The Best of You

Today's Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1–11If you feel stuck in a season that won’t change, this episode offers a grounded, compassionate way to navigate uncertainty without forcing what isn’t ready.

We explore:*Emotional stuckness and waiting*Anxiety about the future*Control vs. surrender*Finding peace in the uncertaintyEmail us at [email protected] with topics or passages you'd like us to cover!
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Today's Scripture: Matthew 20:1–16Ever notice how quickly comparison can steal your peace—even when life is going well? In this episode, Dr. Alison explores the psychology of social comparison and how it shapes your sense of worth, helping you move from insecurity to grounded confidence .

We explore:*Social comparison and insecurity*Why comparison feels like a threat*Letting go of keeping score*Finding peace in your own storyGo Deeper:Episode 183: The Real Reason You Compare Yourself—and How to Heal ItRead my free e-book She's Better Than Me here
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Today's Scripture: Psalm 127:1–2If you feel constantly exhausted, it may not be about doing too much—but about carrying what was never yours to carry. In this episode, Dr. Alison explores Psalm 127 and the concept of “anxious toil,” integrating attachment theory and nervous system insight to help you release over-responsibility and rediscover rest.

We explore:*Overfunctioning and burnout*Hypervigilance and the nervous system*How we start to build the wrong thingGo Deeper:Episode 138: Breaking Free from Overfunctioning—Discover the Hidden Costs of Always Being 'The Responsible One’Check out our new webpage here
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Today’s Scripture is: 1 Thessalonians 5:9–11

In a culture that prizes independence, this episode offers a countercultural truth: healing happens in connection. Drawing on both Scripture and research on community and mental health, Dr. Alison explores how small, consistent relationships can restore your sense of belonging.

In this episode:

*Why community is essential for emotional health

*Research on connection, resilience, and well-being

*The power of micro-connections (small, daily interactions)

*How to rebuild trust after relational hurt or church hurt

*What mutual, healthy connection really looks like

Go Deeper:

Episode 17: What is Church Hurt and How do I Heal It?

Episode 181: The Healing Power of Safe People (Not Just Safe Spaces)

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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When a diagnosis, chronic illness, or unexpected health challenge enters your life, it can divide your story into a before and after. And often, we don’t have language for what’s happening beneath the surface.

In this episode, Dr. Alison and Dr. James C. Jackson explore the concept of medical trauma—and how it impacts not just your body, but your identity, your relationships, and your sense of meaning.

Because medical trauma isn’t just about what happened to you physically.

It’s about what it begins to reshape internally—your sense of safety, control, and who you are.

If you’ve ever felt disoriented, overwhelmed, or like life doesn’t fit the way it used to… this conversation will help you understand why and what healing can look like.

You’ll explore:


What medical trauma is and why it’s often overlooked


The psychological impact of diagnosis, chronic illness, and navigating healthcare


How suffering can reshape your identity—and how to gently reframe it


The role of community in healing and why support matters


What it means to live in the “both/and” of grief and hope

This conversation offers a compassionate path forward—helping you learn how to live with what’s hard without letting it define all of who you are.

Purchase Reclaiming Your Life From Medical Trauma here.

Connect further with @dralisoncook on Instagram

Want to go deeper? Join 80,000+ soul menders in our email community and receive weekly reflections and gentle practices on parts work here. 

Want to hear more like this? Start here:

Episode 64: Women’s Health—Menopause, Hormones, Depression and How to Advocate for Yourself Through Your Body’s Changes

Episode 19: My Stroke, A Process of Healing, and How I Began to Write The Best of You

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

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*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.‍

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