Welcome to another episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." Today, we delve into the compelling concept of what it means to be a Christian – a question that sparks a fascinating discussion on the dichotomy between list makers and storytellers. Inspired by the insights of Dr. Rodney Reeves, Michael and AJ Denson explore themes from Michael's book, "Sacred Attachment," emphasizing the importance of moving beyond doctrines and commandments to embrace a vibrant, embodied faith. 

Join us as we unpack the profound invitation to experience God not just through belief but through the intimate storytelling of our journey with Him. Whether you're a steadfast list maker or a passionate storyteller, this episode is a clarion call to lean into the heart of spiritual life, where love and relationship triumph over rigid adherence to theological checklists. 

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!

Welcome to another episode of the "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick" podcast. We're excited to welcome Aimee Byrd, a renowned author and theologian, to discuss her latest book, "Saving Face: Finding Myself, God, and One Another Outside a Defaced Church." 

Join Michael and Aimee as they dive deep into the pages of her profound work, unpacking themes of vulnerability, spiritual abuse, and the journey toward embracing one's true self. Throughout the episode, Aimee shares her personal experiences with brokenness, healing, and the powerful act of unlearning to find truth and freedom. This conversation invites listeners to rethink their understanding of repentance, the role of women in faith communities, and the transformative power of God's grace. 

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!

In this episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick," we'll journey through a candid and enlightening conversation between Michael and AJ Denson. Together, they embark on a thought-provoking exploration of the season of Lent. Michael shares personal reflections on the significance of 40 days of renewal leading up to Easter, highlighting the duality of detachment and engagement that comes with spiritual practices. 

With vulnerability and insight, Michael opens up about the profound impact of relinquishing news apps and striving to be a "better Christian" during Lent. AJ joins in with fresh perspectives, inviting listeners to reflect on their practices and consider how detaching from certain rhythms might create space for a deeper connection with God. Join us as we delve into the essence of Lent and explore how we can live with intentionality, grace, and openness to the divine. 

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!

Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. On today's episode, host Michael is rejoined by Dr. Andrew Bauman, a passionate advocate for creating healthier church communities and an illuminating voice on overcoming personal and systemic abuse. In this engaging conversation, they delve into Andrew's powerful journey, exploring the roots and revelations that led him to pen his latest book, "Safe Church: How to Guard Against Sexism and Abuse in Christian Communities."

Discover how Andrew, once caught in a cycle of addiction and objectifying views, transformed his past struggles into a mission of advocacy and healing. They discuss confronting sexism within the church, the intricate dynamics of power, and the essential work of deconstructing damaging beliefs to build a more inclusive and supportive faith community.

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!

Welcome to today's episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." In this insightful discussion, Michael sits down with John Carroll, a key leader from the School of Kingdom Living, which is an integral part of Dallas Willard Ministries. Michael and John dive deep into the profound impact of Dallas Willard's teachings on spiritual formation and how John's journey from corporate healthcare into ministry has been shaped by mentors like James Bryan Smith. They explore how the School of Kingdom Living is designed to guide individuals into a deeper relationship with God through an 18-month program, emphasizing the practical steps to live out the kingdom of God in everyday life.

LINK: Dallas Willard Ministries

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!

Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. Today, we have a compelling conversation with Bill Heatley, exploring the profound insights of his father-in-law, Dr. Dallas Willard, and his transformative teachings on the Kingdom of God. Together, we delve into the themes from Dallas's latest posthumous work, "The Scandal of the Kingdom: How the Parables of Jesus Revolutionized Life with God," shedding light on how these ancient truths resonate powerfully in our modern journey of faith. 

Join us as we uncover the essence of living a Kingdom life, learning from the timeless wisdom of the parables, and embracing the divine conspiracy of overcoming evil with good. Whether you're familiar with Dallas Willard's deep philosophical and theological legacy or discovering him for the first time, this episode promises to be a meaningful exploration of spiritual formation and divine presence in everyday 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!

