Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick
Michael John Cusick
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Conversations that cultivate freedom, flourishing, and wholeness of heart through Jesus-shaped spirituality. If you would like further information about Michael and Restoring the Soul, visit restoringthesoul.com
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19 hours ago
Episode 265 - Alan Fadling, "A Year of Slowing Down: An Unhurried Life and an Unhurried Leader"
“You will be at your best if you are doing it from a rested soul.” - Alan Fadling
Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, Alan Fadling's life spiraled out of control until he discovered a game-changing practice that completely transformed his life. His mentors introduced him to the art of taking a day each month for solitude and reflection, which helped him reconnect with his true purpose. This monthly retreat catalyzed Alan to create a daily journaling practice that allowed him to explore his thoughts and emotions and capture meaningful moments with God. The unexpected twist? It only took five minutes each day to start seeing a significant difference in his mental health. Unleash the power of five minutes and discover a new level of peace and balance in your life.
In this episode, you will be able to:
* Discover the benefits of incorporating mindful moments in your daily life for spiritual growth.
* Learn how dedicating time each day to mental well-being can transform your outlook.
* Uncover techniques for fostering a deeper connection with oneself and the divine through an unhurried pace.
* Explore the power of journaling as a tool for self-discovery and fostering a dialogue with your higher power.
* Realize the importance of communal connection and the nurturing space it can create while slowing down.
Alan is the president and founder of Unhurried Living, inspiring people to rest deeper, live fuller, and lead better.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:
*Episode 237 - Gem Fadling, “Hold That Thought"
Episode 238 - Alan Fadling, “An Unhurried Life"
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
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Jun 2, 2023
Episode 264 - Kelly & Eli Pyke, "Finding Hope in a Far Green Country"
What if you could save your crumbling marriage by embarking on a cross-country adventure in an RV? Today, we sit down with Eli and Kelly Pyke, who did precisely that. Join us as they share their extraordinary journey from a counseling intensive to their life-changing experience documented in their films, The Far Green Country. They reveal how they found strength in Jesus and held onto their promise to each other, even through the trauma and joy of their son's birth.
As the Pykes recount their adventure, we discuss the unique challenges of living in close quarters with two young children and a pet, and the importance of continued soul work and relational counseling to navigate their marriage journey. They also reveal how being present in the moment has shifted their lives and allowed them to experience life to the fullest.
Listen closely as Eli and Kelly share the deep emotion that went into the production of their influential films. We explore their journey's profound metaphors and the importance of creating something that will remain for them and others facing their own struggles. Be inspired by their heartfelt conversation, and don't miss out on watching their films on Amazon Prime and social media. Let's discover the power of storytelling and how it can transform our lives, as we all have the opportunity to ask ourselves what kind of story we want to tell about ourselves.
*ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:*
* Watch The Far Green Country on Amazon (free with Prime)
* Watch Far Green Country 2: At Road's End on Amazon
* Check out their site, thefargreencountry.com to get merch, get updates, and/or get the low-down
* Follow them on Instagram @thefargreencountry
* Sky Ranch
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
playlist_add
May 26, 2023
Episode 263 - Julianne Cusick, "Overcoming Intimate Betrayal and Embracing Forgiveness"
Have you ever struggled with the pain of betrayal, especially in intimate relationships? On today's episode of Restoring the Soul, we hear from Julianne Cusick, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in helping individuals and couples navigate the difficult journey of forgiveness and reconciliation after intimate partner betrayal. Julianne's powerful story of healing and redemption provides hope and encouragement for those who have experienced sexual betrayal in their relationships.
Julianne Cusick, who Bill Arnold recently interviewed on Faith Radio, explored the challenges of navigating betrayal trauma and shame and the importance of finding a confidential support system. Julianne also shared her insights on forgiveness and reconciliation, emphasizing the need for trust, repentance, and commitment to ongoing healing and growth to restore a relationship after an intimate partner betrayal. Her marriage to her husband, Michael Cusick, is a testament to what can happen when two people are willing to forgive and work toward restoration.
Julianne and Bill delved into the current landscape of pornography, affairs, and infidelity and its impact on relationships and the church. Julianne shared a word of caution for those whose spouses may not be forthcoming. She invited listeners to learn more about the intensive counseling programs offered through Restoring the Soul. Join us for this inspiring and insightful conversation with Julianne Cusick, a true champion for healing and forgiveness.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:
*Afternoons with Bill Arnold
Episode 218 - Julianne Cusick, "A Holy & Horrible Journey"
Episode 195 - Julianne Cusick, “Devastated But Not Destroyed”
Episode 166 - Julianne Cusick, "Treatment Barriers to Healing from Betrayal Trauma"
Episode 165 - Julianne Cusick, "Barriers to Overcoming Betrayal Trauma"
Episode 115 - Julianne Cusick, "5 Things Husbands Can Do to Support Their Wives After Betrayal"
Episode 114 - Julianne Cusick, "5 Facts Wives Need to Know After Betrayal"
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
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May 19, 2023
Episode 262 - Laura Barringer, "A Church Called TOV"
“Only one side could be telling the truth and it's really disturbing either way.” - Laura Barringer
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Laura Barringer to the podcast.
Over the past decade, we have seen incredible examples of toxic church culture that has upended congregations and has left thousands of church staff and congregants confused and shaken. In 2020 Laura co-authored a book with her father titled “A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing.” Together, they dedicated the book to “the wounded resisters” which provides a framework to create a “good” church culture rather than a toxic one to prevent further abuse. As you’ll hear in her interview with Michael, Laura has firsthand experience of toxic church culture.
Laura is a graduate of Wheaton College and makes her home in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and three beagles.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:*
* A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
playlist_add
May 12, 2023
Episode 261 - Alan Noble, "On Getting Out of Bed"
“God is using us to testify to His goodness, but that's not why He loves us.” - Alan Noble
For many people, sorrow, anxiety, and mental illness are everyday experiences. We can see this as clear as day in a post-COVID world, and while we have made tremendous advancements in therapy and psychiatry, the burden of living still comes down to mundane choices that we each must make.
Alan Noble joins Michael to discuss caring for yourself when you don’t want to. When it’s essential to rise above your circumstances and put one foot in front of another. They’ll discuss Alan’s latest book, which Intervarsity Press published, called "On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living."
Alan Noble is an associate professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University. He has written for the Atlantic, Vox, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, and First Things. He is also the author of Disruptive Witness, and You Are Not Your Own.
This is a deeply personal conversation for both of them, and we invite you to join Michael and Alan as they teach us how to steward our suffering.
__________
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
playlist_add
May 5, 2023
Episode 260 - Jim Cusick, "Getting Sober"
“I’m sober and I love it because I found something better than drinking.” - Jim Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, we are introduced to Michael’s father, James Edward Cusick...otherwise known as "Jim." We are offered the rare privilege of stepping inside an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting to hear Jim’s story which was recorded when he was 80 years of age.
One of the primary reasons we are making this recording available to you is to emphasize the importance of legacy and the impact one’s story can have on present and future generations. For you see, Jim’s life with its many ups and downs, was very influential on the man his son Michael has become today.
We trust you will be impacted by this podcast. Thank you for listening!
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
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Apr 30, 2023
Episode 259 - Michael John Cusick, "The Four Gospels"
“Christianity just didn’t feel real to me.” - Michael John Cusick
What would it take to become fully honest with yourself? Your struggles, your desires, your hopes? And what would it take for you to get completely honest with God? Admit your dependence upon him and fully surrender.
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, we take you to October 2017 for a talk Michael presented to the students of Denver Seminary. The message was entitled “The 4 Gospels,” and Michael intended to present a message that helped students bridge the gap between what they believe with what they experience.
The 4 Gospels presented in this talk are the Gospel of Performance, Experience, Activism, and Brokenness.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
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Apr 22, 2023
Episode 258 - Dr. Janelle Hallman, "Fostering Wholeness"
“I don’t work well with people who have it all together.” - Dr. Janelle Hallman
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes his colleague and one of Restoring the Soul’s Intensive Clinical Soul Care Specialists, Dr. Janelle Hallman.
Janelle is a Licensed Professional Counselor, ordained minister, professor, author, and speaker on issues such as redemption, healing, and wholeness. Her passion is to counsel, facilitate, teach, and share realities about God, life, and the human experience in a way that transforms and touches a person’s heart. She loves working with any individual or couple seeking greater wholeness.
Dr. Hallman has served as an adjunct professor at Colorado Christian University. She is an adjunct professor at Denver Seminary and regularly supervises, trains, and consults other therapists, pastors, and lay leaders.
Dr. Hallman received her MA in Counseling from Denver Seminary and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. She loves beauty, babies (being a grandmother, of course!), nature, reading, and absorbing the spiritual masters.
*Today's conversation was initially recorded in July 2021*
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
playlist_add
Apr 14, 2023
Episode 257 - Dr. Dan Allender, “Healing Sexual Brokenness”
"Nothing affects the human heart more than our sexuality.” - Dan Allender
How do we begin the process of healing from past sexual abuse? How do we deal with the pain, the hurt, and the emotional brokenness that has taken hold of our lives? How are we able to move on?
Dan Allender says in his book, The Wounded Heart, “The journey involves bringing our wounded heart before God…”
We’re pleased to feature Michael's conversation with our good friend, Dr. Dan Allender. Dr. Allender pioneered a unique and innovative approach to trauma and abuse therapy. For over 30 years, the Allender Theory has brought healing and transformation to hundreds of thousands of lives by bridging the story of the gospel and the stories of trauma and abuse that mark so many.
On this edition, Michael and Dan Allender talk about topics such as:
* Why every one of us is sexually broken, whether or not we have experienced sexual abuse or specific sexual harm.
* The major difference between man and woman, male and female, as we are made in God’s image.
* The category of lust as “desire gone mad” and why it’s crucial to understand lust in terms of relief and revenge.
Dan also co-hosts The Allender Center’s weekly podcast with Rachael Clinton Chen, which has had over 2 million downloads.
*Today's conversation was originally recorded in November 2020*
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
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Apr 7, 2023
Episode 256 - Philip Yancey, "Remembering Easter & COVID 19"
“Suffering doesn’t work like a statistical map. It’s up close. It’s personal.” - Philip Yancey
It was 3 years ago today that Michael John Cusick had a conversation with Philip Yancey. Good Friday, 2020…at the beginning of what would later become known as the Covid 19 Pandemic, a global crisis that sent shockwaves throughout communities, causing fear, anxiety, suffering, and death to many. But we as Christians serve a Savior who was well-acquainted with grief and suffering. Isaiah 53:3 says, “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” We still have much to learn and share with the world about the challenges associated with pain, grief, and suffering".
On this edition of the podcast, we’re going to take some time to remember. Three years ago could feel like an eternity, but we suspect that while you listen to today’s conversation between Michael John Cusick and Philip Yancey, those three years will melt away, and it will feel like yesterday.
Although Philip Yancey needs no introduction, you should know he has spent his entire career as a journalist and writer exploring themes of suffering and pain and asking, “Where is God when it hurts?”
As everyone worldwide was somehow affected by COVID-19, we wanted to offer you this look back and hope you will be encouraged as we move into another Easter weekend.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
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Mar 31, 2023
Episode 255 - Michael John Cusick, "Less Is More"
“When we see God’s heart, our own heart becomes free.” - Michael John Cusick
Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!” The Psalms describe a time when the world is falling apart. We’ve all had a time like that, where the foundations of our lives are shaken. Yet despite the calamity, Psalm 46 proclaims that God is a fortress and we need not fear. That was true for the nation of Israel thousands of years ago, and it’s true for us today.
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, we’re digging deep into our archives to feature a presentation Michael gave to the students at Denver Seminary titled “Less Is More.” The essence of the message is about our need to be still and rest in what God has done for us in Christ. And that the depth of our relationship with God will be directly related to the depth at which we enter into our own souls.
We wanted to share a few reviews we recently received through Apple Podcasts.
A listener writes:
"Not only do I love the podcast, but so does my Amazon account. 😁 So many great interviews with amazing people. My library of books has grown tremendously since I started listening to the podcast, but more importantly, my walk with Jesus has grown more. Thank you, and keep up the great work."
And another said:
"I like this podcast, and I do not consider myself Christian… was truly born atheistic but would call myself spiritual at this point and intrigued with much of the wisdom of the bible. This podcast is great for those navigating infidelity and attempting to heal themselves and their marriage."
We love hearing from you and encourage you to drop us a quick note through Apple Podcasts or via email at info@restoringthesoul.com.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
playlist_add
Mar 24, 2023
Episode 254 - Aundi Kolber, "Discovering Self-Compassion"
“Healing requires fierceness and tenderness.” - Aundi Kolber
Many of us don’t realize that just as God is profoundly kind and compassionate to us; we are invited to steward that compassion toward ourselves in the form of self-compassion. How do we do this? We begin to practice gentleness and attentiveness toward our wounds in the same way that God is already kind to us.
On this edition, we’re featuring a discussion Michael had with our good friend Aundi Kolber, congratulating her on the recent publishing of Strong Like Water on March 21st. Today, Michael and Aundi will devote their time together discussing what it means to discover self-compassion.
If you’re not familiar with Aundi, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor, writer, and speaker from Castle Rock, Colorado, who specializes in trauma- and body-centered therapies. As a trauma survivor, Aundi brings what she has learned about the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God in our…
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Mar 17, 2023
Episode 253 - Robby Angle, "Trueface"
“More time with fewer people equals greater Kingdom impact.” - Robby Angle
Making disciples is an imperative delivered by Jesus in the Great Commission. In Matthew 28, He says, “go and make disciples of all nations… and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” So how are we as a Church at discipling?
A joint Barna Group and Navigators research project revealed confusion among leaders and followers regarding discipleship. Worse yet, the data indicates that most discipleship efforts are ineffective, with only 25% of Christians saying they were in a discipleship relationship.
On today’s podcast, Michael welcomes the President and CEO of Trueface, Robby Angle. If you have not heard of Trueface, they provide content, relational experiences, and leader development to help people and teams live authentically and experience freedom. We have featured a few conversations with former Trueface leaders Bill Thrall & John Lynch - see below for links.
We’re excited to he…
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Feb 24, 2023
Episode 252 - Steve Siler, "Songs Can Change Lives"
“I don’t believe people will trust you with their hope until you show you understand their pain.” - Steve Siler
The essence of the Restoring the Soul podcast is to present conversations that cultivate freedom, flourishing, and wholeness of heart through Jesus-shaped spirituality. Over the past six years, we have found that many conversations were springboards to help our listeners find freedom by connecting them to their true Healer. Today, we hope for the same result as we welcome Steve Siler to discuss Music for the Soul which helps people deal with impactful issues and to find hope and healing through music.
Steve is the founder and director of Music for the Soul as well as an award-winning songwriter who has had over 500 of his songs recorded in the Christian, pop, and country markets.
Innocent Child
Words & Music by Steve Siler
© Silerland Music (Administered by Clearbox Rights) ASCAP
*HELPFUL RESOURCES
*Podcasts
Episode 26 - Steve Siler Part 1, “Music for the Soul”…
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Feb 17, 2023
Episode 251 - Aundi Kolber, "Strong Like Water"
“Compassion and gentleness create something in us that is very solid and strong.” - Aundi Kolber
How do you define strength? And does the phrase, “what doesn’t kill you make you stronger,” really true? On today’s edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes back Aundi Kolber to the podcast, and they’re going to unpack the essence of true strength and discover that God has, and always will be with us on our journey of becoming more beautifully human in the midst of adversity.
Aundi’s latest book, “Strong Like Water” releases on March 21st. The following links will offer you an opportunity to pre-order the book. Aundi has also made available some bonus content via her website, and we’ve provided that link below.
Aundi is a frequent guest of Restoring the Soul; in fact, her “Try Softer” interview with Michael was the most downloaded podcast of ours to date. She is a licensed professional counselor from Castle Rock, CO; her work has been featured on Relevant…
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Feb 10, 2023
Episode 250 - Brad Jersak, "Out of the Embers, Part 2"
“It’s not about letting go of love. It’s about letting go of the false love so we can be held by the true love and receive what we need there.” - Brad Jersak
Brad Jersak is a frequent guest on the Restoring the Soul podcast and joins Michael for Part 2 in this conversation about Brad’s latest book, “Out of the Embers: Faith After the Great Deconstruction.” In the book, Brad explores the necessity, perils, and possibilities of the Great Deconstruction—how it has the potential to either sabotage our communion with God or infuse it with the breath of life, the light, and the life of Christ himself.
If you are in the stage of your journey with God where you are looking for inspiration or direction, this two-part conversation may just be what you need. The conversation in its entirety is riveting.
*Helpful Resources:
*Episode 249 - Brad Jersak, "Out of the Embers, Part 1"
Episode 194 - Brad Jersak, "IN: Incarnation, Inclusion, Abba & Lamb"
Episode 117 - Brad Jersak & Pete…
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Feb 3, 2023
Episode 249 - Brad Jersak, "Out of the Embers, Part 1"
“I needed to dismantle those elements of my image of God that were harming me.” - Brad Jersak
For the past five years or so, the term ‘deconstruction” has become quite familiar in evangelical circles and is used to describe a process as varied as the people who experience it, but it primarily revolves around questioning tenets of faith. For some, it can mean leaving a particular church. For others, it is a process of understanding their faith in a different way or leaving religion altogether.
Brad Jersak is a frequent guest to the Restoring the Soul podcast and is joining Michael for the next two episodes as they discuss Brad’s latest book, “Out of the Embers: Faith After the Great Deconstruction.” In the book, Brad explores the necessity, perils, and possibilities of the Great Deconstruction—how it has the potential to either sabotage our communion with God or infuse it with the breath of life, the light and life of Christ himself.
Brad will share a fascinating look…
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Jan 27, 2023
Episode 248 - Vance Crow, "A Passion for Intensives"
The heartbeat of the ministry of Restoring the Soul is intensive counseling - which allows you to experience a deep change in half-day blocks over one or two weeks rather than an hour here or an hour there with your counselor. The intensive program is focused and challenges both client and counselor to be “all in,” with the hopes of seeing breakthrough in a shorter amount of time.
Every once in a while, we love introducing you to one of our team members. Today, we welcome back Vance Crow to the podcast to see how his experience has been after joining the Restoring the Soul team 18 months ago.
Vance is well versed in Emotionally Focused Therapy and has received extensive training in treating addiction, working with couples going through infidelity, and helping couples that have experienced betrayal. He also is passionate about seeing couples and individuals thrive rather than survive in their marriage. Vance enjoys canoeing, hiking, and mountain biking. He and his wife are the pro…
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Jan 20, 2023
Episode 247 - Kevin Tracy, "Holy Handcuffs"
“How do you restart a dormant career without destroying everything that you love in the process?” - Kevin Tracy
If you haven’t heard, the church has been experiencing a mass exodus of pastors. Not because they are commissioned to plant new churches or join the mission field. They’re leaving the ministry altogether. There are several reasons behind this trend. COVID wreaked havoc on the church, and political division has caused many pastors to rethink their calling.
Recent data collected from the Barna organization indicated that U.S. pastors are currently in crisis and at risk of burnout. In 2021 alone, there was a dramatic increase in the number of pastors thinking about quitting ministry entirely. According to Barna, 38 percent indicated they have considered leaving full-time ministry within the past year.
On today’s edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Kevin Tracy to the podcast. Kevin leads an organization called No Holy Handcuffs, whose primary mission is t…
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Jan 6, 2023
Episode 246 - Vance Crow, "An Attuned Therapist"
On today’s edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael will introduce you to Vance Crow...one of the newest members of the counseling team. Every once in a while, we want to take an opportunity to introduce you to our staff to give you an inside look at the ministry and the team that makes the magic happen.
Vance has training in Emotionally Focused Therapy and has received extensive training in treating addiction, working with couples going through infidelity, and helping couples that have experienced betrayal. He also is passionate about seeing couples and individuals thrive rather than just survive in their marriage. Welcome to the team, Vance!
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men stru…
playlist_add
Dec 30, 2022
Episode 245 - Brian Beatty, "Restoring the Heart"
"It is just a beautiful revelation. It's as if I had been born again." - Brian Beatty
We’re closing out 2022 with a very special conversation between Michael and our producer, Brian Beatty. As a result of what you hear on today’s episode we hope you will be inspired to lean into life, reflect, respond, and resolve to live to the fullest.
From all of us here at Restoring the Soul, Happy New Year. May you flourish in 2023!
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like…
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Dec 24, 2022
Episode 244 - Rev. Dr. Casely Essamuah, "Global Faith"
“We use faith stories. We use testimonies to build bridges and diffuse tension. We recognize Christ in each other and each other in Christ.” - Rev. Dr. Casely Essamuah
Merry Christmas, everyone! If you’re listening in the US, you have probably hunkered down with a few extra blankets or your warmest coat to brave the cold front that has crippled nearly all of the country. But maybe it’s a blessing. Maybe this is a great opportunity to take advantage of the time to slow down and spend quality time with friends and family. Ponder the Christmas story that hopefully will take you to a place of worship as we consider our newborn King. Merry Christmas from all of us here at Restoring the Soul.
Today, Michael welcomes Reverand Doctor Casely Essamuah to the podcast. Originally from Ghana, Casely is the Secretary of the Global Christian Forum. He is a bi-cultural bridge builder with a heart to see the world united in Christ, loving and respecting each other to build the Kingdom here on…
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Dec 16, 2022
Episode 243 - Alan Fadling, "Unhurried Living"
“You will be at your best if you are doing it from a rested soul.” - Alan Fadling
With the overwhelming pace of life, many of us struggle to stop long enough to be present. Our long to-do lists and full calendars leave little breathing room to hear from God. We know we need to slow down, but we don't even know how to begin.
As 2022 comes to a close and we soon turn the page to a new year, it’s a great time to evaluate areas of our lives that need a tune-up and possibly some minor adjustments. Is 2023 the year you start to slow down and live an unhurried life?
Alan Fadling joins Michael on today’s episode to discuss his latest book, “A Year of Slowing Down: Daily Devotions for Unhurried Living.” Alan was a recent guest on the podcast, and his wife, Gem, was on a previous episode. The links to their episodes are below...
Alan Fadling is the president and founder of Unhurried Living, inspiring people to rest deeper, live fuller, and lead better.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:
*Episo…
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Dec 9, 2022
Episode 242 - Dr. James Bryan Smith, "The Good and Beautiful You"
“There’s only one answer to the question, “What is God like?” It’s Jesus." - Dr. James Bryan Smith
The Christian faith is not only about belief and practices but also about the kind of people we become. Yet some of the most significant barriers to our transformation come from our toxic self-narratives. These narratives shape the way we see ourselves and the way we interact in the world. God designed us with a deep longing to be wanted, loved, alive, and connected to Him. Healing our souls requires more than knowing what God thinks about us. Our healing comes not through reason alone but through revelation.
This short paragraph was an excerpt from James Bryan Smith’s brand new book, The Good and Beautiful You. Jim is a good friend of Restoring the Soul and is Michael’s guest on the podcast.
If you don’t know him, Dr. James Bryan Smith is the Dallas Willard Professor of Christian Spiritual Formation at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He is also the Executive Dir…
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Dec 3, 2022
Episode 241 - Dr. Ruth Haley Barton, "Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest"
“The Sabbath is the greatest gift from God outside of Jesus Himself.” - Dr. Ruth Haley Barton
The practice of the Sabbath has received quite a lot of attention in recent years and if you’re interested in learning more, today’s conversation will be a perfect compliment to your journey.
On this edition of the podcast, Michael welcomes Dr. Ruth Haley Barton to the conversation. Ruth is an author, spiritual director, teacher, and founder of Transforming Center in Wheaton, Illinois.
In October, Ruth’s book, “Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again” was released to ground us in God's intentions in giving us the gift of the Sabbath, providing practical steps for embedding sabbath rhythms in our lives. And as a result of today’s conversation, we hope you learn how to think about Sabbath as a gift and that Sabbath helps us live in our true identity.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:
*Transforming Center
*
PODCASTS *
RTS_164James Bryan Smith “Good an…
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Nov 29, 2022
Episode 240 - Sheila Paige, "Healing, One Brushstroke at a Time"
“Painting was healing and gave me a way to share my story when I could put words to it.” - Sheila Paige
On this edition of the podcast, Michael welcomes Sheila Paige to the conversation. Not too long ago, Sheila experienced the tragedy of betrayal trauma and discovered the path to healing through painting. As a result, she found the faithfulness of a Creator who loves her in her pain.
