We are talking all about finding our strengths today with my friend, Laura Cootsona, an accomplished coach, consultant, and non-profit executive. She walks us through StrengthsFinder, a tool that helps you identify and lean into your strengths and uncover the strengths of others.

Research shows that leaning into your strengths at work and in life is absolutely life-changing. Here’s what we cover:

1. How to identify strengths to unleash your potential

2. The link between strengths and enjoying your work

3. Understanding the downside of your strong points

4. How to team up with other strengths

5. How to build a strength-based family

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

Do you have questions for Dr. Alison?⁠ Leave them here.

Want to receive free bonus content? ⁠⁠Sign up for my free weekly email here.

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. 

Go to ⁠www.organifi.com/bestofyou⁠ today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today. 

Visit hiyahealth.com/BESTOFYOU and get your kids the full-body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults.

Related Episodes:

Episode 50: 9 Types of Intelligence & 9 Sacred Pathways

Episode 51: 12 Common Thinking Traps

Episode 52: The Enneagram

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

Episode 53: StrengthsFinder—How to Claim Your Strengths, Lean On Others & Thrive at Home and Work

Join therapist and author, Dr. Alison Cook, as she guides you through some of your toughest challenges with wisdom, kindness, and grace. Together with friends and experts we'll unpack the best of psychology from a faith-based perspective. You’ll discover how to break free from painful patterns, mend your past, and discover what brings out the best of you.

Health & Fitness

Mental Health

We don't want to gossip, but most of us do it. What if gossip actually plays a deeper role in our lives and relationships? 
So often in life we bump into "grey areas," areas that can stir up dissonance inside of us. We hold certain beliefs or values, yet we find ourselves acting in ways that are contrary to those values.
In this series, we're exploring some of these areas that can bring up dissonance inside. Our focus today is gossip. I explore the problems with gossip, as well as some of the surprising research on how it can be constructive. By examining both the positive and negative aspects of gossip, you'll feel empowered to name, frame, and brave a healthier understanding of gossip in your life and relationships.

Why gossip is a gray area (3:09)

What the Bible says about gossip (6:42)

What psychology research says about gossip (12:46)

6 motivations behind gossip (13:43)

Constructive vs. destructive forms of gossip (21:40)

How to Name, Frame, and Brave gossip in your own life (29:17)


Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here.
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 thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!
Go to AquaTru.com and enter code BESTOFYOU at checkout to get 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier!
Whether you're exploring distant lands or enjoying a staycation at home, Cozy Earth has your back. Visit cozyearth.com and unlock an exclusive 35% off with code BESTOFYOU.
Related Episodes:
Episode 102: I Shouldn’t Feel Conflicted About God—How to Name, Frame, and Brave Complicated Emotions About Faith & God
Episode 96: Signs of Emotional Immaturity & How to Bring Emotional Health Into Your Relationships
Episode 89: When A Relationship Has to Change—How to Tolerate Discomfort, Face an Attachment Void, & Resource Yourself
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

Episode 103: Name, Frame, and Brave Gossip

Do you ever feel distant from God?
Do you struggle with conflicting emotions or unanswered questions that make it hard to feel God's presence in your life?
Today's episode brings the 

Episode 102: I Shouldn’t Feel Conflicted About God—How to Name, Frame, and Brave Complicated Emotions About Faith & God

Happy Book Launch day! 
Today I Shouldn't Feel This Way is out in the world AND it's the two-year anniversary of The Best of You Podcast . To celebrate, I asked my friend, fellow therapist, and author, Aundi Kolber, to join me for a special bonus episode! 
Join us as we share insights into why we started writing, what we keep private vs. what we share publicly, and how to navigate the publishing industry.
Pick up your copy of I Shouldn't Feel This Way today!
Get Aundi's Strong Like Water Guided Journey today!
Go to thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!
Whether you're exploring distant lands or enjoying a staycation at home, Cozy Earth has your back. Visit cozyearth.com and unlock an exclusive 35% off with code BESTOFYOU. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonus Episode: Aundi Kolber & Dr. Alison on Writing & Launching Books

How do you navigate anger in your family?
What do you do when a parent who was supposed to  love you and keep you safe actually caused you harm? 
Families evoke such complicated emotions. You might feel angry and then guilty about that anger. You might feel a mixture of love and resentment. Today, we tackle family anger and generational trauma. My guest, Lisa-Jo Baker was a teenager when her mother died, leaving her alone with her father and his fierce temper. When she found herself exhibiting that same temper with her own son, she knew it was time to dig deeper.
Her new memoir, It Wasn't Roaring, It Was Weeping, is a beautifully written, incredibly powerful story of the legacy of anger, violence, and generational trauma—and how one family healed. You do not want to miss this conversation.
Here’s what we cover:
1. When a parent is both hero & villain (9:13)
2. The moment Lisa-Jo realized her father’s anger had become hers (15:43)
3. How she began to investigate her past (19:05)
4. A powerful metaphor for the scars of our families (31:31)
5. The risk of discussing your pain with your parents (35:07)
6. Self-righteous anger vs. wise anger (36:30)
7. What Lisa-Jo confronted about racism as a South African and an American (39:14)
8. Biblical wisdom for healing (51:41)
Order It Wasn't Roaring It Was Weeping here
Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here.
Thanks to our sponsors:

Go to www.organifi.com/bestofyou today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.

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!

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.

Whether you're exploring distant lands or enjoying a staycation at home, Cozy Earth has your back. Visit cozyearth.com and unlock an exclusive 35% off with code BESTOFYOU.


Related Episodes:
Episode 97: I Shouldn't Feel This Anxious—Insights on Trauma & Healing with Monique Koven
Episode 98: I Shouldn’t Feel Alone in My Grief—Why Your Grief Matters & the #1 Most Important Support For Those Who Are Grieving
Episode 99: I Shouldn’t Feel Like My Spirit is Broken—Exploring a Broken Spirit & the Dark Night of the Soul with Christopher Cook
Episode 100: I Shouldn’t Feel Betrayed By Someone I Trust—How to Grieve, Breathe, & Receive in the Wake of Broken Trust with Steve Carter
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

Episode 101: I Shouldn’t Feel Angry—Exploring the Violence that Shapes Our Family Stories & How to Heal with Lisa Jo Baker

Have you ever felt betrayed by someone you thought you could trust?
It's a deeply painful experience that can leave you questioning not only the betrayer but also your own judgment. Trust, once broken, seems almost impossible to rebuild. 
My guest today, Steve Carter, experienced a series of profound betrayals at a pivotal moment in his life. In 2018, amidst misconduct allegations against Bill Hybels, founder of Willow Creek Community Church, Steve made the difficult decision to step down from his role as a newly minted lead pastor—a position he once considered his dream job. Shortly thereafter, he faced yet another personal betrayal by his own parents.
Reeling from the loss of his job, his dream, and his trust in those closest to him, Steve entered a desert season guided by three words he sensed God gave to him: Grieve. Breathe. Receive. Steve's journey through loss is so powerful, so honest, and so deeply healing. Please do not miss this conversation!
Here’s what we cover:

2 essential ingredients for trust (12:40)

Why grief is the antidote to cynicism (22:28)

Confronting our attraction to patterns of narcissism (28:08)

The anger high vs. the peace of forgiveness (36:25)

How he hangs on to his love for the church (34:03)


Purchase Grieve, Breathe, Receive by Steve Carter here.
Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here.
Thanks to our sponsors:

Go to ⁠www.organifi.com/bestofyou⁠ today and use code BESTOFYOU for 20% off your order today.

Head to factormeals.com/bestofyou50 and use code bestofyou50 to get 50% off!

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 thrivemarket.com/bestofyou for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift!

Make the switch and build a starter kit. 15% off AND free shipping when you buy a Notes starter kit at notescandle.com/bestofyou.



Related Episodes:
Episode 97: I Shouldn't Feel This Anxious—Insights on Trauma & Healing with Monique Koven
Episode 98: I Shouldn’t Feel Alone in My Grief—Why Your Grief Matters & the #1 Most Important Support For Those Who Are Grieving with J.S. Park
Episode 99: I Shouldn’t Feel Like My Spirit is Broken—Exploring a Broken Spirit & the Dark Night of the Soul with Christopher Cook
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

Episode 53: StrengthsFinder—How to Claim Your Strengths, Lean On Others & Thrive at Home and Work

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