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

Today we’re talking about body image, learning to love our body, and calling out the false narratives we’ve bought into from culture and other places relating to our physical body.    Talking about body image kinda feels like no-man's land, and I’m thinking I might as well hit politics and money while I’m at it. Joking. But having a discussion around how to love our body is something that is i...

I’m going to keep this short because, well, listen to the intro and you’ll understand. But somewhere between trying out a new spray tan and finding our trampoline in our front yard after a storm—it’s gotten kinda weird over here.    But thankfully, on the show is one of our faves, Dr. Ken Wilgus. We’re talking about how we survive summer with teens, and below is a preview of a few points that are...

Here’s a fun little podcast update for you.    As most of you (hopefully) know, Heather MacFadyen of the Don’t Mom Alone podcast and I have a little sideshow we do once a month called Sidetracked . Basically, it’s an unfiltered conversation between the two of us discussing life’s goings on, parenting, faith, etc. It comes out the first Friday of the month on Don’t Mom Alone, and It’s been a big hi...

We’re answering “how to” questions these days on MESSmerized, and today we’re tackling the awesome yet complex topic of friendships. I think of all the things I’m asked to talk about from my book, most often I’m asked about the topic of friendships and how to cultivate the really deep, meaningful ones.    Thankfully the queen of friendships (I made that up on the spot by the way) is with us today....

It’s week two of our new series asking “how do I _____” questions. Each week we’re bringing in amazing guests with practical advice for all areas of life. If you missed last week with Courtney DeFeo, we talked about cheering on other women, and you definitely need to go back and listen if you missed it. So so good. 🎉   This week we are tackling marriage, and I’m so excited for you to meet Dave an...

It’s May and if you’re anything like me, you’re already tired just thinking about all of the end-of-year conferences, award ceremonies, track meets, class picnics, and everything else headed our way. But don’t worry, we will survive it all together!    That being said, I’m SUPER EXCITED that May is finally here because TODAY is the day we start a new series on MESSmerized. (And trust me, you’re  g...

Have I told you this week how much my family loved Duck Dynasty? It was/is such a genius way to get people laughing while still instilling biblical truth and good old fashioned family values. The prayers around the table at the end of each show still get me.    Today I have the privilege of chatting with Willie Robertson about all things Duck Dynasty, and it’s far past due since I’ve interviewed b...

Seeing as though I have a first-grader and all, empty nesting seems a lifetime away. But for so many of us it’s one of those things that sneaks up in an instant leaving us and wondering what’s next and how to parent these new adults in our lives.   Jim Burns is an absolute delight and comes today with lots of practical information on how to prepare for the empty-nesting years. We discuss how women...

I hope you enjoyed the solar eclipse yesterday and the reminders of God’s majesty and power over all things on heaven and earth. Not to mention, if the stats are accurate I’m guessing you listened to Bonnie Tyler at some point during the day because. . . .  why not?   Her 1983 hit song, Total Eclipse of the Heart, reached number 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in the US during the solar eclipse ye...

I come to you today with a slight problem. Okay, it’s a little bit bigger than slight.    I’m a huge Candace Cameron Bure fan stemming back from Full House and bleeding all the way forward into the Hallmark Christmas movie era and now Great American Family Channel. Not to mention I’m obsessed with QVC and all of that makes me a HUGE Candace Cameron Bure groupie.    Why is this a problem? Thanks fo...

I hope you’re taking some time this week to slow down and spend a few minutes pondering Holy Week and all that it means to your faith. My prayer is that we don’t come out on the other side of Easter the same way we went into it. I pray that the very reminder of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross sparks a new hope in our lives, causing us to want more God in our lives than we currently have.   ...

According to the CDC, mental illnesses are the most common health conditions in the United States, with more than one in five adults suffering in some capacity. I say this not to be a downer, but to provide perspective as we consider the importance of treating ourselves well and seeking out the help we need.   Laura Smith is with us today talking about her new book, Holy Care for the Whole Self ....

I’ve had the unbelievable fortune of interviewing Bob Goff several times over the last few years, and he never disappoints. Yes, he’s an author, podcaster, philanthropist, attorney, and much more. But I think my favorite thing is how he gives the most ordinary situations a “Bob Goff spin,” showing us how to live out the gospel in ways that are simple yet profound.    Today we’re discussing how he...

