MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose

In today's episode, I’m joined by Rob Boyd—my former youth minister and an actual blast from my past. We take a walk down memory lane filled with blue church vans, lock-ins, Bible drills, questionable music debates, and the kind of church memories that are funny now… and formative forever.

Rob shares what it was like pastoring teenagers (including a very opinionated teenage me), why spiritual disciplines don’t have to be complicated (hello, seven minutes), and why faith is more about being than doing. We talk scripture memory, quiet time, raising kids, waiting on God when He feels silent, and how God uses even the awkward church years to shape who we become.

It’s equal parts laughter, nostalgia, and encouragement—especially for parents, former church kids, and anyone who’s ever wondered if the small things really matter.

And if you want the full stories behind today’s conversation, you can order How’d I Miss That? wherever you get your books.

All things Cynthia

Woohoo! It’s officially the release of How’d I Miss That? TODAY, and we’re dropping this episode on Tuesday instead of our usual Wednesday to celebrate. 

It felt only right to bring on the man who edited every.single.chapter, fixed approximately 9,000 commas, and has final veto power over any story that’s too much—which is really saying something, considering he grew up in locker rooms: Mike Yanof.

We talk marriage—“slow and low” brisket theology, why “spark” is overrated (Mike explains so I don’t get canceled), and why telling your husband all barbecue tastes the same is pretty much a felony. We also swap lists of what spouses should never say if they want to stay married.

Mike also shares about the season he nearly died from meningitis + encephalitis, how that experience reshaped his priorities, and what it taught us about marriage, faith, and trusting God when life is completely out of your control. We talk foster care and adoption too—and how saying yes to something hard changed our family and our understanding of what really matters.

It’s honest, funny, and full of perspective—for marriage, faith, and the ways God shows up in both the moments we pray for and the ones we never saw coming.

Order How’d I Miss That? 

All things Cynthia

Melissa Radke is back, and within the first sixty seconds she’s handing out compliments like she’s trying to earn a commission. (I try to redirect. She refuses. You’ll hear it.)

We start by processing the fact that I had just returned from Disney World and realized—some adults have completely lost their sense of embarrassment. From sexy castle selfies to fashion choices that raise concerns, Melissa and I pitch a new show idea called What Are We Doing Here? Honestly, it might be our best work yet.

From there, we talk about why funny matters, why writing a book is both a gift and a slow unraveling of your sanity, and how the phrase don’t miss it became the theme I couldn’t shake. We get into the tension between platforms and everyday moments—and how God is often at work in places we’re tempted to rush past.

I can promise you today’s show will make you laugh, feel mildly convicted, and maybe even leave you thinking… What are we doing here? —in all the right ways. Can’t wait for you to listen.

P.S. If you’ve pre-ordered How’d I Miss That?, my publisher has lots of freebies for you.

Just click here:  https://davidccook.org/books/howd-i-miss-that/

All things Cynthia

Melissa Radke

This week we’ve got a legend of a guest. Someone who needs no introduction (even though I’m about to). This week my mom, Dorothy, joins us on the podcast—after restarting the recording three times, which Dorothy is fairly certain is a sign the ratings are about to tank. She also arrives with a formal complaint: I have repeatedly thrown the family under the bus in my books, most recently by claiming our family has “no culture.” Dorothy would like to go on record that cardboard sledding, border-town adventures, and extremely questionable beauty decisions absolutely count as culture.

What starts as playful banter turns into one of those meaningful episodes that makes you laugh and then quietly reevaluate your life. Dorothy shares hard-earned wisdom on parenting without overreacting to what feels urgent, choosing long-term faithfulness over comparison, and not missing the in-between moments that matter more than we realize. There’s also a detour into piano trauma, marriage advice via Texas barbecue, and why sparks are overrated but commitment never is.

The heart of the conversation lands on faith—specifically, not sitting on the sidelines when God calls you to do hard things. Dorothy reflects on her years in ministry, stepping into leadership when it wasn’t common for women, and why obedience often comes before confidence. It’s honest, funny, and deeply grounding.

Also included: the one time Dorothy cussed (legendary), why husbands clean toolboxes when guests are coming, and proof that prayer, laughter, and grace go a long way in parenting, marriage, and faith.

Come for the chaos. Stay for the wisdom. You’re going to love Dorothy!

