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

Just back from Switzerland and Italy (I apologize for the #HumbleBrag) and let me say this: the scenery is gorgeous, the bread is holy, and breakfast is a situation. I also learned the hard way that when you ask for the “bathroom” in Europe, you're really just asking for confusion—and coins. Yes, they refer to bathrooms as “toilets” and for the first time ever I paid to pee. Add that (and the abundance of ice) to the list of reasons I’m grateful for Chick-fil-A.

Our youngest, JB, made the trip especially memorable. When our flight hit some serious turbulence, he looked at me with total confidence and said, “Moms never get scared.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was gripping the armrest and whispering Psalms under my breath. 

A few days later, we were on a boat off the Amalfi coast when the waves got wild again. It reminded me of Matthew 8, where Jesus is asleep during a storm and the disciples are panicking. Their first reaction? “He doesn’t care.” Sound familiar? I’ve said the same thing in my own storms—about parenting, health scares, and even podcast deadlines.

But Jesus is Lord over wind, waves, sickness, and our most chaotic days. His peace is ours for the taking. We don’t need calm seas to trust a faithful Savior. He’s in the boat. And He’s not panicked. On today’s show I’m talking about vacation, life’s storms, and reminders for the times when even Mom’s get scared. 

Tune in and also please share this with a friend! I’d be so grateful!

All things Cynthia

Sidetracked Podcast

This week, I’m joined by my dear friend and Sidetracked co-host, Heather MacFadyen. We’re talking all things summer—from the ADHD interventions I swear she’s staging, to her full-on Enneagram 4 vibes. We laugh, we cry (okay, not really), and we keep it super honest.

But we also get into the deeper stuff—the lessons we’ve both learned this past year and the surprising ways God shows up in the ordinary, often overlooked moments. Heather shares how heartache has a way of rewriting our theology… while somehow also confirming everything we’ve believed all along.

We talk about hope, parenting, trusting God to show up right on time (and not a minute earlier), and how grief doesn’t get to cancel our hope.

So if you’re parenting through a hard season, needing a reminder that God still has good plans for you, or just trying to survive summer break with all the snacks and your sanity intact—this one’s for you.

Oh, if you need even more laughter and even less structure (if that’s possible), check out our other podcast, Sidetracked, where we talk every other week about everything and absolutely nothing.

All things Cynthia 

Sidetracked Podcast

Don’t Mom Alone Podcast

This week’s episode is a really special one — and kind of a full-circle moment for me — because Chip Waggoner and his son Benjamin were actually my very first podcast guests ever! I still remember that very first recording, and now here we are, years later, sitting down again to reflect on their incredible journey and how God has continued to show up in big and small ways.

You may know Chip as the Fox 4 News Anchor, but today, he’s not here to talk headlines. He shares the powerful story of his son Benjamin, who was born with a rare and complex medical condition that changed the course of their family’s life. We talk about what it’s like to watch your hopes and dreams shift in ways you never expected, and how even when life looks completely different than what you pictured, God’s purpose remains steady and unshakable.

We also dive deep into the emotional side of parenting through difficult seasons — those moments when you feel isolated, overwhelmed, and maybe even a little forgotten. Chip opens up about how those seasons, while incredibly hard, are often where the most unexpected miracles show up. 

One of my favorite parts of our conversation was hearing Chip talk about re-centering his life on Christ — especially during those times when faith felt like a struggle. His words are a powerful reminder that it’s okay to not have it all together, and the most important thing we can do is keep turning back toward Jesus.

Chip has a new book out called MIP: Discovering the Wonder of God’s Perfect Plan for Our Lives and I highly recommend it.  Whether you’re walking through a hard season with your child, your spouse, your faith — or just feeling like life isn’t quite what you thought it would be — this episode and Chips book is for you. 

And hey — if this episode spoke to you, would you do me a favor? Send it to a friend who might need some encouragement, and leave a review wherever you listen. It helps more people find us, and I’d be so grateful. 💛

All things Cynthia

M.I.P.: Discovering the Wonder of God’s Perfect Plan for Our Lives by Chip Waggoner

When Melissa Radke shows up, you know it’s going to be real, hilarious, and completely unforgettable. If you know Melissa, you already know you're in for laughs, real talk, and probably a few “Did she just say that?” moments (the answer is yes, and we love her for it).

