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 ...
May 25, 2026•42 min
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,...
May 18, 2026•51 min
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 a...
May 11, 2026•46 min
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...
May 04, 2026•27 min
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 tha...
Apr 27, 2026•49 min
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 ...
Apr 20, 2026•50 min
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...
Apr 13, 2026•52 min
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 encou...
Apr 06, 2026•26 min
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 def...
Mar 30, 2026•43 min
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...
Mar 23, 2026•50 min
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 wou...
Mar 16, 2026•49 min
In 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 rel...
Mar 09, 2026•39 min
In this episode of "Being Human," hosts Steve and Lisa Cuss launch a new season focusing on family of origin that explores how inherited "assets and liabilities" shape our lives. They discuss family propaganda, permitted emotions, and generational traits, sharing personal stories about how these dynamics influence relationships and self-understanding. Emphasizing a gospel-centered approach, they encourage listeners to reflect on their own family patterns with compassion and curiosity, offering p...
Mar 02, 2026•34 min
In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, Steve and Lisa react to recent conversations and wrap up our series on communication styles. They explore the invisible dynamics that shape our relationships—with others, ourselves, and God. They discuss the transformative power of listening postures, emphasizing curiosity and spiritual presence. Clarissa Moll shares insights on vulnerability and judgment in communication, while additional guests, Zack Windahl and Andrew Arndt reflect on self-aware...
Feb 23, 2026•39 min
In this episode of "Being Human with Steve Cuss," Steve and author and spiritual guide Andrew Arndt explore fallout from prominent Christian leaders' public confessions of wrongdoing. They explore the spiritual and psychological dynamics that lead to such failures, including the dangers of living a double life, the creation of a false self, and the importance of empathy and repentance. Andrew shares insights from his new book A Strange and Gracious Light: How the Story of Jesus Changes the Way W...
Feb 16, 2026•45 min
In this episode of "Being Human with Steve Cuss," Steve talks with Zach Windahl, author of The Bible Simplified . They discuss making the Bible more approachable, overcoming common misconceptions, and the emotional challenges of engaging with scripture. Zach shares his journey of faith and unique Bible reading practices. Steve and Zach offer practical encouragement for anyone feeling intimidated by Bible reading, highlighting the importance of authenticity, patience, and fresh approaches to scri...
Feb 09, 2026•50 min
In this episode of Being Human , host Steve Cuss and guest Clarissa Moll explore how different communication and listening styles shape our relationships. They discuss the impact of mental and emotional load, the importance of listening to learn rather than to fix or defend, and offer practical strategies for fostering empathy and connection. Steve shares personal experiences about self-awareness and emotional honesty, especially as a pastor, while both emphasize the transformative power of comp...
Feb 02, 2026•29 min
In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, Steve and Lisa explore how communication styles—rigid vs. fluid, internal vs. external processing, and rapid vs. deliberative thinking—shape relationships, well-being, and spiritual growth. They share personal experiences, unpack how trauma and certainty can impact faith, and revisit recent conversations with Cheryl McKissick (a fifth-generation Black business leader) on family legacy and authenticity in predominantly white spaces; Adam Young on se...
Jan 26, 2026•45 min
In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss , Steve interviews Cheryl McKissack Daniel, a trailblazing African American architect and business leader. Cheryl shares her family’s remarkable 230-year legacy, beginning with her enslaved ancestor Moses McKissick. She discusses the challenges of leading a multi-generational Black-owned business, the importance of resilience, succession planning, and corporate culture, and her experiences navigating race and gender in the industry. Episode Resource...
Jan 19, 2026•42 min
In this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss interviews trauma counselor and author Adam Young about his book, Make Sense of Your Story . Together, they explore how personal stories and trauma shape relationships with ourselves, others, and God. Adam shares his own journey of understanding childhood wounds, the importance of self-kindness, and how faith can become entangled with coping mechanisms. They discuss the body’s role in healing, the impact of certainty in theology, and practical step...
Jan 12, 2026•49 min
In this season-opening episode of Being Human, Steve Cuss and Clarissa Moll explore how communication styles can either fuel anxiety and reactivity—or reduce it through deeper connection. Instead of focusing on what we say, they examine how we say it: the hidden subtext, assumptions, and “static” that cause people (especially leaders, couples, and teams) to mishear one another. Steve shares a practical framework for identifying three key communication patterns—rigid vs. fluid, rapid vs. delibera...
