Happy Wednesday!

Is it just me, or did January last six months? I cannot handle one more school holiday, winter illness, or ¼ inch of snow canceling school. But I digress.

I’m thrilled to round out this month with an amazing conversation featuring Melanie Shankle. And yes, Amy Weatherly is still co-hosting with me, and I couldn’t be more grateful!

To know me is to know that I’ve been a huge fan of Melanie’s books for years. I was so excited to hear she has a new one coming out, and—spoiler alert—it might just be my favorite yet! Today, we’re covering topics like parenting teenage daughters, the insights we gain through years of motherhood, and the importance of teaching our kids resilience. Melanie also opens up about her strained relationship with her mother and her decision to end generational trauma.

Melanie’s book releases on February 18th, and now is the perfect time to pre-order it. I’ve read it cover to cover, and trust me—there’s something for everyone in this book.

I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation... and I really can’t wait for January to finally end. 😂😂😂

All things Cynthia Yanof

Amy Weatherly’s books: I’ll Be There and Here for It 

Follow Amy on Facebook at Sister I am With You and @Amy Weatherly  

Here be Dragons by Melanie Shankel 

I’m thrilled to have Amy Weatherly back co-hosting MESSmerized with me for this exciting episode, because we’re chatting with the incredible Annie F. Downs!

Annie is living the dream (and the hustle) part-time in New York City, and let me tell you, she’s not just surviving; she’s thriving. For those of us who’ve dreamed of moving to NYC but stayed safely tucked away in places like North Dallas (okay, maybe that's just me), Annie made it happen. And I’m so excited to share her journey with you!

On a more serious note, we dive into body image, health, and unresolutions. Annie shares how her perspective on health shifted from trying to shrink her body to focusing on living a long, full life. We also talk about her deeply personal new book, Where Did TJ Go?, co-written with her sister. This book is a beautiful resource for families grieving the loss of a child. Inspired by the life and passing of her nephew TJ, it offers gentle hope and reminds us of the faith we hold onto, even in our hardest moments. Raw, redemptive, and a testament to God’s goodness in every circumstance.

If there’s one takeaway from Annie’s journey, it’s this: Don’t shy away from doing the big, scary, or hard things. Whether it’s moving to a new city, embracing your body as it is, or walking through grief, the Lord shows up every step of the way. Annie is living proof that even in the hardest moments, there’s beauty and joy in the unexpected.

Can’t wait for you to listen! 💕

All things Cynthia Yanof

Amy Weatherly’s books: I’ll Be There and Here for It 

Follow Amy on Facebook at Sister I am With You and @Amy Weatherly 

All things Annie F. Downs 

Where did TJ Go? A book for kids on grief and loss (By Annie F. Downs and Tatum Green)

Just in case you missed the announcement last week, Amy Weatherly is co-hosting MESSmerized with me this month, and gosh, she’s so much fun. Today, we’re continuing our commitment to un-resolutions by chatting with the amazing Kendra Adachi about time management.

This conversation is absolutely not what you think it’s going to be because Kendra is flipping time management on its head. Apparently, we’ve been doing it all wrong—who knew? She talks about creating systems that actually make sense for women. This includes recognizing the beauty of both proactive and reactive time management—basically, having a plan but also being cool with the fact that life is messy and plans sometimes (okay, often) fall apart.

What really struck me, though, was our chat about self-compassion. Why are we so hard on ourselves? We talked about living in the moment, starting small, and letting go of this pressure to do everything perfectly. Spoiler: you don’t have to color-code your planner to be a successful human.

So, if you’re like me—juggling a million things, tired of feeling like you’re never doing enough, and low-key fantasizing about running away to a quiet cabin somewhere—this episode is for you. Let’s ditch the guilt, embrace the chaos, and redefine what success looks like for us.

All things Cynthia Yanof 

The Plan: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius by Kendra Adachi  

The Lazy Genius Podcast

Amy Weatherly’s books: I’ll Be There and Here for It 

Follow Amy on Facebook at Sister I am With You and @Amy Weatherly 

New year, new resolutions… right? Nope, not this year!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas filled with fun memories! At the beginning of today’s show, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite holiday moments, gifts, and God-moments. But I’m also super excited to let you know that the fabulous Amy Weatherly is co-hosting with me all through January, and we are going to have so much fun!

Amy is a wife, mother, author, and the founder of a huge Facebook community focused on friendship, faith, and loving ourselves well. It seemed only fitting that, in our first episode together, Amy and I are taking a refreshing break from the usual goal-setting chaos. Instead of striving for perfection or adding more to our already overflowing plates, we’re talking about slowing down, embracing who we really are, and focusing on what truly matters.

