The Best of You

Apr 10 2025 157 ep. 46 mins 316
The Best of You Podcast artwork

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.

  Health & Fitness
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Episode 153: Embodied Healing, Spiritual Trauma, and the Journey Home to Your Body with Dr. Hillary McBride

Apr 10 2025 53 mins  
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

Episode 152: The Anxiety Beneath Perfectionism—Why Trying Harder Won't Set You Free

Apr 07 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. * T

Episode 151: The Hidden Reason You Feel Overwhelmed—Understanding the Mental Load with Dr. Morgan Cutlip

Apr 03 2025 43 mins  
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 s

Episode 150: The Great Sex Rescue—Debunking Harmful Messages About Intimacy in Christian Marriage with Sheila Wray Gregoire

Mar 27 2025 40 mins  
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 damag

Episode 149: Narcissism in the Bible—5 Toxic Behaviors to Avoid & How to Protect Your Soul

Mar 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.

Episode 148: The Truth About Marriage—Dan Allender on Healing, Intimacy & Hard Fights

Mar 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 sh

Episode 147: The Hidden Trauma of Being the Chosen Child & a Path Toward Healing—Making Sense of Your Family Story with Therapist Adam Young

Mar 06 2025 47 mins  
In this powerful episode, Dr. Alison welcomes Adam Young, a psychotherapist and author of the new book, “Make Sense of Your Story”, to dive into the complexities of family dynamics, and how the stories we tell about our families shape our adult lives. Adam shares his personal experiences and professional insights on how being triangulated within his family as a child impacted h

Episode 146 BONUS: Why Fun Matters, the Difference Between Escape & Relief, and a Journey Through Loss with Annie F. Downs

Mar 03 2025 50 mins  
In this special bonus episode of The Best of You podcast, Dr. Alison welcomes Annie F. Downs, New York Times bestselling author and founder of the That Sounds Fun network. Together, they explore the balance between joy and hardship, and the crucial differences between escapism and genuine relief. Annie also shares the poignant story behind her new children’s book, Where Did TJ Go

Episode 145: From Rejection to Redemption—Transforming Your Rejection Story Into One of Loving Empowerment

Feb 27 2025 34 mins  
This week Dr. Alison dives into a heartfelt exploration of rejection, including how we internalize rejection from early life experiences, and how these moments shape our sensitivity to social dynamics and self-perception later in life. Dr. Alison shares personal stories and scientific insights to unpack the physical and emotional impacts of rejection, offering a pathway to healing

Episode 144: Healing the Soul Through Encounters with Jesus Featuring John Eldredge

Feb 20 2025 51 mins  
In this profoundly insightful episode, Dr. Alison explores the often overlooked "young places" within our souls with John Eldredge, New York Times bestselling author, counselor, and the author of the new book Experience Jesus. Really. Together, they explore how these inner areas of wounding can lead to transformative encounters with Jesus, providing opportunities for deeper healing