Episodes

  • Dr. Les Parrott Challenges Empathy Myths in Christian Circles

    Dr. Les Parrott Challenges Empathy Myths in Christian Circles
    Aug 18 2025
    World-renowned relationship expert Dr. Les Parrott sits down with host Steve Cuss for a raw discussion about reclaiming your mind and soul. Parrott shreds toxic beliefs about empathy, parenting, and vulnerability that have infiltrated Christian culture, replacing them with a vision for emotional and spiritual health that actually works. Together, Steve and Dr. parrott dissect the razor-thin line between empathy and enmeshment, reveal how technology can fuel genuine human connection, and unpack why hearing God’s voice without shame is a game-changer. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott’s Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts Dr. Parrott and Judah Smith’s Bad Thoughts: A Preacher and a Shrink's Guide to Reclaiming Your Mind and Soul Pastor Judah Smith’s instagram Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott’s website David Brooks’ How to Know a Person Steve & Clarissa Moll discuss the Four Spaces of Anxiety The Gospel of Mark (ESV) Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Join Steve at an upcoming intensive: Capable Life Intensives Explore more CT with our free newsletters: christianitytoday.com/newsletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Toni Collier Heals from Childhood Wounds and Adult Betrayal

    Toni Collier Heals from Childhood Wounds and Adult Betrayal
    Aug 11 2025
    Discover how anxiety weaves its way into every corner of life—and how to break free. Host Steve Cuss sits down with Toni Collier, founder of Broken Crayons Still Color, for a raw conversation on her journey from brokenness to healing and redemption. Together, they unpack how faith, authentic community, and radical vulnerability can transform deep wounds—like “parentification,” betrayal, and infidelity—into powerful testimonies of hope and resilience. This episode continues Steve’s exploration of the Four Spaces of Anxiety and showcases the need to stop the spread of reactivity. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Explore Toni’s website Toni Collier’s Don't Try This Alone Toni Collier’s Broken Crayons Still Color Toni Collier’s Brave Enough to Be Broken Explore North Point Ministries Explore the work of Dr. Curt Thompson Timothy Keller’s The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith Listen to Steve and Clarissa Moll Set up The Four Spaces of Anxiety Watch Steve explain The Four Spaces of Anxiety Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Join Steve at an upcoming intensive: Capable Life Intensives Explore more CT with our free newsletters: christianitytoday.com/newsletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • Clarissa Moll & Steve Cuss Navigate Anxiety, Reactivity, and Emotional Freedom

    Clarissa Moll & Steve Cuss Navigate Anxiety, Reactivity, and Emotional Freedom
    Aug 4 2025
    The Four Spaces of anxiety and emotional freedom take center stage as Being Human kicks off a new monthly appearance from Bulletin moderator Clarissa Moll, who flips the script and interviews Steve Cuss. Together, they’ll shape the conversation threads that future episodes will explore every four weeks. This month, Steve unpacks the wildfire spread of anxiety and lays out practical disciplines to disrupt reactivity and foster emotional resilience. Rooted in biblical wisdom and grounded in everyday experience, Clarissa re-introduces Steve’s transformative “four spaces” framework—a must-hear for anyone seeking peace, clarity, and connection in a chaotic culture. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Explore Clarissa Moll’s website Read Clarissa Moll’s Substack Listen to The Bulletin Watch Steve explain The Four Spaces of Anxiety Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Join Steve at an upcoming intensive: Capable Life Intensives Explore more CT with our free newsletters: christianitytoday.com/newsletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Jimmy Carnes: Triangulation, Human Sizing, and Why Steve Light’s a Candle

    Jimmy Carnes: Triangulation, Human Sizing, and Why Steve Light’s a Candle
    Jul 28 2025
    Jimmy Carnes, a Capable Life trainer, joins Steve Cuss—Anxiety Expert & Creator of Capable Life—for a raw, practical conversation about how unseen emotional patterns like triangulation and interconnectedness can complicate leadership and relationships. Together they explore what it means to lead without having the answers, and why “being human-sized” is more powerful than pretending to be in control. They unpack how lighting a candle can bridge the gap between belief and the felt presence of God. Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Join Steve at an upcoming intensive: Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Celebrating Change and Bridging Faith's Gaps

