Shows / MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Welcome to Cynthia Yanof’s newest podcast, MESSmerized. Each week you’ll hear funny, authentic, and vulnerable conversations around everyday life, parenting, and following Jesus. A variety of guests will challenge us to pursue a life filled with the things that really do matter. Cynthia Yanof is the host as well as an author, speaker, wife, and mother. She’s relatable, funny, and dead-set on never taking herself too seriously. Whatever mess you’re walking through, odds are she’s right there…
Episodes
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Epsiode 165: Walking Our Kids Through Grief with Sissy Goff
I'm starting to think Sissy Goff needs to quit accepting my podcast invitations for the sake of her dogs. 😂 Last time we recorded, her beloved Lucy had just…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 164: When You’re Not Sure What to Pray With Doug McKelvey
Have you ever wanted to pray but couldn't find the words? Or wondered if reading someone else's prayer is somehow cheating? I mean, aren't we supposed to come…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 163: Are We Raising Godly Kids or Just Successful Ones?
If you've ever convinced yourself your kindergartner's reading struggles mean he'll never get into college, hold a job, or leave your house, welcome. I've been…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 162: The Love Language That Matters Most with Dr. Gary Chapman
After 25 years of marriage, I've learned one critical thing: my husband loves a good gift, and I'd prefer someone just unload the dishwasher. And that's just…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 161: Max Lucado on Unbreakable Courage and Staying Steadfast in Hard Times
I’ve had the privilege of interviewing Pastor Max Lucado many times over the years, and somehow it never gets old. He’s someone so many of us have admired for…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 160: Where Is God in This? Tammy Trent on Trusting Him Through the Hardest Seasons
Last week on MESSmerized, I talked about what happens when you’ve prayed and prayed . . . and nothing seems to change. You know God is good. You know He hears…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 159: When You’ve Prayed and Prayed . . . and Nothing
Tell me I’m not alone. Have you ever prayed for something so long that you’ve started wondering, “Are You there, God? It’s me, Cynthia.” Today we’re talking…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 158: How God Wired You: The 8 Great Smarts with Dr. Kathy Koch, PhD
I recorded this interview right before meeting some friends for lunch, and I could not stop talking about it. By the time lunch was over, they had all bought…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 157: Catching Up with Candace Cameron Bure: Christmas Movies, Finding Hope & Grandmotherhood
WE’RE BACK! After taking August off, MESSmerized is officially back for a brand-new fall season. I’ve got lots to catch you up on in the intro, and first I…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 156: Adult Kids: Send Help (with Dr. Kathy Koch)
Remember the time I accidentally killed off a guest? Me neither. 😬 Okay...so I confidently announced on another podcast that sweet Dr. Kathy Koch had been dead…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 155: How to Build Lasting Friendships with Becky Harling
Last night I had my Wednesday lunch girls over to celebrate a few birthdays, and as I looked around the table, I found myself feeling incredibly grateful…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 154: FIFA, Facelifts, and Freshmen Home for the Summer with Melissa Radke
This week, Cynthia and Melissa catch up on everything from ambulance rides and college move-out day to porch geese, peptides, protein goals, and why neither of…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 153: Everything's Not on the Line (Including Father's Day Apparently) with Jonathan Pitts
Well... this was supposed to be our Father's Day episode. Then summer happened. Life got a little unhinged (in the best of ways), and Father's Day came and…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 152: Making Marriage Easier: Week 2 with Arlene Pellicane
Welcome to MESSmerized! 🎤🎉 A quick note before we begin . . . If you're one of the many new friends who recently joined us via email, I'm so glad you're here…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 151: Making Marriage Easier: Week 1 with Arlene Pellicane
If you've ever looked at your marriage and thought, We're fine... but this could be better, this two-part series is for you. Today, Arlene Pellicane reminds us…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 150: When Motherhood Looks Different: Encouragement for Moms of Neurodivergent Kids with Somer Colbert
This is the last week of our Mother’s Day Month of episodes, and we’re ending with a conversation that I think so many moms need to hear. This week I’m joined…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 149: A Conversation With One of My Besties: Real Friendship, Real Life, Real Bible Study (with Stephanie Martin)
It’s Mother’s Day Month on Messmerized, and this week I’m bringing on one of my very favorite mom friends, Stephanie Martin. If you’ve ever wondered what it…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 148: The Tone of Your Home, Championing Women, and What’s Next with Courtney DeFeo
