Afleveringen
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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 itās far past due since Iāve interviewed basically everyone in his family except for him.
Willieās stories are amazing, including how he tried to fire Cy, how Duck Dynasty got started, and how he got Phil signed on to the idea of reality TV.
But Willie is really passionate about sharing his faith, and thatās a big part of our conversation today. He talks about how his parents instilled this in his life, and how heās trying to do that for his children as well. Willieās new book Gospeler (which I mispronounced all throughout the show š ) challenges us to let go of our excuses and get bold about sharing our faith to a culture who desperately needs it.
When I think about fun interviews Iāve had the privilege of being a part ofāthis one definitely lands somewhere near the top! I canāt wait for you to listen.
Cynthia Yanof
P.S. For those interested, Iām currently booking speaking engagements for the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025. I would love to be a part of your next event, so click here and fill out the form if youāre interested.Gospeler: Turning Darkness into Light One Conversation at a Time
All things Cynthia Yanof
Life is Messy, God is Good
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Seeing as though I have a first-grader and all, empty nesting seems a lifetime away. But for so many of us itās one of those things that sneaks up in an instant leaving us and wondering whatās 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 tend to cope with kids leaving home versus men, and he shares plenty of super relatable insights from his own experience.
We also talk about how to parent our adult children and when to give advice and when to shut-up and smile until called upon. I think one of the mic drop moments in this interview for me came was the reminder that āour words have the power to bless and to curse.ā (Remind me to buy a gag for my mouth.)
Please take a few minutes to listen to this fun conversation with Jim Burns, and then share it with your friends who are approaching this same empty-nesting road.
All things Cynthia
Life is Messy, God is Good
Jimās ministry: HomeWord
Finding Joy in the Empty Nest
Doing Life with Your Adult Children
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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I hope you enjoyed the solar eclipse yesterday and the reminders of Godās majesty and power over all things on heaven and earth. Not to mention, if the stats are accurate Iām 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 yesterday. Bless our hearts for being so predictable and slightly cheesy when it comes to eclipse protocol. But whatcha gonna do, every now and then we fall apart. (I apologize in advance for my lyrical references throughout this email, itās stuck in my head now.)
Monica Swanson is with us today, and sheās a wise friend with lots of wisdom on raising kids, building strong family relationships in our families, and the pitfalls to avoid in each stage of parenting. But what I like the most about Monica is sheās one of us who knows all too well those moments of thinking I donāt know what to do, Iām always in the dark.
She also has several kids out of the house and great advice for when we worry that the best of all the years have gone by. She suggests several things we can do now to help further our relationship with our kids later. And donāt miss her thoughts on working through body image issues and the importance of rescripting our thoughts to line up with Godās truth. Itās her way of saying turn around bright eyes, and wake up to who you really are. (Okay, that one was a stretch).
Thanks for listening today, and when youāre finished I need you more than ever to leave a review for MESSmerized and also this episode with a friend.All things Cynthia
Order: Life is Messy, God is Good
Monicaās book Raising Amazing
The Monica Swanson Podcast
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I come to you today with a slight problem. Okay, itās a little bit bigger than slight.
Iām 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 Iām obsessed with QVC and all of that makes me a HUGE Candace Cameron Bure groupie.
Why is this a problem? Thanks for asking.
Well sheās on todayās show and letās say I was a lot. Like a lot too much, and she was ridiculously precious and even played along. And there was this moment at the end where out of nowhere I began channeling my inner Jimmy Fallon and did a ābitā with her. Yes, I did a ābit,ā and itās somewhere between slightly funny and massively cringy . . . and I apologize.
Nonetheless, Candace is amazing, and today weāre talking about everything from her obsession with sumo citrus oranges to standing up for our faith in todayās culture. Her words about losing dear friend Bob Saget are precious, and the way she met her husband is hilarious.
So listen in today and prepare yourself to go see her movie Unsung Hero later this month in theaters. We MUST support Christian films, and this one is about the Smallbone family (For King & Country) and will be excellent.
And as you find yourself thinking ābless Cynthiaās heartā through this episodeājust remember that most of the time, I keep it together! Ha.
Canāt wait for you to listen!
P.S. Can we talk again about how much I love watching QVC? And that Candace is the queen of QVC, and somehow I need to go there with her some day? Who can make this happen? š¤Ŗ
Unsung Hero Movie
Great American Family Channel
The Candace Cameron Bure podcast
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I hope youāre 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 donāt come out on the other side of Easter the same way we went into it. I pray that the very reminder of Jesusā 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.
Every year on Good Friday, my husband pulls out the olā āItās Friday . . . but Sundayās Comingā message at some point when weāre all in the car together. He gets mocked for this predictable move every year, but gosh it's a message we need to hear on repeat. Take a minute to listen this week and even follow Mikeās lead and throw it on the car radio for the fam.
