The Best of You

Today's Scripture: Hebrews 11:1, 8, 13

It's often easier to trust God when life is going according to plan. But what happens when the future becomes uncertain, your prayers seem unanswered, or the outcome you've hoped for remains out of reach?Hebrews 11 offers a surprising picture of faith—one that makes room for both deep trust and honest uncertainty.We explore:

The paradox of faith: finding solid ground amid uncertainty

What Abraham's story teaches us about stepping into the unknown

Why faith doesn't guarantee the outcomes we hope for

How to trust God without bypassing fear, disappointment, or doubt

Go Deeper:

For more on navigating uncertainty and the complexities of faith, explore The Best of You and I Shouldn't Feel This Way

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 you do the hard work of becoming healthier, but the people and systems around you keep pulling you back into old patterns?

In this conversation, Dr. Alison welcomes therapist, leadership coach, and podcast host Rebecca Ching, LMFT to explore the powerful influence that families, workplaces, churches, and communities have on our ability to grow. They unpack what happens when one person’s healing challenges the status quo, why certain people become labeled as the problem, and how deeply ingrained patterns can keep unhealthy dynamics in place.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Why the person identified as the problem might actually be revealing something much bigger.

What happens when personal growth disrupts the unspoken rules of a family, workplace, or faith community.

The subtle red flags that can be easy to miss when an unhealthy dynamic feels familiar.

How to recognize when it's time to challenge the status quo, create space, and listen to what your inner world is telling you.

Together, they look at the tension between belonging and becoming, the signals that a system may not be as healthy as it appears, and what it takes to recognize our own role in these patterns without taking responsibility for everyone else’s behavior.

About Rebecca Ching:

Rebecca Ching, LMFT, PCC, is a leadership developer, psychotherapist, professional certified coach, entrepreneur, writer, speaker, and podcast host. She brings a systemic approach to helping individuals and teams navigate growth, relationships, and meaningful change. Rebecca is a Certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist, EMDR Certified Therapist, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Consultant, and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. She is also an IFSI Approved Clinical Consultant, Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, EMDR Consultant-in-Training, and polyvagal-informed practitioner and systemic team coach.

More Resources:

Learn more about Rebecca Ching and The Unburdened Leader podcast 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

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!

StoryWorth - Give your loved ones a unique keepsake you’ll all cherish for years—Storyworth! Right now, save up to $20 during Storyworth’s Holiday sale when you go to STORYWORTH.com/bestofyou! That’s STORYWORTH.com/bestofyou to save up to $20 on your order!

Remi - Use code BESTOFYOU to get 55% off your new night guard from now until the end of this month with Remi Club. Go to shopremi.com/BESTOFYOU and use code BESTOFYOU at checkout for 55% off this month with Remi Club. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to save up to 75% this month on select bundles while supplies last!

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!

Head to AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promocode BESTOFYOU AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back. Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water with this exclusive, podcast-only offer now at AquaTru.com using promo 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

Today's Scripture: Exodus 18:13–24 (selected verses)

Have you ever had someone who loves you point out something about yourself that you didn't want to hear? Even when feedback comes from someone we trust, it can be uncomfortable to discover a blind spot. An encounter between Moses and his father-in-law, Jethro, offers a powerful picture of what becomes possible when we're willing to speak honestly—and humble enough to listen.We explore:

Why even wise, capable people have blind spots

The difference between being nice and being genuinely kind

What makes it possible to receive difficult feedback

How honest conversations deepen trust and help us grow

Go Deeper:

For more on naming what's hard in ourselves and our relationships check out 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

Today's Scripture: John 8:2–11

What happens when our certainty that we're right causes us to lose sight of another person's humanity? In a powerful encounter with a woman publicly humiliated by religious leaders, Jesus demonstrates a remarkable kind of strength. His response challenges the cruelty we sometimes justify in the name of righteousness—and offers a different way to confront wrongdoing.We explore:

Why moral certainty can sometimes lead to cruelty

How Jesus confronts public humiliation without becoming cruel

The subtle ways we justify dehumanizing people we disagree with

What it means to stand for truth without losing compassion

Go Deeper:

Episode 176: Love in the Age of Violence

Episode 101: Exploring the Violence that Shapes Our Family Stories & How to Heal with Lisa Jo Baker

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: Proverbs 13:12

Have you ever wanted something so deeply that the longer you wait, the more you begin to doubt yourself? Whether it's a relationship, an opportunity, or a dream you've worked toward for years, unfulfilled longing can create an exhausting inner battle between hope and fear. How do you honor what you deeply desire without becoming consumed by an outcome you can't control? explore:

Why prolonged waiting can intensify both longing and self-doubt

The hidden fears underneath our urge to give up

How to hold hope and radical acceptance together

A simple exercise for tending to the parts of you that long and doubt

Go Deeper:

For more on navigating unmet longings and caring for your inner world, explore related reflections at dralisoncook.com/blog.

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