Hosts Steve and Lisa Cuss share five practical tips for maintaining emotional and mental well-being during the Christmas season. They discuss handling family tensions, grief, and the pressures of holiday preparations, emphasizing self-awareness, emotional preparation, and setting boundaries. Blending personal stories and spiritual reflections, they encourage listeners to notice their emotional states, manage reactions, and make space for both joy and sadness. The episode offers compassionate, human-sized advice to help listeners create a peaceful, connected, and meaningful holiday experience, even amid challenges. 

Episode Resources:

Secure your copy of The Five Steps to Christmas Sanity PDF

Listen: Anxiety, the Nervous System, and Your Window of Tolerance: Lisa Cuss & Clarissa Moll

John Chapter 1 (ESV) 

Revelation 21:3-4 (Eugene Peterson’s The Message)

AA Meeting Guidelines

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

In this episode of Being Human, Lisa Cuss explores how anxiety and stress push us outside our God-given window of tolerance. With monthly co-host Clarissa Moll, Lisa unpacks how the nervous system reacts to overwhelm, the difference between hyperarousal and hypoarousal, and practical tools for grounding, breath prayers, embodied faith, and reconnecting with God’s presence. This conversation on emotional health, trauma, and Christian spiritual formation can help you stay rooted in God’s presence, reduce reactivity, and remain human-sized in stressful situations.

Episode Resources:

Learn about Dr. Daniel Siegel’s work

Learn more about the Window of Tolerance 

How to recognize Hyper arousal and Hypo arousal 

30 30 Grounding Techniques to Quiet Distressing Thoughts

Book recommendations on the Apostle Paul and His work as community Builder

Read John 1:14 (ESV)

Mark 12:28-31 (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

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

Hosts Steve and Lisa Cuss explore how to manage your mental load, emotional load, and anxiety by revisiting powerful conversations with Clarissa Moll, Lysa TerKeurst, and Abby Thompson. Together, they unpack how emotional and mental “fields” work, how anxiety spreads between people, and what it means to stay human-sized instead of reacting by getting bigger or smaller. Clarissa shares insights on reactivity and the “mama bear” instinct, Lysa offers transformative wisdom on boundaries, codependency, and healing from unwanted divorce, and Abby brings a Gen Z perspective on comparison, social media, and the slow work of God. It’s a practical guide for anyone seeking Christian emotional health, anxiety management, spiritual formation, self-awareness, and healthier relationships rooted in God’s presence and peace.

Episode Resources:

Abby Thomspon’s Growing

Lysa Terkeurst’s Surviving an Unwanted Divorce

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”)

Learn more about: Kosuke Koyama

More From Clarissa Moll:

Clarissa Moll’s The Bulletin podcast

Explore Clarissa Moll’s website

Read Clarissa Moll’s substack

Original Episodes Links:

How to Stay Human-Sized: Managing Anxiety, Reactivity, and Faith with Steve Cuss & Clarissa Moll

Lysa TerKeurst on Surviving an Unwanted Divorce and Finding Healing Through Faith

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

Host Steve Cuss and Author Abby Thompson talk about anxiety, faith, and the pressure of coming of age in the digital era. From high school to her college years in Nashville to her leap of faith moving to New York City, Abby shares how therapy, prayer, and community helped her navigate fear, self-doubt, anxious thoughts, and the noisy expectations of social media. Together, they explore what it means to stay human-sized in a world obsessed with achievement, and how slowing down to notice God’s presence can transform anxiety into peace and purpose.

Episode Resources:

Abby Thomspon’s Growing

Redeemer Church (Upper West Side) 

Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness 

Biblical References:

Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV) 

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

Host Steve Cuss and bestselling author and Bible teacher Lysa TerKeurst shares her raw, faith-filled journey through betrayal, gaslighting, and the heartbreak of an unwanted divorce while discovering how to stay rooted in God’s presence and emotional health. Steve and Lysa explore mismatched relationships, codependency, and the sacred work of setting healthy boundaries that protect peace and dignity. A deeply honest and redemptive conversation offering hope and wisdom for anyone walking through relational pain, loss, or the slow rebuilding of trust.

Episode Resources:

Lysa Terkeurst’s Surviving an Unwanted Divorce

Learn more about Craig Groeschel’s work HERE

Lysa TerKeurst and Craig Groeschel: The Power To Change

Lysa TerKeurst and Craig Groeschel: Doubts Don’t Make You a Bad Christian 

Learn more about Dr. Joel Muddamalle’s work HERE

Get in touch with Dr. Jim Cress HERE

Dr. Jim Cress: Practical Ways To Talk About Boundaries (video)

Read Why Betrayal Can Cause Trauma and How to Start Healing

Biblical References:

Genesis 28 (ESV) - Jacob’s Dream

Mark 14:32-43 (ESV) - Jesus Prays in Garden of Gethsemane

More From Lysa TerKeurst:

Check out Lysa’s website

Follow Lysa on Instagram

Lysa’s podcast: Therapy & Theology

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

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

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

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 HERE
Follow 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

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

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