Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick

Episode 378 - Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards, "Finding Hope Through Brokenness"

Welcome back to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. Today, we bring you an encore presentation featuring a conversation between our host, Michael John Cusick, and Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards. Known for his deep theological insights and compassionate pastoral work, Dr. Edwards dives into the concept of restoration, exploring its vital role in enriching faith amidst life's complexities. In this episode, Michael shares about the ministry of Restoring the Soul. Drawing from his journey through trauma, addiction, and healing, Michael passionately discusses the holistic nature of the soul and the crucial process of restoring it to wholeness. Dr. Edwards and Michael cover many compelling topics, from the unity within the Trinity to the importance of embodied spirituality and radical humility in healing personal and societal divisions. Prepare to be inspired and challenged as they unpack what it truly means to close the gap between belief and experience. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/460234/support] ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST: - Follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qNMRsIW3dG8Bs5PdwPlug] - Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS - Like us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/RestoringtheSoul/]- Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rtswholehearted/] & Twitter [https://twitter.com/PodcastRTS]- Follow Michael on Twitter [https://twitter.com/michaeljcusick] - Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com Thanks for listening!

Episode 377 - Bette Dickinson, "The Art of Vinemaking"

Welcome to Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In this episode, Michael welcomes back Bette Dickinson to dig into the wisdom behind her new book, "The Art of Vine Making: Spiritual Flourishing in a Productivity Driven Culture [https://www.bettedickinson.com/the-art-of-vinemaking-book]." Together, they explore the rich metaphor of the vine and branches from John 15—not just as a theological concept, but as an intentional, relational process that mirrors the art of winemaking. Bette Dickinson shares the story of her friendship with a real-life vine dresser, drawing deep parallels between tending vineyards and the journey of spiritual formation. Listeners will discover how God’s nurturing presence and attentive love invite us away from the relentless urge to be productive and towards true flourishing—where quality, process, rest, and relational attunement matter more than mere quantity or output. Through personal stories, practical contrasts between productivity and flourishing, and profound insights into seasons of dormancy and growth, this episode offers a compassionate, hope-filled vision for anyone longing to abide more deeply in God’s love. ON THE WEB: bettedickinson.com [https://www.bettedickinson.com/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/460234/support] ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST: - Follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qNMRsIW3dG8Bs5PdwPlug] - Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS - Like us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/RestoringtheSoul/]- Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rtswholehearted/] & Twitter [https://twitter.com/PodcastRTS]- Follow Michael on Twitter [https://twitter.com/michaeljcusick] - Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com Thanks for listening!

Episode 376 - Michael John Cusick & Ian Morgan Cron, "The 12 Steps for Everyone"

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 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 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 [https://ianmorgancron.com/thefix]." 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. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/460234/support] ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST: - Follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qNMRsIW3dG8Bs5PdwPlug] - Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS - Like us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/RestoringtheSoul/]- Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rtswholehearted/] & Twitter [https://twitter.com/PodcastRTS]- Follow Michael on Twitter [https://twitter.com/michaeljcusick] - Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com Thanks for listening!

Episode 375 - Tony Kriz, "From Trauma to Triumph: Literacy's Role in Healing"

Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In today’s discussion, Michael welcomes Tony Kriz to the podcast. This episode dives deep into crucial topics, including the impact of trauma on children's development, the importance of supportive adults in their lives, and how churches and communities can foster positive change through active involvement. You'll hear about the startling statistics surrounding childhood literacy, the long-term effects of trauma, and inspiring initiatives like the Children's Literacy Project. This campaign aims to connect volunteers with local schools to help children read at grade level by the fourth grade, significantly influencing their futures. Together, we'll explore how a single caring adult can make a monumental difference, as well as the spiritual and social justice dimensions of ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed. Prepare to be moved and motivated as we uncover the power of mentorship, the challenges faced by under-resourced schools, and practical ways you can be part of the solution. Whether through volunteering, supporting literacy programs, or committing to the well-being of children in your community, this episode is a call to action. ON THE WEB: Children's Literacy Project [https://childrensliteracyproject.org/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/460234/support] ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST: - Follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qNMRsIW3dG8Bs5PdwPlug] - Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS - Like us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/RestoringtheSoul/]- Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rtswholehearted/] & Twitter [https://twitter.com/PodcastRTS]- Follow Michael on Twitter [https://twitter.com/michaeljcusick] - Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com Thanks for listening!

Episode 374 - Dr. Alison Cook, "Boundaries for Your Soul"

Welcome to another episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." Today, we're diving deep into the conversation around emotional health, spiritual formation, and the journey toward wholeness with our special guest, Dr. Alison Cook, psychologist, author, and expert in Christian spiritual and emotional integration. In this episode, Michael and Alison explore her acclaimed book, "Boundaries for Your Soul [https://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Your-Soul-Overwhelming-Thoughts/dp/1400201616/]." Together, they unpack what it truly means to set gentle, healthy boundaries within ourselves—not to exile or repress difficult emotions, but to get curious about them, listen to them, and ultimately befriend them as part of our God-given humanity. Drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory and Christian theology, Alison Cook explains how our inner world is made up of many different “parts,” each with their own stories and struggles. Through personal stories, practical takeaways, and a deep dive into the concept of the “Spirit-led self,” this episode invites listeners to consider a new way of relating to their internal experience, dealing with conflict within, and embarking on a path of true healing. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/460234/support] ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST: - Follow us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qNMRsIW3dG8Bs5PdwPlug] - Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS - Like us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/RestoringtheSoul/]- Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rtswholehearted/] & Twitter [https://twitter.com/PodcastRTS]- Follow Michael on Twitter [https://twitter.com/michaeljcusick] - Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com Thanks for listening!