How to Stay Human-Sized: Managing Anxiety, Reactivity, and Faith with Steve Cuss & Clarissa Moll
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 help listeners move toward emotional health, self-awareness, and spiritual growth in everyday life.
Episode Resources:
Steve Cuss’s book Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs
Anne Lamott’s book Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life (“crappy first draft”)
Biblical References:
Luke 19:1–10 (ESV) Zacchaeus and Jesus
1 Kings 19 (ESV) Elijah Flees Jezebel
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
New Candles, Advent Prayers, and Journals:
https://www.stevecusswords.com/
Join Steve at an upcoming intensive:
Capable Life Intensives
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
30:07
--------
30:07
Spiritual Growth and Emotional Resilience with Carla Harding, Brian Heasley & Alicia Britt Chole
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 in all your relationships with Clarissa Moll. Join us and learn to navigate life with greater presence and relational resilience.
Episode Resources:
Rich Mullins' Eli’s Song
John Townsend's 21 Relational Nutrients
Dr. Alicia Britt Chole’s The Night Is Normal: A Guide through Spiritual Pain
Dr. Alicia Britt Chole’s The Sacred Slow: A Holy Departure from Fast Faith
Learn more: 24-7 Prayer International
Download & Explore: Lectio 365 (a free daily prayer app)
Carla Harding’s Stories of Prayer (Video)
Books by Brian Heasley
Article: “Gen-Z Is Labeled As ‘Difficult’ In The Workplace, But There’s More To The Story”
Article: 'We See Children As Pestilent' (building on the idea attributed to Socrates)
Clarissa Moll’s The Bulletin podcast
Explore Clarissa Moll’s website
Read Clarissa Moll’s substack
Matthew 26:36-46 (ESV) - The Garden of Gethsemane
Sign up for Steve’s Newsletter & Podcast Reminders:
Capable Life Newsletter
New Candles, Advent Prayers, and Journals:
https://www.stevecusswords.com/
Join Steve at an upcoming intensive: Capable Life Intensives
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
46:03
--------
46:03
Dr. Alicia Britt Chole on Discovering Faith's Dual Nature
Host Steve Cuss welcomes Dr. Alicia Britt Chole (Dr. ABC) for a profound conversation on faith, doubt, and spiritual transformation. Once a strident atheist, Dr. ABC shares her journey to a deep faith in Jesus, revealing how questioning and belief can coexist beautifully. Together, they explore the art of living in the plural—inviting Jesus into our thoughts, relationships, and even the challenges of parenting a child on the autism spectrum—showing how grace, wisdom, and love shape a resilient life of faith.
Episode Resources:
Dr. Alicia Britt Chole’s The Night Is Normal: A Guide through Spiritual Pain
Dr. Alicia Britt Chole’s The Sacred Slow: A Holy Departure from Fast Faith
Matthew 22:36-40; John 17 (ESV) - The Greatest Commandment
Matthew 26:36-46 (ESV) - The Garden of Gethsemane
More From Dr. Alicia Britt Chole:
Read Dr. Britt Chole’s blog HEREFollow Dr. Britt Chole on instagram
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
--------
42:31
--------
42:31
Brian Heasley & Carla Harding: Prayer That Heals Divides and Other Lessons from Northern Ireland’s Troubles
Host Steve Cuss speaks with Brian Heasley and Carla Harding of the 24-7 Prayer Movement, drawing from their experiences as a Protestant and Catholic who lived through The Troubles in Northern Ireland and the lasting impact of that divided era. Together, they discuss how prayer, faith, and empathy can bring healing, unity, and peace to both individuals and communities. Through honest reflections on anxiety, spiritual discipline, and grace, Brian and Carla share how the Lectio 365 app helps people stay grounded in God amid life’s pressures. This inspiring conversation offers hope for anyone seeking Christian unity, emotional well-being, and deeper spiritual growth.
Episode Resources:
Is this America’s version of ‘The Troubles’ of Northern Ireland? (San Diego Union-Tribune)
A Brief History of “The Troubles”
Learn more: 24-7 Prayer International
Download & Explore: Lectio 365 (a free daily prayer app)
More about Pete Greig (24-7 Prayer founder)
Carla Harding’s Stories of Prayer (Video)
Books by Brian Heasley
Books by Carla Harding
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
--------
42:46
--------
42:46
Clarissa Moll and Steve Cuss on Power Dynamics, Faith, and Inclusive Leadership
Clarissa Moll is back to flip the script on Steve Cuss, unpacking the power dynamics, generational divides, and identity challenges that shape today’s leadership. From Colin Powell’s intentional practices to the biblical wisdom of Jesus and Paul, they explore how emotional safety, vulnerability, and faith create healthier families, workplaces, and churches. This conversation offers practical insights for leaders seeking to build inclusive communities, authentic connections, and resilient discipleship in a divided world.
Episode Resources:
Colin Powell’s book It Worked for Me
Article: Gen-Z Is Labeled As ‘Difficult’ In The Workplace, But There’s More To The Story
Me Too movement - Mentioned in relation to creating emotionally safe environments.
Exploring Malcolm Gladwell’s "Magic Third" Rule
Article: 'We See Children As Pestilent' (building on the idea attributed to Socrates)
More From Clarissa Moll:
Clarissa Moll’s The Bulletin podcast
Explore Clarissa Moll’s website
Read Clarissa Moll’s substack
Previous Episodes with Steve and Clarissa:
Steve and Clarissa’s August episode of Being Human
Steve and Clarissa’s September episode of Being Human
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
From Christianity Today, Being Human with Steve Cuss is Christian counseling in podcast form. Steve Cuss, a former trauma and hospice chaplain, pastor, and leadership coach, guides listeners with a gospel-informed journey of discovery into the world of emotional health: everything from anxiety and reactivity, to triangulation, overfunctioning, and the Enneagram.
Australia