Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick

“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 ma...

“ 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...

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+ ye...

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 Fr...

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 E...

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 exp...

“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, mak...

“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 Morg...

“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 songwrit...

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 Truefa...

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...

      “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...

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 discov...

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 lear...

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 Re...

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....

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...

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...

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 Wholehearte...

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 Wholeheartedl...

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...

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...

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 p...

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...

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, i...