If you’ve ever cried after dropping a kid at college and then immediately enjoyed the quiet house and clean kitchen… this episode is for you. I sit down with…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 147: My Mother’s Day Gift to You 💐💐—You Need to Hear This (with Sharon Mankin)
Happy Mother’s Day week, friends. Truly—sending you lots of love this week. 💐 Now before I say anything else… I implore you to listen to this episode. Consider…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 146: What College Didn’t Teach Them: Molly and Kate on Faith, Friendship, and Finding Your Person
With Mother’s Day around the corner, I’m kicking off a month of conversations focused on moms and the people we love most—and it felt only right to start by…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 145: The “Crisis of Capability”: David Thomas and Sissy Goff on Raising Kids Who Can Handle Real Life
Today’s episode starts with my youngest… accidentally macing the entire second floor of our house. If you haven’t heard this story, you’re missing out. And…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 144: Understanding Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating with Sallye Clark
Today’s show is an important one—and we’re covering a topic I’ve never brought on the podcast before. I sat down with Sallye Clark, a licensed counselor who…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 143: Stop Putting It Off: Jon Acuff on Procrastination, Goals, and Getting Started
I think we need a drum roll . . . like seriously. 🥁🥁🥁🥁 Today on the show we have Jon Acuff. And let me just start by saying—I’m a HUGE Jon Acuff fan. And…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 142: Hosanna, Easter Ham, and Reframing Holy Week with Steve Frissell
Hey Friends, Happy Easter Week! 🐣🌷✝️ I hope you’re enjoying this week and finding a few quiet moments to slow down and really consider all that Jesus has done…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 141: Messmerized Gets a Little Sidetracked
As you know, I’m taking a little time away this week for spring break with my family—which means slower mornings, later nights, and me pretending I’m a fun…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 140: Stop Spiraling: A Much-Needed Reminder from Max Lucado
Spring break is happening at the Yanof house, which means I’m headed to San Diego with some of my crew. And yes, we’re going to the zoo. I want the record to…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 139: Wrestling with God through Loss and Disappointment with Tiffany Stein
Tiffany Stein joins me on the podcast today for a vulnerable and thoughtful conversation about grief, disappointment, and what it looks like to keep wrestling…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 138: Dating Advice We Wish Our Parents Had Given Us (Girl Mom vs. Boy Mom)
Kari and I are back for week two—and this time we’re talking dating from the girl-mom vs. boy-mom perspective. We start by admitting the obvious: most of us…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 137: The Soft Skills Nobody Teaches (But Every Kid Needs) with Kari Kampakis
Well, I went to A&M last weekend to see Brett and speak to the loveliest group of women, and let me just say: visiting girls in college versus boys is a…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 136: Underestimated, Overthinking, and Showing Up Anyway with Mary Marantz
Mary Marantz joins me on MESSmerized today, and this was such a thoughtful, encouraging conversation. We talk about how we both went to law school and…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 135: What Stirs Your Affections? with Matt Chandler
First, THANK YOU. My new book is officially out in the world—woohoo! I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the encouragement, the screenshots, the texts, the…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 134: How’d I Miss That? Blue Church Vans, Bible Drills, and My High School Youth Minister - Dr. Rob Boyd
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…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 133: How’d I Miss That? Marriage, Meningitis, and Mike Yanof
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…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 132: How’d I Miss That? Melissa Radke Talks Platforms, Pumps, and Castle Selfies
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…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 131: How’d I Miss That? My Mom Talks Marriage, Parenting, Faith (and the one time she cussed)
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…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 130: How’d I Miss that? Friendship and Resolving Conflict
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?…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 129: How'd I Miss That? - Cynthia Goes Solo
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…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 128: Resetting Your Soul for a New Year with Tara Beth Leach
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…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 127: A Compassionate Jesus in a Chaotic Season with Sherri Hughes-Gragg
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…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 126: Chain-Smoked Christmas Gifts and Finding Advent Hope with Stephanie Martin
