This week on MESSmerized, I have the dream team—David Thomas and Sissy Goff. We’re talking all things parenting, and if you’ve ever tried to have a deep conversation with your teenage son and got nothing but a grunt and a request for bacon, this episode is for you.

We tackled the big stuff: anxiety in kids, the social chaos our girls are navigating, and why boys apparently need a full workout and a snack before they can form a complete sentence. We talked about how resilience doesn’t come from bubble-wrapping our kids but from letting them do hard things—and maybe doing a few hard things ourselves (like ignoring the mean mom at soccer).

Sissy reminded us that trust, not courage, is the real anxiety buster. And David explained why experiential learning is key for boys (translation: turn that lecture into a walk with a basketball).

So if you’re feeling like you’re one carpool drive away from losing it, take a deep breath and join us. You’re not alone, and trust me—this episode will make you laugh!

All Things Cynthia

Lucy Learns to Be Brave: A Lesson in Courage by Sissy Goff

Owen Learns He Has What It Takes: by David Thomas

Register for the Raising Capable Kids Conference with David Thomas and Sissy Goff

Rebecca George is joining me today to tackle the tricky art of waiting—something that feels way longer than it should in a world that’s constantly rushing forward. We dive into how trusting God's timing (even when it feels like everyone else is ahead) can turn waiting into a season of personal growth and even joy (yes, joy, during the waiting!).

We chat about the dangers of turning desires into idols (oops, we’ve all done it), the importance of gratitude to fight off bitterness, and why comparison is a total thief. Plus, we share how the writing journey is basically the same as waiting for anything else—full of growth, setbacks, and plenty of moments where you just need to trust God.

Here’s a few takeaways from today’s show:

• Trusting God’s timing is key in a world that thrives on instant everything.
• Waiting doesn’t have to be wasted time—it can be a period of growth.
• Gratitude is the secret weapon against jealousy and bitterness.
• Focusing on God’s character, not your circumstances, will help you wait well.

Join us for a laugh and some real talk about waiting well—and don’t forget to share this episode with someone who needs a little reminder that God’s got this (even when it feels like everyone else is moving faster!).

All things Cynthia

You’re Not Too Late: Trusting God’s Timing in a Hurry Up World by Rebecca George

This week on MESSmerized, I got to chat again with the one and only Ann Voskamp—and let me just say, if you’re needing a little soul refreshment heading into Easter weekend (and maybe a reminder that God is still in charge even when your week feels like a dumpster fire), this episode is for you.

Ann shared the most incredible story about chasing sheep across the Canadian tundra—yes, actual sheep. It gave us a beautiful picture of Jesus as our Good Shepherd. He never sleeps and He never takes His eyes off us. There’s something comforting about knowing that even when we wander, He’s already coming after us with love.

Ann also opened up about a really hard season—her son’s house burned down during Lent. Literal ashes. And yet, in true Ann fashion, she invites us to see the beauty in even the most heartbreaking moments. She calls it a “severe mercy”—a reminder that even in loss, God is working something eternal and holy in us.

So as we head into Resurrection Sunday, I hope this conversation reminds you that Jesus is near. He’s the Shepherd who sees you, loves you, and laid down His life so you’d never walk alone—even in the cold, or the ashes, or the chaos.

All things Cynthia Yanof

Loved to Life by Ann Voskamp