Win Today with Christopher Cook

Dr. Alison Cook is back on the podcast this week and let me tell you right now, she brought it. We're talking about the lifetime journey of healing, what stops guilt from turning into shame, why surrender positions us for wisdom, and how to emotionally attune to the people in our lives. One of my favorite parts of the conversation is when Alison took us down the road of talking about whole-body compassion. This is part and parcel of transformation, so I'm confident this conversation will add tremendous value to your life. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInvite me to speakInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube

All of us have experienced varying degrees of loss, betrayal, and heartbreak throughout life. And as such, I feel it necessary to double down on that topic. So today, Steve Carter joins us to discuss why forgiveness is a solo sport, the horrible positive spins we too often slap on tragedy, how we waste waiting seasons in life, and how to better-understand the trauma involved in betrayal. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube

Joining us today is law professor and author John Inazu. We will unpack the deeper reasons why people don't trust mainstream media, government, and sadly, even many pastors. We're also going to discuss a common cultural lean toward anti-intellectualism, and the influence of AI and deep fakes upon our psyches which directly affect our mental and emotional health. And in an election year, we're going to take time to learn communication strategies to disagree with others more effectively...and respectively. All of these topics have an influence on our mental and emotional health, and that's why I brought John to the show. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube

Joining us today is John Burke, author of "Imagine Heaven.” We're going to discuss near-death experiences, including one profound story of a Hindu man who met the Lord. We will also unpack the consistent order of common events in near-death experiences, the impact of free will on eternal destination, and a skeptic's take on NDEs. This is such a fascinating, inspiring conversation, and I trust you'll walk away from it intrigued and encouraged. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

Joining us today is a 26-year-old Gen-Z writer named Griffin Gooch. We met last year, and after a long conversation, his curious bent towards philosophy, discipleship, and our current cultural moment, fused with his intellectual sharpness and posture of humility, signaled to me an opportunity to share him with you all. So today, Griffin and I sit down to talk about his generation, specifically why Gen-Z wants truth and why they are burned out by conflicting narratives from the myriad of echo chambers in our society. Also, Griffin sheds light on fighting cynicism and why we need to train ourselves in discomfort. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

Joining us this week is Jeanine Amapola, a full-time YouTuber, Social Media Influencer, & Podcast Host from Dallas, Texas. Through her own journey to find freedom from her secret struggles, poor choices, and toxic relationships, she's here today to talk candidly about navigating unrealistic timelines for life, pretending present emotions aren't real, because denial is a devastating way to cope with life), secrecy and shame, and how we delay our healing. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

This week, we are continuing the launch of my brand new book, Healing What You Can't Erase. Joining us today is my good friend and professional counselor, Debra Fileta. Today, we're talking with Debra about holding grief and joy in tandem, navigating levels of depression, OCD and hypervigilance, and rewriting internal narratives. Now, ahead of our conversation, I want to invite you to do a couple of things: Get a copy of my new bookFollow me on Instagram Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

This week, we are continuing the launch of my brand new book, Healing What You Can't Erase. As I shared last week, this new series we're in will be unique. It's not as much an interview as it is a side-by-side conversation between me and some key people who have invested in my life. Today, we're diving into the content from chapters 9 and 10 of my book. Joining us is the one and only Jamie Winship to talk about inner healing and why emotions are valuable tools for transformation. Now, ahead of our conversation, I want to invite you to do a few things: Get a copy of my new bookFollow me on InstagramHealing What You Can't Erase Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

Thanks for joining me for episode 384 where we are celebrating launch week of my brand new book, Healing What You Can't Erase. This new series we're in will be unique. It's not as much an interview as it is a side-by-side conversation between me and some key people who have invested in my life. Today, we're diving into the content from chapter 6 of my book, which is called "The Art of Surrender." Joining us is a man I talk about early on in the chapter. His name is Dave. He has counseled, mentored, and led me for almost 11 years, and together, we're going to talk about the art of surrender and why surrender releases power in our lives. Now, ahead of our conversation, I want to invite you to do a few things: Get a copy of my new bookFollow me on InstagramHealing What You Can't Erase Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

