Episodes

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

    Steve & Lisa Cuss: Trauma, Thought Loops, and the Lies You Inherited with Shane J. Wood, Justin Heap, and Dr. Craig Mattson
    Mar 30 2026
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Dr. Craig Mattson on Digital Overwhelm: Is It Time to Unplug?

    Dr. Craig Mattson on Digital Overwhelm: Is It Time to Unplug?
    Mar 23 2026
    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” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • Shane J. Wood Helps Us Understand Christ’s Ultimate Victory in a Chaotic World

    Shane J. Wood Helps Us Understand Christ’s Ultimate Victory in a Chaotic World
    Mar 16 2026
    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: 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
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    49 mins
  • Justin Heap: The Rollercoaster of Growing Up in a Traumatic Family Situation

    Justin Heap: The Rollercoaster of Growing Up in a Traumatic Family Situation
    Mar 9 2026
    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 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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    39 mins
  • Are You Carrying Your Family's Emotional Baggage? with Steve & Lisa Cuss

    Are You Carrying Your Family's Emotional Baggage? with Steve & Lisa Cuss
    Mar 2 2026
    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 practical tools for growth. Biblical Passages John 1:1–5 (ESV) Exodus 20:5–6 (ESV) Deuteronomy 5:9 (ESV) Jeremiah 31:29 (ESV) Ezekiel 18:2 (ESV) Genesis 25–27 (ESV) Episode Resources: What is a genogram? More about the Family Systems Theory Family Diagram (Bowen Center) Pete Scazzero’s Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Human Sized Journal – Digital Edition (PDF Download) 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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    34 mins
  • Steve & Lisa Cuss: “What % of God’s Image Is in That Person?” with Clarissa Moll, Zach Windahl, & Andrew Arndt

    Steve & Lisa Cuss: “What % of God’s Image Is in That Person?” with Clarissa Moll, Zach Windahl, & Andrew Arndt
    Feb 23 2026
    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-awareness and honesty before God. The Cusses highlight the importance of empathy, respect, and bringing truth to our inner lives. Biblical Passages James 1:19-20 (ESV) Episode Resources: Andrew Arndt’s A Strange and Gracious Light: How the Story of Jesus Changes the Way We See Everything Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov C.S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man Zach Windahl’s The Bible Simplified: Learn the Story, Live the Story 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
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    39 mins
  • Andrew Arndt: The Hidden Struggles of Public Figures and Why Real Community Matters

    Andrew Arndt: The Hidden Struggles of Public Figures and Why Real Community Matters
    Feb 16 2026
    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 We See Everything and reflects on personal growth, leadership, and the healing power of unconditional love within the church community. Steve and Andrew emphasize honesty, vulnerability, and the ongoing journey toward wholeness. Biblical Passages I Corinthians 13 (ESV) Luke 5:31 (ESV) Episode Resources: Andrew Arndt’s A Strange and Gracious Light: How the Story of Jesus Changes the Way We See Everything Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov Frederick Buechner’s Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale C.S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man Rich Mullins on Salvation and "God in His Mercy" (video) Henri Nouwen's In the Name of Jesus More From Andrew Arndt: Andrew Arndt’s Streams in the Wasteland: Finding Spiritual Renewal with the Desert Fathers and Mothers Andrew Arndt’s All Flame: Entering into the Life of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Zach Windahl’s Strategies to Overcome Bible Reading Barriers

    Zach Windahl’s Strategies to Overcome Bible Reading Barriers
    Feb 9 2026
    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 scripture. Zach’s passion for simplifying complex topics and empowering readers shines throughout the episode. Episode Resources: Zach Windahl’s The Bible Simplified: Learn the Story, Live the Story Zach Windahl’s The Bible, Simplified Study Guide plus Streaming Video Zach Windahl’s Bible reading plan Zach Windahl’s 21 day Bible reading plan Pareto Principle Explained: How the 80/20 Rule Changes Everything Nathan Finochio’s website J.R. Briggs’ at Missio Alliance Infographic: How long does each Book of the Bible tale to read? More From Zach Windahl: Zach Windahl’s website How to Study the Bible (and Actually Enjoy It) Zach Windahl’s The Bible Study: A One-Year Study of the Entire Bible and How It Relates to You 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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    50 mins