Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick Episode 416: Dr. Alison Cook, "A Part of Me Doesn't Like God Very Much"
Sep 14, 2026
Dr. Alison Cook, psychologist, author of The Secure Soul, and host of The Best of You, explores the hidden parts of spiritual life. She shares how vulnerability can uncover younger selves, inner bids for connection, and wounds formed through absence. The conversation examines the shadow self, attachment and trust, the gap between belief and felt safety, and a gentler way to train the soul through recognition and return.
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Personal Vulnerability Made Writing Healing
- Alison Cook found writing personal stories more healing than relying only on professional expertise or client stories.
- Connecting with younger parts required her to become more embodied, soulful, and present while writing The Secure Soul.
The Eight-Year-Old Who Disliked God
- During a London prayer walk, Alison Cook noticed an eight-year-old part of herself saying, “I don’t like God.”
- Instead of suppressing the reaction, she treated it as honest information about her inner life.
Inner Reactions Are Bids For Connection
- Anxiety, loneliness, triggers, and resistance can function as inner bids for connection, signaling that something needs attention.
- Like a child saying, “I don’t like church,” these reactions invite curiosity rather than correction or shame.