Although this podcast is in audio format, we trust you’ll be able to visualize Sheila’s beautiful artwork, which we hope will prompt you to see it yourself. We believe her book, “Healing, One Brushstroke at a Time” will make a great gift for someone this holiday season.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Sheila's book:
*Healing, One Brushstroke at a Time
*Podcasts*
Episode 165 - Julianne Cusick, "Barriers to Overcoming Betrayal Trauma"
Episode 166 - Julianne Cusick, "Treatment Barriers to Healing from Betrayal Trauma"
Episode 195 - Julianne Cusick, “Devastated But Not Destroyed”
Episode 228 - Juliann…
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Oct 28, 2022
Episode 239 - Dr. Janelle Hallman, "Fostering Wholeness"
“I don’t work well with people who have it all together.” - Dr. Janelle Hallman
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes his colleague and one of Restoring the Soul’s Intensive Clinical Soul Care Specialists, Dr. Janelle Hallman.
Janelle is a Licensed Professional Counselor, ordained minister, professor, author, and speaker on issues such as redemption, healing, and wholeness. Her passion is to counsel, facilitate, teach and share realities about God, life, and the human experience in a way that transforms and touches a person’s deepest heart. She loves working with any individual or couple seeking greater wholeness.
Dr. Hallman has served as an adjunct professor at Colorado Christian University. She is currently an adjunct professor at Denver Seminary and regularly supervises, trains, and consults other therapists, pastors, and lay leaders.
Dr. Hallman received her MA in Counseling from Denver Seminary and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision f…
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Oct 21, 2022
Episode 238 - Alan Fadling, “An Unhurried Life"
“The trajectory of spiritual growth is in the direction of simplicity rather than in the direction of complexity.” - Alan Fadling
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Alan Fadling to ponder questions that not many people want to - or have the courage - to ask, “Do you want a Jesus who is relaxed? When you think of Jesus, is He relaxed?” Living an Unhurried Life is central to Alan’s story - so stay with us as you will hear about his journey out of the fast lane and into the relaxed rhythms of Jesus. You just may find a kinship that will also help your recovery.
Alan Fadling is a frequent speaker and consultant with local churches, national organizations, and leaders internationally. A trained Spiritual Director, Alan is the author of “An Unhurried Life and An Unhurried Leader.” He has also written “What Does Your Soul Love?” co-authored with his wife, Gem Fadling, who was Michael’s guest on a recent podcast.
Discover more about Alan and his mini…
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Oct 14, 2022
Episode 237 - Gem Fadling, “Hold That Thought"
“God is not elsewhere.” - Gem Fadling
On this edition, Michael welcomes Gem Fadling to the podcast to discuss her latest book, “Hold That Thought: Sorting Through the Voices in Our Heads.” Gem is a founding partner of Unhurried Living, a non-profit that trains people to rest deeper, live fuller, and lead better. She is a Certified Life Coach and a trained Spiritual Director who coaches women at the intersection of spiritual leadership and soul care.
Today, Michael and Gem discuss the book's genesis and the critical role our thoughts play in our spiritual formation. We hope you will see that when we are able to settle down and pursue things like curiosity and hope, our anxiety can lessen, and our true purposes can come into view.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:*
I Can Do That podcast
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornogr…
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Oct 8, 2022
Episode 236 - Philip Yancey, “Where the Light Fell”
“Suffering and grace are the themes that have emerged - and they have defined the rest of my life.” - Philip Yancey
On this edition, Michael welcomes our good friend, Philip Yancey, to discuss his latest book, his memoir, “Where the Light Fell.” At its heart, this is a book about the possibility of healing and the hope that nothing in a person’s life need go to waste. A fascinating read - we trust the conversation will be equally as stimulating.
No author in contemporary Christian literature is more well-known for their writing on grace and suffering than Philip. He has authored over 25 books in which he has wrestled with God, the Church, and fellow believers. After surviving a church background of what he now calls “toxic faith,” he ultimately came to know a God of grace and beauty.
Click here to view Philip Yancey’s blog.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:
*Episode 123 - Philip Yancey, "Easter and COVID-19"
Episode 105 - Philip Yancey, "Amazing Grace, Part 2"
Episode 104 - Phili…
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Sep 30, 2022
Episode 235 - Kevin Triplett, “Men's Intensive Weekend”
“There’s no better freedom than being the person God created you to be.” - Kevin Triplett
On this edition of the podcast, Michael welcomes back Kevin Triplett. Kevin was a guest in 2017 alongside Tony Anderson as they recounted their 2013 Restoring the Soul Men’s intensive weekend that catalyzed their radical life change. They also recount their stories in the incredible film, The Heart of Man.
Since then, Kevin has joined Michael and the team at more weekend intensives. Today, he and Michael discuss the foundational importance of these gatherings.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:*
Episode 54 - Tony Anderson & Kevin Triplett, "Surfing For God Weekend Intensive"
The Heart of Man
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surp…
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Sep 23, 2022
Episode 234 - Andy Gullahorn, “The Healing Troubadour”
“A job of a songwriter is to not sleepwalk through the world.” - Andy Gullahorn
Our good friend Andy Gullahorn joins Michael on this edition of Restoring the Soul. Andy was born and raised in the rich musical climate of Austin, TX and then went to College at Belmont University in Nashville to join the legions of songwriters in the country music scene. After graduation, he spent several years as a staff writer for publishing companies while playing guitar on the road for singer/songwriter Jill Phillips (who he happens to be married to).
In 2004, after realizing that his second child was on the way and that his wife would need to come off the road, Andy released “Room to Breathe” and began performing his shows again for the first time in 5 years.
He now spends his time playing concerts and house shows across the country, accompanying other artists on the road, and providing his three kids with plenty of stories to tell their counselors in 20 years. Andy was a Kerrville New Fol…
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Sep 9, 2022
Episode 233 - Chris Bruno, "Sage: A Man's Guide Into His Second Passage”
“The idea of settling is actually stepping into a place of unfaithfulness.” - Chris Bruno
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Chris Bruno to the podcast where they will discuss, among other things, Chris’s latest work, “Sage.”
A promotional web page for the book reads, “The time comes for every man where he realizes the morning of his life will soon turn towards afternoon. There is just as much behind as there is ahead, and the passage into a new season is about to begin.
But many men have little sense of what this new season could or should entail, and we struggle knowing how to navigate it. We lack a vision for what it means to become a godly "Sage."
If you are in this particular stage of life, this conversation will draw you in and give you practical tools on how to navigate the waters of change, relevance, and purpose.
The web page goes on to say, “To become a Sage is the pinnacle of manhood, and yet the vast majority of men settle for a too-s…
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Sep 2, 2022
Episode 232 - Julianne Cusick, "Treatment Barriers to Healing from Betrayal Trauma"
“Certain kinds of care for betrayal trauma actually makes people stuck or worse in their recovery.” - Julianne Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes his conversation with Julianne Cusick about Betrayal Trauma. Today they will focus on Treatment Barriers to Healing from Betrayal Trauma. Today’s conversation is a continuation from our previous episode on Barriers to Overcoming Betrayal Trauma. In summary, some barriers are:
* Continued evidence of the partner acting out
* Gaslighting (which is lying that changes a person’s perception)
* Partner’s inability or unwillingness to own their impact
* And the partner’s inability or unwillingness to open up and be honest about his healing journey.
Even if you feel this episode is far from where you are relationally, there is a chance you might know someone who is struggling in this way. I encourage you to lean in for today’s important conversation.
If there’s anything you’ll learn from this…
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Aug 26, 2022
Episode 231 - Julianne Cusick, "Barriers to Overcoming Betrayal Trauma"
“It’s impossible to recover from betrayal trauma when you’re still a victim of betrayal trauma.” - Julianne Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes back Julianne Cusick for the next two episodes as they discuss Betrayal Trauma. Today they will focus on Barriers to Overcoming Betrayal Trauma.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* Why a woman stays stuck in the process of betrayal trauma
* Understanding what “gaslighting” means
* Common barriers to healing relationally from betrayal trauma
Did you know you can follow Michael and Restoring the Soul on social media? Simply search on Facebook and Twitter for the Restoring the Soul podcast. You can also find Michael on Twitter by searching for him. And as always, be sure to tell a friend about the podcast.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million…
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Aug 19, 2022
Episode 230 - Morgan Snyder, "Becoming a King”
“Masculine power is intended to be good when it’s wholehearted and in the service of love.” - Morgan Snyder
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Morgan Snyder to the podcast.
Morgan is a grateful husband of over 20 years and a proud father of a wildly creative and witty daughter and a joyful and passionate son. He serves as a strategist, entrepreneur, teacher, writer, and speaker. In 2010, he established BecomeGoodSoil and serves on the executive leadership team at Wild at Heart alongside John and Stasi Eldredge. Morgan goes off the grid every chance he gets, whether bow hunting in the Colorado wilderness or choosing the adventurous life with his greatest treasures: his wife, Cherie; his son, Joshua; and his daughter, Abigail.
Michael and Morgan discuss, “Becoming a King, The Path to Restoring the Heart of a Man.”
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* Why should this issue of power be a category for men?
* The common ways men respond to the…
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Aug 5, 2022
Episode 229 - Dr. Todd Hall, "The Connected Life”
“We’re loved into loving. That’s ultimately how we’re transformed.” - Dr. Todd Hall
It's no secret that we live in an increasingly isolated world. The pandemic has only exacerbated a startling trend: loneliness and disconnection have been on the rise for a long time in our society. We long for a deep sense of meaning to make sense of our lives, but we don't know how to find it. Even worse, we often search for it in unhealthy ways that hinder the very thing we're desperate for: genuine relational connection.
On today’s Restoring the Soul conversation, Michael welcomes psychologist Dr. Todd Hall of Biola University, who has been researching human relationships and ways of connecting for many years. His latest book, “The Connected Life,” offers the fruit of that work, contending that real human growth doesn't come through head knowledge alone but through relational knowledge and strong attachment bonds. It's our relationships―with God and others―that lead to authenti…
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Jul 22, 2022
Episode 228 - Julianne Cusick, "Life After Betrayal”
“I came to see that Michael had the power to devastate me but not destroy me.” - Julianne Cusick
What’s the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation? There are similarities in the definition - but they are a world apart when it comes to practical application. Today’s podcast features a conversation between our very own Julianne Cusick, who was recently interviewed by Bill Arnold on Faith Radio. On previous Restoring the Soul podcasts, we have featured Julianne’s story of overcoming the wounds of sexual betrayal, and what you will find in her conversation with Bill are timeless insights and fresh perspectives that will encourage anyone.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:
*Afternoons with Bill Arnold
Episode 218 - Julianne Cusick, "A Holy & Horrible Journey"
Episode 195 - Julianne Cusick, “Devastated But Not Destroyed”
Episode 166 - Julianne Cusick, "Treatment Barriers to Healing from Betrayal Trauma"
Episode 165 - Julianne Cusick, "Barriers to Overcoming Betrayal Trauma"
Episo…
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Jul 9, 2022
Episode 227 - Kelley Gray, "The Enneagram and Marriage, Part 2”
“The Enneagram is the Face of God and the Body of Christ.” - Kelley Gray
Today, we’re continuing a 5-part series on how the Enneagram can strengthen your marriage or intimate relationship. Michael’s Restoring the Soul colleague is Kelley Gray, our resident expert on the Enneagram. Part 2 will focus on understanding how your partner handles conflict.
A popular guest on a previous Restoring the Soul podcast, Kelley—is a self-proclaimed growth nerd--works, counsels, and teaches at Restoring the Soul and specializes in intensive counseling with couples and individuals. Prior to coming to Restoring the Soul, she worked as a private practice psychotherapist in the Denver area for 17 years. She is deeply passionate about therapy, growth, and laughing. She is a writer, teacher, speaker, and group leader who is passionate about transformation and wholeness. As you will hear, Kelly’s knowledge of the Enneagram is as practical as it is deep.
In this podcast, we hope you will discov…
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Jul 1, 2022
Episode 226 - Kelley Gray, "The Enneagram and Marriage, Part 1”
“A relationship will never ever improve or thrive on autopilot.” - Kelley Gray
On the next two episodes of Restoring the Soul, we’re going to feature the first two parts of a 5-part series of conversations with Kelley Gray, our resident expert on the Enneagram. Michael and Kelley will unpack how the Enneagram can strengthen your marriage or intimate relationship.
The Enneagram isn’t a new phenomenon. Depending on who you ask, its earliest iterations were either in the 1950s or the 1910s, though there are some experts who say versions of it can be found in the writings of fourth-century Christian mystics (and there are some who trace its roots all the way back to ancient Egypt). But it is a phenomenon, and it has gained new popularity in recent years, particularly among Christian circles.
On this episode, listen closely as Michael and Kelley describe how you can become an expert in knowing your partner or spouse, how they’re wired, what they think about, what they do with t…
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Jun 24, 2022
Episode 225 - Pastor Sean Seay, "Pastoring from Emotional Health"
“I believe every leader in ministry is broken. And they are not alone.” - Sean Seay
There is a growing crisis for church leaders in America. Recent data collected from Barna indicate that U.S. pastors are currently in crisis and at risk of burnout causing them to give up their ministry calling or even jeopardize their marriages and families. In 2021 alone, there was a dramatic increase in the number of pastors who were thinking about quitting ministry entirely. With pastors’ well-being on the line, and many on the brink of burnout, 38 percent indicated they had considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year.
We here at Restoring the Soul recognize the crisis and want to do everything we can to support pastors and their wives in this fragile season of their lives.
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Pastor Sean Seay of Athens Church. Sean discovered Restoring the Soul and took part in a two-week intensive with Michael that changed the very cours…
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Jun 17, 2022
Episode 224 - Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards, "Turning the Tables on Injustice"
“I think it is naive to ignore the journey of people who have been on the margins in our society.” - Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards
On this edition of Restoring the Soul and in honor of Sunday’s Juneteeth holiday, we would like to present one of Michael’s most compelling conversations with Rev Dr. Dennis Edwards where they discuss race and Christianity in modern America as it relates to current events. Michael was deeply impacted by Dr. Edwards's article in Christianity Today from May 2020 titled, "The Revolution Will Not Be Videoed.”
Dr. Edwards is currently an Associate Professor of New Testament at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago and the author of Might from the Margins: The Gospel’s Power to Turn the Tables on Injustice. In addition to his academic work in biblical studies, Dennis has served as a pastor in Brooklyn; Washington, DC; and Minneapolis.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is rea…
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Jun 10, 2022
Episode 223 - Brian Boecker, "False Self vs. True Self"
“The call of spirituality is to be fully human and fully alive.” - Brian Boecker
Ruth Haley Barton once said, “...there is a truer self waiting to be recognized and breathed into life by the Spirit of God.” The war between the false self and the true self is real and for some of us, is fought throughout our lives. Franciscan priest Richard Rohr feels that there is no more challenging spiritual issue than the "problem of the self."
On today’s podcast, Michael welcomes back Restoring the Soul colleague Brian Boecker to discuss the false self versus the true self and consider questions like, ”What are the repetitive patterns that keep me deadened to my own desire and how do I awaken those things?” We also hope you come to realize that the call of spirituality is to be fully human and fully alive.
Brian Boecker is an Intensive Clinical Soul Care Specialist at Restoring the Soul. With over ten years of working with individuals and couples, he specializes in counseling pasto…
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Jun 4, 2022
Episode 222 - Michael John Cusick, "Ceaseless Striving, Part 2"
“Relationship in community at its best is always bearing fruit.” - Michael John Cusick
Today on the podcast, we conclude Michael’s conversation with Mark Vesper and Steve Sargent of Foxhole Symphony, which is a podcast about the transformational value of men in authentic Christian community. Mark and Steve spoke with Michael a few weeks ago and were kind enough to lend us the recording to feature on this week’s and last week’s episodes. Visit our archives page for a link to hear the first half of their conversation. We’ve included a link in the show notes if you would like to discover more about Foxhole Symphony.
Today, Michael unpacks the 5 Ws of human brokenness as well as the role authentic, transformational community plays in the Christian life.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES*:
Foxhole Symphony
Foxhole Symphony: Episode 9, John Mazuera
"Surfing for God" by Michael John Cusick
"Unwanted" by Jay Stringer
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abun…
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May 27, 2022
Episode 221 - Michael John Cusick, "Ceaseless Striving, Part 1"
“Our weakness and our brokenness is our power.” - Michael John Cusick
For the next two episodes of the podcast, we’re excited to partner with the fine men of Foxhole Symphony. Mark Vesper and Steve Sargent have served arm in arm for over a decade seeking authentic Christian community by helping other men fight against isolation and living in the dark.
Together, they host an amazing podcast called Foxhole Symphony. We highly encourage you to subscribe. It’s a podcast about the transformational value of men who are on a journey from broken to whole.
A few weeks ago, they interviewed Michael and featured their conversation on the Foxhole Symphony podcast. We’re thrilled to be able to share their discussion with you and trust you will also be impacted enough to share with someone who could use the encouragement.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES*:
Foxhole Symphony
Episode 6 - Dallas Willard Part I, "What We Are to Do"
Episode 7 - Dallas Willard Part II, “The Transformed Life”
Discover…
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May 20, 2022
Episode 220 - Michael John Cusick, "Dysbelief, Part 2: Moralism"
“Most Christians are stuck between ceaseless striving and brokenness.” - Dallas Willard
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael continues a series about Dysbelief. He will look at the “gap between what you believe what and you actually experience.” Dysbelief, in this instance, is not a lack of belief, but the existence of a dysfunctional belief system. Today, he will look at moralism and the motivation that drives it to help us answer the question, “Are you trusting God or pleasing God?”
The various topics Michael will explore in this series are:
* Moralism
* Emotionalism
* Rationalism
* Beliefism
* Activism
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle…
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May 13, 2022
Episode 219 - Michael John Cusick, "Dysbelief, Part 1"
“Belief is actually about trusting that God is good.” - Michael John Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael debuts a series about Dysbelief. He will look at the “gap between what you believe what and you actually experience.” Dysbelief, in this instance, is not a lack of belief, but the existence of a dysfunctional belief system.
The various topics Michael will explore are:
* Moralism
* Emotionalism
* Rationalism
* Beliefism
* Activism
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet…
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Apr 15, 2022
Episode 218 - Julianne Cusick, "A Holy & Horrible Journey"
“Despite the grim circumstances, we could see God’s hand in it all.” - Julianne Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael spends one of the most important hours of his life in conversation with his bride of over 30 years, Julianne Cusick, who put off the dream of grad school for nearly 25 years because of the discovery of Michael’s betrayal and infidelity.
So how do you recover from your husband’s sexual brokenness, addiction, and infidelity? That’s the degree nobody signs up for.
Not only is Julianne Cusick an ordained minister, but she is also a registered psychotherapist with a Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy. Her passion is to fight for the hearts of women who have experienced sexual betrayal as well as the trauma and the wounding of betrayal. She thrives on personal & professional growth. She’s a dynamic speaker and is a 1 on the Enneagram
If you would like to listen to previous episodes that feature a more in-depth look at Julianne’s journey,…
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Apr 1, 2022
Episode 217 - Winn Collier, "A Burning in My Bones"
“It was such a joy to discover in his deep heart, behind the scenes, Eugene was the man we thought he was.” - Winn Collier
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes back Winn Collier. If you admire the life and writings of Eugene Peterson, you’re in for a real treat. As you will soon hear, Eugene Peterson was not only Winn’s pastor, he was his friend. So it made complete sense for Winn to take on the humbling task of writing the Authorized Biography of Eugene Peterson titled, “A Burning in My Bones”, which was released this past January.
Winn is also the Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He is the Director of the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination and the author of 5 books, including Eugene’s biography. You can discover even more about Winn on his website.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust…
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Mar 25, 2022
Episode 216 - Dr. Rodney Reeves, "Spirituality of John"
“I think what we all need is a redemption story. That's basically what the human heart longs for.” - Dr. Rodney Reeves
On this episode, Michael welcomes Dr. Rodney Reeves, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Rodney is also the author of 6 books, including what he & Michael are going to be discussing today, “Spirituality According to John.”
Through all of the Apostle John's works, a consistent message is woven: being a Christian is about abiding in Christ and in his words. The Gospel of John, the epistle of 1 John, and the book of Revelation all begin in the same way: by pointing to the importance of knowing the Word, both written and incarnate. Rodney combines exegesis with spiritual reflection to explore how the only biblical writer to employ three different genres presents a consistent vision of Christian spirituality.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:*
Spirituality According to John
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abund…
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Mar 18, 2022
Episode 215 - Brian Boecker, "The Awakening: A Move Toward Wholeness"
“Sometimes God cruelly puts me in places of exposure because He wants to bring healing to things that I have covered over.” - Brian Boecker
On this episode, Michael welcomes another member of the Restoring the Soul team for an opportunity for you to get to know them better. Today, we welcome Brian Boecker.
With over ten years of working with individuals and couples, Brian specializes in counseling pastors, missionaries, and other Christian leaders. For 27 years he served with CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) in a variety of leadership capacities primarily throughout Southeast Asia. He has also served with multiple ministries and currently trains graduate students at Denver Seminary.
In today’s conversation, Brian recounts the pivotal story in which a counselor exposed him to the reality of what was taking place in his marriage. As you will hear, this “awakening” reset the trajectory of his relationship with his wife and changed their lives forever. Consequently, learning an…
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Mar 11, 2022
Episode 214 - Tony Anderson, "The Heart of Man, Part 2"
“Evangelicals in America are one of the most unreached people groups.” - Tony Anderson
On this episode, Michael concludes his conversation with Tony Anderson. As the Executive Producer of the film, The Heart of Man, Tony was intimately involved with every facet of the movie. Tony and Michael continue their discussion about the film but also delve into topics like why African American women are so drawn to the movie, why millions in Saudi Arabia listen to his music, and what Tony’s personal relationship with the Lord looks like on a daily basis.
The interview was conducted just before the 2017 release and I’d like to reiterate, The Heart of Man is a film we highly recommend - it can be found on multiple streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:
*The Heart of Man
Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is r…
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Mar 4, 2022
Episode 213 - Tony Anderson, "The Heart of Man, Part 1"
“The only thing that translates to the world is raw experience with God.” - Tony Anderson
On this episode, Michael welcomes Tony Anderson to the podcast.
Tony describes himself as a “sonic architect” who creates and composes music for film, television, and beyond and has been featured in promotions for National Geographic, GoPro, ESPN, Ford, and many more. Tony’s life has also been radically transformed by the power of the Gospel. As the Executive Producer of the film, The Heart of Man. This interview was conducted just before the 2017 release and in this conversation, he and Michael dig deep into what the movie is all about, how it came to be, and what the ultimate goal for the movie will be. This is a film we highly recommend to you and it can be found on multiple streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:
*The Heart of Man
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really…
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Feb 25, 2022
Episode 212 - Laura Barringer, "A Church Called TOV"
“Only one side could be telling the truth and it's really disturbing either way.” - Laura Barringer
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Laura Barringer to the podcast.
Over the past decade, we have seen incredible examples of toxic church culture that has upended congregations and has left thousands of church staff and congregants confused and shaken. In 2020 Laura co-authored a book with her father titled “A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing.” Together, they dedicated the book to “the wounded resisters” which provides a framework to create a “good” church culture rather than a toxic one in order to prevent further abuse. As you’ll hear in her interview with Michael, Laura has firsthand experience of toxic church culture.
Laura is a graduate of Wheaton College and makes her home in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and three beagles.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:*
* A Church Called Tov:…
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Feb 18, 2022
Episode 211 - Brenda Salter McNeil & Rick Richardson, "The Heart of Racial Justice"
“The greatest act of worship is to become who God says you are.” - Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes authors Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil and Rick Richardson to discuss their latest book, “The Heart of Racial Justice: How Soul Change Leads to Social Change.” In it, they recognize that racial and ethnic hostility is one of the most pervasive problems the church faces. In large part, because it is a spiritual battle. In this book and in conversation with Michael, Brenda and Rick provide a model of racial reconciliation, social justice, and spiritual healing that creates both individual and community transformation.
