Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick, where today we’re diving deep once again with Peter Zaremba into the transformative power of the Welcoming Prayer. This practice is your toolkit to embracing difficult emotions right where you are – focus on the emotion, welcome it with open arms, and surrender it actively to God. Our experiences and insights reveal how welcoming your feelings, not the circumstances, can shift your perspective and connect you deeper to divine peace. It's not about the noise around you but the stillness within you. Transform fear into love, chaos into serenity, and unrest into a profound sense of presence.

Join us as we welcome and surrender to the uncomfortable – turning every moment into an opportunity for growth and connection with the ever-present love of God.

 HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Episode 288 - Michael with Peter Zaremba, "7 Toxic Outcomes of Maintaining Control"
Episode 289 - Michael with Peter Zaremba, "Releasing Control, Embracing Serenity"
Episode 290 - Rob Mathes, "Bridging the Sacred and Secular: A Chat with Rob Mathes" 

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Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul.

Today, we welcome the extraordinarily gifted Rob Mathes, a true maestro who has woven his life around the threads of music, working with legends across genres from classical to hip-hop and transforming the sacred into song. Rob's annual Christmas concert, celebrating its 30th anniversary this weekend, has been a melting pot of musical styles, capturing the essence of his spiritual journey through soulful melodies and collaborations with icons like Vanessa Williams, Michael McDonald, and David Sanborn.

In Michael's conversation with Rob, you’ll discover the profound personal significance behind his song "Although It Is the Night," inspired by St. John of The Cross’s poem “Dark Night of the Soul”. Rob will also take us behind the scenes of his work with musical giants such as Bruce Springsteen and the incomparable Stevie Wonder. 

This is more than a conversation; it's a journey through the soulful symphony of life and faith with Rob Mathes as our guide. 

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Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In today's conversation, we dive into the practice of releasing our grip on judgment, control, and attachment to outcomes. Peter Zaremba shares an eye-opening personal account of encountering an irritating traveler, prompting a reflection on his quick-to-judge nature. This episode explores the liberating concept of being fully present in the moment and the pitfalls of becoming entangled with future expectations.

Together with Michael, the conversation unfolds to reveal the challenges and benefits of detachment—from mental, emotional, and physical standpoints. We'll hear how expectations can cloud our holiday experiences and the transformative shift when we move from expectation to hopeful possibility. The discussion also delves into the significance of the Serenity Prayer, the wisdom of the Twelve Steps in recovery, and Michael's morning routine of surrender and letting go—all as paths to finding true peace and contentedness.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Episode 288 - Michael with Peter Zaremba, "7 Toxic Outcomes of Maintaining Control"

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Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. Today, Peter Zaremba is our guest, and we'll dive into the intricate topic of control and its negative impact. Control has become a paramount issue, particularly during the pandemic and times of global upheaval. It's a universal human condition, a survival mechanism, but often, the desire to control is tethered to our outcomes, and that's where things start getting complicated. 

Join us as we share our journeys with control, our struggles, and the toll it has taken on our well-being. It's not always easy to accept what we can't control, but there's a certain liberation in letting go. We'll explore the concept of the 'circle of control' - envisioning those things squarely under our control and those that aren't. 

As we meditate on our collective challenges with outcomes and control, we'll face the hard truth - that our happiness doesn't stem from our control over outcomes. We'll explore the confusing difference between a healthy desire for change and an unhealthy attachment to results. We'll delve into how our craving for control can lead to emotional turmoil, relationship struggles, and even addictive behaviors. 

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Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In today's conversation, we connect with Kevin Triplett, whose powerful transformation journey moves from despair to redemption. Kevin opens up about how he navigated through life marked by racism, struggled with addiction, attempted to find validation in the wrong places, and finally found solace in God's grace.

Kevin's deeply personal journey reminds us that our brokenness is not a barrier but a bridge to an abundance of freedom, joy, and wholeness. He demonstrates his strength in vulnerability by sharing his darkest moments and how they became catalysts for change—a change that has not only touched his life but has nudged him to contribute to men's healing journeys. Join us as we delve into Kevin's self-discovery, faith, and redemption story.

