Being Human with Steve Cuss

Latest Episodes:

Steve & Lisa Cuss: When Jesus Meets the Judgmental with Listener Questions, Matt Smallbone, & Jenny Brown Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

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

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Andrew Ollerton’s Holy Plot Twists Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

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:

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

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Lee C. Camp Drops His Emotional Bombs Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

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

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Defusing the Invisible Volcano: Mastering Reactivity in Leadership and Faith with Steve Cuss & Clarissa Moll Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

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

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Sex and Porn Addiction, Misconceptions That Prevent Healing with Matt Wenger (vault episode) Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

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

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Matt Smallbone: The Most Impactful Prayer Practice You’re Not Doing (But Should Be) Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

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

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Jenny Brown: How Focusing on Yourself Can Help Your Children Thrive at Every Age Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

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

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Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith: Can Marriage Survive Betrayal and Sexual Addiction? Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

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

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Play, Pray, Repeat: Unlock the Power of Life Giving Habits to Defuse Reactivity with Steve Cuss & Clarissa Moll Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

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

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Steve & Lisa Cuss: Parenting and Healing From Generational Patterns with Dr. Lee Warren, Clarissa Moll, and Judson & Ryan Poling May 25, 2026

Show notes

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.

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