From Burnout to Breaking Bread: A Teacher's Journey Through Shadow, Silence, and Renewal with David Cook

What happens when the version of you that worked so hard in the morning of life no longer fits the afternoon? When the criticism becomes too heavy, the certainty starts to crack, and your body quietly tells you it's time to listen differently? For David Cook, a beloved teacher, longtime columnist, and founder of Food as a Verb — the answer began with silence, humility, and the courage to turn over his own stones. In this deeply honest conversation, Dr. Beth sits down with David Cook to explore burnout, self-righteousness, shadow work, parenting through fear, the inner work of masculinity, and how contentment quietly outlasts every metric of success. David shares the moment he realized he had been "blinded by the log in his own eye," what teenagers are really aching for today, and how he rebuilt a life — and a media company — around food, story, and presence. What You'll Learn Why fear (not failure) is the hidden root of most parenting and teaching mistakes — and what to do about it How shadow work and "turning over your own stones" leads to deeper relationships and clearer purpose What David means by descending "below the neck" — and why so many men have never been invited to do it How to redefine success as contentment, generational healing, and a freer version of who you are Why trust, safety, and powerful questions transform a classroom (and a home) more than control ever could The "rhino in the room" practice — learning to name what no one else is willing to say out loud About the Guest David Cook is a writer, former English teacher at McCallie School, GPS, and Saint Margaret's, and the founder of Food as a Verb — a Chattanooga-based media company telling rich, soul-level stories about food, farming, chefs, and the land. His work invites readers to slow down, exhale, and remember what it means to be human at the table. Connect with David Cook Email: david@foodasaverb.com Website: foodasaverb.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodasaverb/ If you've ever felt the quiet pull of midlife asking you to choose again, or wondered whether the rules you've been playing by still fit who you're becoming, this episode is for you. Press play, take a breath, and let David's words remind you that freedom, meaning, and a truer version of yourself are still waiting on the other side of your honesty.  If this conversation moves you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and visit neverperfect.org for more conversations that celebrate growth, faith, and the beautiful imperfection of being human. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices