Podcast
Being Human with Steve Cuss
Hosted by Christianity Today · EN
From Christianity Today, Being Human with Steve Cuss is Christian counseling in podcast form. Steve Cuss, a former trauma and hospice chaplain, pastor, and leadership coach, guides listeners with a gospel-informed journey of discovery into the world of emotional health: everything from anxiety and reactivity, to triangulation, overfunctioning, and the Enneagram.
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith: Can Marriage Survive Betrayal and Sexual Addiction?
3d ago00:46:57Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →Play, Pray, Repeat: Unlock the Power of Life Giving Habits to Defuse Reactivity with Steve Cuss & Clarissa Moll
1w ago00:28:55Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →Steve & Lisa Cuss: Parenting and Healing From Generational Patterns with Dr. Lee Warren, Clarissa Moll, and Judson & Ryan Poling
2w ago00:41:33Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →Judson and Ryan Poling Share Their Father & Son Journey Through Masculinity, Emotions, and Faith
3w ago00:51:14Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →Dr. Lee Warren on Using Neuroscience and Scripture to Rewire Your Brain
May 1100:45:33Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →How Do Family Roles Shape Our Faith and Freedom? with Clarissa Moll & Steve Cuss
May 400:27:27Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →Steve & Lisa Cuss: Shame, Sexual Abuse, and Gaslighting with Christine Caine & Yana Jenay Conner
Apr 2700:48:38Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →Beyond Offense: Unpacking Forgiveness, Conflict, and Identity with Yana Jenay Conner
Apr 2000:49:57Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →Christine Caine Shares Her Adoption Story, Abuse Recovery, and Faith to Flourish
Apr 1300:51:50Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →Why Family Patterns Still Run Your Life with Steve Cuss & Clarissa Moll
Apr 600:25:50Tap to summarizeIn 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
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