Rick Richardson is director of the Billy Graham Center Institute and its Church Evangelism Initiative, and professor of evangelism and leadership at Wheaton College Graduate School.
Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil is a dynamic speaker, an author, and a trailblazer with over thirty years of experience in the ministry…
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Feb 11, 2022
Episode 210 - Ian Morgan Cron, "The Story of You, Part 2"
“If you don’t have a narrative that you can share with yourself and others about who you think you are, you’re in trouble.” - Ian Morgan Cron
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes his conversation with Ian Morgan Cron. They’re discussing Ian’s latest book, “The Story of You: An Enneagram Journey to Becoming Your True Self.” In today’s conversation, Ian delves into the SOAR process that helps men and women to rewrite their stories.
SOAR stands for:
* See your origin story
* Own your shadow side
* Awaken to your present moment
* Rewrite your new story
HELPFUL RESOURCES:
* Ian Morgan Cron, The Story of You: An Enneagram Journey to Becoming Your True Self
* Riverside.fm
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report…
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Feb 4, 2022
Episode 209 - Ian Morgan Cron, "The Story of You, Part 1"
“All transformation begins with story transformation.” - Ian Morgan Cron
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes back our good friend, Ian Morgan Cron, to discuss Ian’s latest book, “The Story of You: An Enneagram Journey to Becoming Your True Self.” In today’s conversation, Ian reveals how each of us inhabits a broken story that runs counter to the Larger Story of divine grace and who we were created to be. He and Michael look at the book that maps out a guide for using Enneagram wisdom to reauthor your life and experience deep inner transformation, healing, and happiness.
Not only is Ian a master teacher of the Enneagram, but he is also an accomplished author, an Episcopal priest, and a trained psychotherapist. He and his wife, Anne, live in Nashville, Tennessee.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:
*Ian Morgan Cron, The Story of You: An Enneagram Journey to Becoming Your True Self
Christopher Booker, The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories
Discover how the barrier…
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Jan 7, 2022
Episode 208 - Ryan Taylor, "Awkward Spirituality, Part 2"
“I think God is continually beckoning us into this space of intimacy and in order to get there, we oftentimes have to be devastated.” - Ryan Taylor
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Ryan Taylor joins Michael to conclude their conversation about Ryan’s book Awkward Spirituality: The Divinity of Ordinary Life. In today’s conversation, Ryan candidly reflects about expectations in life and how they “are meant to be disrupted” in order for us to find enough spaciousness and humility to grow—and find the courage to sink into our truest self in hopes to find the spiritual in the ordinary.
Ryan is a pastor at Urban Mercy Church and Chaplain of Network Coffee House, a hospitality house for Denver’s chronically unhoused. Ryan and his wife Angela have two boys, Josiah and Micah, and live in Denver, Colorado.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where th…
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Dec 31, 2021
Episode 207 - Ryan Taylor, "Awkward Spirituality, Part 1"
“We’re afraid to lose the control that we think we have over the life that we think that we’re living.” - Ryan Taylor
On the next two episodes of Restoring the Soul, Ryan Taylor joins Michael to talk about his book Awkward Spirituality: The Divinity of Ordinary Life. In today’s conversation, Ryan reflects on his spiritual journey that was awakened through joining recovery efforts in Post-Katrina New Orleans. He now ministers among those many may consider irrelevant, and has learned that “wasting time” with people is actually a worthwhile endeavor. Ryan is a pastor at Urban Mercy Church and Chaplain of Network Coffee House, a hospitality house for Denver’s chronically unhoused. Ryan and his wife Angela have two boys, Josiah and Micah, and live in Denver, Colorado.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornograp…
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Dec 24, 2021
Episode 206 - Brian Zahnd, "When Everything Is On Fire, Part 2"
“Everyone is invited into the experience of God.” - Brian Zahnd
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes his conversation with Brian Zahnd. Brian is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. He’s also the author of several books, including Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, A Farewell to Mars, and Beauty Will Save the World.
On today’s podcast, Michael and Brian dive into part 2 of their discussion about Brian’s latest book, When Everything Is On Fire, which seeks to answer the question, “Is it possible to hold on to faith in an age of unbelief?” Today, they talk about how to experience God in your everyday life & the recent conversations about deconstructing one’s faith.
Follow Brian Zahnd on his blog.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography eve…
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Dec 20, 2021
Episode 205 - Brian Zahnd, "When Everything Is On Fire, Part 1"
“Faith will not be sustained by some allegiance to a tradition but by one’s experience.” - Brian Zahnd
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes author and Pastor Brian Zahnd. Brian is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. Known for his theologically informed preaching and his embrace of the deep and long history of the church, he provides a forum for pastors to engage with leading theologians and is a frequent conference speaker. Brian is the author of several books, including Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, A Farewell to Mars, and Beauty Will Save the World.
On today’s podcast, Michael and Brian discuss his latest book, When Everything Is On Fire, which seeks to answer the question, “Is it possible to hold on to faith in an age of unbelief?” Various solutions exist―some people will double down on certainty, while others deconstruct their faith until there is nothing left at all. But Brian Zahnd offers a third w…
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Dec 4, 2021
Episode 204 - Kevin Triplett, "Men's Weekend Intensive"
*“There’s no better freedom than being the person God created you to be.” - Kevin Triplett*
On this edition of the podcast, Michael welcomes back Kevin Tripplett. Kevin was a guest in 2017 alongside Tony Anderson as they recounted their 2013 Restoring the Soul Men’s intensive weekend that served as the catalyst to their radical life change. They went on to also recount their stories in the incredible film, The Heart of Man.
Since then, Kevin has had the opportunity to join Michael and the team at more weekend intensives. Today, he and Michael discuss the foundational importance of these gatherings.
Restoring the Soul is hosting another Men’s Intensive Weekend in February of 2022 in Colorado Springs and invites you to take an important and courageous step with other men to get your true heart back. Registration opens December 5th and you can find complete details at Restoring the Soul.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:*
Episode 54 - Tony Anderson & Kevin Triplett, "Surfing For God Weeke…
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Nov 26, 2021
Episode 203 - Vance Crow, "An Attuned Therapist"
On this Thanksgiving weekend, we want to say how grateful we are for your continued support of this podcast and of the ministry. The podcast, in particular, started as a simple idea 5 years ago - now we have listeners all over the world who are being impacted by the teaching and encouragement found on this weekly audio program. Thanks for listening - be sure to spread the word!
On today’s edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael will introduce you to Vance Crow...one of the newest members of the counseling team. Every once in a while we want to take an opportunity to introduce you to our staff in hopes of giving you an inside look at the ministry and the team that makes the magic happen.
Vance has training in Emotionally Focused Therapy and has received extensive training in treating addiction, working with couples going through infidelity, and helping couples that have experienced betrayal. He also has a passion to see couples and individuals thrive rather than just survive in their…
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Nov 19, 2021
Episode 202 - Philip Yancey, "Where the Light Fell, Part 2"
“I go after the core of the Gospel but I do it from the stance of a pilgrim kind of wandering around trying to figure it out.” - Philip Yancey
On this edition, Michael concludes his conversation with author Philip Yancey. They discuss the major themes of Philip’s latest book, his memoir titled, “Where the Light Fell”. At its heart, this is a book about the possibility of healing and the hope that nothing in a person’s life need go to waste.
Click here to subscribe to Philip Yancey’s blog.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:*
Episode 201 - Philip Yancey, "Where the Light Fell, Part 1"
Episode 123 - Philip Yancey, "Easter and COVID-19"
Episode 105 - Philip Yancey, "Amazing Grace, Part 2"
Episode 104 - Philip Yancey, "Amazing Grace, Part 1"
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of…
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Nov 12, 2021
Episode 201 - Philip Yancey, "Where the Light Fell, Part 1"
“Suffering and grace are the themes that have emerged - and they have defined the rest of my life.” - Philip Yancey
On this edition, Michael welcomes back our good friend, Philip Yancey. No author in contemporary Christian literature is more well-known for their writing on grace and suffering than Philip. He has authored over 25 books, in which he has wrestled with God, with the Church, and with fellow believers. After surviving a church background of what he now calls “toxic faith,” he ultimately came to know a God of grace and beauty.
Over the next two episodes, Michael and Philip discuss the major themes of his latest book, his memoir titled, Where the Light Fell. At its heart, this is a book about the possibility of healing and the hope that nothing in a person’s life need go to waste. A fascinating read - we trust the conversation will be equally as stimulating.
Click here to subscribe to Philip Yancey’s blog.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:*
Episode 123 - Philip Yancey, "East…
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Nov 5, 2021
Episode 200 - Aundi Kolber, "Discovering Self Compassion"
“Healing requires fierceness and tenderness.” - Aundi Kolber
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes back Aundi Kolber to the Restoring the Soul podcast to conclude their 2-part discussion. On this episode, they will be discussing what it means to Discover Self Compassion”. Many of us don’t realize that just as God is profoundly kind and compassionate to us, we are invited to steward that compassion toward ourselves, too, in the form of self-compassion. How do we do this? We begin to practice gentleness and attentiveness toward our wounds in the same way that God is already kind to us.
Aundi Kolber is a Licensed Professional Counselor (MA LPC), writer, and speaker from Castle Rock, Colorado who specializes in trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. She has written for Relevant, CT Women, and (in) courage. As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge around the work of change, the power of…
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Oct 29, 2021
Episode 199 - Aundi Kolber, "Understanding Attunement"
“Attunement is an awareness and an attendance to your present experience.” - Aundi Kolber
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes back Aundi Kolber to the Restoring the Soul podcast. They will be discussing what it means to understand “Attunement” and the companion “Try Softer” resources that are now available, including The Try Softer Guided Journey: A Soulful Companion to Healing.
Aundi Kolber is a Licensed Professional Counselor (MA LPC), writer, and speaker from Castle Rock, Colorado who specializes in trauma and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. She has written for Relevant, CT Women, and (in) courage. As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge around the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain. Connect with Aundi at aundikolber.com, on Facebook at aundikolberwrites, and on Instagram at aundikolber.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:*
Episode…
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Oct 22, 2021
Episode 198 - Michael John Cusick, "From Accountability to Accessibility, Part 3"
“Real accountability leads to accessibility.” - Michael John Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes our 3-part series on Accountability:
* Cop Accountability
* Coach Accountability
* *Cardiologist* Accountability
Today's episode emphasizes the third and final part, cardiologist accountability. With the cardiologist accountability strategy, this is an approach where…
“…we move from accountability to accessibility. We expose our hiddenness, but more than that, we acknowledge our brokenness. Instead of trying to manage our sin, or be inspired to obey, we recognize our need for transformation. We begin to allow God, and a few others, to walk into the messiness of our lives, and we learn that we are more than the sum of our brokenness. Cardiologist accountability does not require a professional therapist or counselor. It begins with the assumption that our whole lives, including our brokenness, are the soil in which God grows us. The only require…
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Oct 15, 2021
Episode 197 - Michael John Cusick, "From Accountability to Accessibility, Part 2"
"The coach model is less about trying to get to the truth, it’s more about trying to inspire." - Michael John Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael continues a 3-part series on Accountability:
* Cop Accountability
* *Coach Accountability*
* Cardiologist Accountability
Today's episode emphasizes the second part, coach accountability. With the coach accountability strategy, Michael says, “Our accountability partner plays the role of an instructor, trainer, and coach, who helps us manage our lives so we can keep moving forward. We are second-string players on God’s team with a pretty good shot of making it to the spiritual big leagues. When we fail to perform well, we check in with the coach, who encourages us from the rulebook, sends us back in the game, and tells us to keep our eye on the ball. This approach implies that if we give it enough effort, time, and attention, we can earn a victory over sin and make our lives work. This ‘try harder’ emphasis…
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Oct 8, 2021
Episode 196 - Michael John Cusick, "From Accountability to Accessibility, Part 1"
"The man who lives under the cop accountability approach will eventually fail in one of two ways that reinforce the gospel of sin management." - Michael John Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael begins a 3-part series about Accountability:
* Cop Accountability
* Coach Accountability
* Cardiologist Accountability
Today's episode emphasizes the first part, cop accountability. With the cop accountability strategy, by sharing your sin with someone, you will have a greater incentive to choose what is right. It’s about the avoidance of shame. This form of accountability is a gospel of sin management that is all too common, and fraught with problems.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise…
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Oct 1, 2021
Episode 195 - Julianne Cusick, “Devastated But Not Destroyed”
Today’s episode is very special since you’ll be listening to a message from Julianne Cusick, Michael's bride of over 25 years. Her talk, “Devastated but not Destroyed” is a message she gave in 2004 where for the very first time she shared her story of heartbreak, hope, and healing from sexual betrayal and sexual addiction that was exposed in 1994. Giving this talk took a tremendous amount of courage and strength, and as you will hear she delivered the message with profound grace and dignity.
Julianne holds a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and her passion is to fight for the hearts of women and men shattered after pornography, affairs, and other forms of intimate partner betrayal. She is EMDR trained and utilizes a trauma-informed lens when working with women, men, and couples. Julianne embodies hope arising from her own story of healing and redemption.
HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Episode 94 - Julianne Cusick, "A Holy & Horrible Journey"
Episode 114 - Julianne Cusick, "…
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Sep 24, 2021
Episode 194 - Brad Jersak, "IN: Incarnation, Inclusion, Abba & Lamb"
“The higher your Christology, the wider you see Abba’s love to be.” - Brad Jersak
Brad Jersak is Michael’s guest on today’s podcast. Their conversation centers around how Christ-followers might hold the tension of two abiding and complementary truths:
- Christ’s one-of-a-kind revelation
- Abba’s all-inclusive love.
IN: Incarnation, Inclusion = Abba & Lamb.
Brad lays out biblical and experiential evidence for integrating and celebrating both these truths together, espousing the beautiful gospel of Christ’s unique revelation of Abba’s all-inclusive love.
Brad Jersak is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC. He serves as a reader and monastery preacher at All Saints of North America Orthodox Monastery. Through his books and seminars, Brad shares the good news that God is Love, perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ. He teaches others how to encounter God through the practice of ”listening prayer,” through which God’s love heals wounded hearts and empowers u…
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Sep 10, 2021
Episode 193 - Mako & Haejin Shim Fujimura, "Kintsugi Reflects Life"
“Risk-taking can lead to restoration only if it’s motivated by love.” - Haejin Shim Fujimura
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Mako & Haejin Shim Fujimura. Today, they will discuss a number of topics ranging from trauma, 9/11, Kintsugi, the Covid-19 pandemic, and Human trafficking.
Mako is a leading contemporary artist whose process-driven, refractive “slow art” has been described by David Brooks of the New York Times as “a small rebellion against the quickening of time”. He is also an arts advocate, writer, and speaker who is recognized worldwide as a cultural influencer. A Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts from 2003-2009, Fujimura served as an international advocate for the arts, speaking with decision-makers and advising governmental policies on the arts.
Married to Mako, Haejin is an international attorney and CEO of Embers International. She also serves as the President of Kintsugi Academy. Her life mission is to brin…
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Sep 3, 2021
Episode 192 - Andy Crouch, "The Tech-Wise Family, Part 2"
“It’s not about limits. It’s about filling our lives with what we really want.” - Andy Crouch
Today we conclude our conversation with author, musician and speaker, Andy Crouch, about his book, “The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place.” As school is back in session and families are getting back to some regular life rhythms, we thought a conversation centered around how the entire family leverages technology would be most beneficial for the next few episodes. On the back jacket of the book, it states poignantly, “Reclaiming real life in a world of devices.”
On this episode, keep an ear out for a few of the 10 Tech-Wise Commitments, such as:
* Develop wisdom and courage as a family
* Create more than we consume
* Wake up before our devices do. Go to bed before they do.
If you don’t know Andy Crouch, he was an editor and producer at Christianity Today for more than 10 years. His work and writing have been featured in The N…
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Aug 27, 2021
Episode 191 - Andy Crouch, "The Tech-Wise Family, Part 1"
“This is about something a lot more than screens, it’s about something a lot more than limits, and it’s not just about the kids.” - Andy Crouch
Michael's guest for the next two podcasts is author, musician and speaker, Andy Crouch, who joins Michael in a discussion about his book, "The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place."
Andy is an eloquent communicator who masterfully makes connections between culture, creativity, and the Christian faith. He is also on the governing boards of Fuller Theological Seminary as well as the Council for Christan Colleges and Universities. For more than 10 years he was an editor and producer at Christianity Today including serving as the Executive Editor from 2012-2016. Andy joined the John Templeton Foundation in 2017 as Senior Strategist for Communication and his work and writing have been featured in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine.
He is also the author of several books in…
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Aug 20, 2021
Episode 190 - Dr. Curt Thompson, "Anatomy of the Soul, Part 2"
“How well are you paying attention to what you’re paying attention to?” - Dr. Curt Thompson
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael continues the conversation we began on our last episode with our good friend, Dr. Curt Thompson. This special in-person conversation has been edited from a 12-part video series with Curt and Michael. As a special blessing for our listeners, Restoring the Soul is making these two conversations available in advance of Curt’s forthcoming book, The Soul of Desire, published by InterVarsity Press.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:
*Episode 189 - Dr. Curt Thompson, “Anatomy of the Soul, Part 1”*
*Episode 65 - Dr. Curt Thompson Part 1, “Being Known”
Episode 66 - Dr. Curt Thompson Part 2, “Being Known”
Episode 122 - Dr. Curt Thompson, "Love and Lament During the Pandemic"
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 m…
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Aug 14, 2021
Episode 189 - Dr. Curt Thompson, "Anatomy of the Soul, Part 1"
“We are people who long for a world of beauty and goodness.” - Dr. Curt Thompson
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes our good friend, Dr. Curt Thompson, back to the podcast. This special in-person conversation has been edited from a 12-part video series with Dr. Curt Thompson and Michael John Cusick. As a special blessing for our listeners, Restoring the Soul is making these two conversations available in advance of Curt’s forthcoming book, The Soul of Desire, published by InterVarsity Press.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* What is a person? What is a soul?
* What does the mind look like when it’s flourishing?
* The understanding of interpersonal neurobiology as a Christian.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:
*Episode 65 - Dr. Curt Thompson Part 1, “Being Known”
Episode 66 - Dr. Curt Thompson Part 2, “Being Known”
Episode 122 - Dr. Curt Thompson, "Love and Lament During the Pandemic"
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can beco…
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Aug 6, 2021
Episode 188 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 14: Understanding Freedom, Part 2"
“Freedom is the ability to be exactly who we are before God and others with an overflowing heart and to direct our heart in the direction we most deeply desire.” - Michael John Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael continues his in-depth look at Surfing for God and unpacks Chapter 13, “Freedom to Live" with Part 2 of a conversation titled, "Understanding Freedom."
God’s love kneels down to us, wherever we are. And as He does, He urges us to bare ourselves before Him. Why? Because in seeing our naked selves in the light of God’s love, we make two discoveries. First, we discover more clearly who God is. All of the brokenness in our world and in our lives calls into question God’s goodness. Can we trust Him? Is He really enough? In our nakedness, there is no pretense of earning or obtaining His love. It’s a gift that makes the gospel more real.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:*
The Apprentice Gathering
The Apprentice Institute for Spiritual Formation
September 23-25
Wi…
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Jul 30, 2021
Episode 187 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 13: Understanding Freedom, Part 1"
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” - 2 Cor. 3:17
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael continues his in-depth look at Surfing for God and unpacks Chapter 13, “Freedom to Live.”
God’s love kneels down to us, wherever we are. And as He does, He urges us to bare ourselves before Him. Why? Because in seeing our naked selves in the light of God’s love, we make two discoveries. First, we discover more clearly who God is. All of the brokenness in our world and in our lives calls into question God’s goodness. Can we trust Him? Is He really enough? In our nakedness, there is no pretense of earning or obtaining His love. It’s a gift that makes the gospel more real.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:*
The Apprentice Gathering
The Apprentice Institute for Spiritual Formation
September 23-25
Wichita, KS
Previous podcasts that address “shame”
Episode 173 - "Surfing for God, Part 5: Shame and Core Beliefs"
Episode 133 - “5 Ways Sha…
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Jul 23, 2021
Episode 186 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 12: Less is More"
“In repentance and rest is your salvation. In quietness and trust is your strength.” - Isaiah 30:15
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael continues his in-depth look at Surfing for God and unpacks Chapter 11, “Less Is More”. Solitude and silence are not just practices to optimize our lives in a fast-paced world. And though these practices may bring us healing, they are far more than a trendy therapeutic technique. Our souls require solitude and silence in order to thrive.
*HELPFUL RESOURCES:*
* Episode 117 - Contemplative Prayer, Part 1
* Episode 118 - Contemplative Prayer, Part 2
* “Less Is More” (message from Denver Seminary)
* “Forty Days to a Closer Walk with God: The Practice of Centering Prayer” by J. David Muyskens
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where…
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Jul 16, 2021
Episode 185 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 11: Your Brain on Porn, Part 2"
“Restart and reboot yourself. You're free to go.” - Bono
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael continues his in-depth look at Surfing for God and concludes a 2-part discussion called, “Your Brain on Porn”. Over the past 20 years, the field of neuroscience has exploded our understanding of the human brain. Recent discoveries have profound implications on treating various addictions and psychological disorders and pursuing physical and emotional well-being. The consistent theme is that contrary to conventional wisdom, our brains are highly changeable. Your brain can unlearn, and it can change.
7 Rs to overcome pornography:
* Recognize the problem
* Reorientation
* Relationship
* Regulation
* Reboot
* Restore
* Repentance* Michael refers to the Restoring the Soul podcast, Soul Care with iCare
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where…
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Jul 9, 2021
Episode 184 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 10: Your Brain on Porn, Part 1"
"Like sand on a beach, the brain bears the footprints of the decisions we have made, the skills we have learned." - Sharon Begley, NEWSWEEK Science Editor
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael continues his in-depth look at Surfing for God and introduces a 2-part discussion called, “Your Brain on Porn”. Over the past 20 years, the field of neuroscience has exploded our understanding of the human brain. Recent discoveries have profound implications on treating various addictions and psychological disorders and pursuing physical and emotional well-being. The consistent theme is that contrary to conventional wisdom, our brains are highly changeable. Your brain can unlearn, and it can change.
*Key Facts About the Effects of Porn on the Brain*
* Porn is a drug
* Porn has harmful consequences
* Porn hijacks the brain
* Porn changes the wiring in your brain
* Porn creates an addicted brain
* Porn-addicted brains can be rewired
* There is hope for porn addiction o…
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Jul 2, 2021
Episode 183 - Dr. Janelle Hallman, "Fostering Wholeness"
“I don’t work well with people who have it all together.” - Dr. Janelle Hallman
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes colleague and one of Restoring the Soul’s Intensive Clinical Soul Care Specialists, Dr. Janelle Hallman.
Janelle is a Licensed Professional Counselor, ordained minister, professor, author, and speaker on issues such as redemption, healing, and wholeness. Her passion is to counsel, facilitate, teach and share realities about God, life, and the human experience in a way that transforms and touches a person’s deepest heart. She loves working with any individual or couple seeking greater wholeness.
Dr. Hallman has served as an adjunct professor at Colorado Christian University. She is currently an adjunct professor at Denver Seminary and regularly supervises, trains, and consults other therapists, pastors, and lay leaders.
Dr. Hallman received her MA in Counseling from Denver Seminary and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from…
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Jun 18, 2021
Episode 182 - John Lynch, "On My Worst Day"
“The last thing in the world that I was supposed to do was become a believer.” - John Lynch
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, we reprise a conversation Michael had with John Lynch. John served for 27 years as teaching pastor at Open Door Fellowship in Phoenix, Arizona. As a gifted communicator, John is a vital Trueface staff member, joining the team in 1997.
John has co-authored The Cure, Bo’s Café, Behind The Mask, and his own story, On My Worst Day.
In this podcast, we hope you’ll discover:
* The secret that John carried for decades, even while ministering and offering a message of hope, freedom, and authenticity.
* That we are changed and transformed by living in the reality that we are loved.
