Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick

“The Enneagram is the Face of God and the Body of Christ.”  - Kelley GrayToday, 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 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: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 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!

“A relationship will never ever improve or thrive on autopilot.”  - Kelley GrayToday, 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 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!

“Listen to the voice that calls you beloved. That’s the beginning of the conversation that God has with us.” - Brennan ManningToday, 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 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!

“Normally we see mental illness as a huge obstacle to overcome. I think it's a huge opportunity.” - Brandon AppelhansOur 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 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:The various ways advocates for the mentally ill receive pushback for the work they doThe biggest problem related to churches and communities of faith and their understanding of mental illnessResources to help break the stigma of discussing mental illness in the churchSupport 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!

“My passion is to make the church a resource and not a roadblock to mental health.” - Brandon AppelhansOur 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 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.In this podcast, we hope you will discover:How to break the stigma of discussing mental health issues in the churchThe difference between various bi-polar disordersWhy we should talk about mental health and mental illnessSupport 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’m sober and I love it because I found something better than drinking.” - Jim CusickOn 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 making this recording available to you is to emphasize the importance of legacy and the impact one’s story can have on present and future generations. For you see, Jim’s life with its many ups and downs, was very influential on the man his son Michael has become today.We trust you will be impacted by this podcast. Thank you for listening!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!

“Despite the grim circumstances, we could see God’s hand in it all.” - Julianne CusickOn 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 husband’s sexual brokenness, addiction, and infidelity? That’s the degree nobody signs up for.Not only is Julianne Cusick an ordained minister, she is a registered psychotherapist with a masters in Marriage & Family Therapy. Her passion is to fight for the hearts of women who have experienced sexual betrayal as well as the trauma and the wounding of betrayal. She thrives on personal & professional growth. She’s a dynamic speaker and Is a 1 on the EnneagramIf you would like to listen to previous episodes that feature a more in depth look at Julianne’s journey, click here to listen to, “Devastated But Not Destroyed” or her conversation with Ian Cron on Typology.You can also learn more about Julianne Cusick here.In this podcast, we hope you will discover:The importance of following your God-given dreamsHow to recover from your husband’s sexual brokenness, addiction, and infidelity.Why you need to untangle the past from the present.\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!

Finding Wholeheartedness“Blessed are the brokenhearted...those who have come to the end of themselves.” - Chuck DeGroatMichael 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+ 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 wholeheartedness and purity are connected.The closeness of God.How to move towards true wholeheartedness. 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!

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” 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!

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. 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!