Episode 85 Annie F. Downs on NYC, Body Image, and Living with Loss
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)
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Episode 84 New Year, Same Me: Kendra Adachi Talks Time Management
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
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Episode 83 Lowering the Bar with “Un-Resolutions” in 2025 with Guest Co-Host 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
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Episode 82 Shrubs, Sneaking, and Christmas Peace: A Holiday Chat with Lanier Ivester
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
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Episode 81 Louie Giglio on Life, Favor, and the Power of God’s Grace
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
About MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose
Welcome to Cynthia Yanof’s newest podcast, MESSmerized.
Each week you’ll hear funny, authentic, and vulnerable conversations around everyday life, parenting, and following Jesus. A variety of guests will challenge us to pursue a life filled with the things that really do matter.
Cynthia Yanof is the host as well as an author, speaker, wife, and mother. She’s relatable, funny, and dead-set on never taking herself too seriously. Whatever mess you’re walking through, odds are she’s right there with you.
Don’t miss a week as we dive headfirst into faith, family, and everyday ways to be MESSmerized by Jesus.
Copyright @2023 MESSmerizing Media
Listen to MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose, Circle Round and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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