* How John’s story has helped people understand and experience the Gospel, the original Good News, as it was meant to be.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion…
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Jun 4, 2021
Episode 181 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 9: The Invisible Battle"
"The story of your life is the story of a long and brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows what you could be and fears it." - John Eldredge
Evil is real, and it has a name: Satan - the adversary, deceiver, father of lies. After being thrown out of heaven for cosmic treason, Satan and his legion of fallen angels have had one goal: to defame God(Gen. 3:1-4). The Enemy comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He wants to devour you and all God intended you to be and to accomplish (I Peter 5:8). He exists to block you, in whatever way possible, from becoming the man or woman God created you to be. He hates your soul, hates God in you, and hates how your life can make God known. If he can’t kill your body, he’ll try to kill your soul. And if he can’t kill your soul, he’ll try to convince you to cover it with shame and get you to hide (Gen. 3:1-10). Or, more subtly, he will try to convince you that you’ll never change: “For the struggle is not against flesh…
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May 28, 2021
Episode 180 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 8: Exposing the Counterfeits"
“...Jesus only comes to us in our realities, not our illusions.” - Dr. Ekie Kikule
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael continues the journey through Surfing for God with a deep dive into Chapter 5: Exposing the Counterfeits. We’ll take a look at 3 primary areas where Satan attempts to lure us away from the fulfilled life in Christ; Counterfeit Good, Counterfeit Truth, and Counterfeit Worship.
No matter how much you have already lost, there’s still time to surrender the counterfeits in your life for the real things. Tim Keller has explained, “Idols cannot simply be removed. They must be replaced. If you only try to uproot them, they grow back; but they can be supplanted. By what? By God Himself, of course. But by God, we do not mean a general belief in His existence. Most people have that, yet their souls are riddled with idols. What we need is a living encounter with God.”
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.…
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May 21, 2021
Episode 179 - Eli & Kelly Pyke, "Far Green Country"
“...it was a desperate move to save our marriage.” - Kelly Pyke
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Eli and Kelly Pyke to discuss their emotional journey from counseling intensive to the purchase of an RV and ultimately a cross-country adventure in hopes to save their marriage. They documented their journey in the film “Far Green Country” which showed the lengths Eli and Kelly would go to in order to fight for each other’s hearts - and win. We’ll also get the back story of Eli’s emotional connection with his terminally ill father and what resulted from their time together during his last days on earth.
* Watch The Far Green Country on Amazon (free with Prime)
* Watch Far Green Country 2: At Road's End on Amazon
* Check out their site, thefargreencountry.com to get merch, get updates, and/or get the low-down
* Follow them on Instagram @thefargreencountry
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
W…
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May 14, 2021
Episode 178 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 7: Your Good Heart"
"What do you want?" - Jesus of Nazareth
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Brian discuss Chapter 8 of Surfing for God titled, "Your Good Heart".
If you belong to God, you have a good heart. In the deepest part of who you are, you have a passion to love God and walk in His ways. This statement isn't based on mere emotion. It is a present reality. At this very moment, God says this about you:
* You are pure and clean (I John 1:5-9)
* You are without stain or blemish (Eph. 5:27)
* You are the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21)
* Christ lives in you. (Gal. 2:20)
* Your heart is alive to God. (Rom. 6:11)
* You have a good and noble heart. (Luke 8:15)
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surp…
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May 7, 2021
Episode 177 - Dr. Alison Cook, "Boundaries for Your Soul"
“Internal conflict is growth trying to happen.” - Dr. Alison Cook
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Dr. Alison Cook, co-author of the best-selling, “Boundaries for Your Soul” which asks the question, “What if your overwhelming emotions hold the keys to your success?” In today’s conversation, Michael and Alison conclude that it is critically important to develop a “relationship”, or an understanding, of your emotions in order to discover the peace you've always wanted to have.
Alison Cook, is a counselor, speaker, and co-author of Boundaries for Your Soul. For over 15 years, Alison has helped women, ministry leaders, and couples forge healthy relationships and say "Yes" to the life God has for them. Each week, she provides expert advice to over 30,000 people who subscribe to her email newsletter and blog posts. You can find out even more about Alison here.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
W…
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Apr 30, 2021
Episode 176 - Winn Collier, “A Burning in My Bones”
“It was such a joy to discover in his deep heart, behind the scenes, Eugene was the man we thought he was.” - Winn Collier
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes back Winn Collier. If you admire the life and writings of Eugene Peterson, you’re in for a real treat. As you will soon hear, Eugene Peterson was not only Winn’s pastor, he was his friend. So it made complete sense for Winn to take on the humbling task of writing the Authorized Biography of Eugene Peterson titled, “A Burning in My Bones”, which was released this past January.
Winn is also the Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He is the Director of the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination and author of 5 books, including Eugene’s biography. You can discover even more about Winn on his website.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for…
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Apr 23, 2021
Episode 175 - Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards, "Like a Little Child"
“There’s a revolution that could happen if we could understand that humility is one of the practical outworkings of love.” - Dennis Edwards
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes back our good friend, Reverend Doctor Dennis Edwards. If you’d like to listen to previous conversations with Dennis, look up episodes number 132 and 150. Podcast Number 132 is titled, “Turning the Tables on Injustice” and number 150 is about his book, “Might from the Margins.”
Biblical humility is the main topic of this particular podcast and the need for more of it in our world, especially from the church. We hope you enjoy today’s conversation.
A quick fun fact about Dennis, he once appeared on the TV game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. To discover even more about him, visit his website.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 m…
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Apr 16, 2021
Episode 174 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 6: Soul Snare to Soul Care"
“The question for our lives is not whether we will surrender, but to whom or what we will surrender.” - Gordon Dalbey
In this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Brian discuss the move from the Soul Snare pattern to the path of Soul Care. As we consider our brokenness, when negative feelings arise, our reflex is to avoid or control them. Carl Jung was referring to this idea when he wrote that all neurosis is caused by the avoidance of necessary pain. By avoiding or controlling our brokenness, the whisper of porn (or any other addiction, for that matter) can become a shout, and the lying promises of our addiction begin to sound like a sensible solution. Then we profoundly mishandle the ache of living in a fallen world.
It is our hope that by listening to this important discussion, your heart will be free from the fixation on your addiction to be captivated by God’s love, all so that your heart can be given more fully to God and others.
Discover how the barrier built by p…
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Apr 9, 2021
Episode 173 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 5: Shame and Core Beliefs"
“Shame is like a raincoat over the soul that repels the living water of Jesus that would establish us as His beloved.” - Andy Kamiski
All of us have hiding places where we stow away our shame. Where do you hide yours? What memories or triggers send you scurrying for cover? If the voice of shame could be silenced, what do you think the voice of Love might say to you? What do you long to hear?
Understanding shame is crucial in our journey from lust and addiction to freedom. Discover the path to freedom on this episode of Restoring the Soul as Michael unpacks the chapter on shame and core beliefs from his book, Surfing for God.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an a…
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Apr 2, 2021
Episode 172 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 4: Gathering the Broken Places"
“It’s important to understand our brokenness because it’s what drives our sinful patterns, our addictions, and our compulsions.” - Michael John Cusick
*The following is an excerpt from Michael John Cusick’s book, “Surfing for God”.
*
“King David was a man intimately acquainted with his brokenness. Aware of his divided heart, he wrote in the Psalms, “Train me, God, to walk straight; then I’ll follow your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I’ll worship in joyful fear.” (Ps. 86:11 MSG)
As a man heals from his bondage to porn, he must understand his brokenness and allow it to compel him toward Jesus. Our brokenness is our only requirement for receiving God’s grace.”
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, you will discover the 5 Ws of Brokenness:
Wickedness - sin that has gone really far. We turn away from God.
Weakness - a limitation or vulnerability that we carry.
Woundedness - wounds of presence/wounds of absence.
Warfare - we…
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Mar 26, 2021
Episode 171 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 3: Deep Desires"
“I’ve always been most passionate about trying to help people connect the broken reality of their life to the reality of God’s heart.” - Michael John Cusick
Hope is life-giving, but to deeply and intensely desire something and not receive it can be virtually unbearable. On the other hand, the consequences of losing our spiritual thirst can be as dramatic as losing our physical thirst. How can we love God with all our minds, hearts, souls, and strength when the desires of our hearts and souls are not operating at full capacity? Our souls’ thirst is the core desire from which everything else in the Christian life flows.
During this episode of Restoring the Soul, you will discover the Seven Core Desires & Longings
* Attention: To be seen
* Affection: When I see you, I want to be with you
* Affirmation: You have what it takes
* Acceptance: I deeply desire & thirst to belong
* Significance: I want to matter for just who I am
* Satisfaction: Fullness. Contentment. It…
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Mar 19, 2021
Episode 170 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 2: The Broken Promises of Porn"
“All sin promises us something but it never delivers on the promise.” - Michael John Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Brian present the second episode in a seven part series of podcasts on Michael’s book, Surfing for God. Today’s discussion reveals the broken promises of pornography.
Pornography promises:
* Validation of our manhood but without requiring strength.
* Sexual fulfillment without relationship.
* Intimacy without requiring risk and suffering.
* Passion and life without connection to your soul.
* Power over women without responsibility and humility.
* Comfort and care without depending on others.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and mor…
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Mar 3, 2021
Episode 169 - Michael John Cusick with Jim Cress, "Remembering Larry Crabb (1944-2021)"
“There was something deeper, something more real that I was drawn to in what he said.” - Jim Cress
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Jim Cress remember Dr. Larry Crabb who recently passed away.
The following is the post written by The Larger Story:
It is with great sadness and astonishing joy that we tell you of Dr. Larry Crabb’s arrival in Heaven early Sunday morning. Heartache because we already miss him so much, and heartfelt delight because we each have a faint sense of just how much he is now enjoying the great celebration and perfect rest of life in the presence of the Trinity.
As one who taught so many of us that it is possible to trust no matter our circumstances or condition of soul, Larry can now testify to the unspeakable joy and unlimited goodness of God. It truly is well with his soul.
Rachael, Kep, Ken and the family are grieving together and want you to know that they are well. They are planning two memorial services, one in Charlotte and one…
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Feb 26, 2021
Episode 168 - Michael John Cusick, "Surfing for God, Part 1"
“Every man who knocks on the door of a brothel is looking for God.” - G.K. Chesterton
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Brian launch into the first of a seven part series of podcasts on Michael’s book, Surfing for God. In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it’s no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over. Is the answer really that simple? Listen in and find out.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addic…
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Feb 19, 2021
Episode 167 - Sheila Wray Gregoire, "The Great Sex Rescue"
“The solution to lust is to see women. It isn’t to avoid them. It’s to see women as whole people made in the image of God.” - Sheila Wray Gregoire
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes speaker, blogger, award-winning author Sheila Wray Gregoire. About 800,000 people read her blog every month, “To Love, Honor and Vacuum” and her book, “The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex” won the 2012 Grace Irwin Award for the Best Book Written by a Canadian Christian, one of the largest literary prizes in Canada.
Her latest book, “The Great Sex Rescue” is due to hit the shelves on March 2nd (you can pre-order through Amazon) and we’re thrilled to feature her conversation about the book with Michael today.
To learn more about Sheila, visit her website.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography…
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Feb 12, 2021
Episode 166 - Julianne Cusick, "Treatment Barriers to Healing from Betrayal Trauma"
“Certain kinds of care for betrayal trauma actually makes people stuck or worse in their recovery.” - Julianne Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes his conversation with Julianne Cusick about Betrayal Trauma. Today they will focus on Treatment Barriers to Healing from Betrayal Trauma. This follows up from our previous episode on Barriers to Overcoming Betrayal Trauma. In summary, some barriers are:
* Continued evidence of the partner acting out
* Gaslighting (which is lying that changes a person’s perception)
* Partner’s inability or unwillingness to own their impact
* The partner’s inability or unwillingness to open up and be honest about his healing journey.
Even if you feel this episode is far from where you are relationally, there is a chance you might know someone who is struggling in this way - so be sure to lean into today's conversation.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What…
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Feb 5, 2021
Episode 165 - Julianne Cusick, "Barriers to Overcoming Betrayal Trauma"
“It’s impossible to recover from betrayal trauma when you’re still a victim of betrayal trauma.” - Julianne Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes back Julianne Cusick for the next two episodes as they discuss Betrayal Trauma. Today they will focus on Barriers to Overcoming Betrayal Trauma.
Did you know that you can follow Michael and Restoring the Soul on social media? Simply do a search on Facebook and Twitter for the Restoring the Soul podcast. You can also find Michael on Twitter by searching for him personally. And as always, be sure to tell a friend about the podcast.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* Why a woman stays stuck in the process of betrayal trauma
* Understanding what “gaslighting” means
* Common barriers to heal relationally to betrayal trauma
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where ther…
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Jan 29, 2021
Episode 164 - James Bryan Smith, "The Good and Beautiful God"
“I want to become the person that naturally is like Jesus because I have been with Him for so long.” - Dr. James Bryan Smith
Dr. James Bryan Smith is the founder and Executive Director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation, as well as a founding member of Richard J. Foster’s spiritual renewal ministry, Renovaré. He is an ordained United Methodist Church minister and speaks throughout the world about Christian spiritual formation.
In the fall of 2016, Dr. Smith was part of the Friends University team that developed a master’s degree program in Christian spiritual formation and leadership. He is the author of the best-selling “The Good and Beautiful” book series and “The Magnificent” series.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* The difference between spiritual formation and discipleship.
* The devastating result of teaching people only the spiritual disciplines.
* Why James refers to himself as the “Forrest Gump of Christianit…
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Jan 22, 2021
Episode 163 - Dallas Willard, "What We Are to Do"
“Wholeness and holiness are inseparable.” - Dallas Willard
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, we dig deep into our archives for one of the most important discussions Michael has taken part in. In his words, it was one of the highlights of his life. Together, let’s go to Los Angeles. The year is 2008 and we’ll be privileged to listen to Michael’s discussion with Dr. Dallas Willard, who for several decades taught Philosophy at the University of Southern California, and was the author of several books including The Spirit of the Disciplines, Hearing God, and The Divine Conspiracy.
Dr. Willard passed into glory at 77 years old in May of 2013.
In this conversation, he and Michael discuss spiritual formation, having an interactive relationship with God, the idea that solitude is the most radical of the disciplines. And so much more. You’re going to want to listen intently to this conversation - even playing it over again so that you don’t miss anything.
We also want to…
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Jan 15, 2021
Episode 162 - Andrew Bauman, "The Sexually Healthy Man"
“We eroticize our pain to make sense of it. We sexualize our brokenness.” - Andrew Bauman
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Andrew Bauman, author of The Sexually Healthy Man. Now, you may have grown up in the 90's during the height of the True Love Waits movement, accompanied by Joshua Harris’ bestseller, I Kissed Dating Goodbye. Many of the ideas perpetuated by this culture were infused with fear and shame, offering no practical help or guidance in equipping young people to become healthy sexual human beings. As a result, shame accompanied any thoughts around sexuality; with guys trying to white-knuckle purity and falling short over and over again. Leaving them with feelings of self-hatred and hopelessness.
Andrew hopes his brand new book will serve as the guide - providing comfort and clarity to those who find themselves in a similar struggle for sexual health. The essays in the book are not only for men but also for women who want to understand what hea…
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Jan 9, 2021
Episode 161 - Michael John Cusick, "Understanding the Soul, Part 2"
“Our soul is not something that we have, it is more something that we are. It is the very life pulse within us that which names us alive.” - Ronald Rolheiser
Happy New Year! We hope that 2021 is off to a great start for you. Thankful that you have chosen to start the year off with us and hope that Restoring the Soul can become a regular part of your weekly podcast diet. Don’t forget that we have 160 other episodes from our archives featuring great conversations about life, love, and the pursuit of a whole heart. Some guests that have joined us range from John Eldredge, Lysa TerKeurst, Ian Morgan Cron, and Curt Thompson. There’s definitely something for everyone.
On today’s podcast, Michael will continue and conclude the second part of a conversation he began last week on Understanding the Soul.
A quick summary of the 6 points shows us that:
* Our souls are created for union with God.
* Our souls were created for life and love and joy and delight.
* Our souls are des…
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Dec 26, 2020
Episode 160 - Michael John Cusick with Peter Zaremba, "Understanding the Soul, Part 1"
*“**The most beautiful place in all of creation is the center of the soul.**” - St. Teresa of Avila
On this Christmas weekend edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael has invited his good friend Peter Zaremba into the studio to discuss one of the most perplexing topics known to man. They’re hoping to unpack what it means to understand the soul. The human soul is central to the personhood of a human being. As George MacDonald said, “You don’t have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.” And as we’ll learn from today’s conversation, our soul is the deepest part of who we are. It’s the most real part.
*
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to…
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Dec 18, 2020
Episode 159 - Rabbi Evan Moffic, "The Happiness Prayer"
“Happiness is a sense of looking back on our life and knowing it’s been well-lived.” - Rabbi Evan Moffic
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, we’re taking a trip in the way back machine to feature a conversation with Michael and Rabbi Evan Moffic. In light of the Coronavirus pandemic and how difficult this year has been for so many, we thought it would be nice to offer a look at the ancient Jewish Happiness Prayer that helps to open up opportunities for gratitude and joy.
Respected as a Jewish thought leader both in the Chicago area and nationally, Rabbi Moffic is the author of four best-selling books. He is regularly featured as part of the Religion Panel on Fox and Friends and on CNN, and his articles appear in Huffington Post.
The Chicago Tribune described Evan as “a brilliant antidote to all that divides us. He constructs bridges where others drive wedges” and “the Rabbi we’d love to call our own. Humble, wise and good beyond words.”
Finally, we have been en…
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Dec 11, 2020
Episode 158 - Susie Larson, "Fully Alive, Part 2"
“What happens in our souls happens in ourselves.” - Susie Larson
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes back Susie Larson to the podcast to complete their discussion they started last week. Be sure to download and listen to Episode 157 that will complement today’s conversation. Susie is a talk radio host, national speaker, and bestselling author. She hosts the daily talk show, Susie Larson Live, which airs on the Faith Radio Network and reaches a half million people weekly through her daily posts on Facebook.
Today, she and Michael will discuss healing from a biblical & theological perspective. Susie also provides some helpful advice on how to communicate hope to those who are struggling in the healing process.
Finally, last week we encouraged you to write a review of Restoring the Soul on Apple Podcasts. In return, we would randomly select a review and award the author of the review with a copy of Susie Larson’s latest book, “Fully Alive”. Well, we rece…
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Dec 4, 2020
Episode 157 - Susie Larson, "Fully Alive, Part 1"
“The storms reveal the lies we believe and the truths we need.” - Susie Larson
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Susie Larson to the podcast. Susie is a talk radio host, national speaker, and bestselling author. She hosts the daily talk show, Susie Larson Live, which airs on the Faith Radio Network and reaches a half million people weekly through her daily posts on Facebook.
Today, she and Michael will discuss the essence of her latest book, “Fully Alive: Learning to Flourish--Mind, Body & Spirit.” In it Susie Larson shows how intertwined our emotional, spiritual, and physical health are. Spiritual difficulties can have physical consequences, and physical illnesses can have emotional and even spiritual ramifications. So in order for true healing to occur, it must happen holistically.
This discussion is packed full of advice and practical strategy to overcome your fears and start walking confidently with God. He is accessible and available to you - today…
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Nov 27, 2020
Episode 156 - Lysa TerKeurst, “Forgiving What You Can't Forget”
“I never wanted this story told because I never wanted this to be my story.” - Lysa TerKeurst
Regardless of whether we’re in a pandemic or not, the holidays bring families together - and with these gatherings, painful memories oftentimes surface and difficult conversations happen - or are avoided… At the center of these conflicts are the need for forgiveness and healing. Come to think of it, it’s not just during the holidays - issues related to forgiveness are everywhere. If this resonates with you - stay with us as Michael welcomes back popular author and President of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa TerKeurst. Lysa’s personal life has been on display the past few years - and her journey of forgiveness has been one that has inspired many to pursue wholeness and reconciliation.
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Lysa discuss her latest book, Forgiving What You Can't Forget. The subtitle of the book really provides the essence of their conversation, “Discover…
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Nov 20, 2020
Episode 155 - Dr. Barbara Peacock, "African American Soul Care, Part 2”
“In order for me to understand the journey of the slave, I had to be on the ship.” - Dr. Barbara Peacock
Michael’s guest on today’s podcast is Dr. Barbara Peacock. An experienced preacher, teacher and minister of discipleship and prayer, Dr. Peacock trains in spiritual direction and soul care for ministry leaders and has a God-given call and desire to serve as spiritual coach for individuals and groups.
Her latest book is titled Soul Care in African American Practice. It’s a fascinating look at prayer, spiritual direction, and soul care and how the transatlantic journey for the slaves was the entry point or beginning of spiritual direction and soul care from an African American perspective. As she and Michael wrap up the second half of their conversation, they will discuss the impact of Frederick Douglas, Dr. Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King, and Dr. Renita Weems. Be sure to listen the whole way through the interview as Barbara leads us in the practice of Lectio Divina.…
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Nov 13, 2020
Episode 154 - Dr. Barbara Peacock, "African American Soul Care, Part 1”
“I went on a journey of seeking an entry point for the beginning of African American soul care.” - Dr. Barbara Peacock
Michael’s guest on today’s podcast is Dr. Barbara Peacock, an experienced preacher, teacher and minister of discipleship and prayer. Dr. Peacock trains in spiritual direction and soul care for ministry leaders and has a God-given call and desire to serve as spiritual coach for individuals and groups.
Her latest book with Intervarsity Press is titled Soul Care in African American Practice. It’s a fascinating look at prayer, spiritual direction, and soul care and how the transatlantic journey for the slaves was the entry point or beginning of spiritual direction and soul care from an African American perspective. Dr. Peacock also uses examples of ten significant men and women—like Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Howard Thurman and others—to give leadership examples of how important soul care was to their own lives.
In this podcast…
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Nov 1, 2020
Episode 152 - Diana Gruver, "Companions in the Darkness"
“What does it look like to follow Jesus faithfully when you’re depressed?” - Diana Gruver
James Chapter 1 verses 2 through 4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” These words have comforted countless who have endured hard times, stress, suffering, and even grief. And for many who suffer through debilitating depression, these trials James speaks of can last months or even years. Relief is elusive. Comfort is unattainable. Finding joy may even be a pipedream.
Michael’s guest on today’s podcast is Diana Gruver. She is the author of an upcoming book from Intervarsity Press called “Companions in the Darkness: Seven Saints Who Struggled with Depression and Doubt.” She looks back into church history and finds depression in the lives of some of our most b…
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Oct 23, 2020
Episode 151 - Dr. Jim Wilder, "The Heart Jesus Gave You"
“The brain seems to be designed for something. And then theology says, “This is what you’re supposed to do with it.” - Dr. Jim Wilder
Our guest on today’s podcast is Dr. Jim Wilder. For decades, he has been delving into biblical scripture, spiritual formation, and brain science. These studies led to development of a unique model of spiritual and psychological maturation.
Dr. Wilder has been training leaders and counselors for over 27 and is the author of many books with a strong focus on maturing and relationship skills for leaders. His co-authored book Living From the Heart Jesus Gave You has sold over 100,000 copies in eleven languages.
A renowned neuro theologian, Jim and Michael spend a fascinating hour discussing the connection and integration of science, neurology, psychology and God.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* What is a neuro theologian?
* The distinction between left and right brain
* What is wholeness and why does it take so long?
Disco…
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Oct 16, 2020
Episode 150 - Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards, "Might from the Margins"
“Salvation is liberation.” - Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards
Our guest on today’s podcast is Reverend Doctor Dennis Edwards. His name might sound familiar to you as he was a recent guest of Michael’s on an episode titled, “Turning the Tables on Injustice.” Today, he and Michael will be discussing his most recent book, “Might from the Margins”.
