Dr. Alison Cook

Craft and Character | 052 | Dr. Alison Cook

In Christian circles, thinking about yourself is often labeled selfish. Psychologist and theologian Dr. Alison Cook pushes back on this assumption, explaining why caring for yourself is actually the best way to care for others. It’s the oxygen mask principle you always see in airplane safety videos: put on your own mask so you can assist those around you. 

With jolting clarity, Dr. Cook debunks the narratives we use to justify self-neglect: 

• We tell ourselves it’s all about them, but actually we just want to be needed.
• We tell ourselves we’re being sacrificial, but actually we lack healthy boundaries.
• We tell ourselves they are the problem, but actually we’ve trained them to be codependent.
• We tell ourselves we must solve every issue, but sometimes it’s ok to walk away.

Many of us want to care for ourselves, but years of bad habits have atrophied our self-awareness and self-care. Dr. Cook offers a simple yet profound model called “the MEPS,” which involves taking a regular inventory of your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual condition.

This episode is a must-listen for every pastor, spouse, parent, friend一every human!