On todayās show we have Lisa Whittle talking with us about revival, and how to experience it both on a corporate and personal level. Lisa is passionate about the importance of desiring and wanting more God in our livesāwhich leads to a personal revival that can literally change everything about how we live.
I especially appreciate her list of things that keep us from revival, or wanting more God. Things like our need for comfort, control, and even popularity. This is a perfect word for us going into Easter, and I pray it challenges you in the coming days.
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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. After years of counseling, sheās come to realize that the very techniques medical professionals suggest for improving our mental health are also the biblical principles we read about throughout Scripture. Things like gratitude, community, rest, and exercise.
If youāre anything like me, it often feels like taking care of yourself is a luxury we donāt have time for in this season. Iām praying todayās show helps remind us that self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity, if we want to be our best selves to our friends and family.
Take a few minutes today to listen to my conversation with Laura, and also get a little info on the book Iām reading right now and the āsecret placeā I set up while my family was out of town this weekend.
P.S. Many of you have reached out about having me speak at your upcoming events, and Iām so honored. Yes, I do lots of speaking and would love to talk about foster care, parenting, marriage, the messiness of life, or anything else! Reach out here and letās get things rolling.
Holy Care for the Whole Self by Laura Smith
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
All things Cynthia
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Iāve had the unbelievable fortune of interviewing Bob Goff several times over the last few years, and he never disappoints. Yes, heās an author, podcaster, philanthropist, attorney, and much more. But I think my favorite thing is how he gives the most ordinary situations a āBob Goff spin,ā showing us how to live out the gospel in ways that are simple yet profound.
Today weāre discussing how he got talked into writing books and the details behind that little career pivot. He also shares some insight on discerning when God is leading us into new callings. If you take nothing else from this interview, I hope youāre challenged to consider what your ānext brave stepā may be in following Jesus in todayās culture.
I realize itās Spring Break for many and thereās lots of traveling. This is a PERFECT podcast for the whole family. So listen ināyou wonāt regret it.
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All things Bob Goff
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Iām so excited to have my friend Kristen Hatton with us today. Not only is she a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate, but sheās 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 todayās show, with Kristen highlighting several reasons why our kids may not feel safe or comfortable talking to us. Even with the best of intentions, there are things we inadvertently do each day that close the lines of communication with our kids. She may or may not have stepped on my toes in this area as I realize Iām guilty of several of them. Ha!
I especially love her list of seven ways to āparent aheadā (also the name of her book), which includes things like active listening, setting boundaries, normalizing awkward topics, and avoiding the temptation to nag. Listen in to get the complete list and her explanation as to why these things matter.
Kristen is one wise mom, and I canāt wait for you to hear our conversation today!
Parenting Ahead by Kristen Hatton
All things Cynthia
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My name is Cynthia Yanof and Iām 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! Weāre coming in hot with a grace-filled word for those of us all of us who need to be reminded that we canāt allow technology to trump our relationships. Weāre talking about navigating our phones in a world where they are so helpful and critical, yet can also be harmful and a crutch.
Joeyās thoughts on untethering ourselves from our phones is sobering and practical. He gives very do-able suggestions that we can start implementing today. He also reminds us that weāre all learning to navigate phones together for the first time, so donāt beat yourself up.
I know it may be a hard topic to get excited about because the majority of us have guilt around our lack of technology boundaries . . .. however, this is a 30-minute conversation you wonāt regret!
Have you read Life is Messy God is Good yet? If so, post yourself with your book and/or a favorite quote and tag us on social media. We would be love to repost stories of MESSmerized listeners loving this book!All things Cynthia
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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 donāt know about you, but I know how to spend time with Jesus, praise Jesus, and even talk about Jesus. But sometimes āabidingā with him feels complex and needs a little more explanation. Joniās doing that for us today.
Also, can I suggest that if you or someone who has been walking through a hard time, waiting for God to answer and it seems heās silentātodayās show is a great one to share? Joni knows all too well how to trust Jesus in seemingly impossible circumstances.
I truly canāt wait for you to hear more from Joni today!
Joni and Friends
The Practice of the Presence of Jesus by Joni
All things Cynthia
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Itās one of those rare times where itās just me and a mic today with no guest to be found. Be assured, Iām 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, Iām realizing itās time to share some of whatās on my heart as well as how Life is Messy, God is Good came to be.
Weāre going to talk very practically today about building our homes on a firm foundation (Matthew 7:24-27). Iām being brutally honest about how thatās looked for our family including practical considerations on living with purpose, perspective, and finding the right people. And spoiler alert, at the end of the day itās the storms of life that reveal our foundations, making it critical that we build lives that dig deep into the rock of Jesus.
I canāt thank you enough for supporting me the last many weeks as weāve been pushing out my first book-baby. I think my two c-sections might have been less stressful than pushing my words and stories into the world for everyone to see. Doing this with you guys, however, has been a great pleasure. Thank you for the support, and please continue praying for this book to fall in the hands of all those who need a good laugh and a hearty dose of biblical truth.
Enjoy todayās show and please consider sharing it with a friend.
All things Cynthia
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Yesterday was an incredible day and Iām 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!
Todayās show is a continuation of our discussions with friends and family who made a cameo in my book. Darin Kinder is not only in the book, but his story of surviving the 9/11 attacks as a Secret Service Agent has impacted my life in the messiest and best of ways.
Darin is with us today to talk about living courageously and raising kids willing and able to do the hard things. And let me assure you, Darinās words are powerful and unforgettable. In fact, Iām not sure a story outside the Bible has impacted me more than Darinās account of 9/11 and seeing God show up in the messiest and most tragic of situations.
Take a listen today and even share with a friend! So grateful for you.
All things Cynthia
Order Life is Messy, God is Good
Darin Kinder's The Valiant Ministries
Darin Kinder's Story in Episode 2 of MESSmerized
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Iām 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 donāt follow me on social, be sure to do that now so you can see my fun updates.
As you know, on MESSmerized weāre doing a little series called ābehind the mess.ā Weāre bringing some folks on the show that are featured in the book, and today itās two of my favorite people! My two older kids, Kate and Brett, are the featured guests, and I canāt wait for you to hear from them.
Kate is sharing a little bit about the transition from high school to college and how sheās seen God show up as things have gone off-script at times. Brett and I have a conversation about learning to drive, cherry bomb exhaust systems, and the pressures of figuring out who you are in high school and what you want for the future.
Canāt wait for you to hear from them. Oh, and if you havenāt already, today is a GREAT day to order my book. Okay, off to board and cram everything I own in a tiny space under my seat!
Pre-Order Life is Messy, God is Good
All things Cynthia
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Itās hard to believe that weāre approaching THREE weeks until my book releases on February 6th (small panic attack as Iām typing this). In honor of the big day coming up, weāre going to do a fun series on MESSmerized the next few weeks where I interview people who are written about in the book. Itās a behind the scenes look at the ways life gets messy for so many of us, and how to find God in the midst of it.
This week my dear friend Sharon Haynes is joining us. If you have not heard our story about fat camp and the french fry, you MUST LISTEN today. Aside from Sharonās hilarious story, she has a poignant word on the hard places of losing our parents, raising kids who make rogue decisions, and keeping it real with our closest friendships. I canāt tell you how much I love todayās show and Sharonās willingness to lay it all out there.
On a side note, Iām going to be sending out an email later this week with some ways you can help me promote Life is Messy, God is Good in the coming weeks. I would be so grateful if you would take a minute to read that email and consider sharing news of my book with your friends, family, and small groups. And of course, if you havenāt already ordered a copy can I ask you to do that today?
So grateful for you and canāt wait for you to listen to our series on going ābehind the mess.ā
Pre-Order Life is Messy, God is Good
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If youāre anything like me, your heart remains heavy for Israel in these days. It's hard to wrap our heads around the war, Godās 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. Sheās got an amazing perspective on Israel through the lens of someone who has been ministering to Jews and Muslims in the Middle East for many decades.
While the news coming from Israel has been hard, thereās also an encouraging story behind the story that more Muslims have come to faith in Christ in the last 10 years than in the last 14 centuries. And more Jews have come to embrace Jesus as Messiah in the last 20 years than in the last 2000 years.
All this comes as a much-needed reminder that God continues to pursue his peopleāand heās doing it right now in Israel. Take a few minutes to be encouraged as you listen to JoAnn share incredible stories of how Godās working in Israel and Gaza, and ways we can make a difference individually during this critical time.
P.S. Guys, we are ONE MONTH away from the release of my first book Life is Messy, God is Good. Pre-orders are a ginormous deal and it would be such a blessing if you would consider grabbing a copy (or two or three) today! So grateful for you and canāt wait for you to read it. ā¤ļø
Pre-Order Life is Messy, God is Good
Uncharted Ministries
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Happy New Year! š„³šš„³šš„³š
(Said with my most hoarse voice confirming I do in fact have my annual January cold. š¤)
I donāt know about you, but my social media is jam-packed with everyoneās 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, Iām wondering what God would have us resolve for this new year? What is he calling us to do and how do we create enough margin to hear his still small voice in the middle of the everyday chaos?
Today Pastor Libin Abraham is joining us to talk about keeping the awe and wonder in Christmas long after Christmas is over. And as a part of doing that, how do we take moments to pause and consider where God is leading us this year?
Thereās so much packed into todayās show that you seriously cannot miss, but donāt miss these challenging words from Pastor Libin: God moves at the pace of your next yes.
