Step Up with Chris Kouba

Dating with Intention: A Biblical Conversation for Men

In this episode of the Step Up Podcast, Pastor Chris Kouba and Josh Thomas have a conversation around relationships, dating, and biblical manhood through the lens of the Song of Solomon. They talk honestly about singleness, fear of commitment, dating with clarity, and why men should approach relationships with intention instead of ambiguity. Pastor Chris challenges men to stop treating dating casually, to lead with honesty, to pursue holiness before boundaries are tested, and to trust God with their relationship status. Whether you are single, dating, engaged, married, or raising sons and daughters, this conversation offers practical and biblical wisdom for honoring God and others in every season. To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba [https://www.instagram.com/ckouba/]) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church [https://unitedcity.church/]. Show Notes Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/stepup.podcast/] Follow United City: @untdcitychurch [https://www.instagram.com/untdcitychurch/] Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com [http://chriskouba.com] More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/ [https://unitedcity.church/] Chapter Markers 00:00 – Why Talk About Dating? 05:30 – Singleness Is Not a Disease 11:00 – What Is Dating For? 17:30 – Fear, Ambiguity, and Commitment 24:30 – Boundaries, Purity, and Honoring God’s Daughter 34:00 – Know God, Walk with the Church, and Date In Community

You’re Not Too Far Gone: Coming Back from Depression

In this continuation of their conversation on depression, Pastor Chris Kouba and Josh Thomas talk about what it looks like to begin coming back from a dark season. Looking at Elijah’s story in 1 Kings 19, they unpack how God meets His people with tenderness, rest, food, presence, community, and eventually renewed purpose. Pastor Chris shares more from his own experience recovering from a traumatic burn accident and the depression that followed, reflecting on the friends, mentors, and church community who helped carry him through. This episode is a reminder that sometimes the most spiritual next step is to rest, ask for help, let others sit with you, and slowly step back into the work God has given you. For any man who feels too far gone, this conversation offers a deeply personal word of encouragement: God is not done with 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 [https://unitedcity.church/]. Show Notes Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast Follow United City: @untdcitychurch Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com [http://chriskouba.com] More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/ [https://unitedcity.church/] Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome Back: Continuing the Conversation on Depression 04:15 – Sometimes the Most Spiritual Thing You Can Do Is Rest 07:15 – The Ministry of Presence 12:30 – Asking for Help When You Can’t Muscle Through 17:20 – Getting Out of the Cave and Changing the Routine 22:20 – From Avoidance to Purposeful Action 27:30 – You’re Not Too Far Gone

Naming the Darkness: A Biblical Conversation on Depression

In this honest and deeply personal conversation, Josh Thomas and Pastor Chris Kouba talk about depression, emotional health, and why so many men struggle to admit when they are not okay. Pastor Chris shares his own story of trauma, burnout, fear, and the dark season that followed a life-altering injury, while also pointing listeners to the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. Together, they explore how depression can show up through anxiety, irritability, overwork, isolation, and emotional numbness, and why men often hide it behind phrases like “I’m just tired,” “I’m just stressed,” or “I just need a vacation.” This episode offers biblical encouragement, practical insight, and a reminder that getting help is not weakness. It is wisdom. To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba [https://www.instagram.com/ckouba/]) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church [https://unitedcity.church/]. Show Notes Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/stepup.podcast/] Follow United City: @untdcitychurch [https://www.instagram.com/untdcitychurch/] Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com [http://chriskouba.com] More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/ [https://unitedcity.church/] Chapter Markers 00:00 Why men say “I’m good” when they’re not 03:07 Why guys struggle to name what they’re feeling 04:52 Pastor Chris shares his 2016 burn injury and dark season 12:28 Why men resist calling it depression 17:36 Elijah’s collapse after victory in 1 Kings 19 22:12 Physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual causes 36:22 Get help, say it out loud, and move toward healing

Four Words That Define a Man

In this episode of the Step Up Podcast, Pastor Chris Kouba and Josh Thomas reflect on the lives of two faithful men whose funerals left a deep impact on them. That conversation leads into a powerful discussion from Job 1:1 and the four qualities used to describe Job: blameless, upright, fears God, and turns away from evil. Together, Chris and Josh challenge men to think honestly about their reputation, their integrity at home, and the kind of legacy they are building right now. To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba [https://www.instagram.com/ckouba/]) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church [https://unitedcity.church/]. Show Notes Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/stepup.podcast/] Follow United City: @untdcitychurch [https://www.instagram.com/untdcitychurch/] Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com [http://chriskouba.com] More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/ [https://unitedcity.church/]

Delivering Hope: Faith in the Marketplace (Pt. 2) | Todd Stewart

In part two of this conversation, Pastor Chris Kouba and host Josh Thomas continue their sit-down with Todd Stewart, CEO of Gulf Winds and author of Delivering Hope: Leading a Business That Builds the Kingdom of God. Todd opens up about the hidden weight of leadership, walking through pressure, anxiety, hardship, and the difficult seasons that shaped his faith. He shares how prayer sustained him, how God proved faithful in the middle of business and personal trials, and why generosity, mentorship, and legacy-minded leadership matter so deeply. This episode is a powerful encouragement for any man trying to lead well while trusting God through the hard places. To find out more about Pastor Chris, follow him on all the social platforms (@ckouba [https://www.instagram.com/ckouba/]) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church [https://unitedcity.church/]. Show Notes Get Todd’s Book Here: https://a.co/d/0gBNeSGf [https://a.co/d/0gBNeSGf] Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/stepup.podcast/] Follow United City: @untdcitychurch [https://www.instagram.com/untdcitychurch/] Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com [http://chriskouba.com] More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/ [https://unitedcity.church/]