She’s baaacccckkkk!!! The creator and original host of Pardon The Mess podcast, Cynthia Yanof, is back with us today. She is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. Aside from great humor, she brings real life encouragement with biblical truth.

In today’s episode, Cynthia and I chat about what matters most in life. As we look ahead to 2026 - where can we spend our time in a way that matters? I remember many moments in life I was all worked up and stressed over things in parenting that really didn't matter. I pray you feel seen and so much needed permission to let things go after this conversation.

Cynthia shares beautiful stories about parenting, faith and friendship in a way that leaves me feeling encouraged. She has such a heart for prayer and is the reason we pray every Monday as a community. I’m super thankful for the legacy she left over here at Pardon the Mess!

Enjoy

Courtney

Chapters:

(00:00) Welcome Back and Podcast Journey

(02:30) Navigating Parenting and New Projects

(05:01) Life with Kids: Balancing Ages and Stages

(08:05) What Really Matters in Parenting

(12:19) The Importance of Rest and Margin

(13:04) Urgency vs. Importance in Parenting

(16:11) Lessons Beyond the Game

(16:27) Navigating Parenting Pressures

(18:48) The Importance of Friendship

(24:55) Faith and Love in Action

Connect with Pardon The Mess:

Christian Parenting

Pardon The Mess

Courtney DeFeo

ORDER YOUR 2026-2027 PRAYER JOURNAL NOW

Resources from today’s show:

Connect with Cynthia

Messmerized Podcast

Sidetracked Podcast

Feeding the Mouth That Bites You Podcast

How’d I Miss That? (new book) by Cynthia Yanof

Life Is Messy, God is Good by Cythia Yanof

Sign up for Morning Minute

Christian Parenting

Raising Daughters

I Can Only Imagine 2

Open a LearningRX center

Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!

Pardon The Mess is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org