130. Defining Toxic Behaviors (with Dr. Alison Cook)

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Alison Cook is a psychologist, podcast host, and the author of two books, including her new books, The Best of You (Thomas Nelson 2022) and Boundaries for Your Soul (Thomas Nelson, 2018). For twenty years, Alison has helped women, ministry leaders, couples, and families learn how to heal from painful emotions, develop confidence from the inside out, forge healthy relationships, and fully live out their God-given potential.

Show Summary: 

The terms narcissism, gaslighting, and blame shifting get thrown around a lot nowadays, but what do they actually mean? How do we notice those toxic behaviors and protect ourselves from falling into relationships where those behaviors are deemed normal? On this episode of God Hears Her, Join hosts Elisa Morgan and Eryn Adkins as they answer these questions with expert psychologist Dr. Alison Cook. 

Notes and Quotes: 

• “Self-knowledge goes hand-in-hand with God-knowledge.” —Dr. Alison Cook

• “[A] narcissist is someone with a pervasive pattern of not being able to empathize with another human.” —Dr. Alison Cook

• “Blame shifting is a strategy to put the blame anywhere outside of us.” —Dr. Alison Cook

• “Gaslighting is a form of manipulation. It’s a lie that also includes blame shifting that makes the other person feel shame.” —Dr. Alison Cook

• “Self-hood is a strong sense of self. Selfishness is only doing what you want and never thinking of someone else. Selflessness, which is what we’re taught as women, is to never think about your needs.” —Dr. Alison Cook

• “A healthy relationship starts with a healthy individual.” —Elisa Morgan

• “We could argue that the best gift we could give someone is the best version of ourselves.” —Dr. Alison Cook

Verses: 

• Genesis 3:12

• Matthew 10:16

• Mark 12:31

• Genesis 1:27

Links: 

• The Best of You by Dr. Alison Cook: Amazon

• Boundaries for Your Soul by Dr. Alison Cook: Amazon 

• God Hears Her website: https://www.godhearsher.org/

• God Hears Her newsletter sign-up: https://www.godhearsher.org/signup

• Dr. Alison Cook’s website: https://www.dralisoncook.com/

• Subscribe on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast

• Elisa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elisamorganauthor/

• Eryn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eryneddy/

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