Welcome to Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In this engaging episode, we dive into the profound themes of Michael's latest book, "Sacred Attachment: Escaping Spiritual Exhaustion and Trusting in Divine Love." Joined by A.J. Denson, Michael explores the deep-seated gaps between what we believe and what we actually experience in our spiritual lives. Delving into the concept of "Delta," he discusses both the distance and potential union between these gaps, drawing from personal experiences and spiritual wisdom. With references to spiritual giants like Dallas Willard and employing rich imagery of rivers meeting, Michael illustrates how healing and genuine connection with the divine can transform our lives. Additionally, this episode uncovers the often rigid boundaries between religious practice and true spiritual intimacy, offering listeners encouragement to embrace vulnerability with God. Whether you're on a journey of spiritual deconstruction or looking for ways to deepen your connection with God, this episode promises insights and encouragement for every soul seeker.

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!

Welcome to another episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." In today's conversation, Michael sits down with AJ Denson to dive deep into the profound themes of Michael's latest book, "Sacred Attachment." Together, they explore the concept of 'spinning' introduced in the first chapter and reflect on how it symbolizes the disorientation and reorientation we experience in life's journey. Michael shares a personal childhood story that beautifully illustrates the unexpected embrace of love amid chaos, providing a powerful foundation for understanding God's unwavering love and connection. As they unpack the transformative power of love and spiritual connection, Michael and AJ delve into the idea that true change is possible when we fully embrace the divine dance of love and faith.

Click here to order your copy of Sacred Attachment. 

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!

Welcome to another episode of the Restoring the Soul podcast with your host, Michael John Cusick. Today, we have the pleasure of diving into a profound and transformative conversation with Ian Morgan Cron. Ian is not just a friend to Michael but a celebrated author of books like "The Road Back to You," and his deeply impactful spiritual memoir, "Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me," as well as his novel "Chasing Francis."

In this episode, we take a close look at Ian’s latest book, "The Fix: How the 12 Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation for the Well-Adjusted, the Down and Out, and Everyone in Between." Ian shares candidly about his own journey through addiction and recovery, emphasizing how the 12 steps can profoundly impact anyone's life, not just those battling addiction.

Even if you consider yourself "well-adjusted" or far from the grip of addiction, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what it means to truly live a life of transformation and spiritual awakening. Michael and Ian explore how all of us, in some way or another, have compulsive relationships with behaviors, substances, or people that affect our lives negatively. They delve into the essence of the 12 steps, their application beyond mere addiction recovery, and how they serve as a robust spiritual framework aligning us with God and our authentic selves.

Ian's vulnerability stands out as he shares personal stories, including a relapse in 2020 that led to a renewed understanding and deeper application of these steps. Together, Michael and Ian discuss the importance of community, admitting powerlessness, the role of the ego, and the journey toward a spiritual awakening.

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!

Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. Today we're diving into a meaningful conversation on spiritual formation, brokenness, and divine love with our dear friend and ally, James Bryan Smith. 

In this episode, Michael shares deeply from his own journey of overcoming personal brokenness, including abuse, addiction, deception, and betrayal, to find wholeness through a closer walk with God. He opens up about the stark contrast between his troubled home life and the nurturing he found in visits to a cloistered Carmelite nunnery during his childhood—moments that profoundly shaped his spiritual outlook.

Join us as we explore attachment theory, the impact of early emotional bonds, and how our image of God is shaped by our life experiences. Michael & Jim shed light on how recognizing and addressing our deepest wounds can lead to a secure and loving relationship with God, free from the cycle of striving and spiritual exhaustion. Moreover, they discuss the critical role of being seen, soothed, safe, and secure in our spiritual development.

They also delve into the false narratives that sustain evil: the lies that we can't trust God and that it's up to us because God won't come through. Michael and Jim's insights provide a refreshing perspective on recognizing our wretchedness not as a condemnation but as an opportunity to receive God's grace and love more fully.

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!

Welcome back to another episode of Restoring the Soul. In today's special episode, we flip the roles a bit as Curt Thompson graciously takes the lead to explore the profound impact of Michael's new book, Sacred Attachment. Drawing from their personal stories, deep professional insights, and the latest in attachment theory, Curt and Michael delve into the book's central themes of spiritual exhaustion, divine love, and the transformative power of embracing our brokenness. They discuss how embodied experiences, like a long embrace, can reveal our deepest needs and longings for connection. Through their heartfelt conversation, you'll gain practical insights on nurturing your attachment to God and others, as well as the healing power of authentic community. 

Join us for this enriching discussion and discover how you, too, are an artifact of beauty in the grand mosaic of life's journey. Stay tuned!

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!