To summarize the conversation, here is the concluding paragraph of what Dennis wrote in a recent Christianity Today article of the same title. He says, “When a simple slogan such as “Black Lives Matter” is denied, scrutinized, and even vilified by vocal white Christians, it becomes increasingly necessary to assert that God loves marginalized people and that we must grow in love of ourselves. Love is power. It emboldens us, motivates us, and sustains us to fight against injustice. Jesus embodies love and power and stands in solidarity with the marginalized. In him we find might from the margins.” Michael and Dr. Edwards’ discus…
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Oct 9, 2020
Episode 149 - Ian Morgan Cron, "True You"
“Your ego would like you to think you’re more in control than you actually are.” - Ian Morgan Cron
Ian Morgan Cron is Michael’s special guest for this episode of Restoring the Soul. Of our 149 episodes, Ian has joined us more times than any other guest.
He is a master teacher of the Enneagram, a powerful tool for understanding why we behave the way we do, and how our personalities are powerfully influenced by our motivations. Ian is also an accomplished author who, according to Father Richard Rohr, “has the gift of making his human journey a parable for all of our journeys”. Among other titles, Ian has authored the bestselling book, The Road Back to You, which introduced the Enneagram to its broadest audience yet.
He is also an Episcopal priest, a trained psychotherapist, and the host of the very popular Typology podcast.
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Ian will be making a very special announcement - we’re thrilled to welcome him back to the podcast and trust…
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Oct 2, 2020
Episode 148 - Rev. Ruth Everhart, "The #MeToo Reckoning"
“If women have the same value and worth as men in the eyes of Jesus, then they need to have the same value and worth as men in our culture.” - Ruth Everhart
Rev. Ruth Everhart is Michael’s guest for this episode of Restoring the Soul.
She is an author, speaker, and Presbyterian pastor. Her writing explores the hidden ways religious belief shapes how we think about life, especially the lives of women. She is the author of three books: THE #MeToo RECKONING: Facing the Church's Complicity in Sexual Abuse and Misconduct, the memoir RUINED (which was awarded "Book of the Year 2017" from Christianity Today Women), and CHASING THE DIVINE IN THE HOLY LAND. She has also written articles for many publications such as The Christian Century, Sojourners, and The Washington Post. You can find these articles, or contact her, at rutheverhart.com.
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Ruth will discuss her most recent book, The #MeToo Reckoning. The #MeToo movement has revealed se…
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Sep 25, 2020
Episode 147 - Dr. Christy Bauman, "Theology of the Womb"
“How will we engage our body which cyclically bleeds most of our life and can
build and birth a human soul?” - Dr. Christy Bauman
Dr. Christy Bauman is Michael’s guest for this episode of Restoring the Soul.
She is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist who is committed to helping women come into their true voice. She offers meaning-making and storywork consulting. She is the author and producer of three works: Theology of the Womb, A Brave Lament, and Documentary: A Brave Lament. She is also a psychotherapist, supervisor, adjunct professor who focuses on the female body, sexuality and theology.
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Dr. Bauman will discuss her most recent book, Theology of the Womb. This is a book about the theology found in the cycle of the womb, which births both life and death. Every day each one of us is invited to create, and every day we make a decision knowing that from our creation can come death or life. Women’s voices have been silenced fo…
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Sep 18, 2020
Episode 146 - Lysa TerKeurst, “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way”
“Sometimes to get your life back, you have to face the death of what you thought your life would look like.” - Lysa TerKeurst
Lysa TerKeurst is Michael’s guest for this episode of Restoring the Soul.
She is president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the New York Times best-selling author of Uninvited, The Best Yes, Unglued, Made to Crave, and 16 other books.
As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa and her team have led thousands to make their walk with God an invigorating journey through daily online devotionals, radio programs, online Bible studies, speaker/writing training, and more.
Lysa was recently awarded the Champions of Faith Author Award and has been published in multiple publications such as Focus on the Family and CNN online. Additionally, she has appeared on the Today Show as one of the leading voices in the Christian community.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* Faith is what holds you together when everything else falls apart.
* God doesn’t…
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Sep 11, 2020
Episode 145 - Carolyn Weber, "Sex and the City of God"
“In spite of a hundred disadvantages, the world will always return to monogamy.
Covenantal sex remembers us.” - Carolyn Weber
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Carolyn Weber to the podcast.
The title of today’s podcast is Sex and the City of God and even though the word “sex” is in the title, you will find out in today’s spirited conversation, Carolyn’s book of the same name is surely and mostly about marriage―what comes before and what we receive afterward. It is about all the most important loves we have and how they grow softly and strong and sturdy over time. Through her personal story, as well as spiritual, theological, and literary reflection, you will discover that Carolyn explores what life looks like when we choose to love God first.
Carolyn Weber is the award-winning author of Surprised by Oxford and is also an international speaker. Dr. Weber holds her MPhil and DPhil from Oxford University, England and has served as faculty at a numb…
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Sep 4, 2020
Episode 144 - Morgan Snyder, "Becoming a King"
“Masculine power is intended to be good when it’s wholehearted and in the service of love.” - Morgan Snyder
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Morgan Snyder to the podcast.
Morgan is a grateful husband of over 20 years and a proud father of a wildly creative and witty daughter and a joyful and passionate son. He serves as a strategist, entrepreneur, teacher, writer, and speaker. In 2010, he established BecomeGoodSoil and serves on the executive leadership team at Wild at Heart alongside John and Stasi Eldredge. Morgan goes off the grid every chance he gets, whether bow hunting in the Colorado wilderness or choosing the adventurous life with his greatest treasures: his wife, Cherie; his son, Joshua; and his daughter, Abigail.
Michael and Morgan discuss, “Becoming a King, The Path to Restoring the Heart of a Man.”
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* Why should this issue of power be a category for men?
* The common ways men respond to the…
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Aug 28, 2020
Episode 143 - Aaron Niequist, "The Eternal Current"
“The invitation is participation.” - Aaron Niequist
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Liturgist, Writer, and Pastor Aaron Niequist. Currently living in NYC, Aaron’s career has taken him from leading worship at Mars Hill Church alongside Rob Bell and Willow Creek just outside of Chicago. He has also created A New Liturgy - a collection of modern liturgical worship recordings.
In 2018, Aaron released a book about a practice-based faith called The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us from Drowning, which serves as the foundation of he and Michael’s discussion. Be sure to listen all the way through as Aaron will guide you through a special time of prayer and meditation.
You can find out more about Aaron on his website. Be sure to subscribe and download his podcast, The Eternal Current.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* Every church has a liturgy. It’s what we do when we come together.
* Churches give great inspiration.…
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Aug 21, 2020
Episode 142 - Michael John Cusick, "Less Is More"
“When we see God’s heart, our own heart becomes free.” - Michael John Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, we’re featuring a talk Michael gave to Denver Seminary students titled, “Less Is More”. The essence of the message is about our need to be still and rest in what God has done for us in Christ. And that the depth of our relationship with God is going to be directly related to the depth at which you enter into your own soul.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* We were created for union with God.
* Union with God is not something that we must attain.
* We become grounded in union with God through attentiveness.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more…
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Aug 14, 2020
Episode 141 - Bill Thrall, "The Soul of a Leader"
“The number one cause of leadership failure is never a skill let down. It’s isolation.” - Bill Thrall
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, we’re featuring a conversation Michael had with Bill Thrall. If you’re a leader - in any capacity in your life - you’re going to find great connection and value in this discussion.
Bill is a co-founder of Trueface, an organization committed to helping people experience authentic, trust-filled relationships by emphasizing the importance of humility, trust & grace. His influence can also be experienced through books like The Cure, The Ascent of a Leader, Bo’s Café, and High Trust Cultures.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* The number one cause of leadership failure.
* Holiness is not about the absence of sin but in the presence of love & light.
* When grace is cognitive, it’s one of our theologies. When it’s experiential it’s foundational.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridg…
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Aug 7, 2020
Episode 140 - Michael John Cusick, “5 Ways Shame Fuels Addiction, Part 5”
“There’s something about shame you can’t heal on your own.” - Michael John Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, we’re concluding a 5-part series on the way shame fuels addiction. Longtime friend to Restoring the Soul, Peter Zaremba, joins Michael for this all-important conversation that shows that the foundation of shame is connected to the false self and the belief that you need to be something you are not.
If this particular series of podcasts have been a blessing to you, could you take a moment to let us know? You can connect with us through the Restoring the Soul website or you can comment where you download the podcast. We always love to hear about your personal growth as a result of listening and digesting the content found here on Restoring the Soul. We find great joy in bringing it to you - and are always thrilled to hear there are people out there who are different as a result of taking it all in. Thank you.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:…
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Jul 31, 2020
Episode 139 - Ian Morgan Cron, “The Road Back to You”
“The Enneagram takes into account that the human personality is fluid, not static.” - Ian Morgan Cron
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, we’re featuring a conversation between Michael John Cusick and Ian Morgan Cron that took place just before the release of his third book, “The Road Back to You”. They discussed Ian’s introduction to the Enneagram and how it has impacted him over the years. They also covered the crucial need of self-knowledge, the beauty of the Gospel, and the counter intuitive idea that we grow in loving others as we grow in loving ourselves.
If you are not familiar with Ian, he is a bestselling author, nationally recognized speaker, Enneagram teacher, psychotherapist, Dove Award–winning songwriter, and Episcopal priest. He also hosts an amazing podcast, Typology.
As you will discover, Ian draws on a wide array of disciplines—from psychology to the arts, Christian spirituality and theology—to help people enter more deeply into conversation wit…
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Jul 24, 2020
Episode 138 - Michael John Cusick, “5 Ways Shame Fuels Addiction, Part 4”
“Our deepest desire is for connection.” - Michael John Cusick
What do you long for? How about thirst? And what are your desires? God has uniquely wired us for connection; it is the essence of our being. To know and be known.
Welcome to Restoring the Soul, a podcast dedicated to helping you close the gap from what you’re meant to be and what keeps you from being all that. On this edition, Michael continues a series of podcasts on how shame fuels addiction. Today, he guides us through seven core longings of our heart and questions that are associated with each longing. We encourage you to catch up on previous episodes that also include conversations with Restoring the Soul colleague, Kelley Gray.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in…
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Jul 17, 2020
Episode 137 - Michael John Cusick, “5 Ways Shame Fuels Addiction, Part 3”
“In being known, I can simply rest...and be.” - Michael John Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael continues a 5-part series of podcasts on how shame fuels addiction. We encourage you to catch up on previous episodes that also include conversations with Michael’s colleague, Kelley Gray.
The statement Michael will address today in part 3 of the series is centered around where shame tells us we can’t get our needs met. This couldn’t be farther from the truth...
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the…
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Jul 10, 2020
Episode 136 - Rob Mathes, "Living and Breathing Music, Part 2"
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes his conversation with composer, arranger, producer, singer, songwriter, and musician Rob Mathes. Rob is a Grammy-nominated, Tony-nominated artist who won an Emmy award for his musical direction of the Kennedy Center Honors.
In Part 2, a few of the topics Rob and Michael discuss include:
* How Rob’s song, “Although It Is the Night” was inspired by St. John of The Cross’s poem “Dark Night of the Soul”.
* Why great music mixes the sacred and the profane, “the gears grinding and the heavens singing.”
* Understand why Rob feels it’s important to “poke holes” at aspects of Christianity that are seemingly crazy.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last yea…
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Jul 3, 2020
Episode 135 - Rob Mathes, “Living and Breathing Music, Part 1”
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, we are please to bring you an encore conversation with Rob Mathes. Rob is Emmy an award-winning, Grammy nominated, Tony nominated music producer, composer, arranger, singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and guitarist. The list of names that Rob has worked with is extraordinary--including production and songwriting collaborations with Sting on his last three albums, and serving as musical director on Sting's “The Last Ship: World Tour with the Royal Philharmonic". As an arranger Rob has written orchestrations for artists all over the stylistic spectrum—from Jay Z, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Yo Yo Ma, Luciano Pavaorotti, and Panic at the Disco.
In part 1 of Michael's interview with Rob, some of what you'll discover is:
* Why Rob feels closer to God listening to Bach than a Sunday morning sermon.
* What it's been like to collaborate with Stevie Wonder, Sting, Yo Yo Ma, and other renowned artists.
* What lies b…
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Jun 26, 2020
Episode 134 - Michael John Cusick, “5 Ways Shame Fuels Addiction, Part 2”
“Shame is the experience of not being with God in His love.” - Michael John Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Kelley Gray continue their conversation on how shame fuels addiction, concluding that shame is embodied (in the body, with the body) and making the important point that, “As we experience shame, it’s not just an emotion...it plays out in our nervous and cardiovascular systems along with fear and anxiety.”
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick an…
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Jun 19, 2020
Episode 133 - Michael John Cusick, “5 Ways Shame Fuels Addiction, Part 1”
“Shame is not just an emotion, it’s a physical experience.” - Michael John Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael picks up where we left off a few weeks ago - delving into the debilitating emotion of shame in hopes to chart a restorative path to health. This is Part 1 of 5, in addition to the introduction, that sets the stage for this informative series designed to help you live loved and free.
Kelley Gray joins Michael for this conversation. She is on staff at Restoring the Soul as an Intensive Clinical Soul Care Specialist. Kelley is a Licensed Professional Counselor with nearly 20 years of experience. She is deeply passionate about therapy, growth and laughing and believes growth, healing and integration are profoundly beautiful human processes in which we are all invited to participate.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are…
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Jun 12, 2020
Episode 132 - Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards, "Turning the Tables on Injustice"
“I think it is naive to ignore the journey of people who have been on the margins in our society.” - Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards of Chicago’s North Park University to discuss race and Christianity in modern America as it relates to current events. Michael was deeply impacted by Dr. Edwards article in Christianity Today from May 2020 titled, "The Revolution Will Not Be Videoed.”
Dr. Edwards is currently Associate Professor of New Testament at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago and author of the forthcoming Might from the Margins: The Gospel’s Power to Turn the Tables on Injustice. In addition to his academic work in biblical studies, Dennis has served as a pastor in Brooklyn; Washington, DC; and Minneapolis.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million…
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Jun 5, 2020
Episode 131 - Dr. Reggie Moore, "Acts of Protest"
“Fair exchange equals no robbery.” - Dr. Reggie Moore
Today’s podcast is a response to the murder of Mr. George Floyd last week in Minnesota and the swell of lament, protest, and division that has resulted from his tragic death. What you will hear is like none of our previous episodes. Michael spoke with his friend and colleague from Denver Seminary, Dr. Reggie Moore, a professor and specialist in the treatment of historical trauma within the African American community.
As you will hear, the conversation unfolded, then took an unexpected turn that left both men feeling as if they had just taken a major risk. And according to Dr. Moore, this very conversation became a model of the type of dialogue that must happen to heal the wounds of racial division in our world today.
BIO:
Dr. Reggie Moore is Assistant Professor of Counseling at Denver Seminary where he has served on the faculty since 2008. Dr. Moore earned a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of…
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May 29, 2020
Episode 130 - Mako Fujimura, "Silence & Beauty"
“Artists are gardeners who are called to till the soil of culture.” - Mako Fujimura
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael spends an hour with Mako Fujimura, visual artist, author, thought leader, and cultural-shaper who was recently appointed Director of The Brehm Center at Fuller Seminary. His paintings have been exhibited around the world and he is one of the first artists to paint live on stage at New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall.
Mako is an artist whose process driven, refractive “slow art” has been described by David Brooks of New York Times as “a small rebellion against the quickening of time”.
Mr. Fujimura is also a well-read author. He and Michael will discuss Mako’s books Culture Care: Reconnecting with Beauty for Our Common Life and Silence and Beauty: Hidden Faith Born of Suffering.
Find out even more about Mako here.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a…
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May 22, 2020
Episode 129 - Michael John Cusick, "5 Ways Shame Fuels Addiction: Introduction”
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael kicks off a 6-part series (including this episode as the Introduction) on the debilitating effects of shame and what the path to true freedom looks like.
Shame is a judgement upon ourselves that is an experience within but is also put upon us from the outside. Shame also says, “I am not good.” But we need to remember the promise from Paul in Galatians 5:1 that says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
It is our hope that through this exploration into the relationship between shame and addiction, you will learn to live loved and free.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* What it is about shame that relates to addiction.
* Why this an important conversation to have.
* How shame fuels addiction.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography…
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May 15, 2020
Episode 128 - Alan Fadling, "An Unhurried Life"
“The trajectory of spiritual growth is in the direction of simplicity rather than in the direction of complexity.” - Alan Fadling
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and his guest Alan Fadling ponder the questions that not many people want to - or have the courage to ask, “Do you want a Jesus who is relaxed? When you think of Jesus, is He relaxed?” Living an Unhurried Life is central to Alan’s story and in his conversation with Michael, you will hear about his journey out of the fast lane and into the rhythms of Jesus. You just may find a kinship with him that will help you in your recovery as well.
Alan Fadling is a frequent speaker and consultant with local churches, national organizations and leaders internationally. A trained Spiritual Director, Alan is author of An Unhurried Life and An Unhurried Leader. He has also written What Does Your Soul Love? (co-authored with his wife Gem Fadling).
Discover more about Alan and his ministry here.
In this podcast, we…
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May 8, 2020
Episode 127 - Pete Scazzero, "Becoming Emotionally Healthy"
“I think the gift of limits is one of the critical issues of rebelling against God.” - Pete Scazzero
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, we’re taking a deep dive into our archives for the first ever interview produced for the podcast. We kicked off Restoring the Soul on July 21, 2016 and we are now celebrating 126 more episodes with nearly 800,000 downloads! The interview you will hear today is one Michael conducted with Pete Scazzero - and it’s near the top of as one of our favorites and one we believe will still be relevant 50 years from now.
After leading New Life Fellowship Church in Queens, NY for 26 years, Pete Scazzero co-founded Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, a groundbreaking ministry that moves the church forward by slowing the church down in order to multiply deeply changed leaders and disciples.
Pete currently hosts the top-ranked Emotionally Healthy Leader podcast and is the author of a number of bestselling books, including The Emotionally Healthy Leader a…
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Apr 30, 2020
Episode 126 - Heather King, "Ravished: Notes on Womanhood”
“Our deepest identity does not lie in our gender, our sexual orientation, our wounds. Our identity lies in Christ.” - Heather King
Heather King has always described herself as “an ex-lawyer, a former barfly, and a Catholic convert.” Her previous life as a functioning alcoholic led her to numerous illicit relationships that resulted in three abortions and a long-term, but failed, marriage. She is raw and open about her past. On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael spends a good part of an hour speaking with returning guest, Heather King, about her brand new book, Ravished: Notes on Womanhood, that explores parts of her former life and comes to the conclusion that our deepest identity does not lie in our gender, our sexual orientation, our wounds. Our identity lies in Christ. Ravished is also her love letter to the Church for bringing her to full flower as a woman and as a human being.
As you will hear in their conversation, Ravished is a book that is as challenging for…
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Apr 23, 2020
Episode 125 - Jason Gaboury, "Meeting God in Loneliness"
“God meets people in their moments of vulnerability and suffering and transforms them. And what they get is friendship with God.” - Jason Gaboury
What would happen if we met God in the midst of our isolation, loneliness, grief, and vulnerability? What if our loneliness became the context for a deeper life with God and greater compassion for others?
As the global pandemic is affecting millions the world over, widespread loneliness is also impacting the lives of many - and for some, feelings of isolation, emptiness, and abandonment have devastating consequences.
In this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael discusses the issue of loneliness with Jason Gaboury, whose brand new book titled, “Wait With Me: Meeting God in Loneliness” will help you understand that loneliness can be the avenue to empathize with Jesus.
We’re thrilled to introduce you to Jason as his life mission is; to know God and to live, lead, and serve in a way that others are inspired to know God. He has ser…
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Apr 17, 2020
Episode 124 - Michael John Cusick, "Soul Care with iCARE"
“All spirituality is about what we do with the unrest in our soul.” - Ronald Rolheiser
How are you caring for your soul?
Are you in touch with the Father on a deep and intimate level?
Today you will be introduced to iCARE. iCARE is a way for you to be still, guard your heart and the treasure inside, in a way that you can become more aware of it and be connected to that reality and live out of it as you live in the gaze of God’s love.
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael will teach you how to regulate your body...to bring you back to a place where you are in a window of tolerance in your nervous system. Where your feelings, experiences, perceptions, and sensations in your body - that you can be present to them and to be present to God.
To receive a helpful iCARE guide, click this link
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* What it means to guard your heart.
* How to practice the presence of God?
* What sacred sorrow means.
Discover how the barrier bui…
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Apr 10, 2020
Episode 123 - Philip Yancey, "Easter and COVID-19"
“Suffering doesn’t work like a statistical map. It’s up close. It’s personal.” - Philip Yancey
Earlier today, a conversation was recorded between Michael and best-selling author and thinker Philip Yancey. Although Philip needs no introduction, you should know he has spent his entire career as a journalist and writer exploring themes of suffering and pain and asking the question, “Where is God when it hurts?”.
As everyone around the world is being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to offer you this special edition podcast so you will receive hope and encouragement as we move into Easter weekend.
If you would like to find out more about Philip Yancey, visit his website.
From all of us here at Restoring the Soul, we pray blessing and health over you, your loved ones, and all people everywhere.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where the…
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Apr 9, 2020
Episode 122 - Dr. Curt Thompson, "Love and Lament During the Pandemic"
“The crisis is not just creating anxiety, it’s revealing anxiety.” - Dr. Curt Thompson
This podcast is one of the most important podcasts Restoring the Soul has produced. COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus, is not just an infectious disease...it is the source of what defines the current reality of much of the world. Fear, anxiety, and uncertainty are affecting millions and people are coming to grips with what life is like in quarantine. Here at Restoring the Soul, we don’t think the lasting effects of Coronavirus are just gloom and doom, in fact, much of the beauty that will be seen after this passes will be found in the realization of the importance of the discovery of the true self, the need for community and connection, and that we are best when we are not alone.
Michael’s guest on this podcast is Dr. Curt Thompson, a psychiatrist inspired by deep compassion for others and informed from a Christian perspective. He is motivated by developing more authentic relationsh…
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Apr 2, 2020
Episode 121 - Chuck DeGroat, "The 9 Faces of Narcissism"
“We don’t ever get over ego. Ego is always at work. Are we aware of it so it doesn’t surprise us?” - Chuck DeGroat
We typically think of narcissism manifesting itself as big, loud, and even overtly arrogant. But narcissism can show up in very understated, subtle ways in each Enneagram type.
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael John Cusick concludes his conversation with professor and counselor Chuck DeGroat on the ways that narcissism shows up for each Enneagram type.
Chuck is uniquely qualified to discuss narcissism as he has been counseling pastors with this disorder for over twenty years. He knows firsthand the devastation narcissism leaves in its wake and how insidious and painful it is.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* How knowing our Enneagram number is helpful in exposing our shadow side.
* How the false self loses its power.
* The importance of humility and character in leadership.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can b…
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Mar 26, 2020
Episode 120 - Chuck DeGroat, "When Narcissism Comes to the Church"
“We all swim in the waters of narcissism.” - Chuck DeGroat
Did you know there is an epidemic of narcissism in the church? Whether it’s in the pulpit, lurking behind the scenes, or embedded deep within the organizational systems of the church - narcissism is running rampant and needs to be addressed.
Today’s podcast will do just that. In fact, the next two episodes deal with narcissism in frank yet hopeful terms as Michael John Cusick spends time with Chuck DeGroat discussing his latest book, When Narcissism Comes to the Church.
Chuck is uniquely qualified on this topic as he has been counseling pastors with Narcissistic Personality Disorder, as well as those wounded by narcissistic leaders and systems, for over twenty years. He knows firsthand the devastation narcissism leaves in its wake and how insidious and painful it is.
It’s one thing to be able to point out someone’s faults and identify where people are broken, but as you’ll hear, Chuck offers hope for narcissis…
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Mar 19, 2020
Episode 119 - Josh Hillman, "The Vine"
“You can’t make good wine from bad grapes. Wine is made in the vineyard, not the winery.” - Josh Hillman
On today’s podcast, our host Michael John Cusick conducts a fascinating discussion based on John 15:1-17. If you’re not familiar with the reference, we’re sure the first few words of Chapter 15 will be all you need to remember. Jesus is speaking to His disciples towards the close of His earthly ministry and says, “I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener…”
Knowing that Jesus was speaking to an agrarian culture, His disciples would not have missed the importance of the metaphor...especially a society that held wine in such high regard.