Melissa and I are diving into all the things: podcasting behind the scenes, the chaos of book launches, and what it really looks like to blend two very different family cultures in marriage. She shares some hilarious parenting stories, and we both talk about what we learned growing up that shaped how we raise our own kids.

We also talk about the challenge of writing authentic dialogue, how her ‘Swim Gym’ water aerobics sessions became comedy gold, and the raw truth behind body image, weight loss, and wellness. Melissa opens up about what self-care actually looks like when life is busy and unpredictable, and why laughter and honesty are so important.

I recently read Melissa’s book, Chicken-Fried Women: Friendship, Kinship, and the Women Who Made Us This Way. Let me just tell y’all it is one of the few books written in the past century that I laughed out loud many times while reading. If you haven’t already, you need to order Melissa’s book TODAY.

This episode is packed with honesty, humor, and so many “me too” moments. Melissa brings the kind of real talk that reminds us we’re not alone—and that it’s okay to laugh while we figure it all out.

All things Cynthia

Melissa’s Website

Chicken-Fried Women: Friendship, Kinship, and the Women Who Made Us This Way by Melissa Radke

The Chicken-Fried Women Podcast

We’re kicking off this week’s episode with part two of Sappy Cynthia—my newest segment, where I share a little more of the real-life stuff going on over here. This week, I’m talking about my daughter’s college graduation and what made me cry (which was basically most things). 

Then we jump into another great conversation with my pastor and friend, Libin Abraham. I’ve absolutely loved learning more about the Holy Spirit through these conversations, and Libin has such a gift for making it practical and approachable. This week, we’re talking all about spiritual gifts—from hospitality to healing, administration to prophecy—and how the Holy Spirit equips us for the exact places and purposes where we’ve been planted.

We also get into:

• Whether your gifts can shift over time
• Why spiritual maturity isn’t measured by your gifts
• The difference between residential gifts (the ones wired into your bones) and circumstantial gifts (the ones that show up when needed most)
• Why not using your gift might actually rob someone else of what they need
• How walking in your gifting makes the yoke easier and the burden lighter—even in ministry

We also get some practical tips on how to know if you’re hearing from the Holy Spirit. 

It’s such a rich and encouraging conversation today—so listen in and be sure to share it with someone who needs the reminder that the Holy Spirit is powerful and available for our everyday lives.

All things Cynthia

Bent Tree Bible

Well, we’re starting the show today with a segment I’m calling “sappy Cynthia.” Graduating two kids in the next 10 days has brought out all the feels, and last night was Brett’s last baseball game—talk about full-on nostalgia (alongside a stomach bug I’m currently fighting).

But on today’s show, I’m joined by Libin Abraham, the pastor of my church, Bent Tree Bible. I recently heard Libin preach a powerful sermon series on the Holy Spirit, and it really impacted me. As soon as I heard it, I knew I had to share it with all of you.

This week we dive into the topic of living a Spirit-filled life. Libin breaks down who the Holy Spirit is and how He works in our everyday lives. Practically speaking, Libin talks about how the Holy Spirit changes our desires, moves us to pray for others when we don’t even know how, and equips us to do things we’d never imagine ourselves doing—like stepping into foster care when it wasn’t even on our radar.

Next week, Libin will be back, and we’ll talk about how to know if it’s the Holy Spirit speaking to you or just your dinner from the night before. Make sure you tune in over the next two weeks for these powerful and practical insights on living in the Spirit.

All things Cynthia

Bent Tree Bible

This week on MESSmerized, I have the dream team—David Thomas and Sissy Goff. We’re talking all things parenting, and if you’ve ever tried to have a deep conversation with your teenage son and got nothing but a grunt and a request for bacon, this episode is for you.