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…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 125: A Jesus, Walmart, and Paper Plates Holiday Hospitality with Abby Kuykendall
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…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 124: Turkeys, Traditions, and Facelifts in Istanbul with Melissa Radke
Here’s part two of our shows with my hilarious friend Melissa Radke. This week we pregame the holidays: Texas “sweater weather” that isn’t, Spanx leggings that…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 123 A Show About Nothing — and Everything Hilarious — with Melissa Radke
Today’s episode is pure delight and zero agenda, which honestly might be my favorite combination. My friend Melissa Radke is here — author of Chicken Fried…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 122 Winning the Battle in Your Mind with Pastor Max Lucado
Can we possibly begin with a few “important” announcements today? First, I just got back from Las Vegas last night, and let’s just say the flight was so bumpy…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 121 A Conversation About Divorce We All Need to Hear with Lysa TerKeurst and Joel Muddamalle
This week I got to sit down with Lysa TerKeurst and Joel Muddamalle—and we tackled a topic the church doesn’t always handle well: divorce. Lysa has a powerful…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 120 Weddings, Grown Kids & Finding Rest with Christy Nockels
I just got back from the State Fair of Texas where I spent approximately a small mortgage and walked what felt like the entire Oregon Trail. My feet are tired…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 119 Candace Cameron Bure: Something Blue and the Chicken Dance
Y’all!!! Candace Cameron Bure is back with us today and we cover all the things: weddings, Bible reading plans, Christmas movies, and why the chicken dance…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 118 A College Minister’s Advice to Parents feat. Yusuf Agoro
This week we’re back with Part 2 of my conversation with Yusuf Agoro, associate pastor at The Well in Austin. If you heard last week’s episode, you know how…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 117 The God Who Never Stops Chasing You with Yusuf Agoro
Today’s show opens with a little prayer of frustration I’ve been praying—and God’s gentle reminder that He’s in every detail. That theme runs through our…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 116 Friendship, Conflict, and the Lies We Believe: Part Two with Natalie Runion
This week we’re back with part two of my conversation with my friend Natalie Runion, and if you missed part one—go listen first! In this episode we get…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 115 I Don’t Even Like Women with Natalie Runion
I had the best time sitting down with my friend Natalie Runion again on the podcast. We met years ago as brand-new authors, and it’s been such a gift to watch…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 114 Lauren Chandler on Brave Prayers, People Pleasing, and the Chandler Roast
Happy Wednesday!! This week I sat down with my friend Lauren Chandler—worship leader, author, speaker, and wife to Matt Chandler of The Village Church—for a…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 113 Bible Beyond VBS: Why God’s Story Still Matters with Jonathan Murphy
You are going to love today’s conversation. First of all, my guest has an Irish accent, which already makes him sound way smarter and more trustworthy than me…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 112: Bury Me in a Dirty Suit with Former Secret Service Agent Darin Kinder
Let’s play a little did-you-know game: Did you know the Secret Service protects every foreign diplomat who steps foot in the U.S.? Did you know they send…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 111 Don’t Try This Alone with Toni Collier
School starts this week!! School starts this week!! Yes, JB starts third grade—which means I owe his teachers and the entire school staff a formal apology…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 110 Know Before You Go: Junior High Edition with Stephanie Martin
Happy Wednesday—and happy “last week of summer” to so many of us! Today wraps up our Know Before You Go summer series, where we’ve been hearing straight from…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 109 Know Before You Go: High School Edition with Ella, Brett, and Riley
Another week, another Yanof kid takes the mic alongside a few of their friends. 🤪🤪🤪 This week, we’ve got three freshly graduated high schoolers joining us…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 108 Know Before You Go: College Edition with Molly and Kate
Well, the day has finally come. After months—okay, years—of BEGGING to be on the podcast, I’ve caved. Today’s guests on MESSmerized are none other than my…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 107 Ken Wilgus on Texas Floods and Anxious Kids
In the wake of heartbreaking news in Texas, I am talking with psychologist Dr. Ken Wilgus about how to walk our kids—and ourselves—through tragedy, fear, and…
- MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Episode 106 How AI is impacting our relationships and our kids with Kristen Hatton
Let's just start by saying this is not a topic we've talked extensively about on this podcast, but I think it is more relevant now than ever. So let's focus on…