The Best of You

That Sounds Fun Network

  • 42 minutes 48 seconds
    Episode 143: Reparenting Your Younger Self—How to Stop Seeking Approval From Others & Find Inner Security

    Today, we're diving deep into something that touches so many of us—why we seek external validation and approval from others, and how healing our younger parts can set us free. If you've ever found yourself people-pleasing, perfecting, over-performing, or seeking approval from others, this episode is for you.We’ll explore:



    ✔️ Why younger parts of us drive our overfunctioning tendencies


    ✔️ How unmet childhood needs shape our patterns of guilt and perfectionism


    ✔️ The difference between external validation and true inner security


    ✔️ My own journey of reconnecting with an 8-year-old part of me (and how it changed everything)


    ✔️ Simple, practical ways you can start reparenting your younger self today


    Whether you're longing for more joy, play, and vitality—or you're ready to step off the hamster wheel of approval-seeking—this episode will give you tools to start reconnecting with the young parts of you that have been waiting for your attention.


    Have a question for Dr. Alison? Leave it here.

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

    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:


    • Episode 138: Breaking Free from Overfunctioning—Discover the Hidden Costs of Always Being 'The Responsible One’
    • Episode 140: If You Struggle with Guilt and Second-Guessing Yourself, This Will Set You Free – How to Stop Blaming Yourself for Things That Aren’t Your Fault
    • Episode 39: Boundaries for Your Soul—How to Navigate Your Overwhelming Thoughts & Feelings


    Thanks to our sponsors:

    • Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.
    • Go to puritywoods.com/BESTOFYOU or enter code BESTOFYOU at checkout for an additional 10% off your first order.
    • Go to Quince.com/bestofyou for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
    • Sign up for AromaTru's Insider Club today and you'll receive a FREE Waterless Oil Diffuser and a FREE lemon eucalyptus oil - that's over $200 in savings. Head to aromatruorganics.com/bestofyou to take advantage of this exclusive offer.


    Music by Andy Luiten

    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik

    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

    13 February 2025, 9:30 am
  • 47 minutes 15 seconds
    Episode 142 BONUS: Digital Detox—Surprising Insights from 7 Screen-Free Weeks with Monks & Amish Farmers Featuring Carlos Whittaker

    In this unmissable bonus episode, Dr. Alison chats with Carlos Whittaker, best-selling author and podcast host, about his life-changing experience of going screen-free for seven weeks.


    Immersing himself in the world of monks and Amish farmers, Carlos took a bold step away from the digital grind to reclaim his sense of connection with God, his community, and himself.


    Tune in to discover the profound life lessons Carlos learned from his digital detox, and how you, too, can find the simple joys of human connection in your daily life. You'll leave this episode inspired to make meaningful changes that enhance your connections with those around you!


    Pick up Carlos Whittaker's new book, Reconnected.

    Have a question for Dr. Alison? Leave it here.

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


    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:

    • Episode 36: An Update on My Social Media Detox & How to Create Boundaries With Toxic Distractions, Numbing, & Unhealthy Coping Tactics


    Thanks to our sponsor:


    Music by Andy Luiten

    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik

    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

    10 February 2025, 9:30 am
  • 48 minutes 19 seconds
    Episode 141: Unlocking Your True Power—How Self-Compassion Strengthens Resilience & Helps You Advocate For Yourself with Aundi Kolber

    Have you ever wondered how to transform daily stress into personal strength and resilience?


    In today's must-listen episode, Dr. Alison is joined by the incredible Aundi Kolber, a trauma therapist and bestselling author of Try Softer. You’ll hear the backstory behind Aundi's latest book, Take What You Need and learn tools needed to develop and practice self-compassion. This episode covers:


    * How to recognize when you're outside of your window of tolerance

    * What most of us have gotten wrong about developing resilience

    * The research behind self-compassion and why it leads to unexpected strength

    * A beautiful metaphor from the Bible to empower and encourage you on your own journey of healing


    Order Take What You Need here

    Have a question for Dr. Alison? Leave it here.

