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Do you feel stuck in an endless cycle of meeting everyone else's needs? When you are also nourishing yourself, you bring the best of you into the family. How can you tell the difference between being selfish and self-care? Dr. Alison Cook is here to help with powerful truths from her new book, The Best of You. During today's conversation you'll learn:

2:30 You don’t always have to sacrifice

3:50 Is it selfish to ask “what do I want”?

6:10 Selfishness, Selfhood or Selflessness

7:40 If you put yourself aside to an extreme, it’s not healthy for you or your loved ones

9:10 Examples of selfhood from Jesus

10:30 Motive checks - am I pleasing people or being kind?

12:00 How can we help our middle schoolers be true to themselves (not conform for others)?

15:00 Open conversations like this for teens

16:10 Moms who are spiritually strong but emotionally struggling

17:40 Codependency compared to healthy dependence

20:00 The two extremes “I need you to approve of me” and “I’m good”

21:30 The connection between trauma and mental health

22:31 Trauma defined as “unwitnessed pain”

25:30 Your presence, your nonverbals - why is this important for kids?

27:00 Guardrails against narcissism

Dr. Alison Cook has been a therapist for more than 20 years. She’s brought faith and psychology together to help thousands of women reclaim their confidence and find purpose.

Find out about her new book, "The Best of You: Break Free from Painful Patterns, Mend Your Past and Discover Your True Self in God" on her website.

Learn more about Arlene's book Screen Kids and the masterclass at Happy Home University

The Happy Home is sponsored in part by Talk About. Use Promo Code HAPPYHOME to get 1 month free at TalkAboutDiscipleship.com.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.