So whatās your ānext yesā for 2024? Listen in today and letās figure it out together.
P.S. If you love MESSmerized would you consider sharing it with a friend today? Help us continue building our awesome community in 2024 by inviting people to come alongside us.
All things Cynthia
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If youāre in a post-Christmas coma, youāre 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, itās the last week of our Advent series and love is our topic.
Itās easy to see Godās unrelenting love for his people through Jesusā life, from the manger to the cross. But how does this kind of love change us practically in our everyday lives?
Heather and Stephanie are lots of fun, and I promise you will be encouraged as weāre facing a new year and all of the unknowns. And speaking of a new year, I want to thank every single one of you for being a part of the MESSmerized family, and the calling God has placed on my life.
Itās been a privilege to walk through parenting, faith issues, spiritual rhythms and so much more the last eight months. I canāt wait to see what God is up to in 2024!
All things Cynthia
Pre-Order Life is Messy, God is Good
Sidetracked with Heather and Cynthia
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When am I going to learn?
Seriously, Iām 20 years into this parenting gig and still insisting on family car rides to look at Christmas lights this time of year. Itās the definition of insanity how I do it over and over again expecting a different result.
In my defense, Iām envisioning a picturesque scene of hot chocolate, pjās, and a spectacle of lights bringing warmth and joy to my family. In reality, itās 30 minutes in purgatory in a confined space with unwilling participants yelling ādonāt touch meā or āis anyone else having fun?ā or āthese lights blow.ā
If we are completely honest, the family light-looking excursions are just one of the millions of ways we try to create āmomentsā this time of year, inevitably reminding us that no good deed goes unpunished.
But even with all the great plans gone wrong, thereās plenty of reasons for joy. Youāve probably heard it before, but joy isnāt just situational or circumstantial (thank goodness), but deeply rooted in the story of a Savior who left the highest position in heaven to come to earth as a baby . . . for you and for me.
My good friend Rodney Schell joins us today sharing his thoughts on reframing joy with a spiritual perspective. We talk about a dear friend who, despite walking a life marked by adversity, radiates with joy because his life is anchored in the hope of eternity.
My prayer this week is for each of us to take a few minutes to remember that joy is available in the midst of the hard. Letās thank Jesus for the many blessings heās given us, especially the gift of those who complain incessantly on car rides meant to form bonds and create Christmas memories. ššš
All things Cynthia
Pre-Order Life is Messy, God is Good
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Weāre closing in on 12 days until Christmas, and Iām guessing the whole idea of āpeaceā feels illusive at this point? Or maybe thatās just me. ššš
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 isnāt the absence of conflict, but replacing it with something deeper and more significant.)
I especially appreciate Kayās challenge to identify the root causes of our unrest, worries, or conflicts and intentionally incorporate gratitude into our daily lives. Gratitude becomes a powerful tool, a "control alt delete," as Kay puts it, that helps us shift our perspective towards peace.
So, friends, as we journey through this Advent season together, letās find ways to experience the promise of peace even today (as weāre shopping, baking, planning the ornament exchange, and figuring out what to wear to the company party).
Discussion Questions:
Think of a time when youāve felt most at peace in your life. What was or wasnāt going on that seemed to contribute to this peace?
In what area today are you waiting for God to remove a conflict instead of seeking His peace in the midst of it?
Whatās one way you can incorporate gratitude into your life today to reframe your perspective towards peace?
Who comes to mind when you think about someone living in peace despite their circumstances? How can you practically support them today?
All things Cynthia
Pre-Order Life is Messy, God is Good
The Peace Project by Kay Wyma
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Itās December and the time of year when we start receiving the perfect Christmas cards in the mail at the exact time as our āfriendsā start posting their perfectly wrapped presents underneath their fabulously decorated Christmas trees. Sickening, am I right? Ha. šš·š¤¢
Iām fighting my own battle against the urge to make everything look perfect by sending out quite possibly the worst Christmas card picture any family has dared to mass produce. Youāre welcome, and listen to todayās show if youāre interested in getting your own copy of it.
Now for the real stuff. . . . Weāre spending the next few weeks focusing on Advent. Each week we will explore one of the advent themes: hope, peace, joy, and love. Today, Steve Frissell is joining us to consider how Jesusā birth in a manger brings hope to our world still today.
Tune in all month as we work to keep our focus on our Savior (and away from the bad Christmas cards like the one Iām sending out). And below are discussion questions if you want to hit this topic during your quiet time or even with your family at dinner.
Discussion questions:
Where does our culture look to find hope? In what areas do you struggle to remain hopeful? In what ways did Jesusā birth bring hope 2000 years ago? How is our perspective reframed if we trust in Jesus today as our ultimate hope?Verses on hope to consider:
Romans 12:12 Romans 15:4 Psalm 147:11 Hebrews 11:1 - Laat meer zien
