Being Human with Steve Cuss

Latest Episodes:

Judson and Ryan Poling Share Their Father & Son Journey Through Masculinity, Emotions, and Faith May 18, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Dr. Lee Warren on Using Neuroscience and Scripture to Rewire Your Brain May 11, 2026

Show notes

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

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How Do Family Roles Shape Our Faith and Freedom? with Clarissa Moll & Steve Cuss May 04, 2026

Show notes

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

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Steve & Lisa Cuss: Shame, Sexual Abuse, and Gaslighting with Christine Caine & Yana Jenay Conner Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

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

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Beyond Offense: Unpacking Forgiveness, Conflict, and Identity with Yana Jenay Conner Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

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

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Christine Caine Shares Her Adoption Story, Abuse Recovery, and Faith to Flourish Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

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

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Why Family Patterns Still Run Your Life with Steve Cuss & Clarissa Moll Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

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:

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

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Steve & Lisa Cuss: Trauma, Thought Loops, and the Lies You Inherited with Shane J. Wood, Justin Heap, and Dr. Craig Mattson Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

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

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Dr. Craig Mattson on Digital Overwhelm: Is It Time to Unplug? Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

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”

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Shane J. Wood Helps Us Understand Christ’s Ultimate Victory in a Chaotic World Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

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: