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

Cynthia Yanof
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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 with you. Don’t miss a week as we dive headfirst into faith, family, and everyday ways to be MESSmerized by Jesus. Copyright @2023 MESSmerizing Media

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Episode 105 RE-RELEASE: The Art of Redefining 'Good' with Megan Fate Marshman

    RERELEASE! What does faithfulness to Jesus look like in this season of life? We're kicking it off with that question on today's show and then moving on to a powerful interview with Megan Fate Marshman. She’s amazing, and we cover everything from parenting fails to perfecting the elusive messy bun. We even had a little fun comparing stereotypes about Texas and California—because apparently, people think Texans ride horses everywhere. Megan also shared about the sudden loss of her husband and how she has leaned into prayer through her grief and raising their two small children. We talked about those “What now, God?” moments—when life takes an unexpected turn and you’re not sure how to move forward. Megan reminds us that prayer doesn’t have to be perfect; it’s about being honest and vulnerable with God, even if your mind wanders halfway through. (You know the drill: “Dear God… wait, did I leave the laundry in the washer?”) We also dug into Romans 8:28 and how God’s goodness doesn’t always look the way we expect. It’s not always easy, but knowing that God works for the good in all things gives us hope. He’s not just with us in the good times—He’s right there in the mess, using every struggle to grow us and draw us closer to Him. Whether you’re navigating the chaos of parenting, dealing with grief, or just trying to survive the day with the help of a few hits of caffeine, God is at work in your life.   All things Cynthia Yanof  Relaxed: Walking with the One Who is Not Worried About A Thing by Megan Fate Marshman Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    38 min

  2. 13 JUN

    Episode 104 I paid to pee and other European revelations 🇮🇹🇨🇭

    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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    23 min

  3. 4 JUN

    Episode 103 Friendship, Hardship, and ADHD-ship with Heather MacFadyen

    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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    33 min

  4. 28 MAY

    Episode 102 Unexpected Miracles in Progress with Chip Waggoner

    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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    40 min

  5. 21 MAY

    Episode 101 No Topic Off Limits: Marriage, Motherhood, and Melissa Radke

    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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    41 min

  6. 14 MAY

    Episode 100 What does the Holy Spirit Sound Like Anyway? With Libin Abraham

    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 timeWhy 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 needHow 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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    32 min

  7. 6 MAY

    Episode 99 Living in the Spirit with Libin Abraham

    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 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    33 min

  8. 30 APR

    Episode 98 “Let’s Not Do That” with David Thomas and Sissy Goff (A Parenting Essentials)

    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  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    37 min
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About

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 with you. Don’t miss a week as we dive headfirst into faith, family, and everyday ways to be MESSmerized by Jesus. Copyright @2023 MESSmerizing Media

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