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.
29episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Dr. Lee Warren on Using Neuroscience and Scripture to Rewire Your Brain
1w ago00:45:33Tap 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
2w ago00:27:27Tap 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
3w ago00:48:38Tap 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
Transcribe →Steve & Lisa Cuss: Trauma, Thought Loops, and the Lies You Inherited with Shane J. Wood, Justin Heap, and Dr. Craig Mattson
Mar 3000:42:52Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →Dr. Craig Mattson on Digital Overwhelm: Is It Time to Unplug?
Mar 2300:49:48Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →Shane J. Wood Helps Us Understand Christ’s Ultimate Victory in a Chaotic World
Mar 1600:48:56Tap to summarizeIn 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
Transcribe →Justin Heap: The Rollercoaster of Growing Up in a Traumatic Family Situation
Mar 900:39:25Tap to summarizeIn 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
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