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 journey

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:

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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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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 joy

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:

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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

Do you feel like you’re constantly caring for others, whether it’s aging parents, your kids, or even your career—and there’s little time left for you?

Women in the sandwich generation, particularly those aged 35-54, report higher stress levels than any other age group. If you’re juggling a heavy load of responsibilities as you care for others, you’re not alone. In this episode, you’ll gain practical tools to help you navigate this season with compassion and healthy boundaries, empowering you with the support and nourishment you need.

Here's what we cover:

* Why caring for others can stir up unresolved emotions and how to address them

* 3 key strategies to help you through stressful seasons

* The antidote for constant guilt

* How to set boundaries that protect your emotional well-being

* Practical ways to invite God into your daily routine

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 6: Do I Really Have an Inner Child? What It Means to Reparent Yourself

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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

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 them

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 30: Protecting What’s Good Without Denying What’s Hard at the Holidays

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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

Have you ever wondered if someone you know might be on the autism spectrum—or even questioned it about yourself?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or even missed entirely, especially in those who don’t fit common stereotypes. In this episode, neuropsychologist Dr. Donna Henderson joins us to unpack the complexities of autism, neurodiversity, and how we can better understand and support those around us.

What You’ll Learn:

* The 7 key criteria for identifying autism

* When to pursue a neuropsychological evaluation

* Why talk therapy often falls short for neurodivergent individuals

* How someone can exhibit an "autistic nervous system" without having ASD

* Practical ways to support loved ones

This conversation will deepen your understanding of neurodiversity and help you see the world - and those you love - in a new light.

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:

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever feel stuck in anxious thoughts?

Are you longing for more moments of calm throughout your day?

Every single one of us has a relationship with anxiety. The goal isn't to eradicate anxiety; it’s to work with anxiety to create more peace and balance in our lives. In this episode, I guide you through a clear, step-by-step understanding of your relationship with anxiety. Whether you’re navigating your own anxious moments or supporting loved ones, you'll learn how to identify root causes and key insights needed to find calm and clarity.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

* How to understand your unique experience with anxiety

* Key root causes of anxiety, including genetics, personality, and environment

* The impact of High Sensitivity (HSP) and neurodivergence on anxiety

* 3 practical techniques to calm anxiety and cultivate strong internal leadership

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:

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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:

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are patterns from your past influencing how you show up in relationships today?

In this episode, we explore how early family dynamics—like criticism, control, & emotional immaturity—shape our adult relationships. This process isn’t about placing blame but about building awareness of behaviors that impact self-worth, boundaries, and relational health. By naming these patterns, we open a path to greater confidence, healthier connections, autonomy, and healing.

In this episode, we cover:

* The two essential ingredients for building secure parent-child attachment

* The role of enmeshment and individuation in emotional health

* 5 common parenting patterns that disrupt secure attachment

* 5 questions to assess how these patterns may be impacting you today

* Practical steps to heal and change

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

Have a question or an episode idea? Leave them here.

If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:

The Best of You: Break Free From Painful Patterns, Mend Your Past, and Discover Your True Self In God

Episode 109: Healing Burdens From the Past—How to Overcome Childhood Wounds and Heal Your Younger Self with Tammy Sollenberger

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that by adulthood, most people have experienced some form of sexual wounding?

Today's conversation with Sam Jolman, therapist and author of the new book, "The Sex Talk You Never Got," is one of my absolute all-time favorites. Why? It truly surprised me.

It’s so rare to find a nuanced conversation about sex—especially in a world where we’re constantly tugged between a reductive view of “purity” and an equally reductive sense of “permissiveness.”

This conversation is packed with absolute gems—there’s depth, wisdom, and healing in every moment that’s relevant to all of us, no matter our stories.

Here’s what we dive into:

- How to establish safety, consent, and trust in intimate relationships

- An eye-opening statistic from Harvard about what kids long for from their parents on the topic of sex

- How to have a truly meaningful “sex talk” with your kids

- What God actually desires from us when it comes to sex

- Sam's advice for those who’ve experienced sexual wounding or brokenness and want to begin the healing process

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

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If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:

Episode 125: Recovering From Purity Culture: Dismantle the Myths, Reject Shame-Based Sexuality, and Move Forward in Your Faith with Dr. Camden Morgante

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 faith

Find 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 Believe

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices