191: The 5 Most Important Things I've Learned About Faith, Attachment, & The Inner Life
The Best of You
Formed by where we return
Alison's first insight: repeated returns under stress shape our theology and behavior more than beliefs.
How do you actually heal and change—not just cope or try harder?
In this solo episode, Dr. Alison reflects on five core insights about faith, attachment, and the inner life—not as a plan for self-improvement, but as wisdom for formation.
January often comes with pressure to reset, optimize, and fix ourselves. But many of us begin the year already tired — weary of striving, and hungry for something deeper.
This episode offers a different invitation.
Rather than asking what to change, Dr. Alison invites us to notice how we are already being formed — especially in moments of stress, fear, and uncertainty.
In this conversation, Dr. Alison explores:
- Why faith is not just what we believe
- The hidden way your nervous system influences your spiritual life
- What many “spiritual struggles” are really pointing to
- The missing ingredient most change efforts overlook
- Why striving for perfection keeps so many people stuck
Growth isn’t about eliminating fear or complexity. It’s learning where to return when fear inevitably shows up.
📥 Grab your 3 free Soul Mending resources here
If you liked this episode, then you’ll love the following:
Episode 122: Navigating Anxiety, Therapy, and Spiritual Formation—Balancing Mental, Emotional, & Spiritual Health with John Mark Comer
Episode 113: A New Vision of Human Flourishing—A Christian Approach to Mental Health with Duke University Psychiatrist & Theologian Warren Kinghorn
📖 Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here
💬 Got a question? Call 307-429-2525 and leave a message for a future episode.
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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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