Explore every episode of the podcast Being Human with Steve Cuss

Bad news isn’t the main story of the church. On Being Human, Steve Cuss talks with pastor Ryan Keating and Resource Global founder Tommy Lee about faith in action—from feeding thousands of refugees in Turkey to equipping Christian leaders and expanding access to education in Indonesia. As part of the “God’s Expansive Kingdom” series, these conversations explore global ministry, faith and work, and the lasting impact of small, faithful investments in people. Discover how noticing God at work can interrupt anxiety, renew hope, and help you see fresh possibilities in your own community. Episode Resources: Learn about & support Resource Global Learn about Fellowship Church in Connecticut Learn about Doctor Share Timothy Keller’s Every Good Endeavor More about Tommy Lee More about Ryan Keating Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this recap episode of Being Human, hosts Steve and Lisa Cuss explore how God's kingdom expands through mental health ministry and spiritual formation. They highlight innovative church-based counseling models, including a "clinic in a box" concept, and community mental health collectives. The episode features interviews with clinical counselor Alex Thompson and Doug McKelvie, writer of the Every Moment Holy liturgy series. They discuss how ancient prayers provide grounding for modern struggles. Steve and Lisa also share personal stories of global ministry encounters, life-giving habits, and the power of liturgical prayer to connect believers across generations and cultures. Episode Resources: Learn about: Women Leaders Alliance Build your Life Giving List Partner with Cumberland Counseling Centers Douglas McKelvey’s Every Moment Holy Douglas McKelvey’s Every Moment Holy: Rites of Passage Book of Common Prayer (online version) Thomas Keating’s contemplative prayer Explore the Hope Collective More from Alexandra Thompson: More about Alexandra Thompson, LCSW More from Douglas McKelvey: Every Moment Holy Website Every Moment Holy Liturgy Downloads Every Moment Holy Live Experience Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss speaks with Douglas McKelvey, author of the Every Moment Holy series—books offering liturgical prayers for everyday and significant life moments. Both share personal journeys from skepticism toward formal liturgy to discovering its deep spiritual value. Douglas recounts how the Book of Common Prayer transformed his faith during a period of theological uncertainty, while Steve reflects on his experience as a hospital chaplain. They explore the power of communal liturgy, the specificity of prayers for modern moments, and how Douglas's latest volume, Rites of Passage, helps young adults connect with God throughout life's transitions. Episode Resources: Douglas McKelvey’s Every Moment Holy Douglas McKelvey’s Every Moment Holy: Rites of Passage Book of Common Prayer (online version) More about Andrew Peterson Scripture Referenced: Psalm 131 ESV More from Douglas McKelvey: Every Moment Holy Website Every Moment Holy Liturgy Downloads Every Moment Holy Live Experience Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss chats with Alexandra Thompson, founder of Cumberland Counseling Centers, a Georgia-based nonprofit embedding state-licensed counseling clinics inside local churches. Alex introduces her "clinic in a box" model, which allows churches to launch professional mental health services within weeks. The conversation covers trauma healing, EMDR therapy, faith integration, and the church's historical role as a community healing center.  Episode Resources: More about Alexandra Thompson, LCSW Partner with Cumberland Counseling Centers Overview of EMDR What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? Scripture Referenced: Mark 12:30-31 ESV Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss launches the new theme "God's Expansive Kingdom." Drawing from years of international travel, Steve shares inspiring stories of Christians making a difference worldwide—from floating hospitals in Southeast Asia to a small women's Bible study group running a halfway house for former inmates. He also addresses the prevalence of negative narratives about the church online, acknowledging that abuse must be exposed while cautioning against cynicism and shame-driven reporting. Steve emphasizes that despite troubling headlines, countless faithful believers are quietly and powerfully advancing God's kingdom globally. Episode Resources: Steve Cuss’s Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs Scripture Referenced: Luke 18:9–14 ESV Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, Steve and Lisa Cuss explore how politics, social media, and the stories we tell ourselves shape who we become. Pastor and political analyst Ryan Burge explains how social media amplifies political extremes, distorts public discourse, and increasingly allows partisanship to shape religious identity. Jessie Cruickshank and Julia Schmaltz, co-authors of Becoming Good News, unpack how internalized narratives, legalism, perfectionism, and the Christian “Übermensch” ideal—the pressure to become a superhuman believer—can hinder spiritual growth. Steve and Lisa use these conversations to offer a path toward self-awareness, grace, presence, and embracing weakness as essential to genuine faith and transformation. Original Episodes: Being Human: How Memory, Identity, and Story Shape Discipleship with Jessie Cruickshank & Julia Schmaltz Being Human: How Politics Hijacked the Pulpit with Ryan Burge Ryan Burge’s The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us Jessie Cruickshank & Julia Schmaltz’s Becoming Good News: Reimagining Discipleship Through Identity, Story, and Science Nietzsche’s concept of the Übermensch More from Ryan Burge: Ryan’s Graphs about Religion Ryan on X (formerly Twitter) More from Jessie Cruickshank and Julia Schmaltz: Jessie Cruickshank’s Ordinary Discipleship podcast Julia Schmaltz’s Sermons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Steve Cuss welcomes physician Eric Shoemaker to explore the intersection of physical health, neuroscience, and spiritual fitness. Eric explains how injury and pain recovery mirror emotional and spiritual healing, and breaks down the difference between the body's "threat" and "challenge" responses, showing how faith can reshape our nervous system's reactions. Steve and Eric discuss whole-body discipleship, identity in Christ, and practical micro-habits to help rewire the brain toward trust over fear.  