Episodes

  • Authentic Love and The Asbury Outpouring with Zach Meerkreebs

    Authentic Love and The Asbury Outpouring with Zach Meerkreebs
    Jan 20 2025
    When Zach Meerkreebs finished preaching at a university chapel service February 8, 2023, he texted his wife to say he felt like his sermon hadn’t gone well at all. Four hours later, he wept into a voice memo, asking her to load up their kids and head his way as soon as possible. What we now know as The Asbury Outpouring was beginning. Meerkreebs, a pastor and author, describes what it’s like to be part of a supernatural movement that takes on a life of its own. He and Steve talk about the shame many preachers feel after giving sermons they feel went poorly and how Meerkreebs has learned to steward his emotions in those moments. They talk about the vulnerability of grief, how God has met Meerkreebs at various moments throughout his life, and their hopes for the discipleship of Generation Z. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Lower: Igniting Spiritual Awakening Through Radical Humility by Zach Meerkreebs The Asbury Outpouring Adrenaline and Stress: The Exciting New Breakthrough That Helps You Overcome Stress Damage by Archibald Hart The Toronto Blessing Awakenings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Four Dynamics, Three Relationships, Two Cohosts, and One New Year

    Four Dynamics, Three Relationships, Two Cohosts, and One New Year
    Jan 13 2025
    Every human has three core relationships: to themselves, to others, and to God. Within those relationships, there are four dynamics that can infect them: assumptions, reactivity, predictable recurring patterns, and attempted solutions. Listen in as Steve and Lisa Cuss start a conversation that explores these relationships and dynamics throughout 2025. The couple provides a high-level overview of each relationship and dynamic, setting the stage for upcoming episodes that will take deeper dives. They consider what the Lord’s Prayer and the Book of Job have to say about who we understand God and ourselves to be. Steve also gives a preview of guests soon to appear on Being Human, including Zach Meerkreebs, Kathleen Smith, and Ian Morgan Cron. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Epiphany “It’s Friday But Sunday’s Comin! - Tony Campolo” Zach Meerkreebs Ian Morgan Cron Kathleen Smith Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs by Steve Cuss The Expectation Gap:, The Tiny Vast Space between Our Beliefs & Our Experience of God by Steve Cuss Capable Life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Hosted by God at Christmastime

    Hosted by God at Christmastime
    Dec 23 2024
    Whether our holidays are snowy or sunny—as they are for Steve Cuss as he records from Perth, Australia—the same thing is true: Christmas is a time to remember God’s nearness to us. Steve looks to the text of Luke 2, exploring Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and their quest for a place to stay. He describes the meaning behind the Greek word philoxenia (“love of the stranger”) and the Hebrew word Immanuel (“God with us”) and considers what those terms may mean for Christians today. Ultimately, Steve encourages listeners to recognize that God is the ultimate host—welcoming us with love into a forever family. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Peculiar Treasures by Frederick Buechner “Six White Boomers” ​​Philoxenia Immanuel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
  • ‘The Office’ Transforms Anxiety Patterns into Comedy

    ‘The Office’ Transforms Anxiety Patterns into Comedy
    Dec 16 2024
    When the American version of The Office premiered on NBC in 2005, its all-star cast charged right through the fourth wall and looked the audience in the eye. The show’s unique style and cringeworthy stories didn’t just put a new kind of television on display—they explored anxiety in the workplace and relationships in a fresh, often embarrassment-fraught way. As Steve Cuss and his son Andrew talk about the episode “Dinner Party”—arguably one of the most “I can’t keep watching this but I also can’t look away” moments of the show—they explore how the episode reveals anxieties and idiosyncrasies in the characters. They talk about enmeshment, detachment, and differentiation. Listen and consider how art often reflects our anxieties back to us and can help us better understand them. Resources mentioned in this episode include: The Office “Dinner Party” Friedman’s Fables by Ed Friedman “Anxiety Is on the Runway in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Anxiety Walks the Runway in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’

    Anxiety Walks the Runway in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’
    Dec 8 2024
    What do a high schooler’s senior year and the offices of a high-fashion magazine have in common? Stress. During a discussion of The Devil Wears Prada, Steve Cuss and his college-bound daughter, Kaylee Cuss, talk about the anxiety on display in the iconic Meryl Streep film. The two talk about how Streep’s character, Miranda Priestly, may be the one in charge, but she’s arguably also the most anxious. They talk about trying to fit into existing systems, high emotions in the workplace, and relational enmeshment. Tune in for a heartfelt, insightful discussion of failure, success, and taking care of the relationships that matter most. Resources mentioned in this episode include: The Devil Wears Prada “Ep148: Gilmore Girls and Systems Theory” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Ep 173: Ted Lasso and Slow Transformation

    Ep 173: Ted Lasso and Slow Transformation
    Jun 4 2023

    In the first of a two part series, Steve and his wife Lisa look at the elements of Ted Lasso through Systems Theory and Attachment. In this episode they focus on how change happens, the slow, steady chipping away and four of the core elements that caused characters to grow. 

     

    Unlocking Faith is Oct 2-4th. If you'd like help locating and then unlocking beliefs you hold or beliefs that hold you that are blocking your connection to God's peace, freedom and love, this conference is for you. 

     

    You can join in person in Colorado, or by live stream or watch on demand. 

     

    Early Bird pricing ends June 30th. More info and tickets here. 
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Airport Anxiety and Purposeful Publishing with Joy Allmond

    Airport Anxiety and Purposeful Publishing with Joy Allmond
    Dec 2 2024
    When Joy Allmond was fresh out of college, she struggled to find a professional role in her field. She decided to make the most of her young, single years and became a flight attendant. The Lord used that experience to broaden her perspective—especially when she staffed one of the first flights to take to the skies after September 11, 2001. Now, Allmond is the executive editor of Christianity Today. She and Steve talk about how airport behavior often reveals deeper feelings and what it takes to manage a crisis. They talk about the recent CT redesign, new content in the magazine, and Allmond’s hopes for CT’s future. Allmond shares her thoughts on the church at its best, experiences of feeling fully loved, and taking time to hear from the Lord. Resources mentioned in this episode include: “We Can’t Worry Our Way to Peace” November/December 2024 issue of Christianity Today “CT Design, Redesign, and Re-redesign, from 1956 to Today” “Qualms and Proverbs” (CT advice column) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Thinking Thankful Thoughts with Steve and Lisa Cuss

    Thinking Thankful Thoughts with Steve and Lisa Cuss
    Nov 25 2024
    As the Thanksgiving holiday draws near in the US, Steve and Lisa Cuss reflect on the importance of gratitude. They talk about intentionally prioritizing the activities, people, and places that help us feel alive. Steve shares how keeping a Life Giving List has helped him through challenging faith seasons, and Lisa gives some practical examples for cultivating thankfulness in everyday life. Steve and Lisa talk about the often emotional experience of gathering with family for holidays and how to develop a noticing frame of mind. They discuss political differences among loved ones, strategies for deepening our relational capacity, and the power of curiosity. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Capable Life Free Resource Dashboard (includes Life Giving List) “Enneagram, Anxiety, and What We Live For” with Jimmy Carnes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    27 mins