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


    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:

    • Episode 129: Understanding Anxiety—A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Calm, Advocating For Yourself, and Cultivating Inner Resilience


    Thanks to our sponsors:

    • This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BESTOFYOU and get on your way to being your best self.
    • Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/bestofyou and use code 25BESTOFYOU to get 25% off your first month.
    • Go to Quince.com/bestofyou for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!


    Music by Andy Luiten

    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik

    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

    6 February 2025, 9:30 am
  • 46 minutes 28 seconds
    Episode 140: If You Struggle with Guilt and Second-Guessing Yourself, This Will Set You Free – How to Stop Blaming Yourself for Things That Aren’t Your Fault

    Do you feel guilty for not doing enough—or take responsibility for things that aren’t yours to own?

    Today Dr. Alison tackles the complex feelings of guilt and self-doubt—what guilt truly is, why it can feel so crushing, and how it often stems from taking responsibility for things that aren’t yours to own. She shares from her own journey of overcoming excessive guilt and the life-changing perspective that finally set her free.


    Here’s what we cover:


    * How to distinguish between true guilt and false guilt, and why it matters

    * The #1 most important question to ask yourself when guilt takes over

    * 3 buried emotions underneath false guilt

    * Why excessive guilt damages your relationships

    * 3 steps to help you understand and manage the voice of guilt in your life


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

    Have a question for Dr. Alison? Leave it here.


    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:

    • Episode 93: 3 Ways to Stop Guilt-Tripping Yourself, Untangle Complicated Emotions, & Discover the Joy of Clarity


    Thanks to our sponsors:



    Music by Andy Luiten

    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik

    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

    30 January 2025, 9:30 am
  • 52 minutes 26 seconds
    Episode 139: IFS, the 12 Steps, and A Way to Heal When You’re Tempted to Numb Your Pain with Ian Morgan Cron

    What if the behaviors you turn to for comfort—whether it’s overworking, people-pleasing, or numbing out—aren’t the real problem, but rather a signal from a part of you that’s desperately trying to help?


    In this powerful and delightful episode, I sit down with Ian Morgan Cron—bestselling author and renowned Enneagram expert—to explore the fascinating intersections between Internal Family Systems (IFS) and the 12 Steps.


    Here's what we cover. . .


    * Why we’re all addicts in some way—and how the 12 Steps apply to everyone

    * What “firefighters” are in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and how they work to protect us

    * The true source of numbing behaviors

    * The surprising and liberating goal of the 12 Steps and what it means for all of us

    * Practical ways to find a safe person to share your struggles honestly and vulnerably

    * How we can all achieve emotional sobriety


    Pick up Ian's new book The Fix wherever books are sold.


    Have a question for Dr. Alison? Leave it here.


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


    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:

    • Episode 108: Inside Out—Internal Family Systems, Therapy, and High-Performing Protectors with Jenna Riemersma


    Thanks to our sponsors:


    Music by Andy Luiten

    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik

    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

    23 January 2025, 9:00 am
  • 39 minutes 50 seconds
    Episode 138: Breaking Free from Overfunctioning—Discover the Hidden Costs of Always Being 'The Responsible One’

    Are you always the one taking care of and fixing problems for everyone else?


    Today, I'm taking a deep dive into the heart of overfunctioning—exploring why so many of us feel compelled to take on excessive responsibilities, often at the cost of our own well-being. I delve into parentification, which I believe often lies at the root of overfunctioning. I also share how understanding these dynamics through Mel Robbins' "Let Them Theory" can offer powerful insights for change.


    Whether you're tired of always being 'the responsible one' or you're seeking to understand your deep-seated need to please others, this discussion will clarify the roots of these behaviors and guide you toward a path of healing and freedom.


    Here’s what we cover:


    *What is overfunctioning, and how does it impact your life?

    *How childhood parentification fuels overfunctioning in adulthood

    *5 clear signs you were parentified as a child

    *3 practical steps to start healing

    *How Mel Robbins’ Let Them Theory transforms boundary setting


    Have a question for Dr. Alison? Leave it here.


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


    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love: Episode 5: What is Codependency and Why Does it Matter?


    Thanks to our sponsors:


    • Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.
    • This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BESTOFYOU and get on your way to being your best self.
    • Go to Quince.com/bestofyou for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
    • Go to puritywoods.com/BESTOFYOU or enter code BESTOFYOU at checkout for an additional 10% off your first order.


    Music by Andy Luiten

    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik

    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

    16 January 2025, 9:30 am
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    Episode 137: The Mindful Marriage—Overcome Pain Cycles and Discover the Surprising Secret to Lasting Love with Ron and Nan Deal

    What’s the secret to healing marriage struggles and fostering deep connection?


    In this heartfelt and incredibly vulnerable conversation, Ron and Nan Deal share their journey of rebuilding a marriage that almost unraveled. Drawing from their new book, The Mindful Marriage, they reveal how understanding and managing your own pain cycles can transform relationships. Whether you’re married, single, or navigating any relationship, this episode offers profound wisdom and practical tools for emotional and personal growth.


    Episode Highlights:


    * Explore one couple's journey through shame, blame, and rediscovering connection.

    * Learn 4 Pain Cycles that disrupt relationships and how to break free from them.

    * Uncover practical steps to nurture your relationship’s “us-ness” without losing yourself.

    * Learn what to do when you're willing to do the work—but your partner isn't.


    Get your copy of The Mindful Marriage here.


    Take the free assessment Ron and Nan mention in the episode here.


    For more insights and tools for emotional and relational health, subscribe to Dr. Alison’s weekly email newsletter here.


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


    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:

    • Episode 115: 4 Ways to Transform Your Relationship: Expert Tips to Heal Pain Points and Deepen Intimacy


    Thanks to our sponsors:

    • Go to Quince.com/bestofyou for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
    • Get ahead of the New Year with a routine that helps you now by going to Seed.com/BESTOFYOU and use code 25BESTOFYOU to get 25% off your first month.


    Music by Andy Luiten

    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik

    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

    9 January 2025, 9:30 am
  • 55 minutes 8 seconds
    Episode 136: Sacred Attachment—Escaping Spiritual Exhaustion and Trusting in Divine Love with Michael John Cusick

    How do you experience loving attachment when trauma leaves you feeling shattered?


    In this incredibly profound and insightful episode, therapist and author of the brand new book, Sacred Attachment, Michael Cusick joins us to explore how our darkest moments of brokenness are not just moments of pain, but pivotal opportunities for forming a deeper, more secure attachment with God. Michael shares about his own healing journey as a result of complex trauma, and we unpack how our pain can bring us even closer to encounters with God’s love. Today’s episode is for everyone who has ever felt broken. We discuss. . .


    *5 way of understanding brokenness (and why the "sin" paradigm falls short)

    *Why mystical encounters are for all of us

    *A jaw-dropping moment when Michael experienced God's love

    *The role of imagination in healing

    *How to restore exiled and wounded parts of us


    Order Sacred Attachment


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


    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:

    • Episode 16: What are Attachment Styles and Why Does it Matter?


    Thanks to our sponsors:


    Music by Andy Luiten

    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik

    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

    2 January 2025, 8:30 am
  • 44 minutes 12 seconds
    Episode 135: Tackling the Holiday Hangover—Recognizing Holiday People Pleasing and Setting the Stage for an Emotionally Healthy New Year

    Feeling exhaustion or post-holiday blues? How can we step into the New Year feeling refreshed and empowered?

    In this honest and vulnerable conversation, spiritual director and author Anjuli Paschall and I unpack our own journeys through holiday people-pleasing and how to reset for the New Year. As we close out the year, many of us grapple with a mix of relief and disappointment, compounded by the pressure of New Year's resolutions and the desire to start fresh. Anjuli offers her expert guidance on understanding these dynamics and introduces practical steps and spiritual practices to help us move forward with hope and clarity.

    Here’s what we cover:‍

    * How to break free from holiday people-pleasing

    * The #1 way to stop trying to control other people’s feelings

    * Why post-holiday let down happens & what to do

    * How to develop and cultivate aspirational feelings in your body

    * Why the hope of a new year sometimes hurts & how to navigate those feelings

    * Prayers to move through complicated emotions


    Have a question for Dr. Alison? Leave it here.


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


    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:

    • Episode 30: Protecting What’s Good Without Denying What’s Hard at the Holidays


    Thanks to our sponsors:


    Music by Andy Luiten

    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik

    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

    26 December 2024, 10:00 am
  • 54 minutes 58 seconds
    Episode 134: Bridging Mysticism and Science—A Personal Journey Through OCD with Therapist Ryan Kuja

    Are you curious about how science and spirituality intersect in understanding and treating mental health conditions like OCD?


    This week, therapist and spiritual director Ryan Kuja shares his incredible journey through the complex world of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). From a young age, Ryan battled intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Feeling isolated and overwhelmed, at 17, he cried out to God—a pivotal moment that launched him into an unexpected exploration of mysticism, neurobiology, and the intricacies of diagnosis. This episode is designed for everyone, whether you or someone you love is dealing with OCD, or you're simply interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the diverse human experience.


    Here’s what we cover:


    * Ryan recounts the pivotal moment at 17 when his struggle with OCD drove him to seek divine intervention

    * The difference between OCD and common intrusive thoughts—what sets them apart?

    * An overview of the latest and most effective treatments for OCD, from clinical approaches to innovative therapies

    * Ryan shares the spiritual practices that have not only helped manage his OCD but also enriched his spiritual journey


    Have a question for Dr. Alison? Leave it here.


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


    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:

    • Episode 129: Understanding Your Anxiety—A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Calm, Advocating For Yourself, and Cultivating Inner Resilience
    • Episode 51: The 12 Common Thinking Traps, Mind Reading, Mental Filters, and How To Stop Taking Things Personally


    Thanks to our sponsors:

    • Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.
    • Turn back time on the appearance of your skin with Purity Woods’s Age-Defying Dream Cream. Go to puritywoods.com/BESTOFYOU or enter code BESTOFYOU at checkout for an additional 10% off your first order.
    • Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to SundaysForDogs.com/BESTOFYOU or use code BESTOFYOU at checkout.
    • Fatty15 is on a mission to replenish your C15 levels and restore your long-term health. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/BESTOFYOU and using code BESTOFYOU at checkout.
    • This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BESTOFYOU and get on your way to being your best self.


    Music by Andy Luiten

    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik

    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

    19 December 2024, 8:30 am
  • 47 minutes 20 seconds
    Episode 133: From Feeling Numb to Meaning-Making — Navigating the 6 Stages of Grief with Renowned Grief Expert David Kessler

    How do you move from feeling stuck to finding meaning and healing in your grief?


    In today’s episode, I’m honored to speak with David Kessler, one of the world’s foremost experts on grief and the author who expanded Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s original five stages of grief by adding a sixth stage: meaning. We explore how common reactions like avoidance, blame, and bargaining are a normal part of the grieving process, and how finding meaning can be a transformative step toward healing. Whether you’re grieving a loss or supporting someone who is, this conversation will help you better understand the continuum of grief and the power of creating meaning.


    Here's what we cover:


    * The 5 stages of grief and how different parts of us experience loss

    * David’s 6th stage of grief and how it developed out of his own story

    * The most important question to ask someone who is grieving

    * David’s 7 guidelines for creating meaning after loss

    * Why grief is intimately linked to joy


    Have a question for Dr. Alison? Leave it here.


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


    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:

    • Episode 98: I Shouldn’t Feel Alone in My Grief—Why Your Grief Matters & the #1 Most Important Support For Those Who Are Grieving


    Thanks to our sponsors:


    Music by Andy Luiten

    Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik

    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

    12 December 2024, 9:30 am
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