Episode Resources: Eric’s article The Neurobiology of Victory: How the physical reality of performance reveals the spiritual power of faith   Dan Allender’s Leading with a Limp: Take Full Advantage of Your Most Powerful Weakness Scripture Referenced: Genesis 32:22-32 (ESV) More from Eric Shoemaker: Eric Shoemaker’s Substack: The Divine Design Lab Follow Eric on instagram Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss is joined by pastor and Harvard-trained brain scientist Jessie Cruickshank and first-time guest Julia Schmaltz to explore whether changing our internal narratives can enable transformation. Jessie and Julia discuss their co-authored book, Becoming Good News, and examine spiritual growth and discipleship through the lenses of theology, neuroscience, and personal experience. They challenge unrealistic “superhuman” expectations in church culture, advocate for grace-based discipleship, and emphasize that spiritual maturity means becoming more fully who God created us to be—joyful, childlike, and close to Jesus. Episode Resources: Jessie Cruickshank & Julia Schmaltz’s Becoming Good News: Reimagining Discipleship Through Identity, Story, and Science Jessie Cruickshank’s Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Nobel lecture: The Quest for Peace and Justice Nietzsche’s concept of the Übermensch Jessie Cruickshank’s previous appearance on Being Human: Episode 171 Scripture Referenced: 2 Corinthians 3 (ESV) Psalm 139 (ESV) More from: Jessie Cruickshank’s Ordinary Discipleship podcast Julia Schmaltz’s Sermons Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss speaks with political scientist and pastor Ryan Burge about his book The Vanishing Church. They explore how American Christianity has become increasingly radicalized by political partisanship, the role of social media algorithms in amplifying extreme voices, and the disappearance of moderate congregations. Burge discusses how partisanship now shapes religious identity rather than the reverse, the impact of COVID had on churches, and how the church has become a "hospital for the healthy."  Episode Resources: Ryan Burge’s The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us Michael Wear’s CT review of Ryan’s work on the “big church sort” Pew research: How the Pandemic Has Affected Attendance at U.S. Religious Services A Look at The Donatist controversy Who was Count Zinzendorf? Scripture Referenced: 1 John 1:5 (ESV)  Matthew 20:16; Luke 13:30; Mark 10:31 (ESV) Mark 2:17 (ESV) More from Ryan Burge: Ryan’s Graphs about Religion Ryan on X (formerly Twitter) Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special travelogue episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss records from Tinos, Greece, where he discovered a profound Orthodox Christian pilgrimage tradition. Pilgrims crawl a half-mile uphill to a famous church, seeking healing. Steve reflects on desperation, hope, and faith across traditions, he draws on MLK's words: "If you can't walk, crawl—but keep moving forward." He invites listeners to consider their own pace and bring their whole selves to God. Episode Resources: Learn about Christian Missionary Fellowship International Read about the church of Our Lady of Tinos, Greece History of Our Lady of Tinos (Panagia Evangelistria) More about Fred Craddock Scripture Referenced: Revelation 21:5 (ESV) 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts Steve and Lisa Cuss address listener questions about navigating judgmental believers, generational anger, and caregiving burnout. They encourage listeners to define their own positions without trying to change others, explore emotions beneath anger, and build connections through small, consistent moments. Steve and Lisa  also revisit recent guests Matt Smallbone and Jenny Brown to offer insights on relating to strong personalities, praying the Lord's Prayer intentionally, and recognizing unhealthy family patterns.  Episode Resources: Matt Smallbone’s The Prayer Experiment: How Praying Like Jesus Realigns Everything - Our Thoughts, Our Hearts, and Our Posture Toward God and the World Jenny Brown’s The Parenting Paradox: Loving Our Children by Giving Them Space to Grow Explore the Enneagram Brad Gray & Brad Nelson’s Bringing Heaven Here: How The Lord's Prayer Can Change Your Life and Our World  Brad Gray: The Lord's Prayer (documentary) What is the Anger Iceberg Scripture Referenced: The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6:9–13 (ESV) Read Matthew 7:3–5 ESV More From Matt Smallbone: Matt Smallbone’s website Church of the City Downtown teaching podcast More From Jenny Brown: Jenny Brown’s Website Jenny Brown’s Author Page Jenny Brown’s Growing Yourself Up: How to bring your best to all of life's relationships Parent Hope Project Parent Hope Podcast Family Systems Institute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Steve Cuss speaks with theologian Dr. Andrew Ollerton about his book God's Book: An Honest Look at the Bible's Seven Toughest Topics. They discuss the importance of honestly engaging with difficult biblical passages rather than avoiding them, and how wrestling with tough questions can deepen faith. Andrew shares his own intellectual and emotional struggles, including reconciling science with Genesis and coping with loss. They also explore the role of community, spiritual practices, and humility in staying connected to God. Episode Resources: Andrew Ollerson’s God’s Book: An Honest Look at the Bible’s 7 Toughest Topics More about Bear Grylls  Scripture Referenced: Genesis 3 (ESV) Matthew 1:1–17 (ESV) Genesis 1–2 (ESV) Joshua 6 (ESV) The Book of Job (ESV) Genesis 28:10–22 (ESV) 2 Kings 6:8–23 (ESV) Luke 24:13–35 (ESV) Numbers 22:21–35 (ESV) Numbers 13–14 (ESV) Joshua 14:6–15  (ESV) More From Dr. Andrew Ollerton: Andrew Ollerton’s website  Learn more about Andrew Ollerton Andrew’s eight-session course: The Bible Course Andrew’s The Family Bible Course Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Steve Cus welcomes Lee C. Camp—professor, podcaster, and author—for a rich conversation about anxiety, systems theory, and human flourishing. Lee shares his personal journey with anxiety and depression, and how discovering differentiation through therapy transformed his relationships and emotional health. They explore legalism within the Churches of Christ tradition and its lasting emotional impact. The discussion also touches on societal reactivity, the purpose behind Lee's podcast No Small Endeavor, and the importance of creating hospitable spaces for honest dialogue. Lee closes with reflections on gliding, music, and simple morning rituals as grounding practices. Episode Resources: Malcolm Gladwell’s The Alabama Murders: Part 1: The True Church Steve Cuss’ Managing Leadership Anxiety David Schnarch’s Passionate Marriage David McCullough’s The Wright Brothers Books by Parker J. Palmer Books by Thomas Merton Murray Bowen’s family systems theory More about Differentiation of self Scripture Referenced: Mark 12:30–31 (ESV) More From Lee C. Camp: Lee C. Camp’s Scandalous Witness: A Little Political Manifesto for Christians Books by Lee C. Camp Listen to No Small Endeavor and The Subtext Sign up for Lee C. Camp’s newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Steve and Clarissa Moll explore