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

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 restarting the recording three times, which Dorothy is fairly certain is a sign the ratings are about to tank. She also arrives with a formal complaint: I have repeatedly thrown the family under the bus in my books, most recently by claiming our family has “no culture.” Dorothy would like to go on record that cardboard sledding, border-town adventures, and extremely questionable beauty decisions absolutely count as culture.
What starts as playful banter turns into one of those meaningful episodes that makes you laugh and then quietly reevaluate your life. Dorothy shares hard-earned wisdom on parenting without overreacting to what feels urgent, choosing long-term faithfulness over comparison, and not missing the in-between moments that matter more than we realize. There’s also a detour into piano trauma, marriage advice via Texas barbecue, and why sparks are overrated but commitment never is.
The heart of the conversation lands on faith—specifically, not sitting on the sidelines when God calls you to do hard things. Dorothy reflects on her years in ministry, stepping into leadership when it wasn’t common for women, and why obedience often comes before confidence. It’s honest, funny, and deeply grounding.
Also included: the one time Dorothy cussed (legendary), why husbands clean toolboxes when guests are coming, and proof that prayer, laughter, and grace go a long way in parenting, marriage, and faith.
Come for the chaos. Stay for the wisdom. You’re going to love Dorothy!
And if you want the full stories behind today’s conversation, you can preorder How’d I Miss That? wherever you get your books.

All things Cynthia

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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? Today my dear friend Stephanie Martin is back, which means equal parts laughter, honesty, and the occasional, “Cynthia… maybe that story didn’t need to live forever in print.”
We start by revisiting our short-lived triathlon era—because some of us were made for marching band, not athletic competitions—and then move into a conversation about friendship. Why we need it, how it shapes us, and how the right people can pull us back to Jesus when we’re laid flat spiritually.
Woven through it all is the reminder that good friendships will bump into misunderstandings. That’s normal. But instead of avoiding those moments or letting assumptions do the talking, there’s a better way—one marked by humility, curiosity, and a willingness to check in and clear the air so the friendship can keep growing.
If you’ve been needing a refresh on how to build and sustain meaningful friendships, I think this episode will feel like a deep breath and a good laugh. And if you want the full stories behind today’s conversation, you can preorder How’d I Miss That? wherever you get your books.

All things Cynthia

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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 message that shaped me as I wrote book two, How’d I Miss That?. (Oh—and we’re going to laugh a lot too.)

There’s a quote that became the backbone of this book:
“There’s very little difference between people—but it’s the little difference that makes a big difference.”

Jesus shows us exactly what that looks like in Luke 10 with the story of the Good Samaritan. Same man. Same road. Three very different responses. The robbers saw a weakness to exploit. The priest and Levite saw an inconvenience to avoid. The Samaritan saw a neighbor worth loving.

The difference wasn’t knowledge or position—it was outlook and availability. Compassion. Interruptibility. A willingness to love when it’s inconvenient.

Most of us aren’t traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho—we’re moving between meetings and carpools, dorms and gyms, desks and dinner tables. And those ordinary, in-between places are where the little difference shows up.

Jesus ends the story with four simple words: “Go and do likewise.” And if I’m honest, even as a girl who was raised in church, there have been plenty of seasons where I had the head knowledge—but missed the call to go and do likewise.

That’s why this book exists. It’s a reminder that small, faithful obedience still changes everything. Jesus calls it mustard-seed faith—quiet, unseen at first, but powerful over time.

Today we’re going to talk about our assignment as Christians (spoiler: love is our brand) and how to make sure we “don’t miss it” this year. I can’t wait for you to to tune in! 

Pre-Order How'd I Miss That?
All things Cynthia

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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 glorious time of renewal. Just kidding—I’ve been running around like a crazy person just like everyone else! Either way, I happy to be back and I’m so grateful for you—every listen, every message, every time you invited me into your day this year. What a gift this community has been. Truly, thank you.

I saved today’s show for the last one of 2025 on purpose. I wanted us to round out the year with something that brings us back to what matters most going into a new year—being with Jesus. Today’s conversation with Tara Beth Leach is the reminder our souls need about slowing down, meeting God in the morning, and letting small, faithful rhythms steady our hearts.

Tara Beth shares how God met her in a season of deep loss, how He invited her to rise—literally—and begin her days with Him, and how it changed everything. She walks us through her G.R.E.A.T. morning framework (gratitude, reflection, exaltation, asking, trusting), and we talk honestly about guilt, grace, phones, noise, and learning to quiet the distractions so we can hear from God.

If you’re feeling rushed, tired, emotional, or overwhelmed going into the new year, this episode is for you. Happy New Year friends, and I cannot wait to see all the Lord will do in 2026! ✨

P.S. If you’ve loved hanging out here this year, would you consider pre-ordering my new book? It helps more than you know (like… wildly more), and it means you’ll have it waiting for you when launch day hits—no forgetting, no guilt, just joy. Thank you, friends!

All things Cynthia
The Great Morning Revolution by Tara Beth Leach

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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 traditions—the Yanof Family Book Exchange (which started because I refused to let Mike buy himself a full-price book in December), and Sherri’s Santa Soccer, which involved antlers, Santa hats, sugar, and absolute chaos in her yard.

Then we went deep.

Sherri talked about raising five kids, including daughters adopted from Haiti, and how she moved from parenting out of fear and pressure to parenting from Jesus’ simple plumb line:
Love God, love people.

Before judgment.
Before fixing.
Before controlling.

Sherri shared openly about walking through divorce and then receiving a cancer diagnosis literally the next day. And how instead of seeing a harsh God, she began seeing the compassion of Christ more clearly than ever.

She reminded us Jesus moves toward suffering. Like the widow in Scripture whose only son had died—before He raised the son, He comforted her.

As we enter Advent Week 2—PEACE—Sherri offered freedom:
It is not your job to fix the world.
It is your job to love the people in front of you.

Her new devotional, The Compassionate Christ: Draw Near to the Risen Christ, is a beautiful way to begin the new year with a clearer vision of Jesus as gentle, kind, and near.

Such a great conversation—I think you’ll love it.

All things Cynthia 
The Compassionate Christ Devotional 
Follow Sherri on Instagram

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