Episodes

  • Dating with Intention: A Biblical Conversation for Men

    Dating with Intention: A Biblical Conversation for Men
    May 19 2026
    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) 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/

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

    You’re Not Too Far Gone: Coming Back from Depression
    May 5 2026
    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.


    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/

    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
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Naming the Darkness: A Biblical Conversation on Depression

    Naming the Darkness: A Biblical Conversation on Depression
    Apr 21 2026
    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) 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/


    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
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    39 mins
  • Four Words That Define a Man

    Four Words That Define a Man
    Apr 7 2026
    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) 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/
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Delivering Hope: Faith in the Marketplace (Pt. 2) | Todd Stewart

    Delivering Hope: Faith in the Marketplace (Pt. 2) | Todd Stewart
    Mar 24 2026
    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) and to connect with the ministry of United City visit https://unitedcity.church.


    Show Notes

    Get Todd’s Book Here: https://a.co/d/0gBNeSGf
    Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast
    Follow United City: @untdcitychurch
    Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com
    More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Delivering Hope: Faith in the Marketplace (Pt. 1) | Todd Stewart

    Delivering Hope: Faith in the Marketplace (Pt. 1) | Todd Stewart
    Mar 10 2026
    In this episode of the Step Up Podcast, Pastor Chris Kouba and Josh Thomas sit down with Todd Stewart, CEO of Gulf Winds and author of Delivering Hope: Leading a Business That Builds the Kingdom of God.

    Todd shares his story of coming to faith, joining his family’s business in its earliest days, and eventually helping lead Gulf Winds into remarkable growth. But more than a business success story, this conversation is about what it looks like to see your workplace as a mission field.

    Together, they talk about leading with excellence, living out your faith on the job, building a healthy company culture, navigating the tension between profit and purpose, and trusting God with both opportunity and people. Todd offers practical encouragement for men who want to honor Christ in the marketplace without overcomplicating what faithfulness looks like.

    If you’ve ever wondered how to integrate your faith and your work in a real, grounded, everyday way, 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

    Get Todd’s Book Here: https://a.co/d/0gBNeSGf
    Follow on Instagram: @stepup.podcast
    Follow United City: @untdcitychurch
    Connect with Pastor Chris: http://chriskouba.com
    More About United City: https://unitedcity.church/
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Decision Paralysis | Step Up Podcast

    Decision Paralysis | Step Up Podcast
    Feb 24 2026
    Ever spend so much time scrolling for the perfect show that you end up watching nothing?

    Josh and Pastor Chris dive in on the topic of “decision paralysis” and how at the end of the day, it’s a leadership problem. In this episode, they unpack Joshua 24:14–15 (“As for me and my house…”) and challenge men to become decisive about the things that actually matter.

    They talk about the difference between conviction and courage, why “I’m all in… unless You touch this” is really surrender with fine print, and how even good blessings can become weights that hold you back. From “proxy faith” to practical next steps, the call is simple: stop drifting, draw the line, plant the flag, and watch what God does on the other side of full surrender.
    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/
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Trust the Process

    Trust the Process
    Feb 10 2026
    What do you do when you know where God is calling you… but there’s a wall in the way?

    In this episode, Pastor Chris Kouba and host Josh Thomas unpack Joshua 6 and the battle of Jericho. God gives Joshua a strategy that feels completely counterintuitive: march, stay silent, and trust Him. From the “stall” of smoking brisket to the grind of daily faithfulness, they talk about what it looks like to wait well, keep showing up, guard your mouth, and remember the outcome because you’re not fighting for victory, you’re fighting from it.

    If you’re in a season where nothing seems to be changing, this one’s for you. Keep marching. Day seven is coming.

    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/
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins