Being Human with Steve Cuss

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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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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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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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:


Genesis 28 (ESV)


Luke 24 (ESV)


Exodus 20:5–6 (ESV)


Jeremiah 31:29 (ESV)


Genesis 25–27 (ESV)

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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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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