Have you ever felt like you’ve grown and healed, but the people around you haven’t?

In today’s episode, I’m joined by my friend and therapist, Dr. Monique Gadson, for a powerful conversation about how to ignite change not only within ourselves but also within the systems we're deeply connected to—whether that's our families, churches, or work environments. Here’s what we cover:

1. Dr. Monique’s insights from her work as a therapist within a church setting (8:06)

2. The difference between toxic cultures and imperfect human gatherings (17:00)

3. How kindness can sometimes hinder growth (29:07)

4. How to be "in" but not "of" a system (36:04)

5. The effects of culture-wide PTSD (38:35)

6. Practical ways to find and nurture hope (43:45)

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

If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:

Episode 33: People Pleasing & Developing Your Own Inner Compass—Thoughts on Depression, Mental Health & the Church, and Finding Hope in Dark Places w/ Dr. Monique Gadson

Episode 60: How to Make New Friends, Identify Red & Green Flags, & Extract Yourself From an Unhealthy Situation w/ Aundi Kolber & Dr. Monique Gadson

Episode 73: True Belonging vs. Groupthink, Cliques, & Trying to Fit In—How to Belong to Others While Staying True To Yourself

Thanks to our sponsors:

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.

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