how invisible dynamics like reactivity and anxiety affect leadership, relationships, and our connection with God. Steve shares six tools for diffusing reactivity—vulnerability, laughter, curiosity, clarity, love, and redirecting anxiety—while emphasizing playfulness as an underutilized organizational resource. They discuss how collective laughter and singing reset the nervous system, and how God's playful nature, reflected in creation, makes these habits spiritually meaningful. Episode Resources: More about Trisha Taylor More about The Chosen More about Ladysmith Black Mambazo  More From Clarissa Moll: Explore Clarissa Moll’s website Read Clarissa Moll’s substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Steve Cuss sits down with Matt Wenger for a candid conversation about addiction, intimacy, and healing. Together, they unpack the complexities of sexual addiction, the ripple effects it has on loved ones, and why recovery is best understood as a "team sport." Matt highlights the power of vulnerability, group support, and true intimacy as antidotes to the false connections addiction promises. Steve and Matt also shine a light on betrayal trauma experienced by partners, offering hope, empathy, and pathways toward healing for everyone impacted. Episode Resources: Explore Matt’s work at the Begin Again Institute Understanding the Signs and Causes of Betrayal Trauma Romans (from the New Testament) - It is mentioned in the context of discussing sin as an infection or condition rather than solely a moral issue. Read The Great Commandment (in Luke, Matthew, and Mark’s gospels) Read Romans 8:38-39  Read Romans 7 (Paul discuss sin struggles) More about Matt Wenger This episode of Being Human is from our vault. Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, Steve welcomes fellow Australian Matt Smallbone, a Nashville pastor and author of The Prayer Experiment. Matt shares how he overcame personal struggles with prayer—including a period of spiritual distance following a miscarriage—by committing to pray the Lord's Prayer multiple times daily. He explains it as a framework for reorienting from reactivity to connection with God. The conversation also explores family-of-origin dynamics, including the assets and liabilities of growing up in a pastor's household. Episode Resources: Matt Smallbone’s The Prayer Experiment: How Praying Like Jesus Realigns Everything - Our Thoughts, Our Hearts, and Our Posture Toward God and the World Dallas Willard's Teaching on Prayer Doctor Daniel Amen's Social Media Insights Church of the City: Downtown Nashville The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6:9–13 (ESV) Jon Tyson’s sermon: Teach Us To Pray: Pray What You’ve Got More From Matt Smallbone: Matt Smallbone’s website Church of the City Downtown teaching podcast Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss welcomes Australian family systems expert and author Jenny Brown to discuss her new book, The Parenting Paradox. Steve and Jenny weave together family systems theory, faith, and practical parenting wisdom. They explore how parents can reduce anxiety by focusing on their own growth rather than trying to fix their children. Key topics include managing reactivity, setting healthy boundaries, navigating social media challenges, and parenting adult children and grandchildren. Jenny emphasizes that parental success shouldn't be measured by a child's behavior, but by a parent's own principles and self-awareness.  Episode Resources: Jenny Brown’s The Parenting Paradox: Loving Our Children by Giving Them Space to Grow Bowen Family Systems Theory’s Eight Concepts Understanding Differentiation of Self Tim Keller’s Counterfeit Gods Australia bans social media for children under 16 Read Matthew 7:3–5 ESV More From Jenny Brown: Jenny Brown’s Website Family Systems Institute Jenny Brown’s Growing Yourself Up: How to bring your best to all of life's relationships Parent Hope Project Parent Hope Podcast Jenny Brown’s Author Page Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, married couple Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith share their personal journey through Matthew's sexual addiction and the betrayal it caused in their marriage. Joanna, a marriage and family therapist, describes how a class on shame and guilt led to Matthew's confession. Together, they discuss the importance of honesty, self-awareness, and understanding family-of-origin patterns in achieving healing. Now co-authors and ministry leaders, they help other couples rebuild trust and intimacy after betrayal, emphasizing curiosity over judgment and offering hope for lasting restoration. Episode Resources: Joanna & Matthew Raabsmith & Dan Drake’s Building True Intimacy: Creating a connection that stands the test of time Explore the Raabsmith’s Intimacy Pyramid Faithful & True workshops and intensives More about Mark and Debbie Laaser Explore Restoring the Soul and Michael Cusick Explore RelateStrong at Pepperdine's Boone Center What is The Murray Method's Trauma Egg More From Matthew & Joanna Raabsmith:The Raabsmith’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, Steve and Clarissa Moll explore the concept of "life-giving habits" — intentional practices categorized into people, places, and activities that help reduce reactivity and deepen awareness of God's presence. Steve explains how building a personalized list of God-given pleasures, from micro-habits like holding a spouse's hand to larger experiences like fly fishing, transforms everyday moments into acts of worship and gratitude. The conversation highlights how these habits build resilience, support community, and transcend cultural boundaries, ultimately inviting listeners to recognize and receive God's gifts more intentionally. Episode Resources: Download Steve Cuss’s Life Giving List Steve Cuss’s Managing Leadership Anxiety G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)  More From Clarissa Moll: Explore Clarissa Moll’s website Read Clarissa Moll’s substack Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders Capable Life Newsletter Get the Assets & Liabilities pdf and the Life Giving List Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve and Lisa Cuss, we recap the current series on family of origin, exploring how inherited patterns shape us spiritually and emotionally. Brain surgeon Dr. Lee Warren explains neuroplasticity and synaptic pruning, showing how early experiences wire the brain. Father-son duo Judson and Ryan Poling share their journey of breaking generational cycles, while Clarissa Moll discusses family roles and how upbringing shapes our view of God. Steve and Lisa weave in attachment theory, genograms, and parenting insights, offering a blend of neuroscience, personal storytelling, and faith-based wisdom to guide listeners toward healing and transformation. Episode Resources: Genograms in Practice Explainer (pdf) Learn more about