The Best of You

If you struggle with body image or how to make wise decisions on behalf of what you *actually* want out of your life, please do not miss this episode.Christy Meeks provides such grounded, thoughtful, and focused insight into how she overcame the pain of weaponizing her body and learned to work with her body as a beautiful and unique gift. She is a wife, a mom of 5 children, and a body image coach.1. How one painful moment in childhood changed the way she viewed her body for decades 2. The way exercise can be both a weapon and a superpower 3. How to find ways to physicalize emotional pain, so that it flows through our bodies 4. The pain of miscarriage 5. Why she decided to leave social media 6. How to translate self-awareness to action, so that we’re living our lives with intention. 7. How true freedom comes from the inner conviction that you are living the life that is right for YOU.You can find a list of all the resources mentioned in this episode here. Sign up to receive Dr. Cook’s weekly email and receive 2 free e-books and a guided prayer reflection here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this insightful conversation, Mary Marantz, an author and entrepreneur, shares her journey from poverty in rural West Virginia to building a fulfilling life. She dives into the limiting beliefs embedded in childhood messages, exploring how they shaped her choices and the conflict between honoring parental expectations and pursuing personal growth. Mary reveals strategies for overcoming self-sabotage and emphasizes the importance of community and therapy in breaking barriers. Her reflections are a powerful reminder to challenge the scripts that hold us back.

This conversation is an absolute gift. Bianca is a powerhouse of wisdom who talks honestly about the hidden pain that both motivated her and almost got the best of her. She shares about the moment she passed out on her dorm room floor from carrying so much hidden pain—and how she began to face the fears that drove her.   You do not want to miss her encouragement for listeners with mother or father wounds and the commitment she made to herself to “die empty." We discuss these topics and more:  1. Will I struggle with feeling pain forever? 2. Why trying to “just be happy” doesn’t work. 3. How her first trip to counseling was a bust 4. How fear can motivate us in both positive and negative ways 5. The burdens of generational trauma that can add to our pain 6. The pressure she put on herself to heal so she wouldn’t pass on pain to her own children 7. How she learned to advocate for herself and “staffed” herself accordingly  Connect with Bianca at behindtheconfidentsmile.com or on Instagram: @biancancotton & @behindtheconfidentsmile   You can find a list of all the resources mentioned in this episode at dralisoncook.com/podcastSign up to receive Dr. Cook’s weekly email and receive 2 free e-books and a guided prayer reflection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are launching a new series on the podcast this week:Real People Overcoming Real Problems! You do not want to miss this very first episode with author, speaker, podcaster, and new friend of mine, Ashley Abercrombie who shares with me her story of overcoming addiction and learning to ask for help.  Ashley speaks candidly about the pain in her life, how she tried to numb it, and the divide that nearly shattered her until she learned to ask for help. And do not miss the last part of this interview where Ashley talks about how she's been getting through a period of extended isolation and loneliness these past few years.  We discuss SO MUCH in this episode—here are just a few highlights:  1. The various big “T” and little “t” traumas that can lead to addiction and painful patterns of self-soothing. 2. Why carrying your pain silently doesn’t work. 3. How Ashley finally found healing in safe community 4. Why failure is our friend 5. How to be helpful (and what’s not helpful) to people who are struggling 6. The wisdom Ashley would give her 20-year-old self now.   Connect with Ashley on InstagramAshley’s After Hours newsletter on SubstackBooks by Ashley: Rise of the Truth Teller: Own Your Story, Tell It Like It Is, and Live with Holy Gumption Love Is the Resistance: Learn to Disagree, Resolve the Conflicts You've Been Avoiding, and Create Real Change  You can find a list of all the resources mentioned in this episode, at https://www.dralisoncook.com/podcastSign up at https://www.dralisoncook.com/books/boundaries-for-your-soul to receive Dr. Cook’s weekly email and receive 2 free e-books and a guided prayer reflection. Music by Andy Luiten Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The #1 question I get asked about is how to set boundaries.  They are so important and so powerful, and yet they are so hard to set. We dive into the power of boundaries in this episode and I guide you through a real time exercise on taking that first step no matter what you are facing.  1. Why is it so hard to set boundaries? 2. What is the primary purpose of boundaries? 3. What 2 skills does boundary setting require? 4. What is the first step to setting boundaries? 5. What does the Bible have to say about boundaries? 6. An exercise to help you take a first step.  Key Take Away: Boundaries are not primarily about saying no to other people. Boundaries are first and foremost about safeguarding the heart, mind, soul, and body God has given you.  