The Best of You

Today's Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–18

How do you become stronger on the inside when fear, doubt, or temptation threatens to pull you off course? In today's episode, we explore Paul's powerful image of the armor of God—and what it means to develop inner strength without relying on willpower alone.

We explore:

What it really means to be strong in God

The surprising connection between our choices and God's power

How to understand spiritual warfare without becoming fixated

What helps us stand firm when life feels overwhelming

Go Deeper:

Read: The Secure Soul and The Secure Soul Companion Guide

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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Would we rather be in control than happy?

What happens when science, therapy, and sheer determination can't fix what's broken? Is there another way forward?

Dr. Anna Lembke, Stanford psychiatrist and bestselling author of Dopamine Nation, joins us for a fascinating conversation about her new book, Radical Surrender: Letting Go in a World Addicted to Control.

Anna shares how profound personal loss challenged everything she believed about control, accomplishment, and her place in the world—and led her to an unexpected spiritual awakening.

We explore:

Why our best efforts sometimes aren't enough

When control becomes a substitute for faith

The surprising connection between surrender and transformation

How to let go of control without giving up our agency

How surrender changes us and our relationships

How prayer can become a practice of surrender

Together, Dr. Alison and Dr. Lembke explore the surprising intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and spirituality.

About Dr. Anna Lembke:

Dr. Anna Lembke is a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. An internationally recognized expert in addiction medicine, she has published more than 100 scholarly works. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.

Get Dr. Anna Lembke’s new book: Radical Surrender: Letting Go in a World Addicted to Control

Learn more about Dr. Anna Lembke here.

Get exclusive access to the first 2 chapters of Dr. Alison’s newest book, ⁠The Secure Soul⁠.

Connect further with ⁠@dralisoncook⁠ on Instagram

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

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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: Jonah 4:1–11

What happens when your anger is justified—but begins to take over? Anger can alert us to injustice, protect us from harm, and help us recognize what matters. But it can also keep us trapped in our own perspective. Through the surprising story of Jonah, we explore what happens when anger becomes entitlement—and how to find a wiser way forward.

We explore:

The difference between feeling anger and becoming consumed by it

Why needing to be "right" can keep us stuck

What anger reveals about our need for control

How to honor anger without losing perspective

Go Deeper:

Read Boundaries for Your 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: Luke 12:1–7

What happens when the people who are supposed to represent God's love use fear, shame, or control instead? Jesus has some surprisingly strong words for religious leaders who misuse their influence. Today, we explore what happens when religious hypocrisy distorts our view of God—and how to begin finding our way back to what is true.

We explore:

The hidden danger of religious hypocrisy

When spiritual authority becomes manipulation

Why questioning a leader can feel so threatening

What Jesus says to those who've been hurt

Go Deeper:

Read The Best of You: Breaking Free from Painful Patterns, Mending the Past, and Discovering Your True Self in God

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 142:1–5

How do you learn to be content when you're lonely and longing for companionship? Inspired by a listener's heartfelt question, today's episode explores how to honor the ache of loneliness without letting fear determine the rest of your story.

We explore:

Why loneliness isn't a failure of faith

What to do with the fear of being alone forever

What contentment really means

How to hold both longing and hope

Go Deeper:

Ryan Kuja's post

Episode 134: A Personal Journey Through OCD with Therapist Ryan Kuja

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