Attachment Theory Listen to Prayer, Neuroscience, and the Presence of God with Strahan Coleman More From Clarissa Moll: Explore Clarissa Moll’s website Read Clarissa Moll’s substack More From Dr. Lee Warren: Dr. Lee Warren’s The Life Changing Art of Self Brain Surgery Listen to The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast More From Judson & Ryan Poling: Books by Judson Poling Redwood Psychology Judson Poling’s articles at The Crucible Project Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Get the Communication Styles Guide https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, father and son Judson Poling, Ryan Poling explore masculinity, emotional health, and generational patterns. Judson, a Christian author and men's ministry leader, and Ryan, a clinical psychologist specializing in male identity, discuss why men struggle to access and express emotions, the socialization behind emotional suppression, and how unresolved family-of-origin patterns are passed down. They share personal reflections on their own relationship, including inherited strengths and liabilities, and emphasize that healing happens in community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss welcomes Dr. Lee Warren, neurosurgeon and author of The Life Changing Art of Self Brain Surgery. Drawing from his experiences as a military surgeon in Iraq and the devastating loss of his son, Dr. Warren explains how functional MRI technology revealed the profound mind-brain-body connection. He discusses how intentionally choosing our thoughts can literally restructure the brain—what he calls "self brain surgery"—and how concepts like selective attention and gratitude offer genuine agency over emotional suffering. The conversation also explores how deeply ingrained family patterns shape our thinking and faith. Episode Resources: Dr. Lee Warren’s The Life Changing Art of Self Brain Surgery Philippians 4:8 (ESV) Gabor Maté’s The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture  Functional MRI explainer More From Dr. Lee Warren: Listen to The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast Dr. Warren’s website Dr. Warren’s  No Place to Hide Dr. Warren’s  Hope Is the First Dose Dr. Warren’s  I've Seen the End of You Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, host Steve Cuss and Clarissa Moll explore how family of origin shapes behavior, workplace dynamics, and faith. They discuss family roles, birth order, triangulation, and unspoken emotional rules, examining how these patterns follow us into adulthood. Steve shares personal reflections on suppressing emotions and struggling to grieve, while Clarissa draws from her experience as a widowed parent. Together, they offer practical guidance on identifying triggers, finding trusted support, and using boundaries to pursue healing and freedom in Christ. Episode Resources: Genograms in Practice Explainer (pdf) Pete Scazzero’s Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Biography of Murray Bowen  Family Systems Theory’s Eight Concepts Circle of Permitted Emotions More From Clarissa Moll: Clarissa Moll’s The Bulletin podcast Explore Clarissa Moll’s website Read Clarissa Moll’s substack Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, hosts Steve and Lisa Cuss explore how upbringing shapes relationship dynamics, feelings of shame, and our faith. Guest Christine Caine shares her powerful journey through adoption trauma, childhood sexual abuse, and healing. Bible scholar Yana Jenay Conner reframes Jesus' "turn the other cheek" teaching as a dignified response to dehumanization. Steve and Lisa also address gaslighting and its impact on trust. Throughout, the episode emphasizes that family of origin work isn't about blame, but about pursuing healing, forgiveness, and flourishing rooted in God's transformative love. Episode Resources: Yana Jenay Conner’s Living Beyond Offence: Finding the Shalom of Jesus on the Path to Forgiveness Christine Cain’s The Faith to Flourish: God's Design for a Rooted, Resilient, and Fruitful Life More From Christine and Yanna: Other books by Christine Caine Christine Caine’s website Yana Jenay Conner’s website Yana Jenay Conner’s podcast ⁠Living Single with Yana Jenay⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cus sits down with Yana Jenay Conner, author of Living Beyond Offence: Finding the Shalom of Jesus on the Path to Forgiveness. They explore practical forgiveness, family of origin influences, and conflict avoidance. Yana shares insights on "turning the other cheek," the difference between hurt and harm, and setting boundaries the Jesus way. She also reflects personally on trust issues, self-reliance, and the challenge of praying for herself—revealing how childhood experiences shape our relationships with others and with God. Episode Resources: Yana Jenay Conner’s Living Beyond a Fence: Finding the Shalom of Jesus on the Path to Forgiveness Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend’s Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Check out The Bible Project Psalm 139 (ESV) More From Yana: Yana Jenay Conner’s website Yana Jenay Conner’s podcast ⁠Living Single with Yana Jenay⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, Steve Cuss talks with Christine Caine—speaker, bestselling author, and co-founder of A21—about her adoption story, childhood trauma, emotional healing, and identity in Christ. Christine shares how she discovered at age 33 that she was adopted, how she began healing from childhood sexual abuse, and how Scripture memorization helped renew her mind and strengthen her faith. She also reflects on the role of mentors Alan and Deb Hirsch in her recovery and discusses her book, The Faith to Flourish, explaining how the olive tree reveals God’s design for a rooted, resilient, and fruitful life—even in hardship. This conversation explores family of origin, Christian healing, resilience, and what it means to flourish in faith. Episode Resources: Christine Cain’s The Faith to Flourish: God's Design for a Rooted, Resilient, and Fruitful Life Dan Allender’s The Wounded Heart: Hope for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse More about Alan and Deb Hirsch More From Christine Caine: Other books by Christine Caine Christine Caine’s website Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss and monthly guest Clarissa Moll from The Bulletin explore how family-of-origin dynamics shape individuals' relationships with themselves, others, and God. Drawing on family systems theory, they discuss how families function as interconnected systems where dysfunction is shared rather than isolated. They introduce the genogram as a tool for mapping generational patterns, values, and beliefs. Emphasizing curiosity and kindness over blame, they encourage listeners to examine inherited "family propaganda" and discern how it aligns—or conflicts—with their Christian faith. Episode Resources: Genograms