Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick

Latest Episodes:

Episode 109 - Lysa TerKeurst, "Therapy & Theology, Part 2" Jan 02, 2020

Show notes

“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 addiction to pornography comes from a genuine desire to be seen, known and loved.
Let go of your own fear and guilt because of a spouse or loved one’s pornography addiction and discover the role spiritual fullness and emptiness play in the battle with pornography.
Overcome your hesitation to have “the talk” with a loved one about pornography by learning healthy, biblically based conversation starters.

Support the show

ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
- Follow us on YouTube
- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram & Twitter
- Follow Michael on Twitter
- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com
Thanks for listening!

Episode 108 - Lysa TerKeurst, "Therapy & Theology, Part 1" Dec 26, 2019

Show notes

“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 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 learn how to:

Replace the stigma associated with pornography with a new understanding that the addiction to pornography comes from a genuine desire to be seen, known and loved.
Let go of your own fear and guilt because of a spouse or loved one’s pornography addiction and discover the role spiritual fullness and emptiness play in the battle with pornography.
Overcome your hesitation to have “the talk” with a loved one about pornography by learning healthy, biblically based conversation starters.

Support the show

Episode 107 - James Bryan Smith, "The Good and Beautiful God, Part 2" Dec 19, 2019

Show notes

“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 himself as the “Forrest Gump of Christianity”
The importance of sleep as a soul training exercise
The remaining 2 sides of the Triangle of Transformation

Support the show

Episode 106 - James Bryan Smith, "The Good and Beautiful God, Part 1" Dec 13, 2019

Show notes

“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 difference between spiritual formation and discipleship.
What happens when God is the subject of active verbs.
The devastating result of teaching people only the spiritual disciplines.

Support the show

Episode 103 - Kelley Gray, "5 Ways the Enneagram Can Strengthen Your Marriage, Part V: "Getting the Log Out of Your Own Eye" Nov 21, 2019

Show notes

“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 deep.

In this podcast, we hope you will discover:

Your relationships start to look differently when you start to take ownership of your own flaws.
The importance of learning to acknowledge your own needs, name them, and take responsibility for them.
That when we take care of ourselves and deal with ourselves and choose to be responsible and mature, that will make for the healthiest and most loving relationship.

Support the show

Episode 102 - Kelley Gray, "5 Ways the Enneagram Can Strengthen Your Marriage, Part IV: "How to Celebrate and Bless Your Differences" Nov 14, 2019

Show notes

“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.

In this podcast, we hope you will discover:

That if we could deal with the ways we are different from our spouse, it could keep us out of some unnecessary fights
Differences in marriage are not a threat to the health and stability of the relationship.
That by studying the Enneagram, it can help couples put more language to deep drives, desires, and needs that develop in their relationship.

Support the show

Episode 101 - Kelley Gray, "5 Ways the Enneagram Can Strengthen Your Marriage, Part III: "How to Not to Take Things Personally" Nov 07, 2019

Show notes

“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 will discover:

That becoming a student of your partner which will bring a level of empathy and compassion you have been unable to experience before.
How to develop the ability to see the other person’s vantage point.
The healthy and unhealthy parts of your Enneagram number.

Support the show

Episode 100 - Kelley Gray, "5 Ways the Enneagram Can Strengthen Your Marriage, Part II: Understanding How Your Partner Handles Conflict" Oct 31, 2019

Show notes

“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.

In this podcast, we hope you will discover:

How the Enneagram can be used effectively in counseling for couples.
The “Holy Idea” or “positive reach” for each of the Enneagram numbers.
That conflict doesn’t have to be a barrier to intimacy and connection. It can be a bridge.

Support the show

Episode 99 - Kelley Gray, "5 Ways the Enneagram Can Strengthen Your Marriage, Part I: Expertise in your Spouse" Oct 24, 2019

Show notes

“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.
What prevents a spouse from becoming an expert on their partner.
Brand new pathways for intimacy and connectedness with your partner.

Support the show

Episode 98 - Brandon Applehans, "Ministers and Mental Illness" Oct 17, 2019

Show notes

“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 family live in Denver, Colorado.
In this podcast, we hope you will discover:

What’s it like for people in ministry that deal with mental health issues.
God’s “expectations” for us in our relationship with Him.
The vital importance of genuine relationships for those who serve in church leadership.

Support the show

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected