Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick

“ 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...

“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 co...

“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...

“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 earth...

“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...

“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...

“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 evi...

“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...

“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 ex...

“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 th...

“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...

“ 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 recei...

“ 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 trai...

“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 rela...

“ 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 &amp...

“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 dir...

“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...

“ 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 marriag...

“ 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 pre...

“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 Re...

“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 So...

“ 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--wor...

“ 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 Bran...

“ 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...

“ 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 men...