So what can we learn today about the important connection Jesus was making between himself, His Father, the disciples and the relationship to a vineyard? On today’s podcast, Michael will be speaking with Josh Hillman. Josh is a certified sommelier with a passion for showing others the beauty of wine. He has worked with so…
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Mar 12, 2020
Episode 118 - Peter Zaremba, "Centering Prayer, Part 2"
“The desire for centering prayer is to connect with God and to put ourselves in a position that offers the least resistance to encounter His love.” - Peter Zaremba
On today’s podcast, our host Michael John Cusick is continuing his conversation about centering prayer. In this episode, he will be speaking with Peter Zaremba about the benefits of centering prayer. You’ll want to pay close attention to this discussion. We’d even encourage taking some good notes from their conversation.
Centering prayer allows you to rest deeply in God in silence and to let go of the thoughts, emotions, memories, images or even sensations that will inevitably come into awareness during prayer. Based on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, centering prayer can be tied directly to chapter 4 verses 22 to 24 where Paul says, “put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in tru…
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Mar 6, 2020
Episode 117 - Brad Jersak & Peter Zaremba, "Centering Prayer, Part 1"
“A contemplative practice is the only place where you begin to learn how to step outside yourself, observe your place, and then begin to let go of that in a substantial way.” - Peter Zaremba
Brad Jersak and Peter Zaremba are Michael’s guests on today’s podcast. Centering prayer is the topic of their discussion.
There’s power in prayer and prayer is one of the best ways, indeed not the only way, to connect with God - but do you know that there are many unique and personal methods of prayer? Centering and contemplative prayer are a few of them.
That’s what Michael John Cusick will be discussing today with our guests, Brad Jersak and Peter Zaremba. At its core, centering prayer allows you to rest deeply in God in silence and to let go of the thoughts, emotions, memories, images or even sensations that will inevitably come into awareness during prayer. Based on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, centering prayer can be tied directly to chapter 4 verses 22 to 24 where Paul say…
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Feb 20, 2020
Episode 116 - Brad Jersak, " IN: Incarnation, Inclusion, Abba & Lamb"
“The higher your Christology, the wider you see Abba’s love to be.” - Brad Jersak
Brad Jersak is Michael’s guest on today’s podcast. Their conversation centers around how Christ-followers might hold the tension of two abiding and complementary truths: 1. Christ’s one-of-a-kind revelation 2. Abba’s all-inclusive love.
In their conversation you’ll hear how Brad lays out biblical and experiential evidence for integrating and celebrating both these truths together, espousing the beautiful gospel of Christ’s unique revelation of Abba’s all-inclusive love.
Brad Jersak is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC. He serves as a reader and monastery preacher at All Saints of North America Orthodox Monastery. Through his books and seminars, Brad shares the good news that God is Love, perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ. He teaches others how to encounter God through the practice of ”listening prayer,” through which God’s love heals wounded hearts and empowers us…
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Feb 13, 2020
Episode 115 - Julianne Cusick, "5 Things Husbands Can Do to Support Their Wives After Betrayal"
“Betrayals that are sexual in nature have a significantly greater impact on the human heart and the female soul.” - Julianne Cusick
Today Michael continues and concludes his discussion with Julianne on the 5 Things Husbands Can Do to Support Their Wives After Betrayal. This is one of the most important podcasts we have ever produced.
Julianne Cusick specializes in issues related to the recovery of the heart for women. The advice that she gives in this particular discussion comes from first-hand experience and an empathy that is grounded in compassion and love. Julianne longs for women to be healed - not limping along with a gaping wound for all the world to see.
By the end of this podcast I think you will agree that hope is certainly attainable and there needs to be an agreement and understanding that healing does not happen in a vacuum. It requires a willing effort from both sides.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* What it means to suffer betrayal trauma.
* Ca…
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Feb 6, 2020
Episode 114 - Julianne Cusick, "5 Facts Wives Need to Know After Betrayal"
“Betrayal leaves a trail of devastation.” - Julianne Cusick
Today we begin a 2-part series on the topic of betrayal. In particular, betrayal trauma - when defined refers to the damage that is caused when you experience a betrayal in your relationship that damages the trust, safety, and security of the bond you have with your partner. This type of betrayal is extremely traumatic, where you can experience devastating mental, physical, and emotional consequences.
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Julianne Cusick discuss the devastating effects of betrayal trauma but Julianne will bring hope by providing 5 Facts That Wives Need to Know About How to Heal and Recover from Betrayal Trauma.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* What it means to suffer betrayal trauma.
* How you recover from betrayal trauma.
* Why betrayal trauma hurts so much.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is…
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Jan 30, 2020
Episode 113 - Michael John Cusick, "The Currency of Heaven"
“We need to exchange the currency by which we do life for the currency of heaven.” - Michael John Cusick
You’re in for a treat as we’re featuring a talk given by our host, Michael John Cusick, to Denver Community Church titled, “The Currency of Heaven”. The text he will be speaking from is Matthew Chapter 5 verse 3. It is the opening verse of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and the section of the sermon known as the Beatitudes. It reads, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” A favorite translation of ours is from The Message by Eugene Peterson which says, “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* What it means to be blessed.
* What is the idea of the Kingdom of Heaven.
* What does it mean to be poor in spirit.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for por…
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Jan 23, 2020
Episode 112 - Andy Gullahorn, "The Healing Troubadour"
“A job of a songwriter is to not sleepwalk through the world.” - Andy Gullahorn
Our good friend Andy Gullahorn joins Michael on this edition of Restoring the Soul. Andy was born and raised in the rich musical climate of Austin, TX and then went to College at Belmont University in Nashville to join the legions of songwriters in the country music scene. After graduation, he spent a number of years as a staff writer for publishing companies while playing guitar on the road for singer/songwriter Jill Phillips (who he happened to be married to).
In 2004, after realizing that his second child was on the way and that his wife would need to come off of the road, Andy released “Room to Breathe” and began performing his own shows again for the first time in 5 years.
He now spends his time playing concerts and house shows across the country, accompanying other artists on the road, and providing his three kids with plenty of stories to tell their counselors in 20 years. Andy was a Kerrv…
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Jan 16, 2020
Episode 111 - Aundi Kolber, "Try Softer, Part 2"
“It’s my prayer that people will engage and learn how to be kind and gentle with themselves in the same way that God is kind to us.” - Aundi Kolber
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Julianne conclude their conversation with returning guest, Aundi Kolber.
Aundi is a licensed professional counselor (MA, LPC), an author, and a speaker living in Castle Rock, Colorado. She has received additional training in her specialization of trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. She has written for Relevant, CT Women, and (in)courage. As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge about the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain. Aundi is happily married to her best friend, Brendan, and is the proud mom of Matia and Jude. She has also just published her first book, Try Softer, which has just achieved "Best Seller" status on Amazon.
In this podcast,…
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Jan 9, 2020
Episode 110 - Aundi Kolber, "Try Softer, Part 1"
“We are to be a compassionate witness for ourselves so our body can do
what God created it to do.” - Aundi Kolber
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael and Julianne welcome returning guest, Aundi Kolber, for the first of a 2-part conversation.
Aundi is a licensed professional counselor (MA, LPC), an author, and a speaker living in Castle Rock, Colorado. She has received additional training in her specialization of trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology. She has written for Relevant, CT Women, and (in)courage. As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge about the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain. Aundi is happily married to her best friend, Brendan, and is the proud mom of Matia and Jude. She has also just published her first book, Try Softer. It just might be the only book you need to read this year. Congratulations, Aundi!
In this pod…
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Jan 2, 2020
Episode 109 - Lysa TerKeurst, "Therapy & Theology, Part 2"
“If you’re my disciples you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” - Jesus
Today, we conclude our 2-part conversation with Lisa TerKeurst.
Lisa is President of Proverbs 31 Ministries and New York Times’ best-selling author of It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way. Proverbs 31 Ministries is a non-denominational, non-profit Christian ministry that seeks to lead women into a personal relationship with Christ, with Proverbs 31:10-31 as a guide.
In their conversation, Lysa and Michael (along with Meredith Brock) introduce us to a new perspective on pornography, a subject that’s often avoided in the Christian world but is affecting us all. No matter your stage of life, we recommend listening with an open mind and open heart to gain a better understanding on how to support a spouse, friend or loved one who may be facing this challenge.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* Replace the stigma associated with pornography with a new understanding that the add…
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Dec 26, 2019
Episode 108 - Lysa TerKeurst, "Therapy & Theology, Part 1"
“The essence of purity is not the suppression of lust, but the total orientation of one's life towards a goal.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
What if the real struggle behind pornography was actually a deep longing for fullness in Christ?
Welcome to Restoring the Soul where for the next 2 podcasts we bring you encore editions of a conversation Michael has with Lysa TerKeurst titled, “Therapy & Theology” on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast. Lisa is President of Proverbs 31 Ministries and New York Times’ best-selling author of It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way. Proverbs 31 Ministries is a non-denominational, non-profit Christian ministry that seeks to lead women into a personal relationship with Christ, with Proverbs 31:10-31 as a guide.
In these episodes, Lysa and Michael (along with Meredith Brock) introduce us to a new perspective on pornography, a subject that’s often avoided in the Christian world but is affecting us all. No matter your stage of life, we recommend listenin…
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Dec 19, 2019
Episode 107 - James Bryan Smith, "The Good and Beautiful God, Part 2"
“God never called you to a life of panting feverishness. We impose that upon ourselves.” - James Bryan Smith
Today, we conclude our 2-part conversation with James Bryan Smith.
James is the author of The Good and Beautiful God and the Apprentice series. He earned his MDiv at Yale and his DMin at Fuller and is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He also serves as the director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation at Friends University.
A founding member of Richard J. Foster's spiritual renewal ministry, Renovaré, Smith serves as a teaching pastor at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. He is the editor of A Spiritual Formation Workbook and Devotional Classics (with Richard Foster), and the author of Embracing the Love of God, Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven, and Room of Marvels. His most recent books are The Magnificent Story and The Magnificent Journey.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* Why he refers to…
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Dec 13, 2019
Episode 106 - James Bryan Smith, "The Good and Beautiful God, Part 1"
“I want to become the person that naturally is like Jesus because I have been with Him for so long.” - James Bryan Smith
Today, we begin a 2-part conversation with James Bryan Smith.
James is the author of The Good and Beautiful God and the Apprentice series. He earned his MDiv at Yale and his DMin at Fuller and is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He also serves as the director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation at Friends University.
A founding member of Richard J. Foster's spiritual renewal ministry, Renovaré, Smith serves as a teaching pastor at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. He is the editor of A Spiritual Formation Workbook and Devotional Classics (with Richard Foster), and the author of Embracing the Love of God, Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven, and Room of Marvels. His most recent books are The Magnificent Story and The Magnificent Journey.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* The diffe…
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Dec 5, 2019
Episode 105 - Philip Yancey, "Amazing Grace, Part II"
“You lead by serving, That’s what we’re to do. It’s not to impress people. It’s not to be perfect. It’s not to be right. It’s to serve.” - Philip Yancey
Today, we present the conclusion of one of our most popular interviews with Philip Yancey.
Philip Yancey is one of Christianity’s best thinkers and writers. He’s an award-winning journalist and best-selling author whose books have sold over 14 million copies. His work has also been celebrated by Billy Graham and Bono - which is no wonder because of the universal themes of suffering and grace that he so often writes about. A few of his books include, “What’s So Amazing About Grace”, “The Jesus I Never Knew”, “Where is God When It Hurts?”, and “Disappointment With God”.
Michael first met Philip in 1994 when he interviewed him for the Mars Hill Review. Since that time, the men have grown to know and enjoy each other, and have become significant sources of encouragement for their respective journeys…
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Nov 28, 2019
Episode 104 - Philip Yancey, "Amazing Grace, Part I"
“If this world ran by fairness or karma, we’d all be in trouble.” - Philip Yancey
Today, we’re pleased to feature an encore edition of the Restoring the Soul podcast with an interview Michael conducted with Philip Yancey.
Philip Yancey is one of Christianity’s best thinkers and writers. He’s an award-winning journalist and best-selling author whose books have sold over 14 million copies. His work has also been celebrated by Billy Graham and Bono - which is no wonder because of the universal themes of suffering and grace that he so often writes about. A few of his books include, “What’s So Amazing About Grace”, “The Jesus I Never Knew”, “Where is God When It Hurts?”, and “Disappointment With God”.
Michael first met Philip in 1994 when he interviewed him for the Mars Hill Review. Since that time, the men have grown to know and enjoy each other, and have become significant sources of encouragement for their respective journeys.
Discover how the barrier bu…
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Nov 21, 2019
Episode 103 - Kelley Gray, "5 Ways the Enneagram Can Strengthen Your Marriage, Part V: "Getting the Log Out of Your Own Eye"
“If you really don’t want to grow as a person, don’t study the Enneagram.” - Kelley Gray
Today, we’re concluding our 5-part series on how the Enneagram can strengthen your marriage or intimate relationship. Michael’s Restoring the Soul colleague is Kelley Gray, our resident expert on the Enneagram. Part V will focus on the importance of taking care of yourself in order to thrive in your marriage.
A popular guest on a previous Restoring the Soul podcast, Kelley—is a self-proclaimed growth nerd--works, counsels, and teaches at Restoring the Soul and specializes in intensive counseling with couples and individual. Prior to coming to Restoring the Soul she worked as a private practice psychotherapist in the Denver area for 17 years. She is deeply passionate about therapy, growth, and laughing. She is a writer, teacher, speaker and group leader who is passionate about transformation and wholeness. As you will hear, Kelly’s knowledge of the Enneagram as practical as it is d…
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Nov 14, 2019
Episode 102 - Kelley Gray, "5 Ways the Enneagram Can Strengthen Your Marriage, Part IV: "How to Celebrate and Bless Your Differences"
“See how much more connected you can be when you name and bless your differences.” - Kelley Gray
Today, we’re continuing a 5-part series on how the Enneagram can strengthen your marriage or intimate relationship. Michael’s Restoring the Soul colleague is Kelley Gray, our resident expert on the Enneagram. Part IV will focus on how to celebrate and bless your differences.
A popular guest on a previous Restoring the Soul podcast, Kelley—is a self-proclaimed growth nerd--works, counsels, and teaches at Restoring the Soul and specializes in intensive counseling with couples and individual. Prior to coming to Restoring the Soul she worked as a private practice psychotherapist in the Denver area for 17 years. She is deeply passionate about therapy, growth, and laughing. She is a writer, teacher, speaker and group leader who is passionate about transformation and wholeness. As you will hear, Kelly’s knowledge of the Enneagram as practical as it is deep.
In this podcast, we hope…
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Nov 7, 2019
Episode 101 - Kelley Gray, "5 Ways the Enneagram Can Strengthen Your Marriage, Part III: "How to Not to Take Things Personally"
“Lower level behavior in one person begets lower level behavior in the other person.” - Kelley Gray
Today, we’re continuing a 5-part series on how the Enneagram can strengthen your marriage or intimate relationship. Michael’s Restoring the Soul colleague is Kelley Gray, our resident expert on the Enneagram. Part III will focus on how to not take things personally.
A popular guest on a previous Restoring the Soul podcast, Kelley—is a self-proclaimed growth nerd--works, counsels, and teaches at Restoring the Soul and specializes in intensive counseling with couples and individual. Prior to coming to Restoring the Soul she worked as a private practice psychotherapist in the Denver area for 17 years. She is deeply passionate about therapy, growth, and laughing. She is a writer, teacher, speaker and group leader who is passionate about transformation and wholeness. As you will hear, Kelly’s knowledge of the Enneagram as practical as it is deep.
In this podcast, we hope you wi…
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Oct 31, 2019
Episode 100 - Kelley Gray, "5 Ways the Enneagram Can Strengthen Your Marriage, Part II: Understanding How Your Partner Handles Conflict"
“The Enneagram is the Face of God and the Body of Christ.”* * - Kelley Gray
Today, we’re continuing a 5-part series on how the Enneagram can strengthen your marriage or intimate relationship. Michael’s Restoring the Soul colleague is Kelley Gray, our resident expert on the Enneagram. Part II will focus on understanding how your partner handles conflict.
A popular guest on a previous Restoring the Soul podcast, Kelley—is a self-proclaimed growth nerd--works, counsels, and teaches at Restoring the Soul and specializes in intensive counseling with couples and individual. Prior to coming to Restoring the Soul she worked as a private practice psychotherapist in the Denver area for 17 years. She is deeply passionate about therapy, growth, and laughing. She is a writer, teacher, speaker and group leader who is passionate about transformation and wholeness. As you will hear, Kelly’s knowledge of the Enneagram as practical as it is deep.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover…
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Oct 24, 2019
Episode 99 - Kelley Gray, "5 Ways the Enneagram Can Strengthen Your Marriage, Part I: Expertise in your Spouse"
“A relationship will never ever improve or thrive on autopilot.” - Kelley Gray
Today, we’re excited to present a 5-part series on how the Enneagram can strengthen your marriage or intimate relationship. Michael’s Restoring the Soul colleague is Kelley Gray, our resident expert on the Enneagram.
A popular guest on a previous Restoring the Soul podcast, Kelley—a self-proclaimed growth nerd--works, counsels, and teaches at Restoring the Soul and specializes in intensive counseling with couples and individual. Prior to coming to Restoring the Soul she worked as a private practice psychotherapist in the Denver area for 17 years. She is deeply passionate about therapy, growth and laughing. She is a writer, teacher, speaker and group leader who is passionate about transformation and wholeness. As you will here, Kelly’s knowledge of the Enneagram as practical as it is deep.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* The path to becoming an expert on your spouse or partner.…
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Oct 17, 2019
Episode 98 - Brandon Applehans, "Ministers and Mental Illness"
“Listen to the voice that calls you beloved. That’s the beginning of the conversation that God has with us.” - Brennan Manning
Today, we feature the concluding segment of a 3-part discussion between Michael John Cusick and Brandon Appelhans. Brandon is founder and Executive Director of My Quiet Cave, a ministry that helps close the gap between the church and the mental health community. As Brandon shares his own struggle with mental illness, you’ll hear about how his life of faith and the pursuit of mental health existed in separate worlds. Brandon’s passion is to make the church a safe place for people with mental health issues, as well as equipping the church to be a resource instead of a roadblock.
Brandon holds a BA in Speech Communications from Colorado State University and a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary. After living with bipolar disorder for years, he wants all people to experience hope and the fullness of life in the midst of the struggle. He and his fami…
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Oct 10, 2019
Episode 97 - Brandon Applehans, "Mental Illness in the Church, Part II"
“Normally we see mental illness as a huge obstacle to overcome. I think it's a huge opportunity.” - Brandon Appelhans
Our guest today is Brandon Appelhans, founder and Executive Director of My Quiet Cave, a ministry that helps close the gap between the church and the mental health community. As Brandon shares his own struggle with mental illness, you’ll hear about how his life of faith and the pursuit of mental health existed in separate worlds. Brandon’s passion is to make the church a safe place for people with mental health issues, as well as equipping the church to be a resource instead of a roadblock.
Brandon holds a BA in Speech Communications from Colorado State University and a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary. After living with bipolar disorder for years, he wants all people to experience hope and the fullness of life in the midst of the struggle. He and his family live in Denver, Colorado.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* The various ways adv…
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Oct 3, 2019
Episode 96 - Brandon Applehans, "Mental Illness in the Church, Part I"
“My passion is to make the church a resource and not a roadblock to mental health.” - Brandon Appelhans
Our guest today is Brandon Appelhans, founder and Executive Director of My Quiet Cave, a ministry that helps close the gap between the church and the mental health community. As Brandon shares his own struggle with mental illness, you’ll hear about how his life of faith and the pursuit of mental health existed in separate worlds. Brandon’s passion is to make the church a safe place for people with mental health issues, as well as equipping the church to be a resource instead of a roadblock.
Brandon holds a BA in Speech Communications from Colorado State University and a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary. After living with bipolar disorder for years, he wants all people to experience hope and the fullness of life in the midst of the struggle.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* How to break the stigma of discussing mental health issues in the church
* T…
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Sep 26, 2019
Episode 95 - Jim Cusick, "Getting Sober"
“I’m sober and I love it because I found something better than drinking.” - Jim Cusick
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, we are introduced to Michael’s father, James Edward Cusick...otherwise known as Jim. We are offered the rare privilege of stepping inside an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting to hear Jim’s story which was recorded when he was 80 years of age.
One of the primary reasons we are making this recording available to you is to emphasize the importance of legacy and the impact one’s story can have on present and future generations. For you see, Jim’s life with its many ups and downs, was very influential on the man his son Michael has become today.
We trust you will be impacted by this podcast. Thank you for listening!
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 per…
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Sep 19, 2019
Episode 94 - Julianne Cusick, "A Holy & Horrible Journey"
*“**Despite the grim circumstances, we could see God’s hand in it all**.” - Julianne Cusick*
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael spends one of the most important hours of his life in conversation with his bride of 28 years, Julianne Cusick, who put off the dream of grad school for nearly 25 years because of the discovery of Michael’s betrayal and infidelity.
So how do you recover from your husband’s sexual brokenness, addiction, and infidelity? That’s the degree nobody signs up for.
Not only is Julianne Cusick an ordained minister, she is a registered psychotherapist with a masters in Marriage & Family Therapy. Her passion is to fight for the hearts of women who have experienced sexual betrayal as well as the trauma and the wounding of betrayal. She thrives on personal & professional growth. She’s a dynamic speaker and Is a 1 on the Enneagram
If you would like to listen to previous episodes that feature a more in depth look at Julianne’s journey, click he…
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Apr 18, 2019
Episode 93 - Chuck DeGroat, “Wholeheartedness", Part II
*Finding Wholeheartedness*
“Blessed are the brokenhearted...those who have come to the end of themselves.” - Chuck DeGroat
Michael concludes his two-part discussion with Chuck DeGroat. Chuck is Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary in Holland MI, and Co-Founder and a Senior Fellow at Newbigin House of Studies, San Francisco.
He has spent the last 20+ years in a fluid combination of pastoral ministry, seminary teaching, and clinical counseling and writes mostly about the intersections of psychology, theology, and Christian spirituality…with a focus on our lived experience of oneness and worthiness in Jesus.
Chuck has written Leaving Egypt: Finding God in the Wilderness Places, which represents his narrative biblical paradigm for understanding counseling, care, and formation. His second book, The Toughest People to Love focuses on caring for the most difficult people leaders encounter. Finally, Chuck’s third book Wholeheartedness b…
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Apr 11, 2019
Episode 92 - Chuck DeGroat, “Wholeheartedness", Part I
Finding Wholeheartedness
“Wholeheartedness is living life in the presence of God.” - Chuck DeGroat
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, you’ll hear the first of a two-part conversation between Michael and Chuck DeGroat. Chuck is Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary in Holland MI, and Co-Founder and a Senior Fellow at Newbigin House of Studies, San Francisco.
He has spent the last 20+ years in a fluid combination of pastoral ministry, seminary teaching, and clinical counseling and writes mostly about the intersections of psychology, theology, and Christian spirituality…with a focus on our lived experience of oneness and worthiness in Jesus.
Chuck has written Leaving Egypt: Finding God in the Wilderness Places, which represents his narrative biblical paradigm for understanding counseling, care, and formation. His second book, The Toughest People to Love focuses on caring for the most difficult people leaders encounter. Finally,…
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Apr 5, 2019
Episode 91 - Kelley Gray, “Passion for Growth"
Passion for Growth
“I care so much more about the heart level and gut level..I call it the nervous system level.” - Kelley Gray
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael will introduce the newest member of the Restoring the Soul team, Kelley Gray. During the course of their conversation, you’ll learn about her upbringing, her training, and why she is so passionate about restoration.
As an Enneagram teacher, Kelley teaches self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and harmonious interpersonal communication. She also cares deeply about empowering, educating, challenging, facilitating healing, and working herself out of a job. Finally, writing is also a passion of hers. She writes to thoughtfully engage the path to her true self, the path of wisdom.
Learn more about Kelley Gray here.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* How Kelley’s past has informed her present and what motivates her as a therapist.
* The process she took to discover her area of expertise an…
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Mar 29, 2019
Episode 90 - Michael Cusick, “The 4 Gospels"
The 4 Gospels
“Christianity just didn’t feel real to me.” - Michael John Cusick
On this episode of Restoring the Soul we take you to October of 2017 for a sermon Michael John Cusick presented to the students of Denver Seminary. The sermon was entitled “The 4 Gospels” and it was Michael’s intention to present a message that helped students bridge the gap between what they believe with what they experience.
The 4 Gospels presented in this talk are the Gospel of Performance, Experience, Activism, and Brokenness.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight…
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Mar 21, 2019
Episode 89 - Ian Cron, “Julianne Cusick Finds Her Inner Encourager"
“Julianne Cusick Finds Her Inner Encourager”
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, we conclude the 3-part series of Ian Morgan Cron’s Typology podcast conversations. Julianne Cusick, who is married to Michael and serves on the staff of Restoring the Soul, sat down with Ian in January 2018. In this conversation, you will discover that Julianne is an Enneagram type 1 and, among other things, makes reference to her relationship with Michael (Enneagram Type 2), and some of the ups and downs associated with their different types. It’s a fantastic program that we know you will enjoy!
Ian Morgan Cron is a bestselling author, nationally recognized speaker, Enneagram teacher, psychotherapist, Dove Award–winning songwriter, and Episcopal priest. His books include the novel Chasing Francis, and spiritual memoir Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me. Ian draws on an array of disciplines—from psychology to the arts, Christian spirituality and theology—to help people enter more deeply i…
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Mar 14, 2019
Episode 88 - Ian Morgan Cron, “The Grace of Letting Go", Part II
*“The Grace of Letting Go”*
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes his conversation with Enneagram expert, Ian Cron. Michael was a guest on a recent Typology podcast where he and Ian talk about identity and finding worth by helping others. We’re pleased to be able to bring you this insightful talk. Click here if you would like to listen to Part I of their conversation.
Ian Morgan Cron is a bestselling author, nationally recognized speaker, Enneagram teacher, psychotherapist, Dove Award–winning songwriter, and Episcopal priest. His books include the novel Chasing Francis, and spiritual memoir Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me. Ian draws on an array of disciplines—from psychology to the arts, Christian spirituality and theology—to help people enter more deeply into conversation with God and the mystery of their own lives. He and his wife, Anne, live in Nashville, Tennessee.
If you would like to discover your own personal Enneagram type, follow this link.…
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Mar 8, 2019
Episode 87 - Ian Morgan Cron, “I'm OK if You're OK", Part I
*“I’m OK if You’re OK”*
We’re turning the table on today’s podcast as Michael is being interviewed by Enneagram expert, Ian Cron. Michael was a guest on a recent Typology podcast and we thought it would be fun for you to listen as Michael now answers the questions.
Ian Morgan Cron is a bestselling author, nationally recognized speaker, Enneagram teacher, psychotherapist, Dove Award–winning songwriter, and Episcopal priest. His books include the novel Chasing Francis and spiritual memoir Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me. Ian draws on an array of disciplines—from psychology to the arts, Christian spirituality and theology—to help people enter more deeply into conversation with God and the mystery of their own lives. He and his wife, Anne, live in Nashville, Tennessee.
Click here If you would like to discover your own personal Enneagram type.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a sea…
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Feb 21, 2019
Episode 86 - Bill Thrall Part II, "The Journey of Trust"
This is part 2 of Michael's conversation with Bill Thrall, Vice Chair and co-author with Truefaced-Leadership Catalyst.
As Vice Chair and co-author with Truefaced-Leadership Catalyst since 1995, Bill’s genuine desire to see relational health in those he works with, has been vital in setting the tone of the organization. His eloquence and integrity have given him opportunities to teach Truefaced’s principles internationally. His wisdom has been penned throughout the entire series of The Ascent of a Leader, Beyond Your Best, and The Cure.
Prior to joining Truefaced, Bill founded and pastored the influential church, Open Door Fellowship, for over 20 years. While there, he developed an effective character development training program that nurtured visionaries such as Kit Danley, founder of Neighborhood Ministries in Phoenix, AZ.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a wor…
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Feb 14, 2019
Episode 85 - Bill Thrall Part I, "The Soul of a Leader"
The Soul of a Leader
On the next two episodes of Restoring the Soul, we're reviving one of our most popular interviews with Bill Thrall. As Vice Chair and co-author with Truefaced-Leadership Catalyst since 1995, Bill’s genuine desire to see relational health in those he works with, has been vital in setting the tone of the organization. His eloquence and integrity have given him opportunities to teach Truefaced’s principles internationally. His wisdom has been penned throughout the entire series of The Ascent of a Leader, Beyond Your Best, and The Cure.
Prior to joining Truefaced, Bill founded and pastored the influential church, Open Door Fellowship, for over 20 years. While there, he developed an effective character development training program that nurtured visionaries such as Kit Danley, founder of Neighborhood Ministries in Phoenix, AZ.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true p…
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Feb 7, 2019
Episode 84 - Lysa Terkeurst, “It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way
“Sometimes to get your life back, you have to face the death
of what you thought your life would look like”
Lysa TerKeurst, It's Not Supposed To Be This Way
Lisa Terkeurst is Michael’s guest for this episode of Restoring the Soul.
She is president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the New York Times best-selling author of Uninvited, The Best Yes, Unglued, Made to Crave, and 16 other books.
As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa and her team have led thousands to make their walk with God an invigorating journey through daily online devotionals, radio programs, online Bible studies, speaker/writing training, and more.
Lysa was recently awarded the Champions of Faith Author Award and has been published in multiple publications such as Focus on the Family and CNN online. Additionally, she has appeared on the Today Show as one of the leading voices in the Christian community.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* Faith is what holds you together when everything else…
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Jan 31, 2019
Episode 83 - John Eldredge Part II, "Wholeness and Holiness"
Wholeness and Holiness
“You can’t heal your character without wholeness...without the restoration of your being.” - John Eldredge
We’re thrilled to welcome back John Eldredge to the Restoring the Soul podcast. This episode concludes Michael’s two-part conversation.
John is an author, a counselor, and a teacher. He is also president of Ransomed Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own hearts in God's love, and learn to live in God's Kingdom.
John earned his master’s degree in Counseling from Colorado Christian University, under the direction of Larry Crabb and Dan Allender. He worked as a counselor in private practice before launching Ransomed Heart in 2000. John and Stasi live in Colorado Springs with their three sons (Samuel, Blaine, and Luke), their golden retriever (Oban), and two horses (Whistle and Kokolo).
To hear John’s 2016 interview on Restoring the Soul, click here for Part I and here for Part II.
In this pod…
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Jan 23, 2019
Episode 82 - John Eldredge Part I, "Wholeness and Holiness"
Wholeness and Holiness
“The heart is central. Your heart matters. And the heart needs healing.” - John Eldredge
We’re thrilled to welcome back John Eldredge to the Restoring the Soul podcast.
John is an author, a counselor, and a teacher. He is also president of Ransomed Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own hearts in God's love, and learn to live in God's Kingdom.
John earned his master’s degree in Counseling from Colorado Christian University, under the direction of Larry Crabb and Dan Allender. He worked as a counselor in private practice before launching Ransomed Heart in 2000. John and Stasi live in Colorado Springs with their three sons (Samuel, Blaine, and Luke), their golden retriever (Oban), and two horses (Whistle and Kokolo).
To hear John’s 2016 interview on Restoring the Soul, click here for Part I and here for Part II.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* The centrality of the heart, from a bib…
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Jan 17, 2019
Episode 81 - Tony and Vivian Lemus, "The Soul of Immigration"
The Soul of Immigration
“We just need to start seeing each other as God-created human beings instead of all these other labels that we have.” - Vivian Lemus
March 26, 2018 was the day that has forever have changed the lives of Tony and Vivian Lemus. It was on that day they were officially sworn in as United States citizens. We celebrate this special day with Tony and Vivian on this episode of Restoring the Soul and are excited to take you inside their nearly 17-year journey of becoming US citizens to help show that the issue of immigration is not just tied to laws and whether or not migrants are “dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s”. In Michael’s hour-long conversation, he hopes to show that immigration is a living and breathing story of people’s lives that have gotten caught in the sticky spokes of politics and misunderstanding.
Tony Lemus is originally from Guatemala. He serves as Program Director at El Centro Humanitario where he oversees the design, develop…
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Jan 2, 2019
Episode 80 - Becky Allender, "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Hidden in Plain Sight
“We all have stories and they’re a goldmine. You must tend to them.” - Becky Allender
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael talks with Becky Allender. Becky helped co-found The Allender Center at The Seattle School, where she directs intercession for the Training Certificate program, leads groups for Story Workshops, and co-leads marriage retreats with her husband. She is the author of Hidden in Plain Sight: One Woman’s Search for Identity, Intimacy, and Calling and has been a regular contributor to Red Tent Living since 2013. A mother and grandmother, she is quite fond of sunshine, yoga, Hawaiian quilting, and creating 17th Century reproduction samplers. A community of praying women, loving Jesus, and the art of gratitude fill her life with goodness.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* The effects of parents’ trauma transferred on to their children.
* The importance of embodiment and why it matters in your story.
* How Becky…
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Dec 26, 2018
Episode 79 - Evan Moffic Part II, "The Happiness Prayer"
The Happiness Prayer
“Happiness is a sense of looking back on our life and knowing it’s been well-lived.” - Rabbi Evan Moffic
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes his conversation with Rabbi Evan Moffic. Evan serves as the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Solel in suburban Chicago. He uses his experience as a rabbi working with people of all ages who experience the highs and lows of life, combined with the most cutting edge research in positive psychology and neuroscience, to explore what practices help us feel a greater sense of satisfaction, meaning and purpose in our lives.
Rabbi Moffic is the author of three best-selling books, and a fourth set to release in early 2019. He is regularly featured as part of the Religion Panel on Fox and Friends, and his articles appear in Huffington Post. Evan speaks across the country to faith based groups and corporations wanting to improve strategies for understanding one another, facilitating increased productivity and ha…
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Dec 19, 2018
Episode 78 - Evan Moffic Part I, "The Happiness Prayer"
The Happiness Prayer
“I’m always looking for wisdom and it doesn’t matter where it comes from.” - Rabbi Evan Moffic
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Rabbi Evan Moffic. Evan serves as the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Solel in suburban Chicago. He uses his experience as a rabbi working with people of all ages who experience the highs and lows of life, combined with the most cutting edge research in positive psychology and neuroscience, to explore what practices help us feel a greater sense of satisfaction, meaning and purpose in our lives.
Rabbi Moffic is the author of three best-selling books, and a fourth set to release in early 2019. He is regularly featured as part of the Religion Panel on Fox and Friends, and his articles appear in Huffington Post. Evan speaks across the country to faith based groups and corporations wanting to improve strategies for understanding one another, facilitating increased productivity and harmony in the workplace and in o…
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Dec 12, 2018
Episode 77 - Kimberly Miller Part II, "Boundaries for Your Soul"
Boundaries for Your Soul
“Internal conflict is growth trying to happen.” - Kimberly Miller
On this program, Michael concludes his conversation with author Kimberly Miller. They discuss her new book, Boundaries for Your Soul, co-written with Alison Cook. Kimberly Miller, MTh, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, speaker, and retreat leader. She is the founder of Leading Wholeheartedly, a ministry that helps Christian leaders tend to their inner lives, so that they can better serve others. She also founded Doing Good Well, a leadership development program for Christians in the Visual Arts. Prior to her work as a counselor, Kim was a campus minister with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Harvard University.
To learn more about her, visit kimberlyjunemiller.com.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* Five elements of the “You” Turn
* How to incorporate the Five Elements into your own soul care
* A brief counseling session between Michael and Kimbe…
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Dec 5, 2018
Episode 76 - Kimberly Miller Part I, "Boundaries for Your Soul"
Boundaries for Your Soul
“Internal conflict is growth trying to happen.” - Kimberly Miller
Michael welcomes author Kimberly Miller to Restoring the Soul with a discussion about her new book that she co-wrote with Alison Cook, Boundaries for Your Soul. Kimberly Miller, MTh, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, speaker, and retreat leader. She is the founder of Leading Wholeheartedly, a ministry that helps Christian leaders tend to their inner lives, so that they can better serve others. She also founded Doing Good Well, a leadership development program for Christians in the Visual Arts. Prior to her work as a counselor, Kim was a campus minister with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Harvard University.
To learn more about her, visit kimberlyjunemiller.com.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* The parts of your soul called managers, firefighters, and exiles.
* The difference between the “true self” and the “Spirit led” self
* Integration…
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Nov 28, 2018
Episode 75 - Dr. Arielle Schwartz & Barb Maiberger, "Embodiment and Trauma"
Embodiment and Trauma
“Therapists who get burned out are not taking care of themselves.” - Barb Maiberger
In this special episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael welcomes Dr. Arielle Schwartz and Barb Maiberger to discuss their new book, “EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology” that teaches therapists how to increase the client's capacity to sense and feel the body. The book is also intended to help the client work through traumatic memories in a safe and regulated manner as well as facilitating lasting integration.
Click on the links below for more information about Michael's guests:
Dr. Arielle Schwartz
Barb Maiberger
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* How experts in the field of trauma handle tragedy themselves.
* The importance of self-care for the therapist.
* Is it possible for a therapist to “leave their work at the office?”
* The definition of the “triune brain”.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abund…
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Nov 22, 2018
Episode 74 - Winn Collier, "Remembering Eugene Peterson"
Remembering Eugene Peterson
A Conversation with Winn Collier
“It feels like Gandolf is gone.” - Former student of Eugene Peterson
Michael welcomes back Winn Collier to Restoring the Soul with a discussion about Eugene Peterson, who recently passed away. Eugene was an American Presbyterian clergyman, scholar, theologian, author, and poet. He wrote over thirty books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language.
Winn has been selected to be Eugene’s personal biographer as he was on the receiving end of Eugene’s mentoring, guidance, and friendship. Winn agreed to have a conversation with Michael to remember Eugene’s life well-lived.
To read Michael's interview with Eugene Peterson from 1996, click here.
To learn more about Winn, visit winncollier.com.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* The importance of Winn’s honor to be selected to write Eugene’s story.
* Who Alexander White was and why he was so importan…
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Nov 14, 2018
Episode 73 - Stasi Eldredge Part II, “Defiant Joy”
Defiant Joy
“You cannot know joy if you live in denial.” - Stasi Eldredge
Michael wraps up his conversation with Stasi Eldredge on this episode of Restoring the Soul. Stasi loves the joy and freedom that comes from knowing the passionate, stunning love of Jesus Christ and lives to see others come to know him more deeply. She loves worship music, celebrating life, getting lost in a good novel, a powerful turn of phrase, the grace and beauty of horses, the affection of her dog and most of all her family and her God.
In addition to Defiant Joy, Stasi is also the author of Captivating, Becoming Myself, and Beautiful Now.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* God’s design for joy.
* The importance of the cup of salvation and the cup of suffering as it relates to joy.
* How to walk with God through the “mess of your life” to get to true joy.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a…
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Nov 7, 2018
Episode 72 - Stasi Eldredge Part I, “Defiant Joy”
Defiant Joy
“Joy is a truth where we’re rooted into eternity.” - Stasi Eldredge
Stasi Eldredge is Michael's guest for the next few episodes of Restoring the Soul. Stasi loves the joy and freedom that comes from knowing the passionate, stunning love of Jesus Christ and lives to see others come to know him more deeply. She loves worship music, celebrating life, getting lost in a good novel, a powerful turn of phrase, the grace and beauty of horses, the affection of her dog and most of all her family and her God.
In addition to Defiant Joy, Stasi is also the author of Captivating, Becoming Myself, and Beautiful Now.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* What is true joy.
* How joy is connected to the Kingdom of God.
* How joy is connected to the availability of God.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for p…
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Oct 31, 2018
Episode 71 - Aundi Kolber Part 2, “Healing Trauma: Getting Unstuck and Becoming Whole”
*Healing Trauma: Getting Unstuck and Becoming Whole*
"Understanding the role that shame plays in our life can be a catalyst for change.” - Aundi Kolber
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes his conversation with Aundi Kolber. Aundi is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), writer, and speaker in Castle Rock, Colorado. She specializes in trauma and body centered therapies, including the highly researched and regarded Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Aundi is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology, and its significance for the Church today. She has written for Relevant, CT Women, (In) Courage, and more.
As a survivor of trauma and a life long learner, Aundi brings hard won knowledge around the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God in our pain. Aundi has been happily married to her best friend for over eleven years and is the proud mom of Matia (6) and Jude (1).
Aundi will be releas…
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Oct 24, 2018
Episode 70 - Aundi Kolber Part 1, “Healing Trauma: Getting Unstuck and Becoming Whole”
*Healing Trauma: Getting Unstuck and Becoming Whole*
"Understanding the role that shame plays in our life can be a catalyst for change.” - Aundi Kolber
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael is joined by Aundi Kolber. Aundi is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), writer, and speaker in Castle Rock, Colorado. She specializes in trauma and body centered therapies, including the highly researched and regarded Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Aundi is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology, and its significance for the Church today. She has written for Relevant, CT Women, (In) Courage, and more.
As a survivor of trauma and a life long learner, Aundi brings hard won knowledge around the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God in our pain. Aundi has been happily married to her best friend for over eleven years and is the proud mom of Matia (6) and Jude (1).
Aundi will be releasing her first book…
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Oct 17, 2018
Episode 69 - Jonathan Merritt Part II, “Speak God”
Speak God
“As I got older, I had to consider whether or not that word “God” needed to mature alongside me.” - Jonathan Merritt
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael’s concludes his interview with Jonathan Merritt. Jonathan is an award-winning writer on religion, culture, and politics. He currently serves as a contributing writer for The Atlantic and contributing editor for The Week. Jonathan has published more than 3500 articles in respected outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. As a respected voice, he regularly contributes commentary to television, print, and radio news outlets and has been interviewed by ABC World News, NPR, CNN, PBS, MSNBC, Fox News, and CBS’ “60 Minutes.”
In fact, the New York Times has recently published a fabulous Opinion piece by Jonathan titled, "It's Getting Harder to Talk About God".
Jonathan is also author of several critically-acclaimed books, including Learning to…
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Oct 10, 2018
Episode 68 - Jonathan Merritt Part I, “Speak God”
"Speak God"
“Living languages can die but a dying language could also be revived.” - Jonathan Merritt
Michael’s guest on this episode of Restoring the Soul is Jonathan Merritt. Jonathan is an award-winning writer on religion, culture, and politics. He currently serves as a contributing writer for The Atlantic and contributing editor for The Week. Jonathan has published more than 3500 articles in respected outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. As a respected voice, he regularly contributes commentary to television, print, and radio news outlets and has been interviewed by ABC World News, NPR, CNN, PBS, MSNBC, Fox News, and CBS’ “60 Minutes."
Jonathan is author of several critically-acclaimed books, including Learning to Speak God from Scratch, Jesus is Better Than You Imagined, and A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars. and has collaborated on or ghostwritten more than 50 additional books,…
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May 9, 2018
Episode 67 - Dr. Jack Deere, “Even In Our Darkness”
Even In Our Darkness
“Life with God is meant to be enjoyed not endured.” ― Dr. Jack Deere
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael is joined by Dr. Jack Deere. Jack is formerly an associate professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary. He is also a writer and lecturer who speaks on friendship with God and on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He is the author of the bestselling book, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit as well as Even in Our Darkness: A Story of Beauty in a Broken Life, Surprised by the Voice of God: How God Speaks Today Through Prophecies, Dreams, and Visions, and The Beginner's Guide to the Gift of Prophecy
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:
* How to experience God fully in the midst of tragedy and suffering.
* The importance of having a “Friendship with God”.
* How friendship with God will help you to love the things that God loves.
* Helpful advice on how to grieve through someone’s suicide.
Discover how the barrier…
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May 2, 2018
Episode 66 - Dr. Curt Thompson Part 2, “Being Known”
*“Being Known”*
“The degree to which I am deeply known by God experientially is directly related to the degree that I am deeply known by other human beings.”
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes his conversation with Dr. Curt Thompson. Curt is a psychiatrist who received his MD from Wright State University. He authored Anatomy of the Soul and founded the Center for Being Known, a nonprofit that develops resources to educate and train leaders within the fields of mental health, education, business, and the church about the intersection between interpersonal neurobiology and Christian spiritual formation. Thompson believes that the findings of interpersonal neurobiology point to important tenets of Christian faith that enable us to reflect on, understand, and experience that same faith in fresh, trustworthy ways. Through Being Known, Dr. Thompson is now creating a platform for educating clinicians, individuals and groups through the development of training m…
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Apr 25, 2018
Episode 65 - Dr. Curt Thompson Part 1, “Being Known”
*“Being Known”*
“My calling is to preach the gospel in the language of neuroscience.” ― Curt Thompson
Michael speaks with Dr. Curt Thompson on this edition of Restoring the Soul. Curt is a psychiatrist who received his MD from Wright State University. He authored Anatomy of the Soul and founded the Center for Being Known, a nonprofit that develops resources to educate and train leaders within the fields of mental health, education, business, and the church about the intersection between interpersonal neurobiology and Christian spiritual formation. Thompson believes that the findings of interpersonal neurobiology point to important tenets of Christian faith that enable us to reflect on, understand, and experience that same faith in fresh, trustworthy ways. Through Being Known, Dr. Thompson is now creating a platform for educating clinicians, individuals and groups through the development of training materials, seminars and other resources.
He and his wife Phyllis, a license…
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Apr 20, 2018
BONUS PODCAST: A Different Conversation about Porn and Lust
What Would Your Life Be Like If Porn and Lust
Were No Longer an Issue?
We all know someone battling sexually compulsive behavior or habitual sexual sin. You may not know it yet, but statistically it’s true. So maybe you’ve met the guy who has read all the purity books and attended all the sexual integrity groups, met with an accountability partner, yet continues to stay stuck in their struggle. With that struggle comes relational pain, crippling shame, and a sense that things can never really change. It doesn’t have to be this way. There is a way to live that leads to freedom.
But here's the thing . . .
Freedom is all about restoration of our heart.
In this conversation, Michael Cusick is interviewed by Blaine and Sam Eldredge of Ransomed Heart Ministries. The conversation runs the gamut about desire, God, longings, addiction and freedom.
When you listen you will learn the following:
* What are the four mistakes to avoid when trying to overcome a struggle with pornography…
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Apr 18, 2018
Episode 64 - Ellen Haroutunian Part II, “Centering Prayer”
“Centering Prayer”
“Centering prayer is really the prayer of no words. It’s a place of safety with God“
On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes his conversation with Ellen Haroutunian.
Ellen is a psychotherapist, life coach, spiritual director, and writer, with a focus on the awakening and strengthening of the truest self in Christ. This focus includes an emphasis on gender, sexuality and identity formation as well as the healing of relational struggles, abuse, trauma, codependency, anxiety, and depression. Through her private counseling practice she has spent almost two decades listening to personal stories and helping people to see the movement of God in their lives and to grow towards emotional wholeness and integration, as well as wisdom for the larger telos for humankind of which we are all a part. As a former nurse, she is passionate about all human flourishing, and takes an integrated approach to include support in physical as well as mental and spi…
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Apr 11, 2018
Episode 63 - Ellen Haroutunian Part I, “See the World Through the Lowly”
“See the World Through the Lowly”
“Jesus really views this world very differently than we do. What is up for us is down for Him.”
Ellen Haroutunian is Michael’s guest for the next two Restoring the Soul podcasts. Ellen is a psychotherapist, life coach, spiritual director, and writer, with a focus on the awakening and strengthening of the truest self in Christ. This focus includes an emphasis on gender, sexuality and identity formation as well as the healing of relational struggles, abuse, trauma, codependency, anxiety, and depression. Through her private counseling practice she has spent almost two decades listening to personal stories and helping people to see the movement of God in their lives and to grow towards emotional wholeness and integration, as well as wisdom for the larger telos for humankind of which we are all a part. As a former nurse, she is passionate about all human flourishing, and takes an integrated approach to include support in physical as well as ment…
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Apr 4, 2018
Episode 62 - Winn Collier Part II, “Love Big, Be Well”
“Love Big, Be Well”
“A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us.” ― Franz Kafka
On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes his conversation with author and pastor Winn Collier. Winn is from Charlottesville, Virginia, where he lives with his wife Miska and their two sons, Wyatt and Seth. Winn likes friendship, fair-trade coffee, smart movies, books worth reading, honest music, mountains, questions, walking in the woods, and doing just about anything with Miska or his boys. He dislikes pretense, fear, injustice—and that he doesn’t live anywhere near a Planet Smoothie.
Winn writes for magazines and is the author of four books: Restless Faith: Hanging on to a God Just out of Reach, Let God: The Transforming Wisdom of Francois Fenelon, Holy Curiosity: Encountering Jesus’ Provocative Questions and his recent fiction: Love Big, Be Well: Letters to a Small-Town Church. Winn is pastor of All Souls Charlottesville.
In this podcast, discover:
* The im…
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Mar 28, 2018
Episode 61 - Winn Collier Part I, “Love Big, Be Well”
“Love Big, Be Well”
“...being a storyteller is really who I am.” - Winn Collier
Michael’s special guest on the next two programs is Winn Collier. Winn makes his home in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he lives with his wife Miska, the woman he describes as “the most interesting woman alive” and their two sons, Wyatt and Seth. Winn likes friendship, fair-trade coffee, smart movies, books worth reading, honest music, mountains, questions, walking in the woods, and doing just about anything with Miska or his boys. Winn dislikes pretense, fear, injustice—and that he doesn’t live anywhere near a Planet Smoothie.
Winn writes for magazines and is the author of four books: Restless Faith: Hanging on to a God Just out of Reach, Let God: The Transforming Wisdom of Francois Fenelon, Holy Curiosity: Encountering Jesus’ Provocative Questions and his recent fiction: Love Big, Be Well: Letters to a Small-Town Church. Winn is pastor of All Souls Charlottesville.
In this podcas…
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Mar 21, 2018
Episode 60 - John Lynch Part 2, “On My Worst Day”
*Michael concludes his 2-part conversation with John Lynch *
*on this edition of Restoring the Soul*.
John served for 27 years as teaching pastor at Open Door Fellowship in Phoenix, Arizona. As a world-class communicator, John is now a vital Trueface staff member. In addition to speaking internationally with the Trueface team since 1997, John has co-authored The Cure, Bo’s Café, Behind The Mask, and his own story, On My Worst Day. John also powerfully delivered the classic Two Roads Two Rooms allegory, which the co-authors created for The Cure. This message can be heard or seen online. Finally, John played an important role in the recent film, The Heart of Man. You can view it online today with a subscription to Netflix.
It’s our hope that you experience the true “Good News” and know that you are loved with an everlasting love, not based on what you do but because it’s the essence of God’s character.
In this podcast, discover:
* The “story behind the story” of T…
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Mar 14, 2018
Episode 59 - John Lynch Part 1, “On My Worst Day”
“What if there was a place so safe that the worst of me could be known and I could discover that I’d be loved more, not less, in the telling of it.” - John Lynch Bo’s Cafe
John Lynch is Michael’s special guest on the next two Restoring the Soul podcasts. John served for 27 years as teaching pastor at Open Door Fellowship in Phoenix, Arizona. As a world-class communicator, John is now a vital Trueface staff member. In addition to speaking internationally with the Trueface team since 1997, John has co-authored The Cure, Bo’s Café, Behind The Mask, and his own story, On My Worst Day. John also powerfully delivered the classic Two Roads Two Rooms allegory, which the co-authors created for The Cure. This message can be heard or seen online.
In this podcast, discover:
* The secret that John carried for decades, even while ministering and offering a message of hope, freedom, and authenticity.
* That we are changed and transformed by living in the reality that we are loved.…
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Mar 7, 2018
Episode 58 - Dan Allender Part II, “Healing Sexual Brokenness”
In part two of Michael's conversation with Dan Allender, Dan discusses the following issues and much more:
* More reflections on why men must deal with the “original woman” in their life—namely the mother.
* Dan’s own triangulated relationship with his mother and how this brought wounds to his soul.
* How this triangulation impacts how we all live out our relationship with self, others, and God.
* How we are all in a journey between intimacy and individuation--connectedness and separation.
* What the process of addressing and healing our woundedness looks like.
* Responding to the question, “why bother?” by jumping into the pain and brokenness of our story.
* Why the emotion and reaction of shame is so powerful and where it often comes from.
Dr. Dan Allender has pioneered a unique and innovative approach to trauma and abuse therapy over the past 30 years. Central to Dr. Allender’s theory and approach are the categories of Faith, Hope and Love, and their co…
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Feb 28, 2018
Episode 57 - Dan Allender Part I, “Healing Sexual Brokenness”
In this heartfelt and thought provoking conversation, Michael speaks with Dan Allender about topics such as:
* Why every one of us is sexually broken whether or not we have experienced sexual abuse or specific sexual harm.
* The major differences between man and woman, male and female as we are made in God’s image.
* Why women just may be more like God than men—and how this leads to the misogyny and violation of women driving the “#metoo” movement.
* The category of lust as “desire gone mad” and why it’s crucial to understand lust in terms of both relief and revenge.
* Why every man must come to terms with “the first woman in his life” which Dan describes as our mother.
Dr. Dan Allender has pioneered a unique and innovative approach to trauma and abuse therapy over the past 30 years. Central to Dr. Allender’s theory and approach are the categories of Faith, Hope and Love, and their converses betrayal, ambivalence, and powerlessness. Through identifying a…
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Nov 27, 2017
Episode 54 - Tony Anderson & Kevin Triplett, "Surfing For God Weekend Intensive"
Are you struggling or perhaps you know someone with an addiction to pornography or any sexually compulsive behavior? If so, this is a great podcast for you.
Tony Anderson and Kevin Triplett join Michael on this edition of Restoring the Soul. Tony has been a guest on previous episodes. He is a "sonic architect", composer, and Executive Producer of the film, The Heart of Man. Kevin Triplett also joins the conversation. He is a veteran of the US Army as well as a retired SWAT Team / law enforcement officer. Both of their stories were prominently featured in The Heart of Man, which recently debuted in 700 theatres across the US, and they also experienced a Surfing for God weekend intensive weekend in Colorado in 2013.
In this conversation, Tony and Kevin share their stories, including how the Surfing for God weekend changed their lives and how it was the catalyst for stories told in The Heart of Man movie.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant…
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Nov 20, 2017
Episode 53 - Brant Hansen Part II, "Blessed Are the Misfits"
Brant Hansen, is an author, nationally syndicated radio host, and advocate for healing children with correctible disabilities through CURE International.
On his official website, Brant describes himself as ”Toast eater, occasional cape wearer, accordion player, also host of The Brant Hansen show.
His first book, Unoffendable, has prompted a national discussion on the idea of forgiveness, and our culture’s embrace of self-righteous anger. His second book, both provocative and very personal, and will be released in November of 2017: Blessed are the Misfits: Great News for Those Who Are Introverts, Spiritual Strugglers, or Just Feel Like They’re Missing Something. In this book, Hansen addresses his own, and many others’, inability to “feel God’s presence”, and how God might Himself feel about that.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 6…
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Nov 15, 2017
Episode 52 - Brant Hansen Part I, "Blessed Are the Misfits"
Brant Hansen, is an author, nationally syndicated radio host, and advocate for healing children with correctible disabilities through CURE International.
On his official website, Brant describes himself as ”Toast eater, occasional cape wearer, accordion player, also host of The Brant Hansen show.
His first book, Unoffendable, has prompted a national discussion on the idea of forgiveness, and our culture’s embrace of self-righteous anger. His second book, both provocative and very personal, and will be released in November of 2017: Blessed are the Misfits: Great News for Those Who Are Introverts, Spiritual Strugglers, or Just Feel Like They’re Missing Something. In this book, Hansen addresses his own, and many others’, inability to “feel God’s presence”, and how God might Himself feel about that.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 6…
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Nov 6, 2017
Episode 51 - Brad Jersak Part 2, "A More Beautiful Gospel"
Brad Jersak is an author, teacher and theologian. He joins Michael for the second and final part of their conversation on Restoring the Soul titled, "A More Christlike God". Through Brad's books, seminars, and teaching around the world Brad shares the Good News that God is love perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ. Brad is the author of 12 books inclusing A More Christlike God: A More Beautiful Gospel and Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God Who Speaks. Out of a deep academic and intellectual knowledge as well as over two decades as a pastor, Brad offers a fresh vision of God and the Gospel.
Brad also serves as an ordained Reader and Monastery Preacher at All Saints of North America Monastery. He holds a Master of Divinity from Acts Seminary at Trinity Western University, an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Briarcrest Biblical Seminary, and a PhD in Theology from Bangor University in Wales.
To learn even more about Brad, please visit his website.
Discover how the barrier built by porn a…
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Oct 30, 2017
Episode 50 - Brad Jersak Part 1, "A More Beautiful Gospel"
Brad Jersak is an author, teacher and theologian. He joins Michael for the next two episodes of Restoring the Soul titled, "A More Beautiful Gospel". Through Brad's books, seminars, and teaching around the world Brad shares the Good News that God is love perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ. Brad is the author of A More Christlike God: A More Beautiful Gospel and Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God Who Speaks. Out of a deep academic and intellectual knowledge as well as over two decades as a pastor, Brad offers a fresh vision of God and the Gospel.
Brad also serves as an ordained Reader and Monastery Preacher at All Saints of North America Monastery. He holds a Master of Divinity from Acts Seminary at Trinity Western University, an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Briarcrest Biblical Seminary, and a PhD in Theology from Bangor University in Wales.
To learn even more about Brad, please visit his website.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant li…
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Oct 23, 2017
Episode 49 - Andy Crouch Part II, "The Tech-Wise Family"
Michael's guest on this podcast is the first "alumni guest" on Restoring the Soul. Author, musician and speaker, Andy Crouch, joins Michael in a concluding discussion about his book, "The Tech-Wise Family".
Andy is an eloquent communicator who masterfully makes connections between culture, creativity, and the Christianit faith. He is also on the gobverning boards of Fuller Theological Seminary as well as the Council for Christan Colleges and Universities. For more than 10 years he was an editor and producer at Christianity Today including serving as the Executive Editor from 2012-2016. Andy joined the John Templeton Foundation in 2017 as Senior Strategist for Communication and his work and writing have been featured in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine.
Andy Crouch is the author of several books including "Culture Making", "Playing God", and "Strong and Weak" (which in his first appearance on Restoring the Soul, we explored in-depth). On this podcast Mich…
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Oct 16, 2017
Episode 48 - Andy Crouch Part I, "The Tech-Wise Family"
Michael's guest for the next two podcasts is the first "alumni guest" on Restoring the Soul. Author, musician and speaker, Andy Crouch, joins Michael in discussion about his book, "The Tech-Wise Family".
Andy is an eloquent communicator who masterfully makes connections between culture, creativity, and the Christianit faith. He is also on the gobverning boards of Fuller Theological Seminary as well as the Council for Christan Colleges and Universities. For more than 10 years he was an editor and producer at Christianity Today including serving as the Executive Editor from 2012-2016. Andy joined the John Templeton Foundation in 2017 as Senior Strategist for Communication and his work and writing have been featured in The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine.
Andy Crouch is the author of several books including "Culture Making", "Playing God", and "Strong and Weak" (which in his first appearance on Restoring the Soul, we explored in-depth). On this podcast Michael…
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Oct 9, 2017
Episode 47 - Nate Larkin Part II, “The Long Road To Recovery”
Michael's guest on today's episode of Restoring the Soul is Nate Larkin. They recently spent time together in Nate's current hometown of Franklin, TN. Visit this link if you would like to hear the first half of their conversation.
Nate's story of redemption is very similar to Michael's in that he found freedom out of profound pain, failure, and brokenness. He was mired in sexual addiction and deception while in full-time vocational ministry. It led to a point of crisis that brought him out to a whole new way of living.
Nate is the author of two books. The first is a must-read if you are on a journey of healing from any kind of sexual brokenness. It's called "Samson and the Pirate Monks, Calling Men to Authentic Brotherhood". He is also the author of a brand new e-book called "Beyond Accountability, the Life-Changing Power of Authentic Friendship". To receive a free copy, visit samsonsociety.com and download yours today. In addition to being an author, Nate Larkin is the founder of th…
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Oct 2, 2017
Episode 46 - Nate Larkin Part I, “The Long Road To Recovery”
Michael's guest for the next two episodes of Restoring the Soul is Nate Larkin. They recently spent time together in Nate's current hometown of Franklin, TN.
Nate's story of redemption is very similar to Michael's in that he found freedom out of profound pain, failure, and brokenness. He was mired in sexual addiction and deception while in full-time vocational ministry. It led to a point of crisis that brought him out to a whole new way of living.
Nate is the author of two books. The first is a must-read if you are on a journey of healing from any kind of sexual brokenness. It's called "Samson and the Pirate Monks, Calling Men to Authentic Brotherhood". He is also the author of a brand new e-book called "Beyond Accountability, the Life-Changing Power of Authentic Friendship". To receive a free copy, visit samsonsociety.com and download yours today. In addition to being an author, Nate Larkin is the founder of the Samson Society, which is a world-wide fellowship of Christian men who a…
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Sep 26, 2017
Episode 45 - Barb Maiberger, “EMDR Essentials - 5 Things You Need To Know About This Powerful Trauma Therapy.”
Michael's guest on this podcast is Barb Maiberger, a licensed professional counselor. She is also founder and Director of the Maiberger Institute in Boulder, CO where she trains where she trains counselors and mental health therapists from all around the US in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitatization and Reprocessing).
Barb is a dynamic instructor who engages and invites those who take her courses to bring their own professional experience, passion, and story to get equipped in EMDR to be able to work with clients and handle real-life issues in a way that is immediately applicable and practical.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common…
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Sep 17, 2017
Episode 44 - Dr. C. Baxter Kruger Part II, “The Freedom of The Trinity”
On this program, Michael concludes his conversation Dr. C. Baxter Kruger. Kruger is a theologian and author who is part of a quiet revolution helping Christians to reclaim a dynamic and life-giving understanding of the Trinity, including a Jesus-shaped understanding of the very heart of God.
They will dicsuss the global great awakening that Baxter sees as he travels and teaches around the world. They will also talk about the idea of the Trinity and the meaning of the word, "perichoresis" (which is also the name of Baxter's website). Finally, Michael and Baxter consider what the evangelical church misses in regards to the Trinity.
C. Baxter Kruger is the Director of Perichoresis Ministries, he teaches around the world, and earned his PhD from King's College Aberdeen University in Scotland under the tutelage of renowned theologian Professor James B. Torrance. Baxter is the author of 8 books including The Great Dance, Jesus and the Undoing of Adam, Across All Worlds, and most recently t…
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Sep 10, 2017
Episode 43 - Dr. C. Baxter Kruger Part I, “The Freedom of The Trinity"
Michael's guest on this episode and the next is Dr. C. Baxter Kruger. Baxter is a theologian and author who is part of a quiet revolution helping Christians to reclaim a dynamic and life-giving understanding of the Trinity, including a Jesus-shaped understanding of the very heart of God.
C. Baxter Kruger is the Director of Perichoresis Ministries, he teaches around the world, and earned his PhD from King's College Aberdeen University in Scotland under the tutelage of renowned theologian Professor James B. Torrance. Baxter is the author of 8 books including The Great Dance, Jesus and the Undoing of Adam, Across All Worlds, and most recently the international best-seller The Shack Revisited.
Kruger is also an avid outdoorsman and serves as the President and founder of Mediator Lures. In addition to being a theologian, he holds two US patents for his fishing lure designs.
To learn more about Dr. C. Baxter Kruger and his ministry, visit his website that was developed to be a leading res…
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Sep 5, 2017
Episode 42 - Tony Anderson Part II, “The Heart of Man“
Tony Anderson is Michael’s guest on this edition of Restoring the Soul. This is part 2 of their discussion.
Tony, who describes himself as a “sonic architect”, creates and composes music for film, television and beyond. His work has been featured in promotions for National Geographic, GoPro, Delta Airlines, ESPN, Ford Motor Company, and many more. Tony is also the Executive Producer of the soon-to-be-released film, The Heart of Man, which will be playing in theatres on September 14. In this episode, Michael and Tony will dig deep into what the movie is all about, how it came to be, and what the ultimate goal for the movie will be.
To learn more about Tony, click here to visit his website.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the la…
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Aug 27, 2017
Episode 41 - Tony Anderson Part I, “The Heart of Man“
For the next two episodes, Tony Anderson is Michael’s guest.
Tony, who describes himself as a “sonic architect”, creates and composes music for film, television and beyond. His work has been featured in promotions for National Geographic, GoPro, Delta Airlines, ESPN, Ford Motor Company, and many more. Tony is also the Executive Producer of the soon-to-be-released film, The Heart of Man, which will be playing in theatres on September 14. In this episode, Michael and Tony will dig deep into what the movie is all about, how it came to be, and what the ultimate goal for the movie will be.
To learn more about Tony, click here to visit his website.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more me…
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Jun 11, 2017
Episode 40 - Sean Seay, “Pastoring From Emotional Health”
Sean Seay is who for several years, along with his wife Bonnie, dreamed of planting a church. While on staff for five years at Northpoint Community Church, where he was mentored by Andy Stanley, the church began to sense God leading them to extend their influence to communities beyond Atlanta. In one of Northpoint’s earliest strategic partnerships, Sean began to pray and scout out Athens, GA, the college community where in 2004 he planted Athens Church.
Sean Seay’s ministry was thriving and the church he led was going gangbusters. But for all the external success and blessing something wasn’t right in Sean’s inner world, or at home.
In a moment of crisis, and through a string of providential events Sean discovered the leadership programs at Restoring the Soul and participated in a two week counseling intensive nearly four years ago.
What follows in my conversation with Sean is the story of his crisis moment, the redemption and healing that grew from that time, and how today…
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Jun 4, 2017
Episode 39 - Philip Yancey Part II, “Amazing Grace”
Philip Yancey is an award winning journalist and best-selling author whose books have sold over 14 million copies around the globe. His work has been lauded by everyone from Billy Graham to U2’s Bono. And no wonder, in light of Yancey’s preoccupation with the universal themes of suffering and grace. A few of his books include What’s So Amazing About Grace, The Jesus I Never Knew, Where Is God When It Hurts, and Disappointment With God.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @Pod…
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May 27, 2017
Episode 38 - Philip Yancey Part I, “Amazing Grace”
Philip Yancey is an award winning journalist and best-selling author whose books have sold over 14 million copies around the globe. His work has been lauded by everyone from Billy Graham to U2’s Bono. And no wonder, in light of Yancey’s preoccupation with the universal themes of suffering and grace. A few of his books include What’s So Amazing About Grace, The Jesus I Never Knew, Where Is God When It Hurts, and Disappointment With God.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @Pod…
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May 21, 2017
Episode 37 - Heather King Part II, “A Life Aflame”
Heather King is a writer, speaker, retreat leader, and former commentator on NPR’s All Things Considered (listen to Heather's commentaries here).
Her books include Parched: A Memoir; Redeemed: Stumbling Toward God, Marginal Sanity, and the Peace That Passes All Understanding, and Shirt of Flame: A year with St. Therese of Lisieux.
In part 2 of Michael's conversation with Heather, they discuss Shirt of Flame, including how St. Therese was a saint for our generation precisely because she "was so neurotic", an idea which might inspire hope for those of us wondering if the messiness and dysfunction of our own lives disqualifies us from our own saintly calling.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more a…
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May 14, 2017
Episode 36 - Heather King Part I, “A Life Aflame”
*Heather King* is a writer, speaker, retreat leader, and former commentator on *NPR’s All Things Considered* (listen to Heather's commentaries here).
Her books include Parched: A Memoir; Redeemed: Stumbling Toward God, Marginal Sanity, and the Peace That Passes All Understanding, and Shirt of Flame: A year with St. Therese of Lisieux.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
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May 7, 2017
Episode 35 - Debra Hirsch Part II, “Redeeming Sex”
In Part 2 of my conversation with Deb Hirsch we discuss shame, why it’s so hard to talk about sexuality in the church, and what it means to bring grace into sexual shame.
Deb Hirsch is the author of Redeeming Sex: Naked Conversations About Sexuality and Spirituality. As a speaker, church leader, and writer she has led churches in both Australia and Los Angeles and is one of the founders of Forge Mission Training Network. She is the co-author (with Alan Hirsch) of Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship, and her book Redeeming Sex reflects her own journey and attempts to bring new conversations about sexuality into the context of the church. Deb has been involved in social work, community development and as a trained counselor has worked in the field of sexuality for over twenty-five years. She and her husband live in community with others in Los Angeles.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is r…
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Apr 30, 2017
Episode 34 - Debra Hirsch Part I, “Redeeming Sex”
Deb Hirsch is the author of Redeeming Sex: Naked Conversations About Sexuality and Spirituality. As a speaker, church leader, and writer she has led churches in both Australia and Los Angeles and is one of the founders of Forge Mission Training Network. She is the co-author (with Alan Hirsch) of Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship, and her book Redeeming Sex reflects her own journey and attempts to bring new conversations about sexuality into the context of the church. Deb has been involved in social work, community development and as a trained counselor has worked in the field of sexuality for over twenty-five years. She and her husband live in community with others in Los Angeles.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in t…
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Apr 23, 2017
Episode 33 - Chaim Potok Part II, “Giving Shape to Turmoil”
Chaim Potok (1929-2002) was a legendary novelist, rabbi, Judaic scholar, and philosopher. This interview--Part 2 of a two-part interview-- is a dramatization of the written text originally published in The Mars Hill Review.
Special thanks to Rabbi Brian Newman for reading the part of Chaim Potok.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!
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Apr 16, 2017
Episode 32 - Chaim Potok Part I, “Giving Shape to Turmoil”
Chaim Potok, who passed away in 2002, was a legendary novelist, rabbi, Judaic scholar, and philosopher. His many books include, The Chosen, My Name Is Asher Lev, and Wanderings: Chaim Potok's History of the Jews. This interview is a dramatization of the written text originally published in The Mars Hill Review. Special thanks to Rabbi Brian Newman for reading the part of Chaim Potok.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
What if lust for porn is really a search for true passion?
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where over 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it's no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower or more faith, their fight would be over.
Contact Restoring the Soul:
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Email us at info@restoringt…
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Apr 9, 2017
Episode 31 - Joy Sawyer Part II, “Poetry and the Soul”
Joy Sawyer is a Denver-based writer and poet. In addition to several nonfiction books, Joy is the author of a poetry collection, Tongues of Men and Angels (White Violet Press, 2016), Her poetry, essays, and fiction have appeared in such diverse publications as Books & Culture, Christianity & Literature, Inklings, Lilliput Review, Mars Hill Review, New York Quarterly, and others.
Since 2009, Joy has taught both poetry and intro to creative writing classes at Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver, the largest nonprofit literary center in Colorado and the Mountain West. In addition to Lighthouse, she also taught writing & poetry coursework in the masters of liberal studies program at the University of Denver (2003-2013). Joy received her MA from New York University, where she was awarded the Herbert Rubin Award for Outstanding Creative Writing.
Be sure to visit Joy's website at www.joyrouliersawyer.com.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant li…
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Apr 2, 2017
Episode 30 - Joy Sawyer Part I, “Poetry and the Soul”
Joy Sawyer is a Denver-based writer and poet. In addition to several nonfiction books, Joy is the author of a poetry collection, Tongues of Men and Angels (White Violet Press, 2016), Her poetry, essays, and fiction have appeared in such diverse publications as Books & Culture, Christianity & Literature, Inklings, Lilliput Review, Mars Hill Review, New York Quarterly, and others.
Since 2009, Joy has taught both poetry and intro to creative writing classes at Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver, the largest nonprofit literary center in Colorado and the Mountain West. In addition to Lighthouse, she also taught writing & poetry coursework in the masters of liberal studies program at the University of Denver (2003-2013). Joy received her MA from New York University, where she was awarded the Herbert Rubin Award for Outstanding Creative Writing.
Be sure to visit Joy's website at www.joyrouliersawyer.com.
Discover how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant li…
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