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

Latest Episodes:

Episode 159: When You’ve Prayed and Prayed . . . and Nothing Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

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 about Habakkuk and what prayer looks like when God feels silent, His answer makes no sense, or nothing seems to be changing.

Habakkuk gives us three things to hold onto:

Honesty. God can handle the real prayer—the frustrated, confused, “Where are You?” prayer.

Higher ground. Sometimes we need to get out of the weeds, quiet the noise, and let God’s Word—not our circumstances—shape what we believe.

Hope. Habakkuk doesn’t end with everything fixed. He ends with confidence that God is still sovereign and will give him the footing to walk whatever terrain is ahead.

If you’re waiting, wondering, or wrestling with God right now, today’s show is for you.

P.S. — If you haven’t filled out the MESSmerized survey, will you do that pretty please? It’s right here!

P.P.S. — If you enjoyed today’s show, will you share it with your besties?

All things Cynthia

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Episode 158: How God Wired You: The 8 Great Smarts with Dr. Kathy Koch, PhD Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

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 the book. That’s how much this conversation got me.

And so . . . I’m thrilled to have Dr. Kathy Koch on the show today. The last time she was here, the response from you guys was incredible, and she was gracious enough to come back—even after I mistakenly called her dead one time. 😂

Today we’re talking about her book 8 Great Smarts, and I’m telling you, this one has changed the way I look at my kids—and myself.

Dr. Kathy walks us through the eight different “smarts,” how to recognize them, and why understanding the way God wired us can be so freeing. We talk about why struggling in school does NOT mean you aren’t smart, how some of the things that drive us crazy about our kids may actually point to their strengths, and even how understanding your smarts can help you recognize the ways you naturally relate to and connect with God.

Plus, I share how I passed the bar exam but never managed to pass a piano theory test after nine years of lessons. Make it make sense.

Turns out, life smarts a little less when you understand how you’re smart. See what I did there? 😂 And PLEASE share this one with a friend. I really think every parent—and honestly every adult—needs this word from Dr. Kathy.

All things Cynthia

8 Great Smarts by Dr. Kathy

Dr. Kathy’s Website

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Episode 157: Catching Up with Candace Cameron Bure: Christmas Movies, Finding Hope & Grandmotherhood Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

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 just want to say thank you for giving me a little space to step away and recharge. It was so needed, and now we’re coming back firing with some incredible guests this fall.

And there was really only one way to kick things off: my dear close personal friend Candace Cameron Bure. And by “close personal friend,” I mean we’ve never actually met in person, talk about once a year, and I remain fully committed to making this friendship happen.

Candace and I talk about everything from becoming “Candy Graham” to two new grandbabies, what she’d tell her younger self about parenting, and why busyness can quietly steal our hope. We also talk about her new devotional, Wild Hope, the Scripture she memorized before heading into the Malaysian jungle for Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, and of course, her Christmas movies. Plus, because apparently I learned nothing from last time, I put her through another Full House trivia game.

One more thing before you go: later this week I’m sending out a survey, as promised, because I really want your feedback on the show—what you’re loving, what you want more of, what you want less of, all of it. If you haven’t already, head to cynthiayanof.com and enter your email so you can be part of all the MESSmerized happenings.

Grateful for you friends . . . can’t wait to kick things off!

Wild Hope: A 30-Day Devotional to Overcome Life’s Challenges by Candace

Candace’s Live Tour

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Episode 156: Adult Kids: Send Help (with Dr. Kathy Koch) Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

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 for years. Turns out she's very much alive, incredibly gracious, and has a fantastic sense of humor.

If you're wondering how to parent your adult children without driving them—or yourself—crazy, this episode is for you. We talk about the practical, biblical wisdom in Dr. Kathy's new book on navigating relationships with adult children. From knowing when to speak up (and when to zip it), to letting your kids struggle without rescuing them, navigating prodigals, kids moving back home, boundaries, and conflict, this conversation is packed with wisdom. Best of all, it's one of those conversations that will leave you encouraged instead of guilty.

And one little programming note: thank you for spending time with me each week. I never take that for granted. We'll be taking a little break over the next few weeks for some much-needed rest and relaxation. (Okay...who are we kidding?) Around here, it's more like moving kids back to college, buying elementary school supplies, and wondering why I live in Dallas with the ridiculous heat.

But don't worry—we'll be back in late August with meaningful conversations, plenty of laughs, and some guests I absolutely can't wait for you to meet. Thanks for being here. I can't wait to catch up with you then.

How’d I Miss That

All things Cynthia

Kathy Koch’s New Book

Kathy Koch’s Website

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Episode 155: How to Build Lasting Friendships with Becky Harling Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

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. We've done life together through babies, college kids, aging parents, health scares, marriage struggles, celebrations, disappointments, and all the ordinary moments in between. It reminded me how much we were created for community. We need people who know our stories, tell us the truth, laugh with us, pray for us, and show up when life gets hard.

Which is exactly why I loved this week's conversation.

I sat down with author Becky Harling to talk about friendship—the lifelong kind, the complicated kind, and the kind that takes a whole lot more work than any of us expected.

We talked about loyalty, why assuming the worst about people rarely ends well, how to have hard conversations instead of quietly disappearing, and why every friendship eventually needs a little grace.

Becky also shared how her cancer journey reshaped the way she thinks about relationships, including loneliness, jealousy, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, unmet expectations, and all the other things that can make friendship feel harder than it should.

It was one of those conversations that left me thankful for the women God has placed in my life and reminded me not to take those relationships for granted. Deep friendships don't happen by accident—they're built over time, through showing up, extending grace, and choosing to stay connected even when it's hard.

If you have a friend who's walked through a season with you, checked in when you needed it most, or simply makes your life better by being in it, would you do me a favor? Send this episode to her. Friendship is something worth celebrating, and my hope is that this conversation encourages both of you.

I have a feeling you'll see yourself somewhere in this episode. Can't wait for you to listen!

All things Cynthia

Friend-Wise by Becky Harling

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Episode 154: FIFA, Facelifts, and Freshmen Home for the Summer with Melissa Radke Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

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 them can pretend to care about the World Cup anymore.

Melissa shares the story behind her recent car accident (and the surprisingly attractive ambulance crew), while Cynthia relives her own ambulance horror story involving a stretcher apparently designed for someone much smaller than either of them.

They also compare notes on life with college kids home for the summer, including questionable fashion choices, suspiciously healthy savings accounts, and the sudden realization that their children now have better electronics, better clothes, and possibly better lives than they do. 😂😂😂

Along the way they discuss moving crews for dorm rooms, porch goose culture, Little House on the Prairie, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, lip flips, jelly shoes, hair perfume, outdoor furniture covers, and Melissa's plan to one day travel to Turkey for a facelift.

But beneath all the laughter is a meaningful conversation about gratitude. Melissa shares a simple phrase that has been challenging her lately: We are rich. Not because of what's in the bank account, but because of all the gifts God has already given us.

Come laugh with us. Summer is weird, our kids are grown, and apparently we're now at the age where facelifts and peptides are legitimate conversation topics.

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All things Cynthia

Melissa’s Website

Chicken-Fried Women by Melissa Radke

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Episode 153: Everything's Not on the Line (Including Father's Day Apparently) with Jonathan Pitts Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

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 went before we could get it out. Which, as it turns out, is fitting for a conversation about parenting, grief, family, and trusting God when things don't go according to plan.

This week I sat down with my friend Jonathan Pitts, and we talked about fatherhood, grief, remarriage, blended families, raising daughters, and the things we've learned (and unlearned) over the years as parents.

Jonathan shares what changed after losing his wife, Winter, how he navigated raising four daughters through unimaginable loss, and what it looked like to build a new family after remarrying. We talk about the challenges of blending families, the gift of resilience, letting our kids experience hardship, the pressure dads feel to get everything right, and why we often spend so much energy trying to protect our children from the very things God may use to grow them.

One of my favorite moments was when Jonathan shared a phrase he and his wife repeated often while blending their family: Everything's not on the line.

What if we actually believed that?

This conversation is full of wisdom, encouragement, and practical reminders for parents in every season. And even though we missed Father's Day, I think it's exactly the conversation many of us need right now.

Can’t wait for you to listen!

For Girls Like You

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Episode 152: Making Marriage Easier: Week 2 with Arlene Pellicane Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

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. Every week we talk about faith, family, relationships, and all the messy places where real life meets God's goodness. My hope is that you'll leave encouraged, challenged, and reminded that God is at work—even in the ordinary moments.

Welcome to the community. I'm so grateful you're here.

— Cynthia

Hey Friends,

What if the biggest threats to your marriage aren't the major crises—but the tiny daily choices you barely notice?

In today's show, part two of my conversation with Arlene Pellicane, we talk about the practical habits that help couples stay connected long after the wedding day. From misplaced Capri Suns and forgotten water bills to exercise equipment taking over the living room, we share honest stories from nearly three decades of marriage and why learning to laugh together might be one of the most important skills a couple can develop.

Together, we explore the power of gratitude, why so many marriages drift into a transactional roommate relationship, and how simple acts of service can transform a home. Arlene explains why happiness isn't found in perfect circumstances, social media comparisons, or expecting your spouse to meet every need. Instead, she shares practical ways couples can choose gratitude, support each other's dreams, put their phones down, and create rhythms of connection that strengthen a marriage over time.

If you've ever looked at your spouse and thought, I love you, but today I don't particularly like you, this conversation is for you. You'll walk away with simple, doable ideas for making marriage easier this week (and forever).

All things Cynthia

Arlene’s Website

Making Marriage Easier by Arlene Pellicane

The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane

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Episode 151: Making Marriage Easier: Week 1 with Arlene Pellicane Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

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 that small actions repeated over time create big results and that healthy marriages are usually strengthened—or weakened—not by dramatic moments, but by the little things we do every day.

Arlene shares some surprisingly doable ways to create more connection in everyday life, including the importance of putting down your phone, having realistic expectations, and learning how to cheer each other on. We also discuss the power of pre-deciding—making intentional choices ahead of time about how you'll prioritize your marriage before life gets busy and distractions take over. We also discuss why so many couples drift into roommate mode and the surprising power of simple appreciation.

Whether you're newly married, celebrating decades together, or somewhere in the middle of raising kids and juggling responsibilities, this episode is full of practical encouragement. Be sure to come back next week for part two of this conversation with Arlene, where we'll continue exploring simple ways to make marriage easier, stronger, and more connected.

Arlene’s Website

Making Marriage Easier by Arlene Pellicane

The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane

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Episode 150: When Motherhood Looks Different: Encouragement for Moms of Neurodivergent Kids with Somer Colbert May 27, 2026

Show notes

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 by my friend Somer Colbert to talk about parenting, expectations, fear, faith, and what it looks like to trust God when the journey doesn’t unfold the way we imagined. Whether you're raising a neurodivergent child or walking closely alongside someone who is, I know you’re going to appreciate today’s show.

Somer shares such practical wisdom about letting go of unrealistic expectations, learning to celebrate small victories, and trusting God with the parts of our children’s stories we can’t control. We talk honestly about mom guilt, the temptation to compare our kids to everyone else’s, and why saying the hard things out loud is often the first step toward freedom. One of my favorite parts of our conversation was the reminder that different does not mean less than—and that success may look very different than we once imagined.

I also share a personal story about a recent moment with my son that completely reframed what really matters at the end of the day. If you've ever worried about your child’s future, questioned whether you’re doing enough, or simply needed someone to remind you that you’re not failing, this conversation is for you.

All Things Cynthia

Called to Love Podcast

Somer Colbert

The Gift of Limitations by Sara Hagerty

More than a Conqueror Workbook

8 Great Smarts by Kathy Koch

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