What if your story—even the complicated parts—could become a doorway to deeper faith?

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Alison Cook is joined by author and professor Dr. Esau McCaulley, whose journey is a powerful example of how owning your story—even the hard parts—can lead to growth, healing, and deeper purpose.

Together they explore how to reflect on your past with clarity, how to honor your roots while still moving forward, and how to build a faith and life that reflects who you truly are becoming.

We talk about:

If you’re on a journey of becoming more emotionally and spiritually whole, this episode will leave you feeling inspired, grounded, and more connected to your own growth.

📚 Learn more about Esau’s work at esaumccaulley.com

📖 Read his new memoir: How Far to the Promised Land 

If this episode speaks to you, you’ll also love:

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

💬 Got a question? Call 307-429-2525 and leave a message for a future episode.

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Editing by Giulia Hjort

Sound engineering by Kelly Kramarik

Music by Andy Luiten

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.‍

© 2025 Alison Cook. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Please do not copy or share the contents of this webpage or transcript without permission from the author.

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What do you do when the very place that was supposed to nourish your soul becomes a source of deep harm?

In this deeply moving and necessary conversation, therapist, pastor, and trauma specialist Rachael Clinton Chen joins Dr. Alison Cook to talk about the pain of spiritual abuse—and what it looks like to begin healing from it.

Whether you’ve experienced overt harm in a religious setting or carry subtle wounds from spiritual messaging that shaped your identity in unhealthy ways, this episode offers a gentle, powerful invitation toward healing, dignity, and reclaiming your voice.

Rachael shares:

If you've ever questioned your worth because of how faith was used against you—or wondered how to hold onto your spirituality while confronting the harm—you’re not alone. This episode is full of insight, validation, and hope for your journey.

📋Spiritual abuse can be hard to recognize, because it’s often the water we’re swimming in. That’s why The Allender Center put together a self-guided checklist designed to help identify signs of spiritual abuse in your own life or the lives of others. You can download it here.

🖥Take a healing step and start The Spiritual Abuse & Healing Online Course and use code COOK20 for 20% at checkout.

If this episode speaks to you, you’ll also love:

⁠Episode 67⁠ — The Inextricable Link Between Faith & Emotional Healing—Gen Z & A Hidden Search for Meaning with Cindy Gao

Episode 153 — Embodied Healing, Spiritual Trauma, and the Journey Home to Your Body with Dr. Hillary McBride

⁠Episode 17⁠ — What Is Church Hurt and How Do I Heal?

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

💬 Got a question? Call 307-429-2525 and leave a message for a future episode.

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Go to ⁠Quince.com/bestofyou⁠ for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!

Visit⁠ GoGeviti.com⁠ to learn more about how you can start optimizing your health without leaving home today and use code 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.

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What happens when repair in your family isn’t possible—at least not yet?

In this powerful follow-up to last week’s conversation on family pain, psychologist and author Dr. Joshua Coleman sits with me as we explore the heartbreak and complexity of family estrangement—from both sides of the story.

With deep compassion and personal insight, Dr. Coleman shares what he’s learned through decades of research—and from his own journey as a parent who experienced estrangement from his adult daughter. Whether you're the one who stepped away from a parent or you're a parent who’s been cut off by a child, this conversation offers a rare, balanced look at a path to healing.

Dr. Coleman shares:

If you’ve ever wrestled with how to honor a parent who hurt you—or how to rebuild with a child who’s walked away—this episode is full of wisdom, hope, and next steps.

🖥 Learn more about Dr. Coleman’s work here.

📚 Grab a copy of his book Rules of Estrangement here.

If you liked this episode, you’ll also love:

⁠Episode 161⁠ — Finding Yourself without Losing Your Family: Healing From Dysfunctional Family Patterns with Jerry Wise

Episode 127 — Healing Childhood Wounds: The Enmeshed Family & 5 Toxic Patterns that Affect Your Ability to Thrive in Adult Relationships

Episode 85⁠ — The Goal of a Healthy Family & 6 Roles We Take On In Dysfunction

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

💬 Got a question? Call 307-429-2525 and leave a message for a future episode.

