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