You can find a list of all the resources mentioned in this episode at www.dralisoncook.com/podcast/  Sign up to receive Dr. Cook’s weekly email and receive 2 free e-books and a guided prayer reflection at https://www.dralisoncook.com/books/boundaries-for-your-soul Music by Andy Luiten  Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is this “inner child” we see everywhere? Do I really have one? Is this just woo-woo psychology or is there science behind it? Why does it matter? We’ll get into all of this today, including the power of memory in shaping who you are.  Here’s what we’ll discuss:  1. What is an inner child and do I really have one? 2. Is there any science behind it? 3. What is an internal family? 4. Who is the wise parent inside of you? 5. What does the Bible have to say about our inner child? 6. A 10 minute guided reflection to help you connect to a young part of yourself.  Key Takeaway: Like a wise parent, we can learn to parent the young parts of us. We can bring them to Jesus who invited the children always to come to him—without shame or judgment.  You can find a list of all the resources mentioned in this episode at www.dralisoncook.com/podcast/  Sign up to receive Dr. Cook’s weekly email and receive 2 free e-books and a guided prayer reflection at https://www.dralisoncook.com/books/boundaries-for-your-soul Music by Andy Luiten  Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you get so consumed with the needs of others, that you lose sight of your own? Do you struggle with focusing on caring for yourself?  There's no shame in codependency—I've struggled with it for years. And I believe nearly everyone struggles with it on some level. Learn the surprising antidote to codependency and how to take steps toward healthy dependence.  1. What is codependency? 2. What’s the difference between being kind and being codependent? 3. What are some examples of codependent behaviors? 4. 5 signs that you might have codependent tendencies.   5. 2 indicators you might be in a codependent relationship 6. 3 practical ways to move toward healthy dependence  Check out the Human Hope Podcast here Key Takeaway: There’s a difference between being kind—and caring for someone else while causing harm to yourself.  Questions for reflection:What keeps you from noticing and focusing on your own needs? Which of the 3 steps offered at the end of this episode can you take to move toward healthy dependence?  You can find a list of all the resources mentioned in this episode at www.dralisoncook.com/podcastSign up to receive Dr. Cook’s weekly email and receive 2 free e-books and a guided prayer reflection at https://www.dralisoncook.com/books/boundaries-for-your-soul Music by Andy Luiten  Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trauma is a bigger player in our lives than you might think.It's the unacknowledged guest at every gathering of humans. And if we could learn to understand it better, we'd create a kinder, more compassionate world.   In today's episode we discuss trauma:     1. What is trauma?     2. What are Big T and little T traumas?     3. How does trauma impact your relationship to yourself, others and God?     4. The shaming messages that often sneak in as a result of trauma     5. What does the Bible say about trauma and healing?     6. How do you begin to heal?  Questions to consider: What if what happened wasn’t your fault? What if you didn’t deserve that treatment? What if there’s not something wrong with you? What if you were created a beautiful soul made in God's image? Is there any sliver of you that could believe that? What if the heart of God is to heal?  You can find a list of all the resources mentioned in this episode, including trauma-informed care, at www.dralisoncook.com/podcastSign up to receive Dr. Cook’s weekly email and receive 2 free e-books and a guided prayer reflection at https://www.dralisoncook.com/books/boundaries-for-your-soul Music by Andy Luiten Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you shove yourself aside? Do you think it's selfish to love yourself—or even wrong?  Learn practical steps you can take toward improving one of your most important relationships, your relationship with YOU. We'll cover: 1. My story of shoving myself aside 2. What does self-love really mean? 3. Can I love myself and love God? 4. 2 reasons you don’t love yourself 5. 4 messages that teach you *not* to love yourself 6. An exercise you can do each morning to start loving yourself.  Questions for Reflection:  —What messages have you heard about loving yourself? —What is one action you can take toward honoring yourself this week? —Try the MEPS exercise mentioned at the end of this episode. What did you notice? Were you surprised by anything?  Key takeaway: The way you treat yourself will have a direct impact on how you treat others.  Sign up to receive Dr. Cook’s weekly email and receive 2 free e-books and a guided prayer reflection at https://www.dralisoncook.com/books/boundaries-for-your-soul Music by Andy Luiten  Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special bonus episode, I answer two of your questions:1. My spouse used to gaslight me, but has shown meaningful change. I'm still angry. What should I do?2. My parents were narcissistic and now I constantly seek validation from others. How do I stop?Visit https://www.dralisoncook.com/books/boundaries-for-your-soul to sign up to receive Dr. Cook’s weekly email and receive 2 free e-books and a guided prayer reflection. Music by Andy Luiten Sound editing by Kelly Kramarik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices