The Fortified Life Podcast with Jason Davis - EP 193 | Steve Cuss | Author, Speaker, Founder of Capable Life

The Fortified Life Podcast with Jason Davis
Episode 193 – “From Anxiety to Expectation” with Steve Cuss

Episode Snapshot
An eye‑opening conversation on noticing and diffusing leadership anxiety, closing the gap between our beliefs and experience of God, and cultivating healthy workplace cultures. Author, speaker, and Capable Life founder Steve Cuss shares practical frameworks from his books Managing Leadership Anxiety and The Expectation Gap that help leaders bring freedom to themselves, their teams, and their faith journey.

Guest Bio – Steve Cuss

• Role: Author, Speaker, Organizational Consultant, Founder of Capable Life community
• Background: Born in Western Australia; pastoral training in the U.S.; CPE hospital chaplain residency forged his focus on anxiety and reactivity
• Expertise: Helping leaders notice contagious anxiety, break predictable reactive patterns, and foster well‑being in organizations and churches
• Resources: Books (Managing Leadership Anxiety, The Expectation Gap), podcast Being Human (Christianity Today), coaching intensives & Camino‑style spiritual journeys
• Connect: SteveCussWords.com

Timestamped
Outline Time Segment
0:00 Welcome ¬ Jason sets the theme: dependency on Jesus in the marketplace
2:10 Steve’s backstory – From Perth to U.S. Bible college & unexpected chaplain residency
8:35 Discovering personal anxiety in ICU rooms; the gift of “aggressive” supervisors
15:12 Defining reactivity – the only contagious anxiety & why leaders must notice it
25:40 People‑pleasing & perfectionism: false threats that wire our bodies for fear
32:05 Managing Leadership Anxiety – central thesis, “what the world needs most is a well-leader”
40:18 Introducing The Expectation Gap – Aligning head beliefs with body experience of God
48:30 False reality vs. lived reality; spotting assumptions that sabotage faith & relationships
55:20 Upcoming Capable Life Camino Walk in Spain; creating immersive growth experiences
58:45 Lightning Round – What excites Steve about the rest of 20251:
02:00 Where to find Steve’s books, courses, and weekly newsletter
1:04:00 Jason’s takeaway + Fortified Life send‑off
(“From the boardroom to the bathroom…”)

Key Takeaways

1. Well‑being is leadership’s greatest gift. A non‑anxious presence frees teams to thrive.
2. Reactivity is contagious—& always rooted in a false reality. Notice it, name it, diffuse it.
3. Mind the anxiety gap. Between stimulus and response lies space to choose freedom over fear (Viktor Frankl).
4. Bridge the expectation gap by aligning your understanding of God with what your body experiences.
5. Ask brave questions: “How do you experience me at my best…and at my worst?” Growth starts with honest feedback.
6. The environment shapes awareness. High-intensity spaces (such as ICUs and crisis situations) reveal hidden coping mechanisms.
7. Relief is reason enough. Doing the inner work leads to peace for you and the people you lead.

Scripture Anchors

• 1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
• Philippians 4:6-7 – Peace that surpasses understanding guards heart & mind.
• Proverbs 4:23 – Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Resources & Links

• Steve’s Website: SteveCussWords.com – free mini‑courses & weekly “Tips & Tools” email
• Books:
  • Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs (Thomas Nelson)
  • The Expectation Gap (NavPress)
• Podcast: Being Human on the Christianity Today network
• Capable Life Community: Online memberships + live intensives
• Camino Formation Walk (Oct 2025): Details at SteveCussWords.com/experiences
• Jason’s Book