I’m so excited to have my friend Kristen Hatton with us today. Not only is she a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate, but she’s also a brand new empty nester with a great perspective on fostering relationships with our kids now in preparation for when they live away from our homes.    We talk a lot about communication in today’s show, with Kristen highlighting several reasons why our kids ma...

My name is Cynthia Yanof and I’m addicted to my phone (and my watch, and Netflix, and Diet Dr. Pepper, and Mahjong . . . . too much?)   Good thing Joey Odom is with us today! We’re coming in hot with a grace-filled word for those of us all of us who need to be reminded that we can’t allow technology to trump our relationships. We’re talking about navigating our phones in a world where they are so...

Joni Eareckson Tada had a diving accident as a teenager, leaving her a quadriplegic. Since that time God has used her life in incredible ways to impact millions of people all over the globe for Jesus.   Joni has an incredible word for us today on finding peace in our lives by abiding with Jesus. I don’t know about you, but I know how to spend time with Jesus, praise Jesus, and even talk about Jesu...

It’s one of those rare times where it’s just me and a mic today with no guest to be found. Be assured, I’m bringing lots of random thoughts laced with humor (and hopefully) wisdom along the way. But with the addition of lots of new listeners the last few months, I’m realizing it’s time to share some of what’s on my heart as well as how Life is Messy, God is Good came to be.    We’re going to talk...

Yesterday was an incredible day and I’m so grateful for your support of  Life is Messy God is Good. As we continue the push towards getting this word out, I would be so grateful if you would leave a review on Amazon (or wherever you purchased the book) as well as continue sharing on social media and recommending it to friends. Please accept my deepest and heartfelt THANK YOU!   Today’s show is a c...

I’m writing to you from the airport in Dallas on my way to Nashville for book interviews. You guys, Life is Messy, God is Good is two weeks out from making its debut. YIKES! If you don’t follow me on social, be sure to do that now so you can see my fun updates.    As you know, on MESSmerized we’re doing a little series called “behind the mess.” We’re bringing some folks on the show that are featur...

It’s hard to believe that we’re approaching THREE weeks until my book releases on February 6th (small panic attack as I’m typing this). In honor of the big day coming up, we’re going to do a fun series on MESSmerized the next few weeks where I interview people who are written about in the book. It’s a behind the scenes look at the ways life gets messy for so many of us, and how to find God in the...

If you’re anything like me, your heart remains heavy for Israel in these days. It's hard to wrap our heads around the war, God’s bigger plan for their nation, and the hardships so many are facing in the Middle East.    Knowing this, I am so excited to have JoAnn Doyle from Uncharted Ministries joining us today. She’s got an amazing perspective on Israel through the lens of someone who has been...

Happy New Year! 🥳🎉🥳🎉🥳🎉   (Said with my most hoarse voice confirming I do in fact have my annual January cold. 🤒)   I don’t know about you, but my social media is jam-packed with everyone’s 2024 resolutions and things they are adding, things they are dropping, and ways they are going to make the most of the new year. And I applaud the ambition!   That being said, I’m wondering what God would...

If you’re in a post-Christmas coma, you’re not alone! Eating cookies for breakfast and watching Hallmark movies instead of entertaining your kids is fine everyone . . . we are doing our best!    That being said, can I invite you to join me and two of my favorite people for a few minutes to talk about love? Yes, it’s the last week of our Advent series and love is our topic.     It’s easy to see God...

When am I going to learn?  Seriously, I’m 20 years into this parenting gig and still insisting on family car rides to look at Christmas lights this time of year. It’s the definition of insanity how I do it over and over again expecting a different result. In my defense, I’m envisioning a picturesque scene of hot chocolate, pj’s, and a spectacle of lights bringing warmth and joy to my family. In re...

We’re closing in on 12 days until Christmas, and I’m guessing the whole idea of “peace” feels illusive at this point? Or maybe that’s just me. 😂😂😂   Today my dear friend Kay Wyma is joining us on our Advent journey to discuss peace. How does Christmas bring us reminders of peace, especially in a world filled with discord and stress? (Hint: Peace isn’t the absence of conflict, but replacing it w...