Episode 399 - Ken Shigematsu, "How To Become Yourself"

Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick

Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick
Episode 399 - Ken Shigematsu, "How To Become Yourself"
May 18, 2026 Season 16 Episode 399
Michael John Cusick

Shame doesn't only live in the dark corners of a broken life. It lives just as quietly in the person everyone else envies — the one who has achieved everything and still wakes up feeling like it isn't enough.

Ken Shigematsu grew up moving between Japan, England, and Canada, carrying the weight of a shame-and-honor culture that most Western theology never addresses. In this conversation, he and Michael explore why deep grace is different from knowing grace is true, what it means to grow our capacity to actually receive love rather than deflect it, and why beauty and joy aren't spiritual extras — they are among the most direct routes out of shame and into the self God made.

Ken also shares the simple daily practice that, over 30 days, can literally rewire the neural networks that make it hard to feel loved by God — even when you believe it.

Ken Shigematsu is a pastor in Vancouver, Canada, and author of Now I Become Myself: How Deep Grace Heals Our Shame and Restores Our True Self.

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Thanks for listening!

Episode Artwork Episode 399 - Ken Shigematsu, "How To Become Yourself" 52:25 Episode Artwork Episode 398 - Michael John Cusick, "The Temptation of Jesus and Your Attachment" 34:23 Episode Artwork Episode 397 - Geoff Holsclaw, "Your Attachment Style Shapes How You See God" 1:03:45 Episode Artwork Episode 396 - Liz Hall, "Find Meaning In Suffering" 1:01:13 Episode Artwork Episode 395 - Jay Stringer, "How Our Deepest Longings Shape Love, Healing, and Transformation" 1:08:06 Episode Artwork Episode 394 - Brian Lee, "From Broken to Beloved: A Journey through Spiritual Healing" 52:09 Episode Artwork Episode 393 - Safe and Secure: Attachment Styles, Boundaries, and Spiritual Healing 39:16 Episode Artwork Episode 392 - Michael John Cusick, "Understand Safety and Boundaries in Attachment Relationships" 31:22 Episode Artwork Episode 391 - Ericka Anderson, "Freely Sober: Exploring Christian Perspectives on Alcohol" 30:29 Episode Artwork Episode 390 - Mark Batterson, "Gradually Then Suddenly" 36:09 Episode Artwork Episode 389 - Jay Stringer, "The Civil War of Desire: Exploring Longings, Growth, and Healing" 44:39 Episode Artwork Episode 388 - Michael John Cusick, "Exploring Sacred Attachment: Parenting, Healing, and Connection" 34:46 Episode Artwork Episode 387 - Michael John Cusick, "Exploring Sacred Attachment: Seen, Soothed, Safe, and Secure" 34:30 Episode Artwork Episode 386 - Michael John Cusick, "Exploring Sacred Attachment: The Trinity, Neuroscience, and Experiencing Divine Love" 30:51 Episode Artwork Episode 385 - Julianne & Michael John Cusick, "Navigating Trauma and Healing in Neurodiverse Relationships" 30:20 Episode Artwork Episode 384 - Julianne & Michael John Cusick, "A Deeper Look Into Neurodiverse Marriages" 33:36 Episode Artwork Episode 383 - Christine Wolf Hoover, "Soul Adventuring: Embracing Bravery, Joy, and Healing" 35:03 Episode Artwork Episode 382 - "Transformational Weekend for Men" 33:13 Episode Artwork Episode 381 - Alan Fadling, "A Non-Anxious Life: Experiencing the Peace of God's Presence" 36:37 Episode Artwork Episode 380 - Michael & Julianne Cusick, "Deep Dive Into Intensive Counseling" 42:48 Episode Artwork Episode 379 - Dr. J.R. Briggs, "The Art of Asking Better Questions" 42:06 Episode Artwork Episode 378 - Rev. Dr. Dennis Edwards, "Finding Hope Through Brokenness" 28:21 Episode Artwork Episode 377 - Bette Dickinson, "The Art of Vinemaking" 47:12 Episode Artwork Episode 376 - Michael John Cusick & Ian Morgan Cron, "The 12 Steps for Everyone" 43:45 Episode Artwork Episode 375 - Tony Kriz, "From Trauma to Triumph: Literacy's Role in Healing" 41:28