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Go to cozyearth.com and use code BESTOFYOU for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more. Trust me—you’ll feel the difference the very first night.

Go to ⁠Quince.com/bestofyou⁠ for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!

Visit⁠ GoGeviti.com⁠ to learn more about how you can start optimizing your health without leaving home today and use code BESTOFYOU.

Start seeing a registered dietitian for as little as $0 by visiting faynutrition.com/bestofyou.

Get up to 50% off your custom-fit mouth guard at shopremi.com/BESTOFYOU today!

Connect further with Dr. Alison Cook:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dralisoncook/

www.dralisoncook.com

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What do you do when your family is the source of your deepest wounds? How do you hold onto your identity without cutting off the people who raised you?

In this transformative conversation, therapist and relationship coach Jerry Wise discusses the concept of self-differentiation—a powerful framework for healing from family dysfunction without shame or blame.

Whether you’re navigating complex family ties, considering going no contact, or simply longing to feel more like you, this episode offers a clear path forward rooted in wisdom, compassion, and courage.

Jerry shares:

His own journey from dysfunction to emotional clarity

Why cutting ties doesn’t always lead to healing—and what might

How to spot when you’re still emotionally enmeshed (even with distance)

Practical steps to stop reacting and start reclaiming your sense of self

If you’ve ever felt stuck in old family roles, overwhelmed by guilt, or confused about how to move forward with—or without—your family, this episode will meet you with both empathy and actionable insight.

🖥 Learn more about Jerry’s work: Jerry Wise Relationship Systems

📺 Watch his free training and explore his self-differentiation course

If you liked this episode, you'll love:

Episode 147 — The Hidden Trauma of Being the Chosen Child & a Path Toward Healing—Making Sense of Your Family Story

⁠Episode 85⁠ — The Goal of a Healthy Family & 6 Roles We Take On In Dysfunction

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 AquaTru.com and enter code BESTOFYOU at checkout to get 20% OFF any AquaTru purifier!‍

Go to ⁠Quince.com/bestofyou⁠ for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!

Visit⁠ GoGeviti.com⁠ to learn more about how you can start optimizing your health without leaving home today and use code BESTOFYOU.

Editing by Giulia Hjort

Sound engineering by Kelly Kramarik

Music by Andy Luiten

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.‍

© 2025 Alison Cook. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Please do not copy or share the contents of this webpage or transcript without permission from the author.

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What do you do with the ache of not feeling wanted? The part of you that wonders if you’ll ever truly belong?

In this powerful conversation with IFS therapist and author Tammy Sollenberger, we explore how the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model helps you turn toward those tender places inside—rather than pushing them away.

This conversation originally struck a deep chord with listeners—and it feels especially relevant right now. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or tuning in again, it holds fresh insight for your journey.

Tammy shares:

If you’ve ever struggled with feeling left out, overlooked, or not enough—this episode will meet you with kindness, insight, and hope.

📘 Learn more about Tammy’s book: The One Inside

💬 Got a question or reflection? Call 307-429-2525 and leave a message for a future episode.

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If you liked this episode, you'll love:

Thanks to our sponsors:

Editing by Giulia Hjort

Sound engineering by Kelly Kramarik

Music by Andy Luiten

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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

I’m joined by the brilliant and beautifully honest Dr. Heather Thompson Day for a conversation on spiritual wrestling. Heather’s latest book, What If I’m Wrong? Navigating the Waves of Fear and Failure explores what happens when the faith you once relied on starts to unravel.

Heather shares openly about her father’s battle with Alzheimer’s, the spiritual crisis it triggered, and the years she spent in what she calls “spiritual drowning.” We talk about attachment, disappointment, failure, and the unexpected ways God shows up when everything else is falling apart.

This conversation is a powerful example of how doubt and faith can co-exist. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re allowed to question your faith—or felt like you were losing your grip on God—this episode is for you.