I think you're going to find today’s show to be the perfect blend of humor, honesty, and relatable moments. We’ll discuss how to find joy in simply being who the Lord created us to be. Whether you're tired of the typical "new year, new me" hustle or you just need permission to take things at your own pace, this episode is for you. So, grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let’s kick off 2025 with a fresh perspective. I can’t wait for you to meet Amy!

All things Cynthia Yanof

Amy Weatherly’s books: I’ll Be There and Here for It 

Follow Amy on Facebook at Sister I am With You and @Amy Weatherly 

First of all, we've had a bit of a "situation" over here, and I’ll share all the details in today’s intro. But here’s a little teaser: neighbors, overgrown shrubs, and me sneaking out in the cloak of darkness. If that doesn’t paint a picture that’ll make you want to listen, I don’t know what will! 😂😂😂

Today, I’m thrilled to have Lanier Ivester on the show, and we’re talking all things Christmas—decor, recipes, and hosting. Lanier reminds us that the holiday season can feel both joyful and overwhelming. In fact, nine out of ten people experience both emotions during this time of year. Her advice? Acknowledge the tension and remember that Christmas is about rest, not busyness. I loved it when she said, "We work from a place of rest." It’s such a powerful reminder to shift our focus from the never-ending to-do lists to God’s love.

The title of Lanier’s new Christmas book, Glad & Golden Hours, comes from a verse in It Came Upon a Midnight Clear that beautifully captures the hope and peace of Christ’s coming. Today’s conversation really reminded me that Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. It’s about slowing down, creating space for rest, and anchoring our hearts in the joy of Christ’s birth.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to listen today and embrace the final days before we celebrate Jesus' birth!

All things Cynthia

Glad & Golden Hours by Lanier Ivester

We’re just a couple of weeks out from Christmas 🎄🎄🎄 and it feels like there’s more to be done than hours in the day. Yet, I often find myself on Instagram cracking up at all the random Christmas humor. Last week, I came across this little gem that made me laugh much harder than it probably should have:

"I accidentally used mom’s fabric scissors to cut wrapping paper, and now the cops are here." - Unknown Author

But I digress.

Today on MESSmerized, we get to hear from Pastor Louie Giglio (and you guys know how much I love Pastor Louie and the impact he’s had on my life since I was in college a million years ago).

We have such a great conversation about the powerful truths in Psalm 84:11 and what it really means to walk in God’s grace, reflect His glory, and trust in His goodness—even when life feels really, really hard.

Pastor Louie offers a fresh perspective on God’s grace, showing us it’s not just for salvation—it’s for the carpool lines, parent-teacher conferences, and every messy moment of life. He also discusses why living for God’s glory can flip the script on how we see ourselves, our work, and our calling.

If you’re struggling to see God’s goodness in the hard seasons or wrestling with what it means to truly live for His glory, this episode is for you. I believe Pastor Louie’s words will inspire, challenge, and encourage you to live differently, wherever God has placed you. And as an added bonus, this conversation is perfect entertainment for those long hours of present wrapping.

All things Cynthia Yanof 

Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio

Brace yourselves!

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am about today’s show with Dallas Jenkins. Dallas is the genius behind The Chosen and now The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. And let me just say, after this conversation, I walked away ready to ugly cry in a theater over the cigar-smoking Herdman kids finding Jesus. That’s exactly what happened over Thanksgiving, and the movie was a huge hit with our crew.

So how does Dallas go from The Chosen to a story about the most chaotic, snack-loving kids hijacking a Christmas play? Well, it turns out this book has been a part of his Christmas tradition for 20 years. Dallas told me he had to make this movie, even though Hollywood wasn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for him. Spoiler alert: God had other plans.

But here’s the thing: A few years ago, I was in a rough spot—one of those times when you're questioning everything God’s doing in your life. I heard Dallas speak at an event, and he said, “God does impossible math.” It was like a lightning bolt. Fast forward to this interview, and I got him to retell the full story behind that phrase. It involves failure, Romanian Facebook DMs at 4 a.m., and—of course—loaves and fish. God showed Dallas (and now us) that our job isn’t to perform miracles; it’s simply to show up with whatever we have and trust God to do the rest.

So whether you’re a The Chosen fan, invested in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, or someone needing a reminder that God works best when we’re at our weakest—this episode is for you.

All things Cynthia Yanof

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! 🦃🦃🦃  

Are you hosting?  

Are you roasting a turkey in the oven or deep frying it?  

Do you call it stuffing or dressing?  

Will you use china or paper products?  

Is your weird aunt bringing a gelatin dish?  

Canned or homemade cranberries?  

Are you a pecan or pumpkin pie kind of girl?  

I have so many pressing questions. 😂  

One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving Day (thanks for asking) is the Macy’s Day Parade. Back in the day, I’d watch the parade and pore over all the Black Friday ads in the paper before the day’s festivities began. I’ve never sounded older, right? And another fun fact: I’ve ALWAYS wanted to go to the parade in NYC, but that hasn’t happened yet (and it’s fully discussed on today’s show).

