and what led him to explore stories of Black Christians who tirelessly pursued healing, goodness, and justice against impossible odds.
Here’s what we cover:
1. The impact of culture on mental & emotional health
2. The double-edged sword of religion
3. The dissonance Jemar felt as a Black Christian in predominantly white settings
4. The lifelines who helped him shore up his faith
5. What is the spirit of justice?
6. Jemar’s thoughts on therapy
7. What stories of resistance teach us about following Jesus
Get Jemar Tisby's new book The Spirit of Justice here.
Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.
Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to SundaysForDogs.com/BESTOFYOU or use code BESTOFYOU at checkout.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BESTOFYOU and get on your way to being your best self.
Go to thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!
Visit cozyearth.com and unlock an exclusive 35% off with code BESTOFYOU.
Music by Andy Luiten
Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.
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Episode 118: Types of Therapy, the Importance of Trauma-Informed Care, & the Role of Sin in Therapy
Episode 118
Thursday, August 29, 2024 • Duration 37:15
Today, Cindy and I are tackling your questions about therapy, shedding light on research, common challenges, and insights to help you on your own healing journey! Here's what we cover:
1. Which modality should I use (DBT / CBT / IFS / EMDR)? (4:30)
2. What is the most important factor in getting results? (8:53)
3. What is trauma-informed therapy? (10:07)
4. How do therapists deal with getting triggered by a client? (16:03)
6. What if I’m “too much” for my therapist? (21:51)
7. Does therapy take the role of sin too lightly? (24:28)
Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here.
If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:
Episode 67: The Link Between Faith & Emotional Healing—Gen Z, College Life, & A Hidden Search for Meaning with Cindy Gao
Episode 70: Mastering the Art of Emotional Intelligence—How to Harness the Power of Your Emotions to Improve Your Relationships
Episode 23: Am I wounded or am I sinful?
Episode 113: A New Vision of Human Flourishing—A Christian Approach to Mental Health with Duke University Psychiatrist & Theologian Warren Kinghorn
Thanks to our sponsors:
Register for the Broken to Beloved Conference today
Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BESTOFYOU and get on your way to being your best self.
Go to thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!
Visit cozyearth.com and unlock an exclusive 35% off with code BESTOFYOU.
Music by Andy Luiten
Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 109: Healing Burdens From the Past—How to Overcome Childhood Wounds and Heal Your Younger Self with Tammy Sollenberger
Thursday, June 27, 2024 • Duration 55:43
Do you ever struggle with negative beliefs about yourself, even though you know they aren't true?
We all carry burdens that we pick up in childhood, and these burdens can be surprisingly persistent. Today's guest, therapist, author of The One Inside, & host of The One Inside IFS podcast, Tammy Sollenberger shares her journey of healing her younger self from these painful burdens.
Here's what we cover:
The surprising way we can connect with God's healing
Why we pick up burdens in childhood
How Tammy healed her burden of "I'm not wanted"
The impact of childhood burdens on marriage and parenting
The spiritual practices that have helped Tammy heal
Find the transcript and resources from the episode here.
Want to receive free bonus content? Sign up for my free weekly email here.
If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:
Episode 108: Inside Out—Internal Family Systems, Therapy, and High-Performing Protectors with Jenna Riemersma
Thanks to our sponsors:
Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.
Sign up for AromaTru's Insider Club today and you'll receive a FREE Waterless Oil Diffuser and a FREE lemon eucalyptus oil - that's over $200 in savings. Head to aromatruorganics.com/bestofyou to take advantage of this exclusive offer.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BESTOFYOU and get on your way to being your best self.
Head over to WildHealth.com/BESTOFYOU and use code BESTOFYOU at checkout for 20% off!
Whether you're exploring distant lands or enjoying a staycation at home, Cozy Earth has your back. Visit cozyearth.com and unlock an exclusive 35% off with code BESTOFYOU.
Go to thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!
Music by Andy Luiten / Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 21: Making and Keeping A Promise to Yourself
Thursday, September 22, 2022 • Duration 37:59
Today on The Best of You podcast, we're starting a new series on Boundaries and the Bible. And we're starting with what I call the Yes Side of No.
So many of us struggle with setting external boundaries because we keep the focus on the other person. But the work of setting boundaries starts inside of you.
In today's episode, I walk you through how to build to trust with yourself from the inside out. Here's what we cover:
1. Why I don’t believe boundaries start with No
2. Can I really learn to trust myself?
3. What about sin?
4. What is an internal (vs. external) locus of control and why does it matter?
5. Examples of promises you can make to parts of you carrying pain
6. Examples of promises you can make to your body
7. A challenge to you that we'll circle back to next week.
Thanks to our sponsor Organifi —Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today!
Get your print, ebook, or audio copy of The Best of You anywhere books are sold.
Find a list of resources and the full transcript for this episode here.
Music by Andy Luiten
Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 20: Making Peace with Yourself (& Facing Your Fear of Disappointing Other People)
Thursday, September 15, 2022 • Duration 31:09
Sometimes living at peace with other people, means living at peace with disappointing them.
It’s incredibly important to balance your responsibility to other people with a deep sense of responsibility to your God-given self. It’s not only good for you. It’s good for other people.
Living at peace with yourself is a process of figuring out that balance. Here's what we cover in today's podcast episode:
1. How to make peace with yourself
2. Making friends with yourself
3. Living at peace with others
4. Facing your fear of disappointing other people
5. How Jesus disappointed people
6. How to disappoint people with integrity
Thanks to our sponsor Organifi —Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today!
Find a list of resources and the full transcript for this episode here.
Music by Andy Luiten
Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 19: My Stroke, A Process of Healing, and How I Began to Write The Best of You
Thursday, September 8, 2022 • Duration 18:41
At the exact moment I began to bring The Best of You to life, I encountered a trauma that would literally knock me off my feet, forcing me to test everything I hoped to write about. This week is the 2-year anniversary of that trauma. It’s unbelievable to me that this book is coming out next week on 9/13.
In today’s episode, I read this very personal story from the introduction of The Best of You, along with some added commentary. It’s a tender story. Thank you for holding it with me.
Thanks to our sponsor Organifi —Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today!
Preorder The Best of You and take advantage of all the bonus resources until midnight on 9/12.
Find a list of resources and the full transcript for this episode here
Music by Andy Luiten Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 18: Selfhood vs. Selfishness
Thursday, September 1, 2022 • Duration 35:56
This week on the podcast, we’re talking about selfhood. Many of us have been taught that "self" is bad. But there’s a big difference between selfhood and selfishness. Furthermore being selfless is not always the right choice.
Reclaiming a healthy sense of self is not opposed to faith. In fact, learning to honor yourself goes hand-in-hand with honoring the One who made you.
I get personal this week, because this journey is deeply personal for me. We discuss:
1. My own story of loving God but not having a self
2. What is the difference between selfhood and selfishness?
3. Why is selfhood key to healthy relationships?
4. How selfhood is the missing first step to setting healthy boundaries
5. What does the bible have to say about selfhood?
6. Jesus’s example of selfhood
Thanks to our sponsor Better Help —Go to www.betterhelp.com/bestofyou and use code BESTOFYOU for 10% off your first month!
Find a list of resources and the full transcript for this episode here.
Music by Andy Luiten
Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 17: What is Church Hurt and How do I Heal?
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • Duration 41:58
Today’s podcast episode is all about church hurt. A church is a family—at its best it’s a place to learn about God, a place to heal, and a place to give & receive in community. But just like any family, when leadership turns toxic the results are devastating. You have so many questions for me about the pain that comes at the hands of a church family. I enter into today’s episode with a spirit of reverence and a prayer for all who have been hurt in this way.
1. What is church hurt?
2. The problem with the term church hurt
3. Why anyone with power (pastors, leaders, parents, and yes, even therapists!) hold great responsibility
4. Examples of church hurt
5. 3 Red Flags for toxic church cultures
6. The problem with groupthink
7. How do I heal from church hurt?
Key Point:
God doesn't force, control, or manipulate you. God meets you where you are tenderly, and He wants to restore the goodness in your life that was taken away from you by an abusive leader.
Thanks to our sponsor Better Help —Go to www.betterhelp.com/bestofyou and use code BESTOFYOU for 10% off your first month!
Find a list of resources and the full transcript for this episode here
Music by Andy Luiten
Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 16: What are attachment styles and why does it matter?
Thursday, August 18, 2022 • Duration 40:57
Today’s podcast episode is one of your top requests: it’s all about attachment. Be sure to listen to the end for my thoughts on how attachment wounds impact our human relationships and our experience of a loving God. Here’s what we discuss:
1. Why I think we’re not just one attachment style
2. What are 4 different attachment styles?
3. Can your attachment style change?
4. The key ingredient that creates attachment
5. How to create secure attachment with your own children
6. Why our attachment styles create confusion in our adult relationships
7. A picture of healthy attachment from a favorite old movie
8. My thoughts on God and attachment
Thanks to our sponsor Organifi —Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today!
Find a list of resources and the full transcript for this episode here.
Music by Andy Luiten
Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 15: CPTSD—The Pain of A Million Paper Cuts
Thursday, August 11, 2022 • Duration 40:51
Today’s podcast episode is packed. Phew! You wanted to talk CPTSD (or complex trauma) so that’s where we’re going, with a side note on trauma & faith communities and some thoughts on what it *really* means to find safety in other people.
1. What is CPTSD?
2. What are the symptoms of CPTSD?
3. How does it impact healthy self-trust & an experience of safety in other people?
4. Why I don’t believe you are a label
5. My thoughts on trauma and faith communities
6. 4 key ways to heal from CPTSD
Thanks to our sponsor Organifi —Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today!
Preorder The Best of You
Register for 5 Toxic Behaviors & How to Protect Yourself
Find a list of resources and the full transcript for this episode here.
Sign up to receive Dr. Cook’s weekly email and receive 2 free e-books and a guided prayer reflection at https://www.dralisoncook.com/books/boundaries-for-your-soul.
Music by Andy Luiten
Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik
While Dr. Cook is a counselor, the content of this podcast and any of the products provided by Dr. Cook are not specific counseling advice nor are they a substitute for individual counseling. The content and products provided on this podcast are for informational purposes only.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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