Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Why Are We So Lonely Even When We’re Not Alone?
Host Curtis Chang talks with psychologist and podcaster Dr. Alison Cook about why America’s loneliness epidemic can’t be solved by simply adding more people to our lives. They explore how attachment wounds, anxiety, distraction, and modern life leave us disconnected—and how solitude and honest prayer can become paths toward healing. Dr. Cook offers a practice for loneliness: “recognize and return”—name what you feel, then remember, “I am loved even here.”
02:46 - Why Do We Minimize Loneliness?
05:12 - What Is Attachment Theory?
10:31 - Childhood Wounds and Cultural Context
13:42 - Where God Enters the Healing Process
16:14 - The Inner Dialogue with God
20:44 - The Importance of Solitude
27:20 - The Modern Epidemic of Loneliness
35:16 - Loneliness as a Holy Longing
39:22 - Spiritual Practices for a Healthy Inner Life
To give to Good Faith: goodfaith.org/donate
Mentioned in This Episode:
Dr. Cook’s The Secure Soul: Finding Inner Strength and Connection When Trust Doesn’t Come Easy: amazon.com/dp/1400352606?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback
The U.S. Surgeon General’s report: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/connection/index.html
Professor Irvin D. Yalom’s Existential Psychotherapy: amazon.com/dp/0465021476?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together: amazon.com/Life-Together-Exploration-Christian-Community/dp/B0FHWWH7Y2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1OWR3C6M47KAW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Qx3JgvO73Tzze35KUzjdebiNFlvyZ2UsBf3TTriQFQSRYzX6e9pJ6JtKfxviHDFerkBuf5ECyG2Xf8Udj2korBMGnvMFjPnkVEPbsqG8fvQ6epQxHwg96vNynMzpz2jy9VJ4aysu87R1-4es6uYu7ylskK2Me_LlZsVvGN93Dop02yet4qHpFdBKsKdxjE6gbxG9pzAHCfus6KfPWHZd44LK1Mkc8bPy26wL4URHgCo.hVNZGD62qtYf_411-IA4_nwQRwafwqKLQMOClpjfIQs&dib_tag=se&keywords=Dietrich+Bonhoeffer%E2%80%99s+Life+Together&qid=1786983096&s=books&sprefix=dietrich+bonhoeffer%27s+life+together%2Cstripbooks%2C209&sr=1-1
Scriptures:
Psalm 42 (ESV): esv.org/Psalm+42
Psalm 131 (ESV): esv.org/Psalm+131
Psalm 139 (ESV): esv.org/Psalm+139
Genesis 2 (ESV): esv.org/Genesis+2
Romans 8 (ESV): esv.org/Romans+8
More From Alison Cook:
Dr. Alison Cook’s Website: dralisoncook.com
Dr. Cook’s The Best of You Every Day Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-of-you/id1620059010
Follow Us:
Good Faith on Instagram: instagram.com/goodfaithnetwork
Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/_good_faith
Good Faith on Facebook: facebook.com/goodfaithpod
The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.
Why Are We So Lonely Even When We’re Not Alone?
Host Curtis Chang talks with psychologist and podcaster Dr. Alison Cook about why America’s loneliness epidemic can’t be solved by simply adding more people to our lives. They explore how attachment wounds, anxiety, distraction, and modern life leave us disconnected—and how solitude and honest prayer can become paths toward healing. Dr. Cook offers a practice for loneliness: “recognize and return”—name what you feel, then remember, “I am loved even here.”
02:46 - Why Do We Minimize Loneliness?
05:12 - What Is Attachment Theory?
10:31 - Childhood Wounds and Cultural Context
13:42 - Where God Enters the Healing Process
16:14 - The Inner Dialogue with God
20:44 - The Importance of Solitude
27:20 - The Modern Epidemic of Loneliness
35:16 - Loneliness as a Holy Longing
39:22 - Spiritual Practices for a Healthy Inner Life
To give to Good Faith: goodfaith.org/donate
Mentioned in This Episode:
Dr. Cook’s The Secure Soul: Finding Inner Strength and Connection When Trust Doesn’t Come Easy: amazon.com/dp/1400352606?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback
The U.S. Surgeon General’s report: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/connection/index.html
Professor Irvin D. Yalom’s Existential Psychotherapy: amazon.com/dp/0465021476?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together: amazon.com/Life-Together-Exploration-Christian-Community/dp/B0FHWWH7Y2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1OWR3C6M47KAW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Qx3JgvO73Tzze35KUzjdebiNFlvyZ2UsBf3TTriQFQSRYzX6e9pJ6JtKfxviHDFerkBuf5ECyG2Xf8Udj2korBMGnvMFjPnkVEPbsqG8fvQ6epQxHwg96vNynMzpz2jy9VJ4aysu87R1-4es6uYu7ylskK2Me_LlZsVvGN93Dop02yet4qHpFdBKsKdxjE6gbxG9pzAHCfus6KfPWHZd44LK1Mkc8bPy26wL4URHgCo.hVNZGD62qtYf_411-IA4_nwQRwafwqKLQMOClpjfIQs&dib_tag=se&keywords=Dietrich+Bonhoeffer%E2%80%99s+Life+Together&qid=1786983096&s=books&sprefix=dietrich+bonhoeffer%27s+life+together%2Cstripbooks%2C209&sr=1-1
Scriptures:
Psalm 42 (ESV): esv.org/Psalm+42
Psalm 131 (ESV): esv.org/Psalm+131
Psalm 139 (ESV): esv.org/Psalm+139
Genesis 2 (ESV): esv.org/Genesis+2
Romans 8 (ESV): esv.org/Romans+8
More From Alison Cook:
Dr. Alison Cook’s Website: dralisoncook.com
Dr. Cook’s The Best of You Every Day Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-of-you/id1620059010
Follow Us:
Good Faith on Instagram: instagram.com/goodfaithnetwork
Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/_good_faith
Good Faith on Facebook: facebook.com/goodfaithpod
The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.