I’m so thrilled to have Nicole Zasowski with us on MESSmerized today. Not only is she a marriage and family therapist, but she also lives in Connecticut and has been to the parade several times. (Somehow, that seemed more relevant than it probably is, and don’t think for a minute that I didn’t grill her about the parade and cover that in depth.)

Nicole and I also dive into the intersection of mental health, identity, and the holiday season. We all know that the holidays have the potential to put us on the struggle bus emotionally, but Nicole reminds us that it’s possible to balance joy with the realities of what’s difficult, experiencing both simultaneously. I love the message and powerful reminder in Nicole’s new book not to not dwell on our fears and anxieties, but instead to ask ourselves, “What if it’s wonderful?”

There’s no promise that your turkey will be wonderful tomorrow or that your husband will help with the dishes instead of watching football—but I do know that we have so much to be thankful for, and I pray you have plenty of time to reflect on that.

All things Cynthia Yanof 

What if it’s Wonderful by Nicole Zasowski

Ruth Chou Simons is with us this week, and trust me, I got down to the real investigative questions like how she manages hotel rooms with six kids and what it was like being on *Good Morning America* earlier this year. You’re welcome!

But seriously, it’s the week before Thanksgiving 🦃🦃, and today’s show is an invitation to take a deep breath as we reflect on God’s goodness. We’re diving into Psalm 23 and what it really means to have God as our Good Shepherd—the One who takes care of us, provides for us, and leads us when we don’t even know which way is up.

Here’s the thing about shepherds—they’re not just hanging out, petting sheep all day. They’re out there protecting, guiding, and making sure the sheep are safe and cared for. It’s such a perfect picture of how God watches over us. Ruth reminds us that nothing in our lives is wasted—not the hard stuff, the waiting, or even the complete disasters.

Psalm 23 ends with this beautiful promise that God’s goodness and mercy chase after us every single day. How freeing is that? We can lean into His care, knowing He’s got us covered even when it feels like everything is falling apart. 

Ruth’s latest children’s book, Home is Right Where You Are, is incredible. It’s all about being present and leaning into God’s faithfulness in the here and now. Whether you’re a mom, a grandma, or just someone who needs a reminder that God’s got this, it’s such an encouraging read.

So, let’s take a deep breath and remember that the Good Shepherd is leading us, protecting us, and providing for us—and that’s reason enough to be thankful this week!

All things Cynthia Yanof

Home is Right Where You Are by Ruth Chou Simons 

Now and Not Yet by Ruth Chou Simons

With Thanksgiving around the corner, many of us are thinking about what we’re thankful for, what we might be taking for granted, and what gratitude really looks like. Today’s show comes at the perfect time, as Mark Batterson helps us reframe everyday miracles and see God in the midst of our daily lives.

Mark encourages us to “change your pace and place to change your perspective.” Sometimes, to wake up to wonder, we need to step outside our routines—whether that’s by taking a walk or going on a “two-foot field trip,” like moving from the living room to the backyard, to see God’s creation from a fresh angle.

Mark also gets real about the hardships of life. His wife, Laura, has faced her two bouts with cancer. I love how he says that sometimes we have to “forgive reality” for not lining up with our plans. But Mark reminds us that even though life here can be hard, it doesn’t mean we’re forgotten or forsaken. We have a God who is with us and conquers all things—even the grave.

So, whether you’re feeling a million miles away from a miracle or right in the middle of one, today’s conversation with Mark Batterson will give you hope and renewed reason to be thankful. Miracles may not always be big and flashy; often, they’re just one of those “million little miracles” happening all around us.

All things Cynthia Yanof

A Million Little Miracles by Mark Batterson

Remember how I’ve been having lunch every Wednesday with a wonderful group of friends for the last 15+ years? Today’s show is inspired by those lunches—because lately, all we seem to talk about is midlife and menopause. It's a season, let me tell you!

To help us all navigate this wild ride, I’m thrilled to bring in a true expert: Dr. Mikala Albertson. We’re diving deep into everything you never thought you'd need to know about menopause, perimenopause, and all the hormonal roller coasters that come with them. Dr. Albertson has a brilliant way of describing menopause as "puberty in reverse," and her perspective on it is so insightful. 

Don’t worry, we cover all the symptoms we're dealing with—hot flashes, mood swings, anxiety, weight gain, brain fog, and more. This episode is packed with practical tips, a few laughs, and hopefully, some perspective on not just surviving but thriving in this season of life.

Dr. Albertson’s new book, Everything I Wish I Could Tell You About Midlife, is out now. And exciting news: she’s coming back on the show in the New Year! If you have questions you’d like us to cover next time, email them to me!

All things Cynthia Yanof

Everything I Wish I Could Tell You About Midlife by Dr. Mikala Albertson 

Follow Dr. Albertson on Instagram here!