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164: Rewriting Your Narrative – What If the Hardest Parts of Your Story Hold the Key to Your Growth?
Manage episode 490917134 series 3345776
What if your story—even the complicated parts—could become a doorway to deeper faith?
In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Alison Cook is joined by author and professor Dr. Esau McCaulley, whose journey is a powerful example of how owning your story—even the hard parts—can lead to growth, healing, and deeper purpose.
Together they explore how to reflect on your past with clarity, how to honor your roots while still moving forward, and how to build a faith and life that reflects who you truly are becoming.
We talk about:
- How to grow stronger by facing your story with honesty
- Why your past doesn’t define your future—but it does matter
- How to forgive and still honor your boundaries
- The role of family, race, and faith in shaping identity
- How to live with more purpose by integrating your whole self
- A hopeful perspective on becoming grounded, resilient, and open to change
If you’re on a journey of becoming more emotionally and spiritually whole, this episode will leave you feeling inspired, grounded, and more connected to your own growth.
📚 Learn more about Esau’s work at esaumccaulley.com
📖 Read his new memoir: How Far to the Promised Land
If this episode speaks to you, you’ll also love:
- Episode 156 — Why Fear Shows Up When You’re About to Grow & How to Break Free from Self-Sabotage with Mary Marantz
- Episode 163 — Healing Spiritual Wounds: Understanding Abuse in Faith Spaces with Rachel Clinton Chen
📖 Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here
💬 Got a question? Call 307-429-2525 and leave a message for a future episode.
Thanks to our Sponsors!
- Go to Quince.com/bestofyou for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
- Visit GoGeviti.com to learn more about how you can start optimizing your health without leaving home today and use code BESTOFYOU.
- Go to cozyearth.com and use code BESTOFYOU for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more. Trust me—you’ll feel the difference the very first night.
- Better sleep starts today! Get a birch mattress and test it out for 100 nights risk-free PLUS a discount for being a listener by visiting birchliving.com/BESTOFYOU.
Editing by Giulia Hjort
Sound engineering by Kelly Kramarik
Music by Andy Luiten
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.
© 2025 Alison Cook. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Please do not copy or share the contents of this webpage or transcript without permission from the author.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
168 episodes
164: Rewriting Your Narrative – What If the Hardest Parts of Your Story Hold the Key to Your Growth?
Manage episode 490917134 series 3345776
What if your story—even the complicated parts—could become a doorway to deeper faith?
In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Alison Cook is joined by author and professor Dr. Esau McCaulley, whose journey is a powerful example of how owning your story—even the hard parts—can lead to growth, healing, and deeper purpose.
Together they explore how to reflect on your past with clarity, how to honor your roots while still moving forward, and how to build a faith and life that reflects who you truly are becoming.
We talk about:
- How to grow stronger by facing your story with honesty
- Why your past doesn’t define your future—but it does matter
- How to forgive and still honor your boundaries
- The role of family, race, and faith in shaping identity
- How to live with more purpose by integrating your whole self
- A hopeful perspective on becoming grounded, resilient, and open to change
If you’re on a journey of becoming more emotionally and spiritually whole, this episode will leave you feeling inspired, grounded, and more connected to your own growth.
📚 Learn more about Esau’s work at esaumccaulley.com
📖 Read his new memoir: How Far to the Promised Land
If this episode speaks to you, you’ll also love:
- Episode 156 — Why Fear Shows Up When You’re About to Grow & How to Break Free from Self-Sabotage with Mary Marantz
- Episode 163 — Healing Spiritual Wounds: Understanding Abuse in Faith Spaces with Rachel Clinton Chen
📖 Find a full transcript and list of resources from this episode here
💬 Got a question? Call 307-429-2525 and leave a message for a future episode.
Thanks to our Sponsors!
- Go to Quince.com/bestofyou for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
- Visit GoGeviti.com to learn more about how you can start optimizing your health without leaving home today and use code BESTOFYOU.
- Go to cozyearth.com and use code BESTOFYOU for 40% off best-selling temperature-regulating sheets, apparel, and more. Trust me—you’ll feel the difference the very first night.
- Better sleep starts today! Get a birch mattress and test it out for 100 nights risk-free PLUS a discount for being a listener by visiting birchliving.com/BESTOFYOU.
Editing by Giulia Hjort
Sound engineering by Kelly Kramarik
Music by Andy Luiten
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.
© 2025 Alison Cook. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Please do not copy or share the contents of this webpage or transcript without permission from the author.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
168 episodes
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