The Best of You
Join therapist and author, Dr. Alison Cook, as she guides you through some of your toughest challenges with wisdom, kindness, and grace. Together with friends and experts we'll unpack the best of psychology from a faith-based perspective. You’ll discover how to break free from painful patterns, mend your past, and discover what brings out the best of you.
Episodes
July 17, 2025 • 48 mins
What if anxiety isn’t something to pray away—or push down—but an invitation to deeper healing?
In this week’s re-air of one of our most downloaded episodes, Dr. Alison sits down with theologian and mental health advocate Curtis Chang about how anxiety can actually become a doorway to your truest self in God.
We explore:
🌿 Curtis's personal journey through debilitating anxiety
🌿 How Jesus himself experienced anxiety—and what...
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July 10, 2025 • 38 mins
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your emotions or stuck in patterns of self-criticism, this episode offers a practical path forward rooted in both psychology and spiritual wisdom.
In this powerful re-air of a foundational episode, Dr. Alison Cook introduces the transformative approach behind Boundaries for Your Soul. Drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Christian faith, Alison shares how to lead your inner life with cl...
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Is summer leaving you more frazzled than refreshed? Between travel, family gatherings, long days, and shifting routines, summer can test your limits in unexpected ways. If you’re feeling stretched thin, resentful, or just plain exhausted—this episode will be your step by step practical guide to resetting your boundaries.
Backed by recent research and years of experience, Dr. Alison walks you through why boundaries are essential ...
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What if your story—even the complicated parts—could become a doorway to deeper faith?
In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Alison Cook is joined by author and professor Dr. Esau McCaulley, whose journey is a powerful example of how owning your story—even the hard parts—can lead to growth, healing, and deeper purpose.
Together they explore how to reflect on your past with clarity, how to honor your roots while still moving forward,...
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What do you do when the very place that was supposed to nourish your soul becomes a source of deep harm?
In this deeply moving and necessary conversation, therapist, pastor, and trauma specialist Rachael Clinton Chen joins Dr. Alison Cook to talk about the pain of spiritual abuse—and what it looks like to begin healing from it.
Whether you’ve experienced overt harm in a religious setting or carry subtle wounds from spiritual ...
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What happens when repair in your family isn’t possible—at least not yet?
In this powerful follow-up to last week’s conversation on family pain, psychologist and author Dr. Joshua Coleman sits with me as we explore the heartbreak and complexity of family estrangement—from both sides of the story.
With deep compassion and personal insight, Dr. Coleman shares what he’s learned through decades of research—and from his own journey...
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What do you do when your family is the source of your deepest wounds? How do you hold onto your identity without cutting off the people who raised you?
In this transformative conversation, therapist and relationship coach Jerry Wise discusses the concept of self-differentiation—a powerful framework for healing from family dysfunction without shame or blame.
Whether you’re navigating complex family ties, considering going no c...
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What do you do with the ache of not feeling wanted? The part of you that wonders if you’ll ever truly belong?
In this powerful conversation with IFS therapist and author Tammy Sollenberger, we explore how the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model helps you turn toward those tender places inside—rather than pushing them away.
This conversation originally struck a deep chord with listeners—and it feels especially relevant right now. ...
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I’m joined by the brilliant and beautifully honest Dr. Heather Thompson Day for a conversation on spiritual wrestling. Heather’s latest book, What If I’m Wrong? Navigating the Waves of Fear and Failure explores what happens when the faith you once relied on starts to unravel.
Heather shares openly about her father’s battle with Alzheimer’s, the spiritual crisis it triggered, and the years she spent in what she calls “spiritual d...
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What if your most distressing thoughts aren’t who you are—but a signal pointing to pain that needs healing?
Therapist and author Monica DiCristina joins me to talk about the deeper emotional and spiritual wounds that often lie beneath distressing thoughts.
Monica shares her personal journey with trauma-related intrusive thoughts and the power of finally naming what hurt.
We also explore what to do when intrusive thoughts show ...
