Defiant Joy“Joy is a truth where we’re rooted into eternity.” - Stasi EldredgeStasi 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 powerful turn of phrase, the grace and beauty of horses, the affection of her dog and most of all her family and her God.In addition to Defiant Joy, Stasi is also the author of Captivating, Becoming Myself, and Beautiful Now.In this podcast, we hope you will discover:What is true joy.How joy is connected to the Kingdom of God.How joy is connected to the availability of God. 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!

Healing Trauma: Getting Unstuck and Becoming Whole"Understanding the role that shame plays in our life can be a catalyst for change.” - Aundi KolberOn 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, including the highly researched and regarded Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Aundi is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology, and its significance for the Church today. She has written for Relevant, CT Women, (In) Courage, and more. As a survivor of trauma and a life long learner, Aundi brings hard won knowledge around the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God in our pain. Aundi has been happily married to her best friend for over eleven years and is the proud mom of Matia (6) and Jude (1). Aundi will be releasing her first book with Tyndale Publishers in January of 2020. Sign up for her newsletter to follow along: http://bit.ly/signup_bravelyimperfect Or find her on Twitter and Instagram: @aundikolber In this podcast, we hope you will discover:How shame is its own kind of trauma.How to discover and build your “window of tolerance”.How Aundi’s writing allowed her to integrate her faith and psychologyENGAGE 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 Trauma: Getting Unstuck and Becoming Whole"Understanding the role that shame plays in our life can be a catalyst for change.” - Aundi KolberOn this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael is joined by Aundi Kolber. Aundi is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), writer, and speaker in Castle Rock, Colorado. She specializes in trauma and body centered therapies, including the highly researched and regarded Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Aundi is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology, and its significance for the Church today. She has written for Relevant, CT Women, (In) Courage, and more.As a survivor of trauma and a life long learner, Aundi brings hard won knowledge around the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God in our pain. Aundi has been happily married to her best friend for over eleven years and is the proud mom of Matia (6) and Jude (1).Aundi will be releasing her first book with Tyndale Publishers in January of 2020. Sign up for her newsletter to follow along: http://bit.ly/signup_bravelyimperfectOr find her on Twitter and Instagram: @aundikolberIn this podcast, we hope you will discover:What is a trauma informed perspective.Strains of “stuckness” and how to overcome them.The importance of self-compassion and mindfulness.The difference between shame and healthy guilt. 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!

Speak God“As I got older, I had to consider whether or not that word “God” needed to mature alongside me.” - Jonathan MerrittOn this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael’s concludes his interview with Jonathan Merritt. Jonathan is an award-winning writer on religion, culture, and politics. He currently serves as a contributing writer for The Atlantic and contributing editor for The Week. Jonathan has published more than 3500 articles in respected outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. As a respected voice, he regularly contributes commentary to television, print, and radio news outlets and has been interviewed by ABC World News, NPR, CNN, PBS, MSNBC, Fox News, and CBS’ “60 Minutes.”In fact, the New York Times has recently published a fabulous Opinion piece by Jonathan titled, "It's Getting Harder to Talk About God".Jonathan is also author of several critically-acclaimed books, including Learning to Speak God from Scratch, Jesus is Better Than You Imagined, and A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars. and has collaborated on or ghostwritten more than 50 additional books, with several titles landing on the New York Times, USA Today, or Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists. Additionally, he trains hundreds of young writers through his Write Brilliant course.In this podcast, we hope you will discover:The understanding of words is an internal process, a spiritual process as much as it is a cognitive understanding of words.There’s no way to express the Gospel without words.The vocabulary of faith is growing and evolving over time.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!

"Speak God"“Living languages can die but a dying language could also be revived.” - Jonathan MerrittMichael’s guest on this episode of Restoring the Soul is Jonathan Merritt. Jonathan is an award-winning writer on religion, culture, and politics. He currently serves as a contributing writer for The Atlantic and contributing editor for The Week. Jonathan has published more than 3500 articles in respected outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. As a respected voice, he regularly contributes commentary to television, print, and radio news outlets and has been interviewed by ABC World News, NPR, CNN, PBS, MSNBC, Fox News, and CBS’ “60 Minutes."Jonathan is author of several critically-acclaimed books, including Learning to Speak God from Scratch, Jesus is Better Than You Imagined, and A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars. and has collaborated on or ghostwritten more than 50 additional books, with several titles landing on the New York Times, USA Today, or Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists. Additionally, he trains hundreds of young writers through his Write Brilliant course.In this podcast, we hope you will discover:Only 7% of the American population say they have a regular spiritual conversation.The connotation of sacred words have changed so much they have become triggers for many.The thirteen top reasons why people avoid using sacred words.What qualifies as a spiritual conversation.Why Speaking God matters.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!

Even In Our Darkness“Life with God is meant to be enjoyed not endured.” ― Dr. Jack DeereOn this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael is joined by Dr. Jack Deere. Jack is formerly an associate professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary. He is also a writer and lecturer who speaks on friendship with God and on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He is the author of the bestselling book, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit as well as Even in Our Darkness: A Story of Beauty in a Broken Life, Surprised by the Voice of God: How God Speaks Today Through Prophecies, Dreams, and Visions, and The Beginner's Guide to the Gift of ProphecyIn this podcast, we hope you will discover:How to experience God fully in the midst of tragedy and suffering.The importance of having a “Friendship with God”.How friendship with God will help you to love the things that God loves.Helpful advice on how to grieve through someone’s suicide. 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!

