The Best of You

What if trauma isn’t just about what happened to you—but what your body learned about safety in relationships?

If you’ve ever wondered why it’s hard to feel safe in relationships… this episode will help you understand why—and where healing begins.

You’ll learn:

The 3 ways trauma reshapes your sense of safety

The deeper story behind patterns of anxiety, shutdown, or people-pleasing

The patterns your nervous system uses to protect you (without you realizing it)

The hidden ways trauma can impact your relationship with God

4 shifts that begin to restore safety

At its core, trauma isn’t just about what happened to you. It’s about what your body learned in relationships—especially when safety was broken. Whether those wounds began early in life or emerged later through betrayal, loss, or disappointment, your nervous system adapts in ways that are meant to protect you.

This conversation offers a compassionate, faith-rooted path forward—helping you understand how your soul and body respond to broken trust, and how safety can be restored over time.

More Resources:

Connect with @dralisoncook on Instagram

Want to go deeper? Join 80,000+ soul menders in our email community and receive weekly reflections and gentle practices here. 

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

Episode 179: Building Wise Trust - How to Protect Your Heart Without Closing It Off

Episode 188: The Healing Power of Safe People (Not Just Safe Spaces)

Episode 191: The 5 Most Important Things I've Learned About Faith, Attachment, & The Inner Life

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

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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.‍
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Welcome to The Best of You Every Day.

Today’s Scripture is: Isaiah 43:1–3

Topics covered:

How Isaiah 43 offers comfort during anxiety, grief, and overwhelming seasons.

Why hardship is not a failure of faith—and what God actually promises in suffering.

A powerful way to find spiritual resilience

Email us at [email protected] with scriptures or topics you'd like us to feature on the podcast.

Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook

Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison’s free email community for ongoing reflection and support.

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

Welcome to The Best of You Every Day.

Today’s Scripture is: Matthew 5:3-10

Topics covered:

A fresh look at the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) and what Jesus meant by “blessed.”

Why grief, humility, and spiritual need are not failures—but sacred openings.

How Jesus’ teaching reshapes the way we understand emotional and spiritual strength.

To go deeper:

Episode 99: Exploring a Broken Spirit and Dark Night of the Soul with Christopher Cook

Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook

Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison’s free email community for ongoing reflection and support.

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

Welcome to The Best of You Every Day.

Today’s Scripture is: Psalm 139:23–24

Topics covered:

How to notice what’s really happening inside you—anxiety, stress, and hidden emotions.

A gentle approach to self-awareness and emotional healing

How to stop avoiding your inner world and let God meet you with insight, peace, and direction instead of shame.

Get a free map of your soul here.

Go Deeper:

Episode 186: Stuck Overthinking? A Simple Practice to Interrupt Stress, Overwhelm, and Habit Loops

Episode 167: Can I Pray My Anxiety Away?

Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook

Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison’s free email community for ongoing reflection and support.

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

Welcome to The Best of You Every Day.

Today’s Scripture is: 2 Corinthians 7:9–10

Topics covered:


The kind of guilt that heals

The kind that traps you

How to tell the difference

Go Deeper:

Episode 140: If You Struggle with Guilt and Second-Guessing Yourself, This Will Set You Free – How to Stop Blaming Yourself for Things That Aren’t Your Fault

Read the first 3 chapters of I Shouldn't Feel This Way: Name What's Hard, Tame Your Guilt, and Transform Self-Sabotage Into Brave Action

Connect with Dr. Alison on Instagram: @dralisoncook

Join 80,000+ Soul Menders in Dr. Alison’s free email community for ongoing reflection and support.

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