    Celebrating Change and Bridging Faith's Gaps
    Jul 21 2025
    Steve and Lisa Cuss dive into the messy beauty of faith, spirituality, and personal growth. Together, they unpack the tension between divine love and human responsibility, revealing how everyday moments—even foraging for blackberries—can illuminate the spiritual journey. Through honest reflection and practical wisdom from Steve’s book The Expectation Gap, listeners will discover tools to bridge their faith gaps and cultivate deeper connections with God, themselves, and others. This episode offers powerful insights for building healthier, more grounded relationships—starting from within. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Aurora Leigh: Book Seventh The Camino de Santiago This American Life with Ira Glass Being Human: Grieve, Breathe, Receive with Steve Carter Being Human: Steve Carter (season 7 episode 7) Steve Cuss’ The Expectation Gap: The Tiny, Vast Space between Our Beliefs and Experience of God Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Join Steve at an upcoming intensive: Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    29 mins
  • An Intentional Take on Imago Dei

    An Intentional Take on Imago Dei
    Jul 14 2025
    Why does reflecting our Creator matter? Steve Cuss dives into the profound impact of remembering we are made in God’s image and how it is an antidote to the mundane. He challenges listeners to do the important work of engaging with beauty, wonder, the ability to learn, and more as a means of reshaping our daily focus. Steve shares actionable "summer homework" that could shift your perspective for good. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek Steve Cuss’ The Expectation Gap Steve’s Life Giving List Andy Gullahorn’s Bury Me With My Friends Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Join Steve at an upcoming intensive: Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • Creedal Statements, the Nervous System, and Hunting For Character

    Creedal Statements, the Nervous System, and Hunting For Character
    Jul 7 2025
    Lisa Cuss joins Steve to recap three powerful conversations that remind us why our place in the universal, everlasting body of Christ matters now more than ever. Together, they revisit key insights from Glenn Packiam, Chuck DeGroat, and Kyle Idleman—connecting themes of identity and spiritual resilience. From the unifying power of the Nicene Creed to confronting toxic leadership and overcoming inner battles, Steve and Lisa show how spiritual formation offers bold clarity in the chaos of modern life. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Kyle Idleman’s Website Kyle Idleman’s Every Thought Captive: Calm the Mental Chaos That Keeps You Stuck, Drains Your Hope, and Holds You Back Explore Southeast Christian Church Glenn Packiam’s What's a Christian, Anyway?: Finding Our Way in an Age of Confusion and Corruption The Nicene Creed as stated in The Online Book of Common Prayer Glenn Packiam's website The work of Chuck DeGroat at Western Seminary Explore the Soul Care Institute The work of Michael Gurian Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Join Steve at an upcoming intensive: Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • Michael Wear: Finding Purpose in Politics and Faith

    Michael Wear: Finding Purpose in Politics and Faith
    Jun 30 2025
    Feeling burned out by outrage culture and partisan spin? President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life Michael Wear joins Steve Cuss to chart a bold, faith-rooted path through today’s political chaos. Together, they unpack how Christians can reclaim civic agency through local action, community impact, and love-fueled political engagement. Michael’s sharp insights will challenge listeners to move beyond despair and toward a redemptive, grounded vision of faith and politics. Resources mentioned in this episode include: The Center for Christianity and Public Life Michael Wear’s The Spirit of Our Politics Michael Wear’s Reclaiming Hope Irresistible Church Network The Morning Five with Michael Wear (podcast) The Bulletin (podcast) Congregation Land Campaign The work of opinion columnist Ross Douthat (New York Times) The work of opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie (New York Times) Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders: Capable Life Newsletter Join Steve at an upcoming intensive: Capable Life Intensives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 mins