“Being Known”“The degree to which I am deeply known by God experientially is directly related to the degree that I am deeply known by other human beings.”On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes his conversation with Dr. Curt Thompson. Curt is a psychiatrist who received his MD from Wright State University. He authored Anatomy of the Soul and founded the Center for Being Known, a nonprofit that develops resources to educate and train leaders within the fields of mental health, education, business, and the church about the intersection between interpersonal neurobiology and Christian spiritual formation. Thompson believes that the findings of interpersonal neurobiology point to important tenets of Christian faith that enable us to reflect on, understand, and experience that same faith in fresh, trustworthy ways. Through Being Known, Dr. Thompson is now creating a platform for educating clinicians, individuals and groups through the development of training materials, seminars and other resources.He and his wife Phyllis, a licensed clinical social worker, and their two children reside in Arlington, Virginia.In this podcast, we hope you will discover:Why our mind is different than our brain.The necessity of being connected to others in relationshipHow your mind can truly flourish.How to identify mature or insecure forms of emotional attachment.The importance of the engagement of your right brain as it relates to your faith and spiritual life.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!

“Being Known”“My calling is to preach the gospel in the language of neuroscience.” ― Curt ThompsonMichael speaks with Dr. Curt Thompson on this edition of Restoring the Soul. Curt is a psychiatrist who received his MD from Wright State University. He authored Anatomy of the Soul and founded the Center for Being Known, a nonprofit that develops resources to educate and train leaders within the fields of mental health, education, business, and the church about the intersection between interpersonal neurobiology and Christian spiritual formation. Thompson believes that the findings of interpersonal neurobiology point to important tenets of Christian faith that enable us to reflect on, understand, and experience that same faith in fresh, trustworthy ways. Through Being Known, Dr. Thompson is now creating a platform for educating clinicians, individuals and groups through the development of training materials, seminars and other resources.He and his wife Phyllis, a licensed clinical social worker, and their two children reside in Arlington, Virginia.In this podcast, we hope you will discover:How Curt chose to become a psychiatrist and what it entails to become one.Why neuroscience, or the study of structure of the brain and nervous system, is extremely supportive of the entire biblical narrative, especially what is seen in the first few chapters of Genesis.Interpersonal neurobiology and its implications to faith and a relationship with God.What does it mean for us to be known?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!

 What Would Your Life Be Like If Porn and Lust Were No Longer an Issue?We all know someone battling sexually compulsive behavior or habitual sexual sin. You may not know it yet, but statistically it’s true. So maybe you’ve met the guy who has read all the purity books and attended all the sexual integrity groups, met with an accountability partner, yet continues to stay stuck in their struggle. With that struggle comes relational pain, crippling shame, and a sense that things can never really change. It doesn’t have to be this way. There is a way to live that leads to freedom. But here's the thing . . .Freedom is all about restoration of our heart.In this conversation, Michael Cusick is interviewed by Blaine and Sam Eldredge of Ransomed Heart Ministries. The conversation runs the gamut about desire, God, longings, addiction and freedom.When you listen you will learn the following:What are the four mistakes to avoid when trying to overcome a struggle with pornography or lust?Three reasons why more Christian effort and performance will not lead to freedom.Why the best approach to overcoming sexual struggles is to "feed the soul and starve the addiction".Two ways our sexuality gives us clues about our own soul and our relationship with God.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!

“Centering Prayer”“Centering prayer is really the prayer of no words. It’s a place of safety with God“On this episode of Restoring the Soul, Michael concludes his conversation with Ellen Haroutunian. Ellen is a psychotherapist, life coach, spiritual director, and writer, with a focus on the awakening and strengthening of the truest self in Christ. This focus includes an emphasis on gender, sexuality and identity formation as well as the healing of relational struggles, abuse, trauma, codependency, anxiety, and depression. Through her private counseling practice she has spent almost two decades listening to personal stories and helping people to see the movement of God in their lives and to grow towards emotional wholeness and integration, as well as wisdom for the larger telos for humankind of which we are all a part. As a former nurse, she is passionate about all human flourishing, and takes an integrated approach to include support in physical as well as mental and spiritual health.In addition to seminary training, she is certified as a Spiritual Director by Benet Hill Monastery in Colorado Spring, and in the Christian contemplative tradition through the Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, NM. She is currently a doctoral student, focusing on spiritual formation and transformation.She has two grown children and lives in Lakewood, CO with her husband Aram, two ex-racing greyhounds and two non-racing cats.In this podcast, we hope you will discover:The importance of practicing Centering Prayer in Ellen’s life and how it impacts her walk with Christ.How Centering Prayer triggers certain emotions that may not otherwise surface.The influence of Fr. Thomas Keating on Michael and Ellen and how the practice of Centering Prayer can be traced back to him.Ellen’s recommendations on how to begin practicing Centering Prayer.The difference between Listening Prayer and Centering Prayer.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!