Typology The Hidden Cost of Performance: Steve Cuss on Anxiety, the Enneagram Three, and Becoming Your True Self
Jan 8, 2026
Join Steve Cuss, a pastor and founder of Capable Life, as he shares insights from his journey with anxiety and its connection to the Enneagram Three. He candidly discusses how the drive for competence can isolate us and the liberation found in embracing our true selves. Drawing from his experiences in chaplaincy, Steve explores the pitfalls of pretense and the struggle of balancing ambition with authenticity. With humor and honesty, this conversation sheds light on the contagious nature of anxiety and the quiet strength that comes from being genuinely human.
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Childhood Moments Seeded Anxiety Work
- Steve shares childhood memories: his grandfather told him not to rescue him if washed overboard.
- Early experiences of fear and family stories seeded his interest in anxiety studies.
Chaplaincy Stripped The Mask
- Steve Cuss describes being nicknamed “Super Chaplain” and realizing his confident persona was a performance.
- Daily chaplain group work and genograms exposed family dysfunction and peeled back his pretense.
Competence Can Be Its Own Isolation
- The appearance of competence disconnects you from others while trying to win their love.
- Steve links hyper-competence to anxiety and difficulty feeling sadness or grief.