As the holiday season unfolds, consider embracing a new beginning for healing in the upcoming year. We are excited to announce that registration is available for the Restoring the Soul Men's Intensive Weekend from February 22-25, 2024, in Monument, Colorado. As a way of saying "thanks!" to our podcast listeners, we're offering an exclusive $200 discount on the regular price for those who sign up before December 25th. To take full advantage of this special opportunity, visit restoringthesoulweekend.com, navigate to the registration page, and use the code 'weekend24' during checkout.

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Welcome back to another episode on Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In today's episode, we dive into deep end of church ministry and more specifically, the challenging transition between pastoral roles and secular roles. We explore the complex dynamics of leaving the community you've shepherded - the pain, resentment, and pressure to support still a church you've supposedly been let go from.

Our guest today is Kevin Tracy, a former designer at Hallmark. He then spent his significant years in Peru involved in the church community, half of which was spent pastoring various churches upon his return to the States. He offers coaching programs to help people integrate Scripture into the workplace and navigate the transition process after leaving the ministry.

We discuss the tension between meeting immediate needs and thinking long-term, the value of counseling, and personal experiences of trauma. We also underscore the skills gained through ministry roles that are transferrable and valuable in the marketplace. Kevin talks about his six essential steps for transitioning out of ministry, starting with clarifying the reason for leaving.

We touch on controversial themes, including challenges posed by non-disclosure agreements and bullying tactics used by organizations. We end by sharing the resourceful website noholyhandcuffs.com and discussing the importance of creating a safe space for vulnerability, taking ownership of healing, and envisioning a healthier, more fulfilling future.

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Welcome to another episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." In today's episode, we dive deep into suffering, hope, and the transformative power of relationships. Join us as we explore the intricate connections between our understanding of God's glory, the importance of vulnerability, and the development of character. Curt Thompson shares insights from his book that shed new light on old truths, bringing a fresh perspective on suffering. We'll also discuss the role of community and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the process of healing and transformation.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Curt Thompson website
The Deepest Place: Suffering and the Formation of Hope

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On this edition of Restoring the Soul, Michael has the opportunity to participate in a webinar with Robby Angle and the team from TrueFace titled “Breaking Your Cycle, A Grace-Based Approach To Walking Together Through Unwanted Behaviors.”

All of us have struggled with an addiction or an unwanted behavior that we just can’t seem to stop. Often, in desperation or exhaustion, we tell someone. Unfortunately, many of us aren’t sure what to do next. In this webinar, Michael and Robby discuss a grace-based approach to walking with another person through unwanted behaviors and toward freedom. This approach will teach you to focus on the person instead of the problem.

Click here to view the video of the webinar.

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We're pleased to welcome our good friend, Alan Fadling, to the podcast. In this thought-provoking conversation, Michael and Alan dive into the current state of the world, particularly in light of recent events in Israel and Gaza. They explore the idea of finding inner peace amidst global turmoil and the teachings of Jesus as a source of guidance and comfort. 

Alan shares insights from his upcoming book and draws parallels between the turbulent times that Jesus lived in and our present reality. Join us as we discuss navigating anxiety, distractions, and the overwhelming influx of information in today's digital age. 

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Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In today's episode, titled "From Infidelity to Intensives: Ben Wilson's Path to Healing and Helping Others," a special guest is joining us. Ben Wilson, a Restoring the Soul Intensive therapist and a longtime acquaintance of our host, Michael. Ben shares his journey and what led him to join the Restoring the Soul team and participate in their men's intensive programs. He also discusses his experience in working with couples dealing with infidelity and the book he wrote on the subject. 

Throughout the conversation, Ben emphasizes the importance of addressing deep longings and unhealthy strategies in our lives and the role of facing pain and suffering in true transformation. Ben's varied background, from being a golfer to completing the grueling Iron Man race, adds to the richness of his perspective. So, get ready to dive deep into the complexities of the human heart and discover how restoration is possible even in the midst of deep pain. 

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