And if you want the full stories behind today’s conversation, you can preorder How’d I Miss That? wherever you get your books.

All things Cynthia

It’s week two of our new series where I’m bringing on people I love, people from my past, and the very people who show up in my new book How’d I Miss That? Today my dear friend Stephanie Martin is back, which means equal parts laughter, honesty, and the occasional, “Cynthia… maybe that story didn’t need to live forever in print.”

We start by revisiting our short-lived triathlon era—because some of us were made for marching band, not athletic competitions—and then move into a conversation about friendship. Why we need it, how it shapes us, and how the right people can pull us back to Jesus when we’re laid flat spiritually.

Woven through it all is the reminder that good friendships will bump into misunderstandings. That’s normal. But instead of avoiding those moments or letting assumptions do the talking, there’s a better way—one marked by humility, curiosity, and a willingness to check in and clear the air so the friendship can keep growing.

If you’ve been needing a refresh on how to build and sustain meaningful friendships, I think this episode will feel like a deep breath and a good laugh. And if you want the full stories behind today’s conversation, you can preorder How’d I Miss That? wherever you get your books.

All things Cynthia

Hey friends—welcome to a New Year and a new How’d I Miss That? series. Over the next few weeks, we’re leaning into conversations I love, people I love, and a message that shaped me as I wrote book two, How’d I Miss That?. (Oh—and we’re going to laugh a lot too.)

There’s a quote that became the backbone of this book:

“There’s very little difference between people—but it’s the little difference that makes a big difference.”

Jesus shows us exactly what that looks like in Luke 10 with the story of the Good Samaritan. Same man. Same road. Three very different responses. The robbers saw a weakness to exploit. The priest and Levite saw an inconvenience to avoid. The Samaritan saw a neighbor worth loving.

The difference wasn’t knowledge or position—it was outlook and availability. Compassion. Interruptibility. A willingness to love when it’s inconvenient.

Most of us aren’t traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho—we’re moving between meetings and carpools, dorms and gyms, desks and dinner tables. And those ordinary, in-between places are where the little difference shows up.

Jesus ends the story with four simple words: “Go and do likewise.” And if I’m honest, even as a girl who was raised in church, there have been plenty of seasons where I had the head knowledge—but missed the call to go and do likewise.

That’s why this book exists. It’s a reminder that small, faithful obedience still changes everything. Jesus calls it mustard-seed faith—quiet, unseen at first, but powerful over time.

Today we’re going to talk about our assignment as Christians (spoiler: love is our brand) and how to make sure we “don’t miss it” this year. I can’t wait for you to to tune in! 

Pre-Order How'd I Miss That?

All things Cynthia

Before we dive in, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and all the things! I took the last two weeks off to spend time with all the kids and it’s been a glorious time of renewal. Just kidding—I’ve been running around like a crazy person just like everyone else! Either way, I happy to be back and I’m so grateful for you—every listen, every message, every time you invited me into your day this year. What a gift this community has been. Truly, thank you.

I saved today’s show for the last one of 2025 on purpose. I wanted us to round out the year with something that brings us back to what matters most going into a new year—being with Jesus. Today’s conversation with Tara Beth Leach is the reminder our souls need about slowing down, meeting God in the morning, and letting small, faithful rhythms steady our hearts.

Tara Beth shares how God met her in a season of deep loss, how He invited her to rise—literally—and begin her days with Him, and how it changed everything. She walks us through her G.R.E.A.T. morning framework (gratitude, reflection, exaltation, asking, trusting), and we talk honestly about guilt, grace, phones, noise, and learning to quiet the distractions so we can hear from God.

If you’re feeling rushed, tired, emotional, or overwhelmed going into the new year, this episode is for you. Happy New Year friends, and I cannot wait to see all the Lord will do in 2026! ✨

P.S. If you’ve loved hanging out here this year, would you consider pre-ordering my new book? It helps more than you know (like… wildly more), and it means you’ll have it waiting for you when launch day hits—no forgetting, no guilt, just joy. Thank you, friends!

All things Cynthia

The Great Morning Revolution by Tara Beth Leach

Today I got to sit down with Sherri Hughes-Gragg—author, mom of five, and someone who speaks about God’s heart with beautiful clarity. 

