In this episode of Step Up, Pastor Chris Kouba and host Josh Thomas tackle a challenge that hits home for men everywhere — how to truly engage and lead well when you walk through the front door. From cultural confusion about masculinity to the biblical call to love your wife and lead your family, this conversation is honest, convicting, and practical. Learn what it looks like to be a provider, protector, student, and cherisher, and why spiritual leadership at home shapes everything about your relationship with God.

To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church.


Challenges for the Week

1. Have an intentional conversation with your wife.
2. Choose one area (provider, student, protector, cherisher) to grow in this week.
3. Share this episode with another man who’s ready to step up.

Show Notes

Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast
Follow United City: @untdcitychurch
Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com
More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/

Your job isn’t just about a paycheck—it’s part of God’s bigger plan. In this conversation, Pastor Chris Kouba and host Josh Thomas unpack what Scripture says about work, ambition, and calling. From Genesis to the modern workplace, they reveal how we can pursue excellence without losing sight of what truly matters. If you’ve ever wondered whether your work really matters to God, this episode is for you.

To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church


Show Notes
Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast
Follow United City: @untdcitychurch
Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com
More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/

What happens when a dad drops his daughter off at college for the first time? In this episode, Pastor Chris Kouba joins Host Josh Thomas to share the raw emotions, hard lessons, and spiritual insights from navigating this life-changing milestone. From the four stages of parenting to the power of early investment and tough conversations, Pastor Chris offers wisdom that every parent—especially dads of daughters—needs to hear.

If you’re raising kids, preparing for an empty nest, or just needing encouragement in the messy, beautiful journey of fatherhood, this episode will challenge you to step up and savor every season.

To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church.


Show Notes
Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast
Follow United City: @untdcitychurch
Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com
More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/

Success can be a gift, but pride can turn it into a curse. In this episode, Pastor Chris Kouba and host Josh Thomas unpack the “glory trap”—how pride creeps into our identity, blinds us to wisdom, and sets us up for a fall. Through Scripture, stories from real life, and practical steps, they explore how men can recognize the dangers of self-reliance and instead walk in humility, receiving God’s favor instead of His opposition.

To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church.



Show Notes
Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast
Follow United City: @untdcitychurch
Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com
More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/

In this episode of Step Up, Pastor Chris and Host Josh Thomas tackle one of the most overlooked yet destructive areas of a man’s life—sexual sin. From pornography to infidelity, they uncover the myths men believe: “It’s not that big of a deal,” “I can stop anytime,” and “I’ll never change.”

Through scripture, raw honesty, and practical wisdom, they show how sexual compromise doesn’t just stay hidden—it bleeds into money, pride, relationships, and legacy. More importantly, they point to the hope and freedom found in Christ, reminding men that purity is possible and powerful.

If you’ve ever felt trapped, this conversation will equip you with tools to fight temptation, honor women, and build the kind of legacy your family can stand on for generations.

To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church.  



Show Notes
Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast
Follow United City: @untdcitychurch
Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com
More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/
Covenant Eyes: https://www.covenanteyes.com/
Accountable2You: https://accountable2you.com/
VidAngel: https://www.vidangel.com/
Celebrate Recovery: https://celebraterecovery.com/

Pornography isn’t just a private struggle—it’s a cultural epidemic that is destroying marriages, distorting relationships, and stealing purpose from men at every age. In this raw and practical conversation, Pastor Chris and Host Josh Thomas tackle one of the hardest but most necessary topics in the series: porn.

They reveal why porn is more than a “bad habit,” how it hijacks God’s design for sexuality, and how men can fight back with a three-phase game plan—defense, offense, and special teams. With statistics that will shock you, stories that will convict you, and strategies that will equip you, this episode is a battle plan for any man who wants freedom.

To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church.


Show Notes

Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast
Follow United City: @untdcitychurch
Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com
More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/
Covenant Eyes: https://www.covenanteyes.com/
Accountable2You: https://accountable2you.com/
VidAngel: https://www.vidangel.com/
Celebrate Recovery: https://celebraterecovery.com/

In this week’s powerful episode of Step Up, Pastor Chris and Host Josh Thomas continue to talk about one of the biggest temptations that take down men: gold. From Disney vacations to Starbucks habits, they explore how easily money can shift from being a tool we use to a master that uses us. With practical advice, biblical wisdom, and honest personal stories, they’ll help you identify warning signs that money is controlling you, and offer clear steps to break free. Whether you’re living paycheck to paycheck or thriving financially, this conversation will challenge your perspective and equip you to live with financial freedom, generosity, and integrity.

To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church


Show Notes

Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast
Follow United City: @untdcitychurch
Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com
More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/
YNAB Budgeting App: https://www.ynab.com/
Every Dollar Budgeting App by Dave Ramsey: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/money/everydollar?srsltid=AfmBOoqjPmlQJCyREu1NTK8DBdlSPymZOnjKKNkUtlUQGUMJqVHCNcvv

In this powerful and practical episode, Pastor Chris and Host Josh Thomas dive deep into one of the biggest stressors for men today—money. But this isn’t just a budgeting seminar, it’s a spiritual challenge. From biblical foundations of tithing to the modern-day lies men believe about provision and worth, this conversation calls men to live in God’s economy, not the world’s. Whether you're struggling to make ends meet or just starting to build wealth, this episode is your wake-up call to flip the script and escape the Gold Trap.

To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church.  



Show Notes
Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast
Follow United City: @untdcitychurch
Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com
More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/

In this powerful episode, Pastor Chris and Host Josh Thomas unpack a time-tested warning that has echoed across generations of men—and particularly those in leadership and ministry: beware of gold, girls, and glory. Through honest dialogue, biblical insight, and personal stories, they explore how money, relationships, and pride continue to derail even the most well-intentioned men.

Drawing from Deuteronomy 17, the conversation reveals how these three temptations manifest subtly through social media, comparison, identity, and unchecked ambition. This episode lays the foundation for a deeper dive into each of these topics in upcoming episodes.

To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church.  


Show Notes
Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast
Follow United City: @untdcitychurch
Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com
More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/

In this episode of Step Up, Pastor Chris and host Josh Thomas dive into the universal need for coaching—especially spiritual coaching—and how it's often overlooked in everyday life.  They explore the transformational impact of having a coach and being one for others, share practical ways to seek out and offer coaching, and highlight how everyday, ordinary relationships can foster extraordinary growth. Whether you’re mentoring your kids, leading a team, or just trying to grow spiritually, this episode will challenge and encourage you to take your next intentional step to grow.

To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church.  



Show Notes
The Primal Path by Jon Tyson: https://primalpath.co/Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel EarleyDay One Journaling AppFollow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast
Follow United City: @untdcitychurchConnect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.comMore About United City: https://unitedcity.church/