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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/messmerized-funny-and-faith-based-encouragement-in-marriage/donations

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