Today, I am really thankful to have my friend Terry Crist with us. We're talking about interrupting cancel culture, why we underestimate the driver of fear, radical individualism, and what it means to weaponize boundaries. As a pastor committed to building deep relationships with people whose life experiences are different than his own, Terry Crist knows the beauty and challenge of connecting with people across a multitude of dividing lines. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

Today, I am thrilled to introduce you to an incredible thinker, theologian, and teacher. Dr. Joel Muddamalle, Director of Theology and Research at Proverbs 31 Ministries joins us today to talk about the inescapable aspects of life we are all marked by. We have less control than we want, more anxiety than we're comfortable with and just enough insecurity to continually remind us of our shortcomings. To experience these things is to be human. We aren't superheroes and invincibility isn't an option. But humility is. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

Today, you better buckle your seatbelt. We're taking a deep dive into all-things relationships, my guests, Tim and Kathy Bush have a story to tell. Starting with, you know, why they had sex on their first date and what ensued in the early days of their relationship. But more specifically, their wisdom, after 42 years of marriage and enduring infidelity, drugs, and a myriad of other challenges, is a great gift to all of us today. We're going to hear their backstory, but also learn about the shadow side of attraction and chemistry, and why emotional affairs are even more devastating than a one-night stand. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

This week, my good friend Andi Andrew joins us to talk about misinterpreting personal shaking, why we need to grieve what didn't happen, the power of tears in releasing trauma from our bodies, and how to detach false belief systems from your life. Andi is a wellspring of wisdom, let alone a no-nonsense communicator, and so I'm confident our conversation today will help you move the needle in your own life. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

This week, Tim Ross joins us to talk about leaving and grieving seasons of life, emotional maturity, how to embrace being misunderstood, and why sexual sin is so insidious–why it takes people down so quickly. Many of you know about Tim and The Basement already, so I hope you'll lean in for the powerful and transparent conversation. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

This week, we're sitting down with Paul Daugherty, pastor of Victory Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to talk in raw and vulnerable fashion about his brush with considering suicide. And before I go on, I want to share that if you or anyone you know is considering suicide, please stop this podcast and dial 988 on your phone right now. It's a 24-hour crisis hotline and help is available. Aside from that part of the conversation, Paul and I discuss the strength of a lie to empower our lives and why we need to dump the plastic, sugar-coated platitudes when dealing with loss and pain. We'll also discuss fake prayers and why you can't just pray trauma away. In a culture so consumed by facades, I'm very thankful for Paul's transparency in our conversation and trust you'll receive great value from it. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

This week, Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, Ph.D., a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University, who is a world expert in the science of emotions, joins us to talk about how to understand our emotions. We'll also dive into the topic of why emotions are "whole brain events," how to change the meaning of experiences to change our minds, the effect of PTSD on the brain, and so much more. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

This week is the final week of [Formed.], and this week, my good buddy, Ian Simkins is back. He's one of my favorite people, and a deep well at that. Today, we're talking about the cost of surrender, why control and clarity are cousins, embodied trust, and the necessary theology of suffering concerning effective spiritual formation. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

It's week five of [Formed.], and this week, Havilah Cunnington joins us to discuss what God's voice sounds like. We're also going to explore why some people don't want to hear God's voice and how this plays into our journeys of formation as disciples of Jesus. Of course, if you missed the first four weeks of [Formed.], go back and catch those episodes on your podcast feed or YouTube. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

It's week four of [Formed.], and one of our favorite people is back on the podcast: Jamie Winship. This week, Jamie talks to us about why separation creates suffering, the necessary practice of self-emptying according to Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5, how to develop a right view of God, and a brilliant concept called "closed-handed anxiety." As usual, it's a fascinating conversation, so prepare for some note-taking. And of course, if you missed the first three weeks of [Formed.], go back and catch those episodes on your podcast feed or YouTube. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere

It's week three of [Formed.] and one of the foremost biblical scholars in the world, Dr. Craig Keener, joins us to talk about self-centered spirituality and how to read the Scripture well. We're also going to debunk our understanding and application of a few of our favorite Bible verses. Of course, if you missed the first two weeks of [Formed.], featuring Craig Cooney and Father Ronald Rolheiser, go back and catch those episodes on your podcast feed or on YouTube. Episode Links: Show NoteshereInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTubehere