MESSmerized - Funny and faith based encouragement in marriage , family , Christian parenting , and finding purpose – Details, episodes & analysis

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 blood work actually matter (who knew?!). Mikala shares what we need to be monitoring and why taking care of ourselves now saves a lot of stress later. Plus, we talk about the midlife body—how it’s changing, why that’s okay, and how to shift our focus from unrealistic expectations to real health and self-acceptance.

And because no midlife conversation is complete without discussing food and sleep, we unpack intuitive eating, the dangers of disordered eating, and why freedom in our choices matters. Plus, if your sleep is suddenly a disaster, you’re not alone—tune in for ideas on what might help.

This episode is full of laughs, real talk, and practical advice to help us navigate midlife without losing our minds (or at least, not completely). So grab your coffee, your reading glasses and let’s figure this out together. 

All things Cynthia Yanof

Everything I Wish I Could Tell You About Midlife by Mikala Albertson, MD

MESSmerized with Mikala Albertson Episode 76

Dr. Albertson’s Website

 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 into supplements, with Mikala sharing the four key ones she recommends. (I take the sum total of zero supplements, so this part was particularly interesting to me.) We discuss how to navigate the overwhelming supplement market and what to avoid. Spoiler: Not all supplements are created equal!

Then, we talk about ADHD in adults—the struggle is real. Dr. Mikala breaks down how many women might mistake stress for ADHD and how to figure out what’s really going on. We also touch on the decision fatigue we face as we juggle midlife responsibilities.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the changes happening in your body and mind, this episode is for you. It’s full of practical tips, real talk, and a little humor to help you manage the chaos of midlife. 

Don’t forget to tune in next week as we continue talking to Dr. Mikala about stress vs. anxiety, preventative care, and loving our bodies in midlife.

Thanks for listening!

All things Cynthia Yanof

Everything I Wish I Could Tell You About Midlife by Mikala Albertson, MD

MESSmerized with Mikala Albertson Episode 76

Dr. Albertson’s Website

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

Callie Nixon is with us today, and you’re going to love her. She’s a sought after speaker, vocalist, and integral part of Jennie Allen’s IF:Gathering. But even more than that, she’s just one of us. 

Callie is no stranger to walking the hard places in faith. And when I tell you the Lord put her in my life at the most unbelievably important time, well, it’s true. Today is a great conversation about how to hear God’s voice. 

We also have a very practical discussion on dipping our toes into the next steps God has for our lives (even when past struggles make us feel not “good enough”). 

I can’t tell you enough how thankful I am that you’re a part of this new adventure with MESSmerized. I would be SO grateful if you would share this show with your friends.

Have you ever heard a story that not only captivated you, but also changed your entire philosophy on how to live this life? 

Other than the Bible, I had never experienced something like that until I met Darin Kinder. 

Darin is a Secret Service Agent for the United States who has helped protect our last five presidents. He routinely works in over 38 countries and has more stories than the hours we have in the day. But he’s also a survivor of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center where he earned a Medal of Valor for his heroic actions. 

I’ve had the incredible opportunity to interview hundreds of people through the years, but Darin Kinder’s account of 9/11 has single-handedly impacted me the most—which is why I knew from the second I started this podcast he HAD to be my first guest. 

Please trust me when I say that you don’t want to miss this conversation. I promise you’ll be challenged to do the hard things in life even when everything in you wants to back down, give-up, or walk away. His story is MESSmerizing, but more importantly, so is his God.

Links:

Darin Kinder’s Ministry

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Welcome to our first season of MESSmerized!

We’re kicking off this shiny new podcast with a real and humorous conversation around the ways God unsettles us in order to gently move (or shove) us into new seasons. 

The definition of mesmerized is “to hold the attention of someone to the exclusion of all else.”  So how do we focus on something more than our everyday struggles with approval, busyness, achievement, image, and everything else that so easily captures our hearts? 

That’s exactly where we are headed with today’s show and I promise you don’t want to miss it. 

One of my favorite quotes is by Louie Giglio: 

“Faith thrives in holy discontent. The greatest moments in life can often result from some of the most uncomfortable decisions. Nothing worth having comes without a cost.”

What uncomfortable decision is God asking you to make? 

Why do we say “yes” in the face of the unknown?

How do we stop weighing the costs and take that first step of obedience? 

If you’re anything like me, you’ve felt an unsettling in life that’s getting louder and louder. Let’s break it down together. 

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. 

Follow Cynthia Yanof 

@cynthiayanof https://www.instagram.com/cynthiayanof/

https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.yanof

Copyright @2023 MESSmerizing Media

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