Finding Wholeheartedness“Wholeheartedness is living life in the presence of God.” - Chuck DeGroatOn 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, Chuck’s third book Wholeheartedness brings a vision of wholeness amidst perfectionism and shame-based culture. His self-published Lenten devotional is called Falling Into Goodness.Learn more about Chuck DeGroat here.In this podcast, we hope you will discover:How to find balance and groundedness in your lifeThe importance of practicing the presence of God & contemplative prayer The damage that can be done by being caught in the “trauma loop” 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!

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 and specialty.Kelley’s passion of Attachment Theory and bringing healing to individuals. 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!

The 4 Gospels“Christianity just didn’t feel real to me.” - Michael John CusickOn 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. 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!

“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 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. 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!

“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. 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!

“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. 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!

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. 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!

The Soul of a LeaderOn 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. 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!

   “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 falls apart.God doesn’t want to be explained away. He wants to be invited in.Forgiveness is a decision and a process. 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!

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 podcast, we hope you will discover:What is the Christian life supposed to do? What effect can it have on those you encounter?How being Whole and Holy can contribute to our restoration.The importance character plays in the story of our restoration. 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!