We tackled the big stuff: anxiety in kids, the social chaos our girls are navigating, and why boys apparently need a full workout and a snack before they can form a complete sentence. We talked about how resilience doesn’t come from bubble-wrapping our kids but from letting them do hard things—and maybe doing a few hard things ourselves (like ignoring the mean mom at soccer).

Sissy reminded us that trust, not courage, is the real anxiety buster. And David explained why experiential learning is key for boys (translation: turn that lecture into a walk with a basketball). 

So if you’re feeling like you’re one carpool drive away from losing it, take a deep breath and join us. You’re not alone, and trust me—this episode will make you laugh!

All Things Cynthia

Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage by Sissy Goff 

Owen Learns He Has What It Takes: by David Thomas 

Register for the Raising Capable Kids Conference with David Thomas and Sissy Goff 

Rebecca George is joining me today to tackle the tricky art of waiting—something that feels way longer than it should in a world that’s constantly rushing forward. We dive into how trusting God's timing (even when it feels like everyone else is ahead) can turn waiting into a season of personal growth and even joy (yes, joy, during the waiting!).

We chat about the dangers of turning desires into idols (oops, we’ve all done it), the importance of gratitude to fight off bitterness, and why comparison is a total thief. Plus, we share how the writing journey is basically the same as waiting for anything else—full of growth, setbacks, and plenty of moments where you just need to trust God.

Here’s a few takeaways from today’s show: 

• Trusting God’s timing is key in a world that thrives on instant everything.
• Waiting doesn’t have to be wasted time—it can be a period of growth.
• Gratitude is the secret weapon against jealousy and bitterness.
• Focusing on God’s character, not your circumstances, will help you wait well.

Join us for a laugh and some real talk about waiting well—and don’t forget to share this episode with someone who needs a little reminder that God’s got this (even when it feels like everyone else is moving faster!).

All things Cynthia

You’re Not Too Late: Trusting God’s Timing in a Hurry Up World by Rebecca George

This week on MESSmerized, I got to chat again with the one and only Ann Voskamp—and let me just say, if you’re needing a little soul refreshment heading into Easter weekend (and maybe a reminder that God is still in charge even when your week feels like a dumpster fire), this episode is for you.

Ann shared the most incredible story about chasing sheep across the Canadian tundra—yes, actual sheep. It gave us a beautiful picture of Jesus as our Good Shepherd. He never sleeps and He never takes His eyes off us. There’s something comforting about knowing that even when we wander, He’s already coming after us with love. 

Ann also opened up about a really hard season—her son’s house burned down during Lent. Literal ashes. And yet, in true Ann fashion, she invites us to see the beauty in even the most heartbreaking moments. She calls it a “severe mercy”—a reminder that even in loss, God is working something eternal and holy in us.

So as we head into Resurrection Sunday, I hope this conversation reminds you that Jesus is near. He’s the Shepherd who sees you, loves you, and laid down His life so you’d never walk alone—even in the cold, or the ashes, or the chaos.

All things Cynthia Yanof 

Loved to Life by Ann Voskamp

“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the king of Israel!’” — John 12:13

We’re coming up on Palm Sunday, and I honestly can’t think of anyone better to join us this week (and next!) than the one and only Ann Voskamp. And if you’re even slightly tempted to skip this episode for any reason, I’m going to have to lovingly—but firmly—ask you to rethink that decision. 😂

Ann and I get real, honest, tearful, and maybe a little silly as we talk about faith, the hard places we’ve been walking through lately, and what this season—especially Palm Sunday—means in the context of our everyday lives. She shares such a beautiful word on making sure what we focus on actually draws us closer to the Lord.

She also talks about how she stays in step with Jesus, reminding us that our ultimate goal isn’t hustle or productivity... it’s just more of God himself. Yes and amen to that.

I’m so excited for you to hear this conversation with Ann (and don’t worry—she’s back again next week!). As we head into Holy Week, will you consider sharing this episode with a friend? Someone who might need a fresh reminder that Jesus is still the Good Shepherd, still turning tables, and still gently leading us home.

All things Cynthia Yanof 

Loved to Life by Ann Voskamp