The Best of You

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 journeyHave 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 LuitenSound editing by Kelly KramarikWhile 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

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 joyHave 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 GrievingThanks to our sponsors: Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today. Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to SundaysForDogs.com/BESTOFYOU or use code BESTOFYOU at checkout. Go to AquaTru.com and enter code BESTOFYOU at checkout to get 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier! Right now get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription - but only for our listeners - at Babbel.com/BESTOFYOU. 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 LuitenSound editing by Kelly KramarikWhile 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

The conversation delves into the struggles of the sandwich generation, juggling caregiving for aging parents and children. Listeners learn about managing emotional stress and setting healthy boundaries. The podcast highlights the importance of self-care and offers practical strategies for overcoming guilt. It encourages recognizing unresolved emotions and invites spirituality into daily life as a source of strength. Personal stories and humor add depth to the discussion, making self-care feel relatable and achievable.

Do the holidays bring a mix of joy and complicated emotions for you?We're supposed to feel grateful, and parts of us do. But other parts of us feel nostalgic, driven by guilt, exhausted, or even angry. In this honest, vulnerable conversation, author and spiritual director Anjuli Paschall joins me to explore the emotions that surface during the holiday season. We talk about how to navigate these feelings with grace, and how these emotions can be gifts in disguise. We cover. . .* How to distinguish between true guilt and false guilt* The surprising connection between anger and exhaustion* Why nostalgia can be both comforting and bittersweet* Practical ways to honor all your feelings during this emotionally complex season* Anjuli’s practice of praying through complicated emotions and finding God’s presence in themHave 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 HolidaysThanks to our sponsors: Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today. Go to thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Visit cozyearth.com and unlock an exclusive 35% off with code BESTOFYOU. Music by Andy LuitenSound editing by Kelly KramarikWhile 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

Dr. Donna Henderson, a licensed clinical neuropsychologist specializing in autism, shares her expertise on neurodiversity and the intricacies of Autism Spectrum Disorder. She discusses the seven key criteria for identifying autism and the significance of neuropsychological evaluations. Interesting insights include why traditional talk therapy may not address the needs of neurodivergent individuals and how some might exhibit an 'autistic nervous system' without a formal diagnosis. Dr. Henderson also offers practical tips for supporting loved ones, enhancing our understanding of diverse experiences.

Many people struggle with anxiety, and understanding its roots can lead to greater calm and clarity. The discussion covers how genetics, environment, and personality contribute to anxiety. Techniques like cognitive reframing and somatic awareness are highlighted to manage anxious thoughts effectively. High Sensitivity and neurodivergence's unique impacts on anxiety are explored. Listeners gain insights into anxiety's constructive nature, viewing it as a natural stress response while learning to cultivate resilience and set personal boundaries.

Are you carrying burdens that aren't entirely your own? Could understanding your family's past be the key to unlocking a healthier future?In this powerful episode, we dive into the concept of generational trauma with my guest, Gina Birkemeier, therapist and author of the book & workbook, “Generations Deep”. Gina shares her personal and professional insights on how deep-seated family issues can affect us and how both faith and therapy play pivotal roles in healing and breaking these cycles.You'll learn. . .* What generational trauma is and how it subtly influences our lives* Why Gina realized that she needed therapy and Jesus* What epigenetics is and how our genes remember & sometimes inherit the trauma of previous generations* How to understand cycle breaking & to end the cycle of dysfunction* About the legacy burdens we carry from our family's past.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 127: Healing Childhood Wounds—The Enmeshed Family & 5 Toxic Patterns that Affect Your Ability to Thrive in Adult Relationships Episode 101: I Shouldn’t Feel Angry—Exploring the Violence that Shapes Our Family Stories & How to Heal with Lisa Jo Baker Thanks to our sponsors: Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today. Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to SundaysForDogs.com/BESTOFYOU or use code BESTOFYOU at checkout. Right now get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription - but only for our listeners - at Babbel.com/BESTOFYOU. 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. 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. Music by Andy LuitenSound editing by Kelly KramarikWhile 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

Explore how childhood traumas and family dynamics shape adult relationships. Discover five detrimental patterns that can hinder personal growth and emotional well-being. Delve into enmeshment and the need for secure attachments, while identifying how control affects adult behavior. Reflect on your upbringing to recognize harmful influences on your current connections. Finally, uncover practical steps for healing and embracing healthier relationships, emphasizing the power of self-awareness and spiritual guidance.

In this engaging discussion, Sam Jolman, a licensed professional counselor specializing in men’s issues and sexual trauma recovery, shares invaluable insights about intimacy and healing. He emphasizes the importance of safety and trust in relationships and offers advice for having meaningful conversations about sexuality with children. Sam also highlights a surprising statistic about what kids crave regarding sex education. This conversation is a treasure trove of wisdom on navigating sexual brokenness and fostering a playful, vulnerable connection.

Today's episode is a fascinating conversation about the phenomenon of "purity culture." You've heard the phrase, but my guest today, licensed therapist and purity culture expert, Dr. Camden Morgante, is here to explain exactly what it was and how it created a culture of shame, fear, and coercion around sex, especially for women.We explore the damaging myths purity culture perpetuated and the ways it continues to affect women and married couples, especially around issues of intimacy and self-worth. Dr. Camden shares essential insights on how to heal from these harmful messages and move forward in faith, while also offering practical advice for anyone struggling with shame-based sexuality.Key Takeaways:- What purity culture is and its lasting impact on Millennials and Gen X- The 5 damaging myths, including the "gatekeeper," "damaged goods," & "flipped switch"- The most important strategy for couples dealing with disappointment around sex- The real meaning of intimacy beyond physical connection- Dr. Camden’s practical advice for overcoming shame and reclaiming your faithFind a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here.Want to receive free bonus content? ⁠⁠Sign up for my free weekly email here.If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:Episode 48: Loving Your Body as a Spiritual Practice, Why the Flesh Isn’t the Body, and 3 Heresies We Kind of BelieveThanks 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. 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 AquaTru.com and enter code BESTOFYOU at checkout to get 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier! Go to thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift! Visit cozyearth.com and unlock an exclusive 35% off with code BESTOFYOU. Music by Andy LuitenSound editing by Kelly KramarikWhile 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