in Practice Explainer (pdf) Pete Scazzero’s Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Biography of Murray Bowen  Family Systems Theory’s Eight Concepts Scripture referenced: Genesis 28 (ESV) Luke 24 (ESV) Exodus 20:5–6 (ESV) Jeremiah 31:29 (ESV) Genesis 25–27 (ESV) More From Clarissa Moll: Clarissa Moll’s The Bulletin podcast Explore Clarissa Moll’s website Read Clarissa Moll’s substack Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, Steve and Lisa do a raw, provocative deeper dive into the current “family of origin” series. They feature standout insights from Shane Wood, Dr. Craig Mattson, and Justin Heap on trauma, Revelation, social media, marriage loops, and the inherited, subconscious beliefs secretly shaping your relationships with yourself, others, and God. The second half of this episode explores childhood wounds and abuse that remained buried for decades. There is definitely a hidden cost of unresolved pain—making it a must-listen for anyone exploring the Christian mental health space, family systems therapy, emotional healing, and faith-based relationship advice.  Episode Resources: Dr. Mattson’s Digital Overwhelm: A Mid-Career Guide to Coping at Work Substack: Shane J. Wood: Letters from the Desert Shane J. Wood’s website Shane J. Wood’s Between Two Trees: Our Transformation from Death to Life Justin’s Nine Spaces Enneagram Coaching Justin’s Lines & Spaces podcast Read Justin’s book By & By & Never: Poetry & Art Being Human episode: “Are You Carrying Your Family's Emotional Baggage? with Steve & Lisa Cuss” Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, Steve  interviews Dr. Craig Mattson, professor and author of "Digital Overwhelm." They explore how technology and workplace pressures affect early-career professionals, discuss generational differences in resilience and anxiety, and reflect on the impact of family upbringing on personal and spiritual life. Craig shares insights from his research, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, presence, and community.  Episode Resources: Dr. Mattson’s Digital Overwhelm: A Mid-Career Guide to Coping at Work Dr. Mattson’s Calvin College Professor Bio Jonathan Malesic’s End of Burnout: Why Work Drains Us and How to Build Better Lives Jonathan Malesic’s Burnout Culture Aristotle’s Poetics More About Hannah Arendt Being Human episode: “Are You Carrying Your Family's Emotional Baggage? with Steve & Lisa Cuss” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, Steve talks with New Testament scholar Shane J. Wood about the book of Revelation and its relevance today. He reflects on how vulnerability and sacrificial love—not power or aggression—are central to Christian faith and transformation. Their conversation weaves together biblical insights, personal stories of trauma and healing, and reflections on family of origin. The episode explores how unhealed pain is passed down, the importance of bringing wounds into the light, and the church’s unique role in fostering wisdom, openness, and hope in a turbulent world. Episode Resources: Shane J. Wood’s Thinning the Veil: Encountering Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation Genesis 3 (ESV) 2 Peter 3 (ESV) Matthew 5-7 (ESV) More About Walter Brueggemann More From: Substack: Shane J. Wood: Letters from the Desert Shane J. Wood’s website Shane J. Wood’s Between Two Trees: Our Transformation from Death to Life Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, Steve interviews Justin Heap, an Enneagram coach and creative consultant, about the impact of his turbulent upbringing. Justin shares candidly about growing up amid parental conflict, frequent moves, and emotional turmoil, and how these experiences shaped his sense of safety, responsibility, and coping mechanisms. Together, they discuss the challenges of recognizing and processing childhood trauma, the influence of family dynamics on faith and relationships, and the ongoing journey toward healing and self-understanding through therapy and honest reflection. Episode Resources: More about Missio Alliance Enneagram Type Seven What is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)? More From Justin Heap: Justin’s Nine Spaces Enneagram Coaching Justin’s Lines & Spaces podcast Read Justin’s book By & By & Never: Poetry & Art Justin’s Pax Coworking Justin’s Curious Human creative consulting agency Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of "Being Human," hosts Steve and Lisa Cuss launch a new season focusing on family of origin that explores how inherited "assets and liabilities" shape our lives. They discuss family propaganda, permitted emotions, and generational traits, sharing personal stories about how these dynamics influence relationships and self-understanding. Emphasizing a gospel-centered approach, they encourage listeners to reflect on their own family patterns with compassion and curiosity, offering practical tools for growth.  Biblical Passages John 1:1–5 (ESV)  Exodus 20:5–6 (ESV) Deuteronomy 5:9 (ESV) Jeremiah 31:29 (ESV) Ezekiel 18:2 (ESV) Genesis 25–27 (ESV) Episode Resources: What is a genogram? More about the Family Systems Theory Family Diagram (Bowen Center) Pete Scazzero’s Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Human Sized Journal – Digital Edition (PDF Download)  Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, Steve and Lisa react to recent conversations and wrap up our series on communication styles. They explore the invisible dynamics that shape our relationships—with others, ourselves, and God. They discuss the transformative power of listening postures, emphasizing curiosity and spiritual presence. Clarissa Moll shares insights on vulnerability and judgment in communication, while additional guests, Zack Windahl and Andrew Arndt reflect on self-awareness and honesty before God. The Cusses highlight the importance of empathy, respect, and bringing truth to our inner lives. Biblical Passages James 1:19-20 (ESV) Episode Resources: Andrew Arndt’s A Strange and Gracious Light: How the Story of Jesus Changes the Way We See Everything Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov C.S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man Zach Windahl’s The Bible Simplified: Learn the Story, Live the Story More From Clarissa Moll: Clarissa Moll’s The Bulletin podcast Explore Clarissa Moll’s website Read Clarissa Moll’s substack Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of "Being Human with Steve Cuss," Steve and author and spiritual guide Andrew Arndt explore fallout from prominent Christian leaders' public confessions of wrongdoing. They explore the spiritual and psychological dynamics that lead to such failures, including the dangers of living a double life, the creation of a false self, and the importance of empathy and repentance. Andrew shares insights from his new book A Strange and Gracious Light: How the Story of Jesus Changes the Way We See