Overcoming the past.Healing the present.Building a better future.
Wisdom From the Wreckage
A memoir by Michael J. Kalous
A powerful true story of survival, faith, and restoration—offering hope to anyone navigating the pain of the past and reaching for a better tomorrow.
About the book
Michael J. Kalous was born in a car on a cold Montana morning. What followed was a childhood marked by abuse, abandonment, and neglect. Wisdom From the Wreckage is the true story of how he survived it, and how faith, hard-won insight, and the people who loved him helped him grow into a man who cares deeply about others.
Michael has spent more than 25 years as a counselor, listening to people's stories. He writes not as someone with all the answers, but as a guide who has walked the road himself, with practical tools for anyone ready to overcome the past, heal the present, and build a better future.
- Author
- Michael J. Kalous
- Publisher
- Page Publishing
- Published
- April 24, 2026
- Length
- 200 pages
- ISBN
- 9798899220968
Who it's for
This book is for you if...
- You lived through abandonment, instability, abuse, or neglect, and you are ready to understand it and heal.
- Someone you love is carrying that kind of past, and you want to know how to walk alongside them.
- You are working to rebuild trust and connection in a marriage, family, or friendship.
- You are looking for hope rooted in faith, from someone who has walked the road himself.
The Story Behind the Book
Wisdom From the Wreckage in 60 Seconds
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is Wisdom From the Wreckage about?
It is Michael J. Kalous's true story of surviving abuse, abandonment, and neglect, beginning with his birth in a car on a cold Montana morning, and of the faith and relationships that helped him heal. Along the way he shares practical tools for overcoming the past, healing the present, and building a better future.
Who is this book for?
Anyone who has experienced abandonment, instability, or abuse, and anyone supporting a loved one who has. It is also for readers working to rebuild their marriages, families, and other close relationships.
Is it a memoir or a self-help book?
Both. It is a memoir of Michael’s own life, written by a counselor who has spent more than 25 years listening to other people’s stories, so it also offers practical tools readers can use in their own healing.
Is it a faith-based book?
Yes. Michael is a Christian counselor, and faith is central to his story of survival and restoration.
Who is Michael J. Kalous?
Michael J. Kalous is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Christian counselor, author, and TEDx Helena speaker based in Helena, Montana. He and his wife, Kari, have been married more than 36 years and raised four children.
How long is the book, and when was it published?
Wisdom From the Wreckage is 200 pages. It was published by Page Publishing on April 24, 2026.
Where can I buy it?
It is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Page Publishing, and Tertulia, and wherever books are sold. ISBN 9798899220968.
Can this book replace counseling?
No. The book shares Michael’s story and tools that many readers find helpful, but it is not a substitute for working with a counselor or doctor. If you are in crisis in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.