Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick

Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. Today, Michael sits down with returning guest Sheila Wray Gregoire to dive into her latest book, The Marriage You Want: Moving Beyond Stereotypes for a Relationship Built on Scripture, New Data, and Emotional Health. [https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-marriage-you-want/418662] Sheila, known for her groundbreaking research and no-nonsense approach to Christian marriage resources, unpacks the myths, harmful teachings, and outdated stereotypes that have often taken root in Christian culture. Together, she and Michael explore new, peer-reviewed data on what actually leads to thriving, satisfying marriages—and what doesn’t. They discuss topics ranging from cognitive load and mental labor in relationships to partnership, decision-making, friendship, equality, and sexual fulfillment, challenging traditional teachings and offering practical, research-backed advice for couples seeking genuine intimacy and unity. Whether you’re struggling in your marriage, eager to move beyond unhelpful stereotypes, or just want to learn what healthy, scripturally grounded love can really look like, you’ll walk away from this rich conversation with hope, insight, and actionable wisdom. Plus, Sheila shares the heart behind her platform BareMarriage.com, and Michael highlights the importance of curiosity, partnership, and looking for “good fruit” in all aspects of marriage.  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!

Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In today’s conversation, Michael sits down with Adam Young—trauma therapist, host of The Place We Find Ourselves podcast, and author of the brand new book, Make Sense of Your Story [https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/make-sense-of-your-story/418680]. Together, they explore the profound journey of making sense of the stories that shape our lives, diving into how our earliest experiences continue to form our hearts, minds, and relationships well into adulthood. From raw personal anecdotes to reflections on faith and neuroscience, Adam and Michael unpack why true healing requires curiosity, kindness, and courage to examine the ground-level scenes that haunt or shape us. They tackle the exhaustion that comes from running from our pain, the importance of kindness toward our past selves, and how our earliest attachments impact not only our relationships with others but our connection to God. This episode is an honest and vulnerable exploration of pain, redemption, and beauty in embracing our full stories. Whether you’re deeply familiar with story work or just beginning to question how your past affects your present, you’ll find encouragement, practical wisdom, and hope here. 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!

Welcome to another episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." Today, Michael is joined by Brian Lee, founder and director of Broken to Beloved [https://www.brokentobeloved.org/], a ministry dedicated to providing practical resources for recovery from and safeguarding against spiritual abuse.  In this heartfelt conversation, Brian shares his personal journey through repeated experiences of spiritual abuse and how these challenges birthed a passion for helping others reclaim their belovedness. Michael and Brian delve into the intricacies of spiritual abuse, the importance of cultivating humility and self-awareness in spiritual leadership, and the transformative power of naming and owning one’s story. They also discuss the innovative programs offered by Broken to Beloved, which include a book club, podcast, and an impactful eight-week cohort called "Through," designed to guide individuals in their healing journey. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on finding hope, healing, and wholeness in the aftermath of spiritual trauma.  About Brian Lee Brian Lee is a pastor, coach, and speaker. In his 20+ years of experience in vocational ministry, he experienced three instances of spiritual abuse and toxic leadership. After living with an identity of brokenness for too many years, he learned to recognize and embrace his belovedness. In 2023, he founded Broken to Beloved, a nonprofit organization that exists to provide practical resources for recovery from and safeguarding against spiritual abuse and religious trauma. He is a certified Trauma-Informed Coach (Centre for Healing) and holds a certification in Religious Trauma Studies from the Global Center for Religious Research. Based in Richmond, VA, Brian loves to go on mini-adventures with his family, exploring their neighborhood, community, and city with his family. As a coffee snob and addict, he could always use another cup. 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!

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 [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!

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 [https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Face-Finding-Another-Outside/dp/0310167604]."  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 [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!