Being Human with Steve Cuss

Christianity Today
Christianity Today
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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.

  1. 12 hr ago

    How Memory, Identity, and Story Shape Discipleship with Jessie Cruickshank & Julia Schmaltz

    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

  2. 10 Aug

    How Politics Hijacked the Pulpit

    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

  3. 3 Aug

    Carrying What Only God Can Carry

    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

  4. 27 Jul

    Steve & Lisa Cuss: When Jesus Meets the Judgmental with Listener Questions, Matt Smallbone, & Jenny Brown

    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

  5. 20 Jul

    Andrew Ollerton’s Holy Plot Twists

    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

  6. 13 Jul

    Lee C. Camp Drops His Emotional Bombs

    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

  7. 6 Jul

    Defusing the Invisible Volcano: Mastering Reactivity in Leadership and Faith with Steve Cuss & Clarissa Moll

    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

  8. 29 Jun

    Sex and Porn Addiction, Misconceptions That Prevent Healing with Matt Wenger (vault episode)

    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

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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.

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