The Best of You

Welcome to The Best of You Every Day.

Today’s Scripture is: Psalm 23

Go Deeper:

Episode 176: Intimacy with God in a Noisy World

Episode 191: The 5 Most Important Things I've Learned About Faith, Attachment, & The Inner Life

Find rest for your soul through a guided audio reflection here or check out my book with Kimberly Miller, Boundaries For Your Soul.

Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook

⁠Sign up⁠ for Dr. Alison’s free weekly email 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

Welcome to The Best of You Every Day.

Today’s Scripture is: Romans 12:9–18

Go Deeper:

Episode 194: Discernment in Relationships: How to Stay Connected Without Losing Yourself

Read more about becoming your true self & healthy boundary setting here.

Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisoncook/?hl=en

⁠Sign up⁠ for Dr. Alison’s free weekly email 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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“A joyful heart is good medicine.”

But not the kind of joy you fake.

In this episode, Dr. Alison explores the difference between healthy humor and harmful humor — and why that distinction matters for your nervous system, your relationships, and your spiritual formation.

Humor can soothe.

It can bond.

It can bring relief.

But it can also deflect.

Minimize.

Or quietly wound.

You’ll learn:

Why humor can feel safe for one person and threatening for another

How teasing can create intimacy… or erode it

What it looks like to practice discernment without shaming yourself

Why “getting your joy back” is often a sign of real healing

This conversation is part of Pillar Three in Dr. Cook’s Four Pillars series: Joy & Delight — not as a personality trait or a passing mood, but as a practice of inner formation.

Because joy is not just an emotional expression.

It’s a signal.

When your nervous system begins to feel safe enough to soften, laughter shifts.

Delight becomes accessible.

Connection deepens.

And sometimes the kind of humor you practice reveals more about your healing than you realize.

More Resources:

Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram @dralisoncook 

Join the 80,000+ soul menders in our email community and receive weekly reflections and gentle practices here.

If you liked this episode, then you’ll love:

Episode 191: The 5 Most Important Things I've Learned About Faith, Attachment, & The Inner Life

Episode 194: When Relationships Start to Drain You—Using Discernment to Stay Connected Without Losing Yourself

Episode 111: How to Transforms Parenting Triggers & Blind Spots Into Growth & Connection With Beth McCord

📖 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!


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


MOSH - Fuel your brain and save 20% shipping plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack or the plant-based trial pack when you visit MoshLife.com/BESTOFYOU.


Aqua Tru - Join 98% of customers who have made their drinking water cleaner, safer, & healthier by visiting AquaTru.com and use promo code BESTOFYOU to get 20% off today!


Cozy Earth - Cozy up in every day luxury bedding and their bamboo pajamas and physically feel your nervous system take a breath. Head to Cozyearth.com and use my code BESTOFYOU for up to 20% off.

*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

Welcome to The Best of You Every Day.

Today’s Scripture is: Lamentations 3:19–26

Go Deeper:

Episode 190: Self-Brain Surgery, Overcoming Trauma, and the Courage to Change How You Think with Dr. Lee Warren

Episode 158: Your Pain Has a Name: The Deeper Hurt Behind Distressing Thoughts with Monica DiCristina

Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisoncook/?hl=en

⁠Sign up⁠ for Dr. Alison’s free weekly email 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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Best of You Every Day.

Today’s Scripture is: John 20:24–29

Go Deeper:

Episode 159: Spiritual Drowning, Honest Questions, and a God Who Doesn’t Let Go with Heather Thompson Day

Episode 74: The Neurobiology of Hope and How to Find Hope in Hard Times with Dr. Curt Thompson

Follow Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook

⁠Sign up⁠ for Dr. Alison’s free weekly email 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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices