Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick

“I don’t work well with people who have it all together.” - Dr. Janelle HallmanOn 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*Support the showENGAGE 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!

"Nothing affects the human heart more than our sexuality.” - Dan AllenderHow 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*Support the showENGAGE 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!

“Suffering doesn’t work like a statistical map. It’s up close. It’s personal.” - Philip YanceyIt 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. Support the showENGAGE 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!

“When we see God’s heart, our own heart becomes free.” - Michael John CusickPsalm 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.Support the showENGAGE 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!

“Healing requires fierceness and tenderness.” - Aundi KolberMany 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 pain. Connect with Aundi at aundikolber.com, on Facebook, and Instagram.Helpful Resources:Bonus content from AundiPrevious episodes with Aundi:Episode 110 - Aundi Kolber, "Try Softer, Part 1"Episode 111 - Aundi Kolber, "Try Softer, Part 2"Episode 70 - Aundi Kolber Part 1, “Healing Trauma: Getting Unstuck and Becoming Whole”Episode 71 - Aundi Kolber Part 2, “Healing Trauma: Getting Unstuck and Becoming Whole”Episode 199 - Aundi Kolber, "Understanding Attunement"Episode 251 - Aundi Kolber, "Strong Like Water"Support the showENGAGE 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!

“More time with fewer people equals greater Kingdom impact.” - Robby AngleMaking 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 hear from Robby today as he talks about his passions for ministry and how relational discipleship is foundational for Kingdom growth.Helpful Resources:- The Cure for Groups - Trueface Journey- The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George G. Hunter IIIPodcasts:Episode 3 - Bill Thrall Part 1, "The Soul of a Leader"Episode 4 - Bill Thrall Part 2, "The Journey of Trust"Episode 59 - John Lynch Part 1, “On My Worst Day”Episode 60 - John Lynch Part 2, “On My Worst Day”Support the showENGAGE 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!

“I don’t believe people will trust you with their hope until you show you understand their pain.”  - Steve SilerThe 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 ChildWords & Music by Steve Siler© Silerland Music (Administered by Clearbox Rights) ASCAPHELPFUL RESOURCESPodcastsEpisode 26 - Steve Siler Part 1, “Music for the Soul”Episode 27 - Steve Siler Part 2, “Music for the Soul”BooksThis is Your Brain on MusicFinding Your Way after the Suicide of Someone You LoveSupport the showENGAGE 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!

“Compassion and gentleness create something in us that is very solid and strong.” - Aundi KolberHow 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, CT Women,  The Huffington Post, The Mudroom, Happy Sonship, and Circling the Story. We’re always thrilled when Aundi can join us for the discussion - you’re in for a real treat today.Helpful Resources:Bonus content from AundiPre-order Strong Like WaterBaker BooksTyndaleAmazonBarnes & NoblePrevious episodes with AundiEpisode 110 - Aundi Kolber, "Try Softer, Part 1"Episode 111 - Aundi Kolber, "Try Softer, Part 2"Episode 70 - Aundi Kolber Part 1, “Healing Trauma: Getting Unstuck and Becoming Whole”Episode 71 - Aundi Kolber Part 2, “Healing Trauma: Getting Unstuck and Becoming Whole”Episode 199 - Aundi Kolber, "Understanding Attunement"Episode 200 - Aundi Kolber, "Discovering Self Compassion"Support the showENGAGE 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!

“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 JersakBrad 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 & Peter Zaremba, "Centering Prayer, Part 1"Episode 51 - Brad Jersak Part II, "A More Beautiful Gospel"Episode 50 - Brad Jersak Part 1, "A More Beautiful Gospel"Support the showENGAGE 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!

“I needed to dismantle those elements of my image of God that were harming me.” - Brad JersakFor 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 back at his own spiritual journey and the ramifications deconstruction had on his ministry and his personal relationships.Helpful Resources:Episode 194 - Brad Jersak, "IN: Incarnation, Inclusion, Abba & Lamb"Episode 117 - Brad Jersak & Peter Zaremba, "Centering Prayer, Part 1"Episode 51 - Brad Jersak Part II, "A More Beautiful Gospel"Episode 50 - Brad Jersak Part 1, "A More Beautiful Gospel"Support the showENGAGE 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!