We talked Christmas traditions—the Yanof Family Book Exchange (which started because I refused to let Mike buy himself a full-price book in December), and Sherri’s Santa Soccer, which involved antlers, Santa hats, sugar, and absolute chaos in her yard.

Then we went deep.

Sherri talked about raising five kids, including daughters adopted from Haiti, and how she moved from parenting out of fear and pressure to parenting from Jesus’ simple plumb line:

Love God, love people.

Before judgment.

Before fixing.

Before controlling.

Sherri shared openly about walking through divorce and then receiving a cancer diagnosis literally the next day. And how instead of seeing a harsh God, she began seeing the compassion of Christ more clearly than ever.

She reminded us Jesus moves toward suffering. Like the widow in Scripture whose only son had died—before He raised the son, He comforted her.

As we enter Advent Week 2—PEACE—Sherri offered freedom:

It is not your job to fix the world.

It is your job to love the people in front of you.

Her new devotional, The Compassionate Christ: Draw Near to the Risen Christ, is a beautiful way to begin the new year with a clearer vision of Jesus as gentle, kind, and near.

Such a great conversation—I think you’ll love it.

All things Cynthia 

The Compassionate Christ Devotional 

Follow Sherri on Instagram

Today I pulled in one of my closest friends, Stephanie Martin, because nothing says “professional podcast” like asking a bestie 24 hours before recording to jump on the show. We kicked off with Thanksgiving—where Stephanie described having college kids home as “being held hostage in the best way,” which perfectly sums up the chaos of adult children wandering in and out of your kitchen like feral cats. 

We swapped childhood Christmas memories (her patriotic tree covered in American flags, my chain-smoked Barbie RV) and confessed our modern traditions—like how I make my family decorate the tree even though none of them enjoy it, and how Stephanie is skipping Christmas cards this year because she feels like God is calling her to slow down and actually see people.

The heart of the episode was Advent hope. We talked about the 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testaments, the anticipation of the Messiah, and the different reactions to Jesus’ birth—opposition, seeking, apathy, expectancy. It led us to ask: How are we approaching Jesus this season? And how might real hope help us loosen our grip on perfect holidays, perfect kids, perfect everything?

We wrapped with two essentials: husbands who buy their own presents (I literally labeled gifts “To Mike, From Mike”) and the Christmas songs we cannot stand. Stephanie declared Wham off-limits, and I begged the world to retire “Christmas Shoes” forever.

Stephanie ended with a beautiful prayer for hope, rest, and hearts open to whatever God is doing—right here in the middle of our messy, imperfect holidays. Can’t wait for you to listen today!

All things Cynthia Yanof 

Advent books we discussed:

Waiting Here For You - Louie Giglio 

Come Let Us Adore Him - Paul David Tripp

Today I got to sit down with my new friend Abby Kuykendall, author of Let the Biscuits Burn, and y’all… this girl brought the hospitality revival I didn’t know we needed before Thanksgiving week. Abby has a toddler, another baby due in January, and somehow also managed to write a book in the fog of postpartum life. Meanwhile I once forgot to defrost a turkey until Thanksgiving morning, so we are clearly operating at different skill levels.

Abby and I talked about real biblical hospitality—not entertaining, not “tour my pristine home while I panic about the baseboards,” but the Jesus kind. The kind where the table matters more than the menu, and people matter more than pillows arranged at the right angle. She walked us through how hospitality isn’t just a spiritual gift—for many of us it's a spiritual discipline we learn, like piano lessons except far less traumatizing .

We also get super practical (because most of us are one bad casserole away from calling it quits). Abby shares her go-to grocery store hacks, why pizza rolls and pigs in a blanket turn grown adults into joyful children, and how even a messy house can preach “you belong here.” Plus: conversation cards, decorating tips, and simple gatherings you can actually pull off. 

This episode is the pep talk we all need before heading into the holiday hosting gauntlet. Lower the bar. Invite the people who might otherwise be alone. Light a candle. Put out the paper plates. And for the love of all things holy—let the biscuits burn.

P.S. By now, you probably have gotten the memo that pre-orders have started for my new book, How’d I Miss That? If you have NOT pre-ordered yet, I would be so grateful if you’d consider doing that right now! Thank you, friends. 💗💗💗

All things Cynthia 

Let the Biscuits Burn by Abby

A Living Table by Abby

Listen to Abby's Podcast Here