Win Today with Christopher Cook: Your Roadmap to Wholeness

Emotional health is important. And even more importantly is our spiritual health. But even if we’re taking care of both of those areas of life, we cannot ignore our physical health. And too many Americans, maybe you, feel sick, tired, worn-out, and even depressed. We’ve talked about this before, but my own life is proof that diet and lifestyle changes, amidst emotional and spiritual healing have accelerated my own journey to wholeness. Here’s truth: what we eat is important. Period. In an overly processed, industrialized culture, who knows if we’re actually getting nutrient-dense food in our regular diet. Today, New York Times bestselling author, Jordan Rubin, is here. And today, we’re going to uncover the culprits to many physical ailments, as well as help jumpstart a plan to making better choices for your body, and those in your family. About Jordan Rubin Jordan S. Rubin is the founder of Garden of Life a co-founder of Ancient Nutrition, a health and wellness company that empowers people to attain extraordinary health. He has earned degrees in naturopathic medicine, nutrition, and natural therapies. Rubin has written three books and has appeared on more than 300 TV and radio programs worldwide. He has also written numerous articles for top nutritional and medical journals. Review “Win Today” Click here to read the ratings, or even better, please leave me a rating and review on iTunes. Your rating will help the podcast get noticed and positioned on iTunes. What Listeners Are Saying… “So great to find a podcast that is both encouraging and challenging! It is professionally produced, yet still has an informal feel like I’m hanging out with Chris… And frankly, I’d love to hang out with him! I really appreciate his heart and have been able to apply many of his topics in my life to help me grow professionally, physically, and relationally. A+!"

Our thought lives have incredible power over our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. In fact, our thoughts can either limit us to what we believe we can do or release us to experience abilities well beyond our expectations. When we choose a mindset that extends our abilities rather than placing limits on ourselves, we will experience greater intellectual satisfaction, emotional control, and physical health. The only question is . . . how? Backed by up-to-date scientific research and biblical insight, Dr. Caroline Leaf empowers readers to take control of their thoughts in order to take control of their lives. Dr. Leaf shows readers how to combine these powerful tools in order to improve memory, learning, cognitive and intellectual performance, work performance, physical performance, relationships, emotional health, and most importantly a meaningful life well lived. Each of us has significant psychological resources at our fingertips that we can use in order to improve our overall well-being. Dr. Leaf shows us how to harness those resources to unlock our hidden potential. Knowing and understanding your identity empowers your choices. Unlocking your true identity quotient is not optional--it is essential. Connect with Dr. Leaf on YouTube Dr. Leaf's Featured Resources Our thought lives have incredible power over our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. In fact, our thoughts can either limit us to what we believe we can do or release us to experience abilities well beyond our expectations. When we choose a mindset that extends our abilities rather than placing limits on ourselves, we will experience greater intellectual satisfaction, emotional control, and physical health. The only question is . . . how? Backed by up-to-date scientific research and biblical insight, Dr. Caroline Leaf empowers readers to take control of their thoughts in order to take control of their lives. Dr. Leaf shows readers how to combine these powerful tools in order to improve memory, learning, cognitive and intellectual performance, work performance, physical performance, relationships, emotional health, and most importantly a meaningful life well lived. Each of us has significant psychological resources at our fingertips that we can use in order to improve our overall well-being. Dr. Leaf shows us how to harness those resources to unlock our hidden potential. Buy Think, Learn, Succeed: Understanding and Using Your Mind to Thrive at School, the Workplace, and Life now. There are a lot of personality and intelligence tests out there designed to label you and put you in a particular box. But Dr. Caroline Leaf says there's much more to you than a personality profile can capture. In fact, you cannot be categorized! In this fascinating book, she takes readers through seven steps to rediscover and unlock their unique design--the brilliantly original way each person thinks, feels, relates, and makes choices--freeing them from comparison, envy, and jealousy, which destroy brain tissue. Readers learn to be aware of what's going on in their own minds and bodies, to lean in to their own experience rather than trying to forcefully change it, and to redefine what success means to them. Released from the suffocating box of expectations, they'll embrace their true identity and develop a clear sense of divine purpose in their lives. Knowing and understanding our identity empowers our choices. Unlocking one's you quotient is not optional--it is essential. Buy The Perfect You: A Blueprint for Identity now! According to researchers, the vast majority--a whopping 75-98 percent--of the illnesses that plague us today are a direct result of our thought life. What we think about truly affects us both physically and emotionally. In fact, fear alone triggers more than 1,400 known physical and chemical responses in our bodies,

At some point in time, many, if not all, of us will change careers. But the question isn’t if we’re changing careers, but how we’re changing careers. Life is too short to get stuck in the wrong profession. But switching careers can be difficult. Are you positioning yourself to stand-out in interviews? Do you know how to interview well? Wouldn’t you love to be able to get inside the mind of most hiring managers before your interview? Joining us today is psychologist, former recruiter, and switcher herself, Dr. Dawn Graham. Today, you’ll learn practical steps to break past obstacles, maintain your motivation, and launch a better, more rewarding career. Buy the Book Don’t settle . . . SUCCEED in the right career! Are you stuck in an unsatisfying job? In the wrong profession? An industry that just isn’t a fit? Get unstuck! Land a new career—one you’re genuinely passionate about. Switchers helps you realize that dream. Written by celebrated career coach and psychologist Dr. Dawn Graham, the book provides proven strategies that will get you where you want to go. The first step is to recognize that the usual rules and job search tools won’t work for you. Resumes and job boards were designed with traditional applicants in mind. As a career switcher, you have to go beyond the basics, using tactics tailor-made to ensure your candidacy stands out. The book reveals how to: Understand the concerns of hiring managers—and think like they do • Craft a resume that catches their attention within six seconds • Spotlight transferable skills that companies covet • Rebrand yourself—aligning your professional identity with your new aspirations • Reach decision-makers by recruiting “ambassadors” from within your network • Nail interviews by turning tough questions to your advantage • Convince skeptical employers to shelve their assumptions and take a chance on you • Negotiate a competitive salary and benefits package—even as a “newbie” to the field Career changers face unique challenges that demand fresh approaches. Packed with psychological insights, practical exercises, and inspiring success stories, Switchers helps you leap over obstacles and into a whole new field. Want to pull off the most daring—and fulfilling—career move of your life? Buy Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers -- and Seize Success now. About Dr. Dawn Graham Dr. Dawn Graham is a career switch coach, Wharton Lecturer & EMBA Career Director, author, licensed psychologist, Forbes contributor, and Sirius XM Radio Host of the popular "Career Talk" show. She combines her experience as an Expert Career Coach, Licensed Psychologist, and Former Recruiter to give career switchers the strategies they need to break through obstacles and land the job they want. Her latest book is "Switchers." Review “Win Today” Click here to read the ratings, or even better, please leave me a rating and review on iTunes. Your rating will help the podcast get noticed and positioned on iTunes. What Listeners Are Saying… “So great to find a podcast that is both encouraging and challenging! It is professionally produced, yet still has an informal feel like I’m hanging out with Chris… And frankly, I’d love to hang out with him! I really appreciate his heart and have been able to apply many of his topics in my life to help me grow professionally, physically, and relationally. A+!"

Here’s a fact: recent statistics indicate that more than 65% of working adults would choose a new boss over a pay increase. And that’s not totally surprising. In my estimation, what’s behind that statistic is a societal cry for better leadership—true leaders—to rise-up in society. But what we need is for leaders today to stop making the mistake of trying to be someone else and instead, step into the uniqueness of their identity. Here’s the point: all too often, leaders—maybe even you—set out to emulate their heroes but end up eclipsing their own unique, God-given identities in the process. Joining us today to discuss this very issue is president of Catalyst Leadership and certified leadership coach, Tyler Reagin. Buy the Book The president of Catalyst Leader believes that the most impactful and most influential leaders are the ones who lead from who they truly are, not who they pretend or wish to be. With clear biblical teaching and personal accounts, Tyler Reagin not only demonstrates the necessity of life-giving leadership, but also provides the steps you'll need to begin knowing and leading from your truest self. From his experiences in high-impact leadership roles at some of our nation's largest churches and ministries, Reagin has learned firsthand the importance of identity-based leadership. His desire is to help each reader become an empowered, confident leader that brings life and vibrancy to every room they enter. Whether you've got the corner office or you're just getting started, Reagin gives you the tools you need to become an impactful and unique influencer right where you are! Buy The Life-Giving Leader: Learning to Lead from Your Truest Self now. About Tyler Reagin Tyler Reagin is the President of Catalyst, a leadership development organization that exists to unify and equip leaders who love the Church through resources and experiential events. At its core, Catalyst is a community of change makers. Through live events, weekly podcast, digital resources and a community-building app, the Catalyst team leans into leaders who are seeking to create courageous change in the world. Over 100,000 leaders from around the world connect to Catalyst per year. Prior to leading the charge at Catalyst, Tyler served for seven years under the leadership of Andy Stanley as the Service Programming Director of Browns Bridge Community Church (a campus of North Point Ministries). He received his Masters of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and serves as a leadership coach for teams and organizations. Review “Win Today” Click here to read the ratings, or even better, please leave me a rating and review on iTunes. Your rating will help the podcast get noticed and positioned on iTunes. What Listeners Are Saying… “So great to find a podcast that is both encouraging and challenging! It is professionally produced, yet still has an informal feel like I’m hanging out with Chris… And frankly, I’d love to hang out with him! I really appreciate his heart and have been able to apply many of his topics in my life to help me grow professionally, physically, and relationally. A+!"

No one sets out in life to end-up feeling depressed and disappointed; empty because of broken dreams. No one wants to find themselves in a place of regret and irrelevance. But it happens to the best of us, doesn’t it? It’s rarely issues of talent or ability that take down people like you and me. Often, it's the issues far beneath the surface. Just look at the news. They’re full of stories of smart, skillful people who were forced out or had to quit. Why? There are seven key challenges that almost everyone experiences and no one expects. When one of these obstacles show up in someone’s life, most people will tell you they just didn't see it coming. Joining us this week is Carey Nieuwhof, author, leadership expert, and well-respected podcast host. And today, he's going expose these seven key challenges and give all of us keys to living with newfound confidence, strength, and integrity, even when the pain of regret and disillusionment knocks at our front door. Buy "Didn't See It Coming" An influential pastor, podcaster, and thought leader believes it's not only possible to predict life's hardest moments, but also to alter outcomes, overcome challenges, and defeat your fiercest adversaries. Founding Pastor of one of North America's most influential churches, Carey Nieuwhof wants to help you avoid and overcome life's seven hardest and most crippling challenges: cynicism, compromise, disconnectedness, irrelevance, pride, burnout, and emptiness. These are challenges that few of us expect but that we all experience at some point. If you have yet to confront these obstacles, Carey provides clear tools and guidelines for anticipation and avoidance. On the other hand, if you already feel stuck in a painful experience or are wrestling with one of these challenges, he provides the steps you need to find a way out and a way forward into a more powerful and vibrant future. Buy Didn't See It Coming: Overcoming the Seven Greatest Challenges That No One Expects and Everyone Experiences now. About Carey Nieuwhof Carey Nieuwhof is a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church. He's the author of several best-selling books, including his forthcoming book, Didn't See It Coming: Overcoming the Seven Greatest Challenges That No One Expects But Everyone Experiences (September 2018) which debuted as the #1 Amazon new release in Christian leadership. He holds degrees in law, theology and history. Carey speaks to leaders around the world about leadership, change and personal growth. He writes one of today's most widely read Christian leadership blogs at CareyNieuwhof.com and hosts the top-rated Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast where he interviews some of today's best leaders. His podcasts and blogs are accessed by millions of leaders each year. Carey's previous books include Lasting Impact: 7 Powerful Conversations That Will Help Your Church Grow, Leading Change Without Losing It and Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, co-authored with Reggie Joiner. He is passionate about helping people thrive in life and leadership, both personally and in leadership. He and his wife Toni live north of Toronto, Ontario and have two grown sons. In his spare time, you'll catch him barbecuing on his Big Green Egg, cycling or boating. Review “Win Today” Click here to read the ratings, or even better, please leave me a rating and review on iTunes. Your rating will help the podcast get noticed and positioned on iTunes. What Listeners Are Saying… “So great to find a podcast that is both encouraging and challenging! It is professionally produced, yet still has an informal feel like I’m hanging out with Chris… And frankly, I’d love to hang out with him! I really appreciate his heart and have been able to apply many of his topics in my life to help me grow professionally, physically, and relationally. A+!"