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May 8, 2025 • 28 mins
We're tackling a topic that continues to strike a chord with so many of you: how to make a change when you're stuck between loyalty and growth, guilt and freedom, regret and redemption.
If you’ve ever struggled with a complicated relationship or wrestled with the quiet shame of feeling stuck, this episode is for you.
We explore:
The 3 brave paths you can take when a relationship feels hard.
A powerful story of a woman confronti...
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What if fear isn’t a warning sign—but a signal you’re stepping into something that matters?
I’m joined by the brilliant and creative Mary Marantz to explore why fear often shows up right before a breakthrough—and how to stop seeing it as a reason to back down.
We also get into:* How fear hides behind perfectionism, people-pleasing, and procrastination* The surprising link between fear and creativity* Why grief is often the first ...
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April 24, 2025 • 38 mins
Why do I feel guilty for protecting my time or energy?
Is this a boundary—or am I just avoiding someone?
Boundaries stir up a lot of emotions. But what if they’re not about building walls, avoiding people, or being “selfish”?
In this episode, I share a deeply personal and surprising take on what boundaries truly are—and why they matter more than you think.
You'll hear:
*Why healthy boundaries begin not with rejection, but with...
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April 17, 2025 • 32 mins
If you’ve ever felt emotionally exhausted—even while doing all the “right” things—this episode is for you.
I’m sharing a personal story and unpacking something I see in so many women I work with: the quiet, often unnoticed pattern of denying your own needs in the name of being kind, helpful, or faithful.
We’ll talk about how these patterns take root, how faith communities can unknowingly reinforce them, and why that emotional exhau...
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This week, I’m joined by someone whose work has profoundly shaped my own healing journey—Dr. Hillary McBride. A psychologist, researcher, author, and speaker, Hillary is a leading voice in the integration of embodiment, spirituality, and trauma recovery. We discuss her personal story as well as themes from her powerful new book, Holy Hurt: Understanding Spiritual Trauma and the Process of Healing.
Whether you’ve struggled with body...
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April 7, 2025 • 23 mins
Do you feel constantly driven to get everything right—to be the perfect partner, parent, worker, or friend? On this week's solo episode, Dr. Alison explores the hidden relationship between perfectionism and anxiety, revealing how trying to be perfect is often a disguised way of managing deeper fears.
You'll discover:
* Why perfectionism is rarely about actually being perfect.
* The main ways anxiety cleverly disguises itself.
* The...
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Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the invisible yet relentless responsibilities that occupy your mind every single day? You’re not alone. In today’s insightful conversation, Dr. Alison welcomes psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Morgan Cutlip, author of a brand new book, A Better Share, to unpack the complexities of the mental load. Dr. Cutlip brings clarity and practical strategies to a topic that often creates tension and mis...
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In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Alison talks with Sheila Wray Gregoire, groundbreaking author of The Great Sex Rescue. They confront harmful misconceptions about sexual intimacy within Christian marriages, amplifying the often-overlooked voices of women.
Sheila shares powerful insights drawn from her extensive research involving over 20,000 Christian women, challenging damaging narratives and revealing startling truths about...
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March 20, 2025 • 36 mins
In this week’s episode, Dr. Alison explores the pervasive issue of narcissism—a term that's become increasingly relevant in today's culture. From toxic relationships to leadership failures, the influence of narcissism is widespread, affecting many without us even realizing it. Dr. Alison explains what it is and offers strategies to protect ourselves from its insidious effects.
You'll discover:
* The true meaning of narcissism beyon...
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March 13, 2025 • 53 mins
In this episode, Dr. Dan Allender, a pioneer in Christian counseling and founder of The Allender Center, joins Dr. Alison to explore the raw, real work of marriage, trauma, and intimacy. Known for his groundbreaking book, The Wounded Heart, Allender has spent decades teaching how personal trauma shapes relationships. And on the very day of his 48th wedding anniversary, he openly shares how these dynamics continue to play out in his...
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