Welcome to another episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." In today's podcast, Michael continues his conversation with Dr. Janelle Hallman, diving deep into the practice of mindfulness and its transformative power. In this episode, Janelle opens up about her struggle with feeling disconnected from her body and how mindfulness played a crucial role in her journey towards reconnection. Together, they explore the significance of paying attention to bodily sensations, how our bodies help us understand and process emotions, and the concept that "everything belongs."

Listen to the first half of the conversation -> Episode 357 - Dr. Janelle Hallman, "Mindfulness and the Presence of God, Part 1"

Michael and Janelle also discuss the integration of body, mind, and spirit, emphasizing the importance of being present and cultivating a relationship with God. Janelle guides listeners through a mindful breathing exercise, encouraging us to redirect our attention from mental chatter to the present moment. Discover how mindfulness supports spiritual growth and healing from trauma and brings a compassionate and nonjudgmental perspective into everyday life. Tune in and learn how setting your mind on the things above can lead to meaningful and practical changes that restore the soul.

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Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. Joining Michael is Alan Kraft, who will delve into the spiritually nourishing practice of scripture meditation and its power to let the Holy Spirit speak directly to our hearts.

In today's episode, titled "The Intimate God," Alan unravels his spiritual trifecta — stillness, prayer, and scripture — to cultivate a profound connection with the Father. We'll explore how scripture is a gateway to a relational experience with Jesus, offering insights into his nature and deepening our knowledge of His love.

We'll also discuss Alan's thought-provoking approach of slowly reading scripture and integrating prayer, inviting reflection, and an open dialogue with Jesus through the pages of the Bible. The concept of "practicing the presence of Jesus" emerges as a transformative method to bring Jesus into the entirety of our experiences, even the difficult emotions, as a path to growth and prayer.

We touch on the significance of stillness, as echoed in the Psalms and the book of Genesis, carving out space to gaze within and commune with our Creator, and how this practice informs a genuine personal reality.

Finally, we'll touch upon Sabbath, emphasizing it as a treasured time of self-care ordained by God, an invitation to rest in gratitude rather than an obligation.

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Welcome to another episode of Restoring the Soul. Alan Kraft is joining Michael on today's podcast. Alan has served as lead pastor of Christ Community Church since 1990. He is passionate about teaching, writing, and prayer to help people experience Jesus in transformative ways. He holds an MDiv degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Alan and his wife Raylene live in Greeley, Colorado, and love hanging out with their ever-growing family. He enjoys playing golf, drinking sweet tea, watching British crime dramas with his wife, and doing ministry with the amazing staff at Christ Community.

In this episode, "The Intimate God," we're exploring the transformative power of experiencing God's love and the practical ways this can reshape our lives and our congregations. We'll tackle some challenging issues facing the body of Christ, such as the gap between knowing God and genuinely experiencing His love. Alan will offer insights from his journey and his newest book, "The Intimate God," which offers a practical guide for encountering the God who delights in us.

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Welcome to another episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." Today, we welcome Dr. Janelle Hallman back to the podcast. Janelle serves on the team at Restoring the Soul and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, ordained minister, professor, author, and speaker on issues such as redemption, healing, and wholeness. Janelle has taught courses at Colorado Christian University and Denver Seminary. She received her MA in Counseling from Denver Seminary and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University.

In today's conversation, Dr. Hallman takes us on a journey through the power of mindfulness as a fundamental way of being, far beyond mere stress reduction. She also shares how her love for birdsong led her to embrace mindfulness and teach others to find relaxation in nature's melodies. Together with Michael, they explore the benefits of practicing the presence of God and being truly present and how these spiritual practices can rewire our brains and reduce reactivity.

So, whether you're struggling to embody the tenets of your faith in daily life or looking for a deeper connection with your inner self and the world around you, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical wisdom. Let's embark on this journey of restoring the soul with mindfulness and presence.

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Welcome to another episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." In today's episode, part two of our conversation with Peter Zaremba, we explore the concepts of control, powerlessness, and acceptance. Michael opens with the profound Serenity Prayer, elegantly setting the tone for discussions on letting go and embracing peace through acceptance.

Our dialogue delves deep into the biblical teachings on contentment and the spiritual wisdom of the 12-step program. Peter shares his transformative experiences, discovering strength in acknowledging powerlessness and trusting a greater power. Michael breaks down the "circle of control" and explores the mental and emotional shifts required for true detachment from outcomes.

Together, we reflect on balancing brain functions to foster greater awareness and approach life with joy rather than stress. We also touch on the transformative impact of the 12-step practices in daily life, from personal prayer routines to handling emotional pain and judgment.

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Welcome to another episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." In today's thought-provoking conversation, Michael sits down with our good friend Peter Zaremba to explore the profound themes of self-confession, freedom, and the intricate dance between control and acceptance. They delve into the notion of attachment to outcomes and how this affects our mental health, relationships, and overall sense of well-being.

Through personal anecdotes and biblical references, Michael and Peter discuss the detrimental impacts of turning desires into demands, which can lead to transactional relationships and emotional turmoil. The episode highlights the importance of understanding our "circle of control," shedding light on what we can influence directly and what lies beyond our grasp.

Join us as we navigate the complexities of seeking freedom from compulsive behaviors, thought patterns, and the universal human condition of needing control. This episode promises to offer profound insights and practical wisdom for anyone looking to restore their soul and live a more liberated life.

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Welcome back to Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In today’s episode, Michael welcomes friend and fellow leader Robby Angle for an engaging conversation about Robby’s new book, The Path: What if the Way of Jesus is Different Than You Thought?—a collaborative work designed to help the next generation rediscover grace, true identity, and the heart of discipleship.

Together, Michael and Robby dive into how our cultural assumptions about Jesus and our spiritual journey might be missing the mark. The discussion explores why so many of us, especially young adults, get stuck striving for God’s approval or sliding into spiritual passivity, and how learning to trust and receive God’s love changes everything. They reflect on the importance of authentic community, the dangers of approaching spiritual disciplines as a “how-to-get-better” manual, and how a shift from outside-in to inside-out spiritual growth can lead to real transformation.

As they unpack themes from Robby’s book and his work with Trueface, you’ll also hear their thoughts on the deeper mystery of encountering God, why relationships are foundational for lasting change, and how churches can cultivate environments that foster true discipleship.

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Welcome back to Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick. In today’s episode, Michael sits down with Tara Owens, author of Embracing the Body: Finding God in Our Flesh and Bone, for a rich conversation about the intersection of faith, embodiment, and the profound ways our physical selves connect us to God. Together, they explore how centuries of Christian teaching have shaped our views of the body, often separating the spiritual from the physical, and what it looks like to reclaim embodied living as part of spiritual wholeness.

Tara shares deeply from her own story, reflecting on the journey toward befriending her body, wrestling with illness, and moving beyond inherited theologies that diminish the goodness of our physicality. Michael and Tara discuss the ongoing relevance of Jesus’s embodiment—his exhaustion, pain, and friendships—and how this shapes our understanding of being human and spiritual.

Touching on themes like Gnosticism, church history, touch deprivation in our society, and the real-life struggles of finding God amid physical limitations, this episode is a vulnerable invitation to embrace the sacredness of our skin and bones.

Whether you’re curious about embodiment, recovering from damaging messages about your body, or simply longing for a deeper spiritual connection, this conversation illuminates the wholeness available when we find God not despite our bodies but through them. Plus, Tara offers insights into her ministry, Anam Cara, and the role of spiritual direction in nurturing soulful friendship with God.

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ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:
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