Jan 05, 2026•30 min
Find out what the “Six White Boomers” means for Australians during the holidays in this special Christmas week episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss . Steve gets cozy alongside The Bulletin co-hosts Russell Moore and Clarissa Moll for a candid, funny, and deeply comforting conversation about Advent, Christmas carols, and the “mental and emotional load” many people carry this season. Together they explore joy and grief at the manger, the hope of Emmanuel (God with us), and how the nativity story...
Dec 22, 2025•41 min
Host Steve Cuss explores the mental and emotional burdens we carry, drawing on Jesus’ teaching about a light yoke. Reflecting on the Christmas story from Luke 2, Steve shares personal traditions and discusses how God enters our struggles. He connects the nativity’s humble setting to themes of power, history, and care for the marginalized. The episode blends spiritual insight, personal anecdotes, and cultural commentary, inviting listeners to find hope and rest during the Christmas season. Episod...
Dec 15, 2025•30 min
Hosts Steve and Lisa Cuss share five practical tips for maintaining emotional and mental well-being during the Christmas season. They discuss handling family tensions, grief, and the pressures of holiday preparations, emphasizing self-awareness, emotional preparation, and setting boundaries. Blending personal stories and spiritual reflections, they encourage listeners to notice their emotional states, manage reactions, and make space for both joy and sadness. The episode offers compassionate, hu...
Dec 08, 2025•31 min
In this episode of Being Human , Lisa Cuss explores how anxiety and stress push us outside our God-given window of tolerance . With monthly co-host Clarissa Moll, Lisa unpacks how the nervous system reacts to overwhelm, the difference between hyperarousal and hypoarousal, and practical tools for grounding, breath prayers, embodied faith, and reconnecting with God’s presence. This conversation on emotional health, trauma, and Christian spiritual formation can help you stay rooted in God’s presenc...
Dec 01, 2025•37 min
Hosts Steve and Lisa Cuss explore how to manage your mental load, emotional load, and anxiety by revisiting powerful conversations with Clarissa Moll, Lysa TerKeurst, and Abby Thompson. Together, they unpack how emotional and mental “fields” work, how anxiety spreads between people, and what it means to stay human-sized instead of reacting by getting bigger or smaller. Clarissa shares insights on reactivity and the “mama bear” instinct, Lysa offers transformative wisdom on boundaries, codependen...
Nov 24, 2025•39 min
Host Steve Cuss and Author Abby Thompson talk about anxiety, faith, and the pressure of coming of age in the digital era. From high school to her college years in Nashville to her leap of faith moving to New York City, Abby shares how therapy, prayer, and community helped her navigate fear, self-doubt, anxious thoughts, and the noisy expectations of social media. Together, they explore what it means to stay human-sized in a world obsessed with achievement, and how slowing down to notice God’s pr...
Nov 17, 2025•35 min
Host Steve Cuss and bestselling author and Bible teacher Lysa TerKeurst shares her raw, faith-filled journey through betrayal, gaslighting, and the heartbreak of an unwanted divorce while discovering how to stay rooted in God’s presence and emotional health. Steve and Lysa explore mismatched relationships , codependency , and the sacred work of setting healthy boundaries that protect peace and dignity. A deeply honest and redemptive conversation offering hope and wisdom for anyone walking throug...
Nov 10, 2025•45 min
Host Steve Cuss and Clarissa Moll explore what it means to live “human-sized” — not too big, not too small — in our relationships with others, ourselves, and God. Through personal stories and honest reflection, they unpack how anxiety distorts reality, driving us to dominate or shrink back, and how spiritual practices help us return to balance. Learn how to recognize reactivity, practice discernment, and stay grounded in God’s presence, even in moments of stress or conflict. Steve and Clarissa h...
Nov 03, 2025•30 min
Steve and Lisa Cuss explore how to transform emotional reactivity into deeper, more authentic relationships in this episode of Being Human . Guests Carla Harding and Brian Heasley from 24-7 Prayer share insights on using prayer to turn anxiety into spiritual growth, even across partisan divides. Alicia Britt Chole discusses sacred lessons found in the dark nights of the soul. We dive into practical tools for healthier communication, understanding generational dynamics, and fostering compassion i...
Oct 27, 2025•46 min