We explore:

This isn’t a story of tidy answers. It’s a story of holding on, even when you’re not sure what you’re holding onto.

🎧 Listen now and share with someone who needs a reminder: doubt doesn’t mean you’re losing your faith—it might mean you’re learning to trust in a deeper way.

🔗 Heather’s new book: What If I’m Wrong?
🔗 Connect with Heather: heatherthompsonday.com
🔗 Follow Heather on Instagram: @HeatherThompsonDay

💬 Got a question or reflection? Call 307-429-2525 and leave a message for a future episode.

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If you liked this episode, you’ll love:‍

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Thanks to our sponsors:

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Editing by Giulia Hjort

Sound engineering by Kelly Kramarik

Music by Andy Luiten

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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

What if your most distressing thoughts aren’t who you are—but a signal pointing to pain that needs healing?

Therapist and author Monica DiCristina joins me to talk about the deeper emotional and spiritual wounds that often lie beneath distressing thoughts.

Monica shares her personal journey with trauma-related intrusive thoughts and the power of finally naming what hurt.

We also explore what to do when intrusive thoughts show up in our inner worlds, how to seek the right kind of support, and why healing always starts with curiosity rather than shame.

Pick up your copy of Monica's new book: Your Pain Has a Name: A Therapist's Invitation to Understanding Your Story and Sorting Out Who You Are from What Hurts

Connect with Monica DiCristina

📞 Call 307-429-2525 to share your thoughts or a question for a future episode.

If you liked this episode, you’ll love:‍

Thanks to our sponsors:

Editing by Giulia Hjort

Sound design by Kelly Kramarik

Music by Andy Luiten

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

We're tackling a topic that continues to strike a chord with so many of you: how to make a change when you're stuck between loyalty and growth, guilt and freedom, regret and redemption.

If you’ve ever struggled with a complicated relationship or wrestled with the quiet shame of feeling stuck, this episode is for you.

We explore:

The 3 brave paths you can take when a relationship feels hard.

A powerful story of a woman confronting regret.

How to distinguish between true guilt and false guilt

What "radical surrender" really means.

Whether you're braving a big life change or feeling held back by old emotional patterns, this episode will gives you courage, clarity, and compassion.

📞 Plus, don’t forget to call 307-429-2525 to share your thoughts or a question for a future episode.

‍If you liked this, you’ll love:‍

‍Thanks to our sponsors:

Editing by Giulia Hjort

Sound engineering by Kelly Kramarik

Music by Andy Luiten

‍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

What if fear isn’t a warning sign—but a signal you’re stepping into something that matters?

I’m joined by the brilliant and creative Mary Marantz to explore why fear often shows up right before a breakthrough—and how to stop seeing it as a reason to back down.

We also get into:
* How fear hides behind perfectionism, people-pleasing, and procrastination
* The surprising link between fear and creativity
* Why grief is often the first step in learning to trust yourself
* What it means to become the “grown-up in the room” for your own healing
* How naming your inner critic can help disarm its power

Check out Mary’s new book Underestimated!

📞 We want to hear from you! What’s one area of your emotional, mental, or spiritual health where you’d like to grow? Call 307-429-2525 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your answer. Your voice may be featured in a future episode!

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

If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love:

Thanks to our sponsors:

Editing by Giulia Hjort
Music by Andy Luiten
Sound design 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

Why do I feel guilty for protecting my time or energy?

Is this a boundary—or am I just avoiding someone?

Boundaries stir up a lot of emotions. But what if they’re not about building walls, avoiding people, or being “selfish”?

In this episode, I share a deeply personal and surprising take on what boundaries truly are—and why they matter more than you think.

You'll hear:

*Why healthy boundaries begin not with rejection, but with rhythm

*The two most common ways we misuse boundaries

*A powerful metaphor that changed how I think about relationships

*How codependency, enmeshment, and burnout signal boundary issues

*Real-life scripts and strategies to set boundaries with compassion and clarity

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:

Editing by Giulia Hjort

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