Abandoned by his father at age two, Rick Sylvester lived with an abusive mother whose struggles as a member of the working poor led her to drugs, alcohol, theft, and prostitution - and eventually attempted suicide. Rick battled depression, anxiety, and PTSD as the chaos, neglect, and unpredictability of his childhood seemed to doom him to follow in his mother's footsteps. Well into adulthood, Rick stumbled through unemployment and divorce, using drugs and alcohol to numb the pain until he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Miraculously, though, he overcame the odds and today is a happy husband and father. How did this happen? Rick's answer is this: "It was the Lord.” A message of hope to those who are drowning from an undeserved childhood, Leaving Cloud 9: The True Story of a Life Resurrected from the Ashes of Poverty, Trauma, and Mental Illness speaks to millions who grew up poor, feeling ignored and hopeless, and who need the healing power of God. This indelibly American story conveys the steadfast love of Jesus and his power to deliver us from the most devastating of pasts. Join today's powerful conversation with Rick's wife, author of Leaving Cloud 9: The True Story of a Life Resurrected from the Ashes of Poverty, Trauma, and Mental Illness, Erika Andersen. About Ericka Andersen Ericka Andersen is a freelance writer who also serves as the Digital Marketing Director at the Independent Women's Forum and as a consultant for The Steamboat Institute. She previously wrote for, and was the Digital Director at, National Review magazine. Prior to that, she was the Digital Manager at the Heritage Foundation and worked in communications for Vice President Mike Pence at the GOP Conference. She attended Indiana University. She lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with her husband and two children. Review “Win Today” Click here to read the ratings, or even better, please leave me a rating and review on iTunes. Your rating will help the podcast get noticed and positioned on iTunes. What Listeners Are Saying… “So great to find a podcast that is both encouraging and challenging! It is professionally produced, yet still has an informal feel like I’m hanging out with Chris… And frankly, I’d love to hang out with him! I really appreciate his heart and have been able to apply many of his topics in my life to help me grow professionally, physically, and relationally. A+!"

Crisis, loss, and disappointment are all things most of us will experience in life. And in the midst of personal hell, I know it’s true—because I’ve lived it—that we can barely take the next step in front of us—like paying bills on time, having normal conversations, or even remembering to eat regular meals. Beyond hopelessness is despair, and that’s an even scarier place to live. I’ve been there too. So how in the world are we even supposed to say the word “hope,” let alone cultivate it in the midst of crisis. For some of us, life has taught us that there’s no point in getting our hopes up, because the disappointment that follows hurts even worse. And that’s valid. But that’s also not real hope. The question is, then, what is real hope in the midst of chaos? Joining us today to answer that question is New York Times bestselling author, and leader of leaders, pastor of the largest church in America, Craig Groeschel. And today, he’s going to teach us precisely how to hope in the dark.

Fear, guilt, shame, bitterness, and regret. Five deadly emotions that will lie to you about your identity, sink daggers of despair into your heart, and sabotage your relationships and your potential in life. What do most people do about the lingering effects of those five emotions in their lives? At least on my end, I surpassed them until it was too painful to do so any longer. And that wasn’t a good choice. Men and women all over the country unknowingly make decisions from a false identity created by fear, guilt, or shame. But they don’t know they’re doing it. So life sort of flat-lines and they think it’s just the way things are supposed to end-up. What if there was a way to reach way down to the root of those emotions, set healthy boundaries for our soul, and instead, change the trajectory of our lives simply by a change of heart? I believe it’s possible. Joining us today is Kimberly Miller. She’s the co-author of the brand-new book, Boundaries for Your Soul: How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies, and she’s going to guide you through a five-step process to transform these liabilities into powerful strengths.

What keeps us from flourishing in life is a neglect of the inner life of the soul. It’s the engine where everything starts…and stops. And more and more today, this neglect is driven by our ambition to accomplish something big outside ourselves. We live in a society that pressures us to achieve professionally, socially, and through the constant acquisition of things, status, and titles. The trouble is that this rat-race to achieve is a never-ending ride. You can’t get off this train without a major interruption of mindset, shift of priorities, and a willingness to make a choice to change. Today, you’re going to learn how to flourish in this very competitive, demanding culture and even redefine greatness.

You and I have one life to live. But few of us step into manifesting the full expression of who we were designed to be. Why? Because of the fear that being seen and heard for who we really are will result in rejection; rejection not because of what we have or haven't done, but rejection of our very personhood. You see, it's one thing to feel as though you've not done enough. But it's a greater tragedy to feel as though you aren’t enough. Allow me to paint a picture in this week's bonus episode.

Level-up with me. How many of you feel as if you take one step forward in life only to fall back two—or ten—steps? You struggle and push through one obstacle and then discover an even larger one looming right ahead of you. It’s intimidating, isn’t it? I’ve been there. We’ve talked about my journey a lot here on the show. But what if our strategy to deal with the storms of life was off, not because we’re doing anything wrong tactically, but because we’re looking in the wrong direction. I know that probably confused you. But stay with me. What I’m getting at is that our perspective in trouble often dictates how we navigate through the trouble. So today, we’re going to tackle that very subject with Samuel Rodriguez. He’s a respected communicator around the world, but most notably, is a senior advisor to the President of the United States. He’s walked through storms to say the least. And today, he’s going to show all of us how to do it better!

What if today, you realized that a misconception about yourself has been driving your day-to-day existence? And as a result, you’ve not been seeing yourself and the world around you as it really is. Would you be frustrated? Quickly motivated to discover the issue and re-direct the course of your life? I really believe a misconception is one of the most dangerous threats in life. And the biggest misconception a lot of people live with is about who they really are, their identity outside of their performance, and the role and identity of Who God is in their lives. Perhaps what you’ve really been searching for through hard work, performance, and just flat-out striving is much simpler than you think. And what if that one misconception about your life could change the trajectory of your life forever? Joining me today is Chad Norris. He’s the lead pastor of Bridgeway Church in Greenville, South Carolina, and author of two books, including "Mama Jane's Secret: Walking In Deep Friendship with God."

Honor is the art of stewarding relationships well. Business is all about relationships, and every day at work presents us with a choice: Will we fight for fear-free connections with our team members, employees, vendors, and customers for the sake of our mutual success? Or will we default into self-protection and self-serving and participate in a relational culture of disconnection? This is the choice between honor and dishonor, and it flows from our hearts and our core beliefs about people. This week, Bob Hasson and Danny Silk lay out a pathway for living with a heart of honor in business, from receiving your identity to investing in healthy relationships and taking the lead in building honoring culture in your company or organization.

It is not uncommon that painful past experiences in life cause us to wear tattered clothing of shame, perfectionism, self-protection, and self-promotion. I know this too well because I did it all too often. We "orphan" ourselves when we have an unwillingness to live inside our story (even the most painful parts). We then abandon who we were/who we are (and what happened) in favor of who we're supposed to be. We live inside windowless shacks built upon the phrase, "I will not be ___________ again." The bricks of that shack are past hurt, abandonment, abuse, lies, being taken advantage of, fear, and resentment about being forced to experience a sizable amount of pain so early in life. But worthiness and acceptance of ourselves at the core "adopt" the orphan and, through a lot of time and diligence, make whole what was broken.

Let’s cut right to the chase. God wants you to have amazing sex. He designed it. And He wants you to enjoy it in the covenant of marriage. But here’s the thing—and this is why we’re even talking about it today—culture has hijacked sex and prescribed it through the jaded, broken, convoluted lens of 50 Shades of Grey and mass media as a whole. And just because people asked, we’re not talking about technique today. That’s not even close to the focus. Instead we’re talking about the original design and intent for this incredible God-given gift to married couples. Joining me today are relationship coaches, speakers, and founders of NoSmallLife, Chris and Megan Rea. And today, we are talking about how to have better sex in your marriage. But our focus is what happens way before the bedroom. We shouldn’t be ashamed to talk about sex. In fact, I believe if more married couples engaged in open, healthy, appropriate conversation with their kids, we’d chip away at the polluted, skewed counterfeit that culture is propagating each and every day. Our conversation is both serious and light-hearted. We laugh. We joke. We have fun. But know this: our goal is to celebrate and promote the original design God intended for marriage. Singles, take notes. File them away in a time capsule for use in the future.