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

Cynthia Yanof
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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. 2D AGO

    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 toward God when life falls apart. Tiffany shares the heartbreaking story behind her book Mourning God after losing her infant son, David, and how that loss led her into not only grief over what she had lost, but also grief over the God she thought she knew. Today’s conversation isn’t just for someone who has experienced the death of a loved one. We talk about the many forms loss can take—church hurt, broken relationships, shattered expectations, illness, estrangement, and dreams that never came to be—and how those losses can unravel what we thought we believed about God. Tiffany offers such a wise and honest framework for lamenting for those seasons when God feels silent, prayer feels dry, and faith feels like you’re just barely hanging on. This conversation is deep, hope-filled, and incredibly practical too. Tiffany shares what helped her in the darkest season of her life, how the body of Christ can carry people when they have no strength left, and some genuinely helpful ways to love people who are hurting without resorting to the usual stitched-on-a-pillow responses. If you’ve ever wondered whether God can handle your honest disappointment, or if you’re walking with someone through sorrow and want to love them well, I think this episode will meet you right where you are. All things Cynthia Mourning God by Tiffany Stein Every Moment Holy, Volume II: Death, Grief, & Hope Author: Douglas Kaine McKelvey Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers Author: Dane Ortlund Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/messmerized-funny-and-faith-based-encouragement-in-marriage/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    46 min

  2. MAR 4

    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 got approximately zero dating advice from our parents, so we learned “the hard way”…plus a sprinkle of questionable magazine wisdom. We get into what we hope our kids look for—without turning dating into an interview process: someone pursuing Jesus, someone kind to people who can’t do anything for them, someone consistent when the “camera is off,” and the importance of paying attention to red flags (including the love-bombing, too-much-too-fast stuff that can feel flattering but isn’t always healthy). Carrie also shares why girls need to trust their gut—because so many women can look back and say, “I sensed something was off…and I ignored it.” And because we’re coming at this from both sides, we talk about what girls often don’t realize about boys: how much courage it takes to ask someone out, how insecurity can hide behind humor, and why moms should teach daughters how to say no kindly. We wrap with dating in a digital world—DMs, “texting is too formal” (what?)—and our favorite big-picture reminder: leave people better than you found them, because the person you date may be someone else’s spouse one day, and you’d want their future wife/husband to be thankful you were part of their story. Don’t miss today’s dating advice with the amazing Kari Kampakis! All things Cynthia How’d I Miss That Is Your Daughter Ready?: 10 Ways to Empower Your Girl for an Age of New Challenges by Kari Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/messmerized-funny-and-faith-based-encouragement-in-marriage/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    49 min

  3. FEB 25

    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 completely different experience. Completely. Different. More on that on today’s show. Today’s guest is Kari Kampakis—or the “raising girls whisperer,” as I like to call her. She is so wise, steady, and incredibly helpful when it comes to understanding girls, and I loved getting to go to Birmingham last fall to tape a few shows with her in person at her home. She’s just as darling and thoughtful off the mic as she is on it. We’re doing two weeks with Kari, and this is week one. In this conversation, we dig into the soft skills that matter more than we often realize—especially perseverance and work ethic—and how those qualities are actually built in the everyday moments of parenting. Kari shares practical, encouraging insight on helping kids take ownership of their effort instead of just their results, and why consistent habits and character formation often matter far more than natural talent in the long run. Whether you’re raising girls or boys, there is so much wisdom here for every parent. I can’t wait for you to tune in! All things Cynthia How’d I Miss That Is Your Daughter Ready?: 10 Ways to Empower Your Girl for an Age of New Challenges by Kari Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/messmerized-funny-and-faith-based-encouragement-in-marriage/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    43 min

  4. FEB 18

    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 ultimately chose paths that didn’t necessarily make sense on paper, but aligned much more with how God wired us. Mary shares about growing up in a single-wide trailer in West Virginia and how that background shaped her grit, her work ethic, and also her tendency to tie achievement to worth. We spend a lot of time unpacking fear and the ways women quietly underestimate themselves—perfectionism, overthinking, procrastination, and constantly assuming someone else is more qualified or better. One of the biggest takeaways is how easy it is to over-idealize other people’s success while minimizing our own, simply because we see their highlight reel and live inside our own messy middle. We also talk about procrastination and the deeper fear behind it, the danger of waiting for the “perfect time,” and how often fear doesn’t say “never,” it just says “not yet.” It’s a really honest conversation about comparison, calling, and showing up anyway—even when you don’t feel ready, qualified, or confident—trusting that God can use ordinary obedience more than perfect performance. Can’t wait for you to listen! Order How’d I Miss That & PLEASE PLEASE leave a review! Mary Marantz’s Achiever Quiz  Mary’s book: Dirt and Underestimated Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/messmerized-funny-and-faith-based-encouragement-in-marriage/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    43 min

  5. FEB 11

    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 DMs, and the stories you’ve already shared. It means more than you know. If you’ve read How’d I Miss That?, I would be so thankful if you’d leave a quick review on Amazon (or wherever you purchased it). Reviews really do help more people find the book, and I’m incredibly grateful for every single one. Matt Chandler is back on Messmerized today, and we start where all deep spiritual conversations begin: with him attempting to hit a baseball at a “pre-Passion Passion” event in Rangers Stadium—in front of pastors and ministry leaders, which somehow ups the pressure. We relive the moment, compare notes on how ruthless our children are (his son uses brain surgery as debate material), and agree there’s an age where you stop competing with your kids because you already know how it ends.  From there we pivot to the real Passion—45,000 students worshiping with everything they’ve got—and talk about his new 30-day devotional, Awake and Alive, written for those of us who feel tired, distracted, or spiritually numb and don’t want to stay that way. We also talk about what it actually looks like to “wake up” in everyday life—especially when you’re disappointed with God or feel yourself drifting. Matt shares two questions he asks himself every quarter that are incredibly clarifying: one reveals what stirs his affection for Jesus, and the other exposes what quietly robs it. We wrap with marriage wisdom from 25 and 27 years in, and why your spouse can be a gift—but never your savior.  We’ll link Awake and Alive (out now), his upcoming Becoming Like Jesus, and yes—How’d I Miss That? too—because the theme here is simple: don’t drift through what matters. Awake and Alive Pre-Order: Becoming Like Jesus How’d I Miss That All things Cynthia Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/messmerized-funny-and-faith-based-encouragement-in-marriage/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    40 min

  6. FEB 6

    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 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 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/messmerized-funny-and-faith-based-encouragement-in-marriage/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    33 min

  7. FEB 3

    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 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 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/messmerized-funny-and-faith-based-encouragement-in-marriage/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    49 min

  8. JAN 28

    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 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 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/messmerized-funny-and-faith-based-encouragement-in-marriage/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    49 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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