Well, the day has finally come. After months—okay, years—of BEGGING to be on the podcast, I’ve caved. Today’s guests on MESSmerized are none other than my daughter Kate and her college best friend, Molly. That’s right, I’ve handed over the mic (reluctantly and with mild supervision) to two Gen Z girls who know a thing or two about the college experience. This kicks off our back-to-school series I’m calling “Know Before You Go.” We're starting with college this week, then moving down the academic...
Jul 23, 2025•45 min
In the wake of heartbreaking news in Texas, I am talking with psychologist Dr. Ken Wilgus about how to walk our kids—and ourselves—through tragedy, fear, and anxiety. We will discuss: When it’s okay to “look away” from constant news How to know if your child needs help processing trauma What to say when teens ask hard questions about faith in the suffering The pressure today’s parents feel to get it all right Why anxiety in kids is normal—and how to respond calmly Dr. Ken also talks about the ne...
Jul 16, 2025•29 min
Let's just start by saying this is not a topic we've talked extensively about on this podcast, but I think it is more relevant now than ever. So let's focus on the important things... Are people really falling in love with AI chatbots?! Yes. Yes, they are. And that’s where we’re starting on today’s episode. I’m joined by my friend and licensed therapist Kristen Hatton, and we’re diving into the very real (and slightly surreal) ways technology is reshaping our relationships, parenting, and emotio...
Jul 02, 2025•38 min
RERELEASE! What does faithfulness to Jesus look like in this season of life? We're kicking it off with that question on today's show and then moving on to a powerful interview with Megan Fate Marshman. She’s amazing, and we cover everything from parenting fails to perfecting the elusive messy bun. We even had a little fun comparing stereotypes about Texas and California—because apparently, people think Texans ride horses everywhere. Megan also shared about the sudden loss of her husband and how ...
Jun 20, 2025•38 min
Just back from Switzerland and Italy (I apologize for the #HumbleBrag) and let me say this: the scenery is gorgeous, the bread is holy, and breakfast is a situation. I also learned the hard way that when you ask for the “bathroom” in Europe, you're really just asking for confusion—and coins. Yes, they refer to bathrooms as “toilets” and for the first time ever I paid to pee. Add that (and the abundance of ice) to the list of reasons I’m grateful for Chick-fil-A. Our youngest, JB, made the trip e...
Jun 13, 2025•23 min
This week, I’m joined by my dear friend and Sidetracked co-host, Heather MacFadyen. We’re talking all things summer—from the ADHD interventions I swear she’s staging, to her full-on Enneagram 4 vibes. We laugh, we cry (okay, not really), and we keep it super honest. But we also get into the deeper stuff—the lessons we’ve both learned this past year and the surprising ways God shows up in the ordinary, often overlooked moments. Heather shares how heartache has a way of rewriting our theology… whi...
Jun 04, 2025•33 min
This week’s episode is a really special one — and kind of a full-circle moment for me — because Chip Waggoner and his son Benjamin were actually my very first podcast guests ever! I still remember that very first recording, and now here we are, years later, sitting down again to reflect on their incredible journey and how God has continued to show up in big and small ways. You may know Chip as the Fox 4 News Anchor, but today, he’s not here to talk headlines. He shares the powerful story of his ...
May 28, 2025•40 min
When Melissa Radke shows up, you know it’s going to be real, hilarious, and completely unforgettable. If you know Melissa, you already know you're in for laughs, real talk, and probably a few “Did she just say that?” moments (the answer is yes, and we love her for it). Melissa and I are diving into all the things: podcasting behind the scenes, the chaos of book launches, and what it really looks like to blend two very different family cultures in marriage. She shares some hilarious parenting sto...
May 21, 2025•41 min
We’re kicking off this week’s episode with part two of Sappy Cynthia —my newest segment, where I share a little more of the real-life stuff going on over here. This week, I’m talking about my daughter’s college graduation and what made me cry (which was basically most things). Then we jump into another great conversation with my pastor and friend, Libin Abraham. I’ve absolutely loved learning more about the Holy Spirit through these conversations, and Libin has such a gift for making it practica...
May 14, 2025•32 min
Well, we’re starting the show today with a segment I’m calling “sappy Cynthia.” Graduating two kids in the next 10 days has brought out all the feels, and last night was Brett’s last baseball game—talk about full-on nostalgia (alongside a stomach bug I’m currently fighting). But on today’s show, I’m joined by Libin Abraham, the pastor of my church, Bent Tree Bible. I recently heard Libin preach a powerful sermon series on the Holy Spirit, and it really impacted me. As soon as I heard it, I knew ...
May 06, 2025•33 min
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 ...
Apr 30, 2025•37 min
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 comparis...
Apr 23, 2025•39 min
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 Hi...
Apr 16, 2025•29 min
“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the king of Israel!’” — John 12:13 We’re coming up on Palm Sunday, and I honestly can’t think of anyone better to join us this week (and next!) than the one and only Ann Voskamp. And if you’re even slightly tempted to skip this episode for any reason, I’m going to have to lovingly—but firmly—ask you to rethink that decision. 😂 Ann and I get real, honest, tearful...
Apr 09, 2025•31 min
Jim Burns is back for round two on Messmerized ! If you missed last week’s episode, stop what you’re doing (unless you’re driving or getting a colonoscopy) and go listen—we talked all about raising kids with sexual integrity, which, let’s be honest, is not the easiest thing in today’s world. This week, we’re shifting gears and talking about what happens when those kids actually grow up and start leaving —which is equal parts freeing and terrifying. Jim and I dive into the emotional rollercoaster...
Apr 02, 2025•34 min
Let’s be real—there’s a long list of things I’d rather do than have “the talk” with my kids. Root canal? Yes. DMV with a missing document? Absolutely. But since it’s apparently poor form to let TikTok raise our children, I guess it’s time to step up. Enter Jim Burns, who has spent years helping parents navigate the minefield of talking to their kids about relationships, faith and—brace yourself—sex. He’s here to tell us why we need to make these conversations less awkward and more ongoing, why a...
Mar 26, 2025•39 min
Dr. Mikala Albertson is back, and we’re diving into all the fun midlife surprises—stress, anxiety, preventative health, and why our bodies suddenly have a mind of their own. We’re breaking down the difference between normal stress and full-blown anxiety, and whether medication is the right move. If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “Am I dying, or is this just midlife?”—this episode is for you. We also get into the stuff we love to avoid: preventive health. Turns out, regular check-ups and blo...
Mar 12, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 92
In today’s episode, I chat with Dr. Mikala Albertson about menopause, hormone therapy, and all the things we need to know to feel better in midlife. We kick things off by debunking some common myths around hormone replacement therapy and why it's not as scary as we once thought. Mikala explains how estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone affect our bodies and what happens when we lose them. And as a girl who is fighting some serious night sweats, you better believe I was tuned in. We also dive ...
Mar 05, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 91
Hey Friends! Today we kick-off week number two with Kari Kampakis, and if you missed last week, you’ll definitely want to go back and listen. Today, Kari and I dive into everything from teenage relationships to exploring how crucial it is for our kids to know who they are before stepping into college life. Kari also shares a much-needed reminder about how social media, friendships, and even a dash of loneliness can fuel resilience—all wrapped up in the broader mission of instilling strong faith,...
Feb 26, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 90
I’m so excited to kick off a two-week series with Kari Kampakis on raising girls! We dive into everything from the drama of friendship struggles and those classic mean girl moments to the surprisingly powerful role that loneliness plays in building resilience. These topics are just a few highlights from her new girls’ devotional, Yours Not Hers —an absolute must-have for girls from junior high through college! I couldn’t help but laugh (and sometimes cringe) as we unpacked how social media has t...
Feb 19, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 89
Happy Valentine’s Week! 💗💗💗💗💗 First, I want to say thank you for the kind words and incredible response to last week’s episode, where I went rogue with a solo show. I’m so glad it encouraged you! Yes, I’m hoping to do more episodes like this after I finish the book I’m currently working on. I’m excited for our show today, because I’m chatting with Jess Johnston and Amy Weatherly about a topic that hits home for so many of us—perfectionism, vulnerability, and the beauty of authentic friendsh...
Feb 12, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Hey Friends, It’s February, which means Valentine’s Day is upon us—but more importantly, it marks the one-year anniversary of my first book, Life is Messy, God is Good ! Looking back over the past year, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the friends and family who have walked this journey with me. Whether you bought the book, shared it with a friend, left a review, hosted a book launch party, or prayed for my words to make an impact—you’ve been part of this crazy adventure, and I couldn’t be mor...
Feb 05, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 87
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...
Jan 29, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 86
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! O...
Jan 22, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 85
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 fo...
Jan 15, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 84
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 lovin...
Jan 08, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 83
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 ove...
Dec 18, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 82
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 ...
Dec 11, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 81
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-...
Dec 04, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 80
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 ...
Nov 27, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 79