Everything and reflects on personal growth, leadership, and the healing power of unconditional love within the church community. Steve and Andrew emphasize honesty, vulnerability, and the ongoing journey toward wholeness. Biblical Passages I Corinthians 13 (ESV) Luke 5:31 (ESV) Episode Resources: Andrew Arndt’s A Strange and Gracious Light: How the Story of Jesus Changes the Way We See Everything Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov Frederick Buechner’s Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale C.S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man Rich Mullins on Salvation and "God in His Mercy" (video) Henri Nouwen's In the Name of Jesus More From Andrew Arndt: Andrew Arndt’s Streams in the Wasteland: Finding Spiritual Renewal with the Desert Fathers and Mothers Andrew Arndt’s All Flame: Entering into the Life of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of "Being Human with Steve Cuss," Steve talks with Zach Windahl, author of The Bible Simplified. They discuss making the Bible more approachable, overcoming common misconceptions, and the emotional challenges of engaging with scripture. Zach shares his journey of faith and unique Bible reading practices. Steve and Zach offer practical encouragement for anyone feeling intimidated by Bible reading, highlighting the importance of authenticity, patience, and fresh approaches to scripture. Zach’s passion for simplifying complex topics and empowering readers shines throughout the episode. Episode Resources: Zach Windahl’s The Bible Simplified: Learn the Story, Live the Story Zach Windahl’s The Bible, Simplified Study Guide plus Streaming Video Zach Windahl’s Bible reading plan Zach Windahl’s 21 day Bible reading plan Pareto Principle Explained: How the 80/20 Rule Changes Everything Nathan Finochio’s website J.R. Briggs’ at Missio Alliance Infographic: How long does each Book of the Bible tale to read? More From Zach Windahl: Zach Windahl’s website How to Study the Bible (and Actually Enjoy It) Zach Windahl’s The Bible Study: A One-Year Study of the Entire Bible and How It Relates to You Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss and guest Clarissa Moll explore how different communication and listening styles shape our relationships. They discuss the impact of mental and emotional load, the importance of listening to learn rather than to fix or defend, and offer practical strategies for fostering empathy and connection. Steve shares personal experiences about self-awareness and emotional honesty, especially as a pastor, while both emphasize the transformative power of compassionate listening for individuals, families, and faith communities.  Biblical Passages James 1:19-20 (ESV) Psalm 139 (ESV) Episode Resources: Past Episode: Steve Cuss & Clarissa Moll: How Your Communication Style Fuels Reactivity—and How to Change It More From Clarissa Moll: Clarissa Moll’s The Bulletin podcast Explore Clarissa Moll’s website Read Clarissa Moll’s substack Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter New Candles and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, Steve and Lisa explore how communication styles—rigid vs. fluid, internal vs. external processing, and rapid vs. deliberative thinking—shape relationships, well-being, and spiritual growth. They share personal experiences, unpack how trauma and certainty can impact faith, and revisit recent conversations with Cheryl McKissick (a fifth-generation Black business leader) on family legacy and authenticity in predominantly white spaces; Adam Young on self-awareness, empathy, and spiritual disciplines for healthier connection with others and God; and Clarissa Moll (The Bulletin) in a thoughtful back-and-forth. Biblical Passages Psalm 139 (ESV) Episode Resources: Learn more about the McKissack firm Check out Cheryl Mc Kissack Daniel’s website Cheryl McKissack Daniel’s The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers Adam Young’s Make Sense of Your Story: Why Engaging Your Past with Kindness Changes Everything Adam Young’s website Adam Young’s The Places We Find Ourselves podcast More From Clarissa Moll: Clarissa Moll’s The Bulletin podcast Explore Clarissa Moll’s website Read Clarissa Moll’s substack Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter New Candles and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive: Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, Steve interviews Cheryl McKissack Daniel, a trailblazing African American architect and business leader. Cheryl shares her family’s remarkable 230-year legacy, beginning with her enslaved ancestor Moses McKissick. She discusses the challenges of leading a multi-generational Black-owned business, the importance of resilience, succession planning, and corporate culture, and her experiences navigating race and gender in the industry.  Episode Resources: Cheryl McKissack Daniel’s The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers More From Cheryl McKissack Daniel: Learn more about the McKissack firm Check out Cheryl Mc Kissack Daniel’s website Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter New Candles and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss interviews trauma counselor and author Adam Young about his book, Make Sense of Your Story. Together, they explore how personal stories and trauma shape relationships with ourselves, others, and God. Adam shares his own journey of understanding childhood wounds, the importance of self-kindness, and how faith can become entangled with coping mechanisms. They discuss the body’s role in healing, the impact of certainty in theology, and practical steps toward emotional freedom. The conversation offers hope, insight, and tools for listeners seeking healing and deeper connection. Biblical Passages Genesis 37-50 (ESV) -The Joseph Story Episode Resources: Nervous System Regulation What is Polyvagal Theory? Understanding the Window of Tolerance More From Adam Young: Adam Young’s Make Sense of Your Story: Why Engaging Your Past with Kindness Changes Everything Adam Young’s website Adam Young’s The Places We Find Ourselves podcast Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter New Candles and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this season-opening episode of Being Human, Steve Cuss and Clarissa Moll explore how communication styles can either fuel anxiety and reactivity—or reduce it through deeper connection. Instead of focusing on what we say, they examine how we say it: the hidden subtext, assumptions, and “static” that cause people (especially leaders, couples, and teams) to mishear one another. Steve shares a practical framework for identifying three key communication patterns—rigid vs. fluid, rapid vs. deliberate, and external vs. internal processing—and explains how these differences show up in marriages, workplaces, and conflict. The goal isn’t to label anyone as “right” or “wrong,” but to build awareness that leads to humility, curiosity, and spiritually grounded connection. Biblical Passages 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (ESV) Ephesians 4:26 (ESV)  Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter New Candles and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Get the Communication Styles Guide: https://capablelife.com/pages/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out what the “Six White Boomers” means for Australians during the holidays in this special Christmas week episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss. Steve gets cozy alongside The Bulletin co-hosts Russell Moore and Clarissa Moll for a candid, funny, and deeply comforting conversation about Advent, Christmas carols, and the “mental and emotional load” many people carry this season. Together they explore joy and grief at the manger, the hope of Emmanuel (God with us), and how the nativity story—through figures like Joseph, the shepherds, and the light in John 1—invites us to bring our whole selves to Jesus and be “human-sized” again.  Episode Resources: Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God How A Charlie Brown Christmas Almost Wasn’t (The New Yorker) Bing Crosby - Christmas Classics “In the Bleak Midwinter” (Christina Rossetti poem + Gustav Holst tune) Boney M’s Mary’s Boy Child https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/just-drop-the-blanket/ A Charlie Brown Christmas: Linus reciting Luke 2:8-20 Russell Moore’s Always Festivus and Never Christmas (article) White Christmas (movie trailer) The Bells of St. Mary’s (movie trailer) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (trailer) The Nightmare Before Christmas (“What’s This?” clip) Six White Boomers (Australian Christmas song about kangaroos) Wombat Divine (Australian children’s Christmas story) Biblical Passages Luke 2:8-10 (ESV) Matthew 2 (ESV) John 1 (ESV) Romans 8 (ESV) Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Get Your Copy: The Five Steps to Christmas Sanity PDF New Candles, Advent Prayers, and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Steve Cuss explores the mental and emotional burdens we carry, drawing on Jesus’ teaching about a light yoke. Reflecting on the Christmas story from Luke 2, Steve shares personal traditions and discusses how God enters our struggles. He connects the nativity’s humble setting to themes of power, history, and care for the marginalized. The episode blends spiritual insight, personal anecdotes, and cultural commentary, inviting listeners to find hope and rest during the Christmas season. Episode Resources: The Long and Winding Road moment from the Get Back documentary More about Augustus (63 BC - AD 14) Oh Holy Night performed by Vince Gill O Come, O Come Emmanuel performed by Shane & Shane Books & Biblical Passages Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV) - Jesus’ teaching about burden & yoke Luke 2:1–20  (ESV) - The birth of Jesus and its surrounding circumstances Philippians 2:5–11 (ESV) - Jesus took the form of a servant Luke 15:3–7 (ESV) - The parable of the lost sheep John 10:1–18 - The Good Shepherd Luke 10:25-37 (ESV) - The Good Samaritan Story Luke 2:41–52 (ESV) - the “lost boy Jesus”  Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Get Your Copy: The Five Steps to Christmas Sanity PDF New Candles, Advent Prayers, and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Join Steve at an Upcoming Intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts Steve and Lisa Cuss share five practical tips for maintaining emotional and mental well-being during the Christmas season. They discuss handling family tensions, grief, and the pressures of holiday preparations, emphasizing self-awareness, emotional preparation, and setting boundaries. Blending personal stories and spiritual reflections, they encourage listeners to notice their emotional states, manage reactions, and make space for both joy and sadness. The episode offers compassionate, human-sized advice to help listeners create a peaceful, connected, and meaningful holiday experience, even amid challenges.  Episode Resources: Secure your copy of The Five Steps to Christmas Sanity PDF Listen: Anxiety, the Nervous System, and Your Window of Tolerance: Lisa Cuss & Clarissa Moll John Chapter 1 (ESV)  Revelation 21:3-4 (Eugene Peterson’s The Message) AA Meeting Guidelines Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter New Candles, Advent Prayers, and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Join Steve at an upcoming intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Being Human, Lisa Cuss explores how anxiety and stress push us outside our God-given window of tolerance. With monthly co-host Clarissa Moll, Lisa unpacks how the nervous system reacts to overwhelm, the difference between hyperarousal and hypoarousal, and practical tools for grounding, breath prayers, embodied faith, and reconnecting with God’s presence. This conversation on emotional health, trauma, and Christian spiritual formation can help you stay rooted in God’s presence, reduce reactivity, and remain human-sized in stressful situations. Episode Resources: Learn about Dr. Daniel Siegel’s work Learn more about the Window of Tolerance  How to recognize Hyper arousal and Hypo arousal  30 30 Grounding Techniques to Quiet Distressing Thoughts Book recommendations on the Apostle Paul and His work as community Builder Read John 1:14 (ESV) Mark 12:28-31 (ESV) More From Clarissa Moll: Clarissa Moll’s The Bulletin podcast Explore Clarissa Moll’s website Read Clarissa Moll’s substack Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter New Candles, Advent Prayers, and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Join Steve at an upcoming intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts Steve and Lisa Cuss explore how to manage your mental load, emotional load, and anxiety by revisiting powerful conversations with Clarissa Moll, Lysa TerKeurst, and Abby Thompson. Together, they unpack how emotional and mental “fields” work, how anxiety spreads between people, and what it means to stay human-sized instead of reacting by getting bigger or smaller. Clarissa shares insights on reactivity and the “mama bear” instinct, Lysa offers transformative wisdom on boundaries, codependency, and healing from unwanted divorce, and Abby brings a Gen Z perspective on comparison, social media, and the slow work of God. It’s a practical guide for anyone seeking Christian emotional health, anxiety management, spiritual formation, self-awareness, and healthier relationships rooted in God’s presence and peace. Episode Resources: Abby Thomspon’s Growing Lysa Terkeurst’s Surviving an Unwanted Divorce Steve Cuss’s book Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs  Anne Lamott’s book Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life (“crappy first draft”) Learn more about: Kosuke Koyama More From Clarissa Moll: Clarissa Moll’s The Bulletin podcast Explore Clarissa Moll’s website Read Clarissa Moll’s substack Original Episodes Links: How to Stay Human-Sized: Managing Anxiety, Reactivity, and Faith with Steve Cuss & Clarissa Moll Lysa TerKeurst on Surviving an Unwanted Divorce and Finding Healing Through Faith Abby Thompson on Overcoming Anxiety in the Big City Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter New Candles, Advent Prayers, and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Join Steve at an upcoming intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Steve Cuss and Author Abby Thompson talk about anxiety, faith, and the pressure of coming of age in the digital era. From high school to her college years in Nashville to her leap of faith moving to New York City, Abby shares how therapy, prayer, and community helped her navigate fear, self-doubt, anxious thoughts, and the noisy expectations of social media. Together, they explore what it means to stay human-sized in a world obsessed with achievement, and how slowing down to notice God’s presence can transform anxiety into peace and purpose. Episode Resources: Abby Thomspon’s Growing Redeemer Church (Upper West Side)  Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness  Biblical References: Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV) 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)  Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter New Candles, Advent Prayers, and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Join Steve at an upcoming intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Steve Cuss and bestselling author and Bible teacher Lysa TerKeurst shares her raw, faith-filled journey through betrayal, gaslighting, and the heartbreak of an unwanted divorce while discovering how to stay rooted in God’s presence and emotional health. Steve and Lysa explore mismatched relationships, codependency, and the sacred work of setting healthy boundaries that protect peace and dignity. A deeply honest and redemptive conversation offering hope and wisdom for anyone walking through relational pain, loss, or the slow rebuilding of trust. Episode Resources: Lysa Terkeurst’s Surviving an Unwanted Divorce Learn more about Craig Groeschel’s work HERE Lysa TerKeurst and Craig Groeschel: The Power To Change Lysa TerKeurst and Craig Groeschel: Doubts Don’t Make You a Bad Christian  Learn more about Dr. Joel Muddamalle’s work HERE Get in touch with Dr. Jim Cress HERE Dr. Jim Cress: Practical Ways To Talk About Boundaries (video) Read Why Betrayal Can Cause Trauma and How to Start Healing Biblical References: Genesis 28 (ESV) - Jacob’s Dream Mark 14:32-43 (ESV) - Jesus Prays in Garden of Gethsemane   More From Lysa TerKeurst: Check out Lysa’s website Follow Lysa on Instagram Lysa’s podcast: Therapy & Theology Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter New Candles, Advent Prayers, and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Join Steve at an upcoming intensive: Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Steve Cuss and Clarissa Moll explore what it means to live “human-sized” — not too big, not too small — in our relationships with others, ourselves, and God. Through personal stories and honest reflection, they unpack how anxiety distorts reality, driving us to dominate or shrink back, and how spiritual practices help us return to balance. Learn how to recognize reactivity, practice discernment, and stay grounded in God’s presence, even in moments of stress or conflict. Steve and Clarissa help listeners move toward emotional health, self-awareness, and spiritual growth in everyday life. Episode Resources: Steve Cuss’s book Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs  Anne Lamott’s book Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life (“crappy first draft”) Biblical References: Luke 19:1–10 (ESV) Zacchaeus and Jesus 1 Kings 19 (ESV) Elijah Flees Jezebel  More From Clarissa Moll: Clarissa Moll’s The Bulletin podcast Explore Clarissa Moll’s website Read Clarissa Moll’s substack Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter New Candles, Advent Prayers, and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Join Steve at an upcoming intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve and Lisa Cuss explore how to transform emotional reactivity into deeper, more authentic relationships in this episode of Being Human. Guests Carla Harding and Brian Heasley from 24-7 Prayer share insights on using prayer to turn anxiety into spiritual growth, even across partisan divides. Alicia Britt Chole discusses sacred lessons found in the dark nights of the soul. We dive into practical tools for healthier communication, understanding generational dynamics, and fostering compassion in all your relationships with Clarissa Moll. Join us and learn to navigate life with greater presence and relational resilience. Episode Resources: Rich Mullins' Eli’s Song John Townsend's 21 Relational Nutrients Dr. Alicia Britt Chole’s The Night Is Normal: A Guide through Spiritual Pain Dr. Alicia Britt Chole’s The Sacred Slow: A Holy Departure from Fast Faith Learn more:  24-7 Prayer International Download & Explore: Lectio 365 (a free daily prayer app) Carla Harding’s Stories of Prayer (Video) Books by Brian Heasley Article: “Gen-Z Is Labeled As ‘Difficult’ In The Workplace, But There’s More To The Story” Article: 'We See Children As Pestilent' (building on the idea attributed to Socrates) Clarissa Moll’s The Bulletin podcast Explore Clarissa Moll’s website Read Clarissa Moll’s substack Matthew 26:36-46 (ESV) - The Garden of Gethsemane Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter New Candles, Advent Prayers, and Journals: https://www.stevecusswords.com/ Join Steve at an upcoming intensive: Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Steve Cuss welcomes Dr. Alicia Britt Chole (Dr. ABC) for a profound conversation on faith, doubt, and spiritual transformation. Once a strident atheist, Dr. ABC shares her journey to a deep faith in Jesus, revealing how questioning and belief can coexist beautifully. Together, they explore the art of living in the plural—inviting Jesus into our thoughts, relationships, and even the challenges of parenting a child on the autism spectrum—showing how grace, wisdom, and love shape a resilient life of faith. Episode Resources: Dr. Alicia Britt Chole’s The Night Is Normal: A Guide through Spiritual Pain Dr. Alicia Britt Chole’s The Sacred Slow: A Holy Departure from Fast Faith Matthew 22:36-40; John 17 (ESV) - The Greatest Commandment Matthew 26:36-46 (ESV) - The Garden of Gethsemane More From Dr. Alicia Britt Chole: Read Dr. Britt Chole’s blog HEREFollow Dr. Britt Chole on instagram Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Join Steve at an upcoming intensive:  Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices