Twenty-five days and one chance to save our daughter with the Baldwin family

Online relationships. Predators. Sex trafficking.

We tend to think these things happen to “other” people. But today’s podcast is a great reminder for all of us raising kids in today’s digital culture.

The Baldwin family is a strong Christian family living in the Dallas suburbs. Their life was typical of most of ours—that is, until John got word that his seventeen-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, had met a man online from Kosovo and was days away from fleeing the country to marry him.

With less than a month to devise a plan to save Mackenzie, John and Stephanie Baldwin did everything they knew to save their daughter from a mistake that could cost Mackenzie her life.

John, Stephanie, and Mackenzie Baldwin join us on Pardon the Mess and share of teenage friends brave enough to speak up for Mackenzie, FBI agents willing to go far beyond their job description to save a vulnerable teen, and parents who relentlessly prayed for the Lord to keep their daughter from making the mistake of a lifetime.

Today’s podcast is a must listen for both parents and teens as the Baldwins openly share about the importance of true friends who will do anything to keep you safe, the dangers of online relationships, and the importance of family and walking with the Lord.

Links from today's podcast:

by Cynthia Yanof

Celebrating passover as Christians with Susie Hawkins

Easter is quickly approaching, and sometimes it’s challenging to keep our kids focused more on Jesus and less on the baskets.

Let me ask you this: Have you ever gathered around the table with friends and family for a traditional Seder meal in celebration of Passover? Me neither.

But today we get to chat with Susie Hawkins about celebrating the Passover tradition with our families as Holy Week approaches.

Exploring the concept of the Seder meal helps us better understand the Jewish background of the Last Supper celebrated by Jesus and step into the story of Christ with our families. Don’t worry: this is totally doable with any age kids, and there’s no right or wrong as we get outside the box and help our kids gain a larger perspective on the life of Christ.

Listen to Susie’s suggestions and then jump over to passoverforchristians.com for a more detailed plan for starting the Seder tradition in your home.

Links from this episode:

by Cynthia Yanof

Parenting, loss, and loving the Lord with Mary Beth Chapman & Emily Chapman Richards

Today we get a word from New York Times best-selling author Mary Beth Chapman. Mary Beth is married to Steven Curtis Chapman and mom to their six children: Emily, Caleb, Will Franklin, Shaoey, Stevey Joy, and Maria.

As a double bonus, we also have Emily Chapman Richards, the oldest of the Chapman clan and executive director of ShowHope.org, which cares for orphans by engaging the church and reducing barriers to adoption.

Mary Beth and Emily candidly talk about some of the parenting nonnegotiables they have adopted in their families, while also reminding us to let go of the way we think things are “supposed” to look.

With authenticity, Mary Beth discusses the hard places in her marriage and the struggle of depression. She also encourages us to take it all to the Lord (and the professionals—ha!).

We talk about Mary Beth’s book, Choosing to See, and the heartbreaking loss of their daughter, Maria. Their family remains resolute with a testimony of faith in a God who finishes what he starts, even when we may not like how it looks here on earth.

by Cynthia Yanof

The college admissions scandal and real truths for raising kids with Rebecca Carrell and Kay Wyma

When you get the opportunity to chat candidly about the hard places in parenting with good friends Rebecca Carrell and Kay Wyma - well, you don’t want to miss it.

In this episode of Pardon the Mess, the three of us talk about the recent college admissions bribery scandal and the messaging our culture sends that our kids need to look a certain way or have certain credentials to be “good enough.”

As followers of Christ, it’s always a great reminder that our identity in Christ is received, not achieved. Kay and Rebecca share real-life examples of some of the tough places in parenting and encourage us to walk in the grace of the Lord as we remind our kids to call out God’s truth in their lives.

Kay Wyma is the host of the vodcast, Say Something. She has also written several books, the most recent being Not the Boss of Us. Rebecca Carrell is the co-host of Mornings with Jeff and Rebecca on Dallas radio KCBI 90.9, as well as an author, speaker, and founder of the HeartStrong Faith conference.

Links from this podcast include:

by Cynthia Yanof

Love, loss, and hope with Abby Rike

On October 13, 2006, Abby Rike’s family was involved in a devastating car accident that instantly changed the course of her life. Refusing to let her tragedy become her identity, Abby started a journey that led her to know the Lord in a new, beautiful way.

Abby talks candidly and humorously about what gives her purpose and motivates her to get out of bed in the morning. She encourages us to refuse to accept a life of casual Christianity but rather to dive into God’s Word in a way that transforms all we do.

Abby humbly acknowledges that she doesn’t have all the answers, but, having walked a very difficult road, she wants everyone to be assured that God will meet you wherever you are.

Abby was also a participant on The Biggest Loser and tells us a little bit about that experience. She’s the author of Working It Out: A Journey of Love, Loss, and Hope. 

Wherever you are in life, whatever you’re worried about or living through, Abby has a word of encouragement for you.

Links from this episode:

by Cynthia Yanof

Faith, family, and her future with Kathie Lee Gifford

No introduction necessary on this one, friends.

Kathie Lee Gifford joins us on Pardon the Mess, and we could not be more thrilled to spend time with her.

Kathie Lee has been blessed with a successful four-decade career as a television host, actress, singer, playwright, songwriter, and author. She is best known for her fifteen years on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee (eleven Emmy nominations), and she’s currently acting as the three-time, Emmy-winning co-host of the fourth hour of TODAY with Hoda Kotb.

Kathie Lee and I talk about her faith journey and the impact traveling to Israel has had on her understanding of why she believes what she does. She shares about the difficult days after losing her husband, Frank, and how Jesus is our only hope. Kathie Lee also let us in on her amazing children’s book, The Gift That I Can Give, and how important it is to allow our kids to live out their God-given talents.

Oh, and we talk about why she’s leaving TODAY next month and get some insider scoop on what’s next on her agenda.

It’s not every day you get to visit with someone who has had a career the likes of Kathie Lee Gifford—especially knowing how seamlessly she shares her faith at every turn.

Tune in for this one!

by Cynthia Yanof

Diversity and our families with Jenny Brady & Mia Mbroh

Cultural issues inundate our news feeds every day, and it seems that, all too often, they relate to conflicts of diversity and race. As parents, we all want to talk honestly and biblically with our kids about the real world and the cultural issues they face each day. But if you’re anything like me, it’s easy to feel ill-equipped to talk about diversity with our kids and do it well without saying the wrong things.

On today’s podcast, Jenny Brady and Mia Mbroh encourage us to start conversations about diversity in our homes. They are quick to remind us that diversity is not just a matter of skin color, but also gender, socioeconomic status, age, culture, and economic status. Jenny and Mia love the Lord and create a safe place to consider issues of diversity while pointing us back to God’s design and the biblical implications on our faith.

Don’t miss this practical, honest conversation on diversity that will help you consider areas where your family might make small adjustments with big impact.

Resources from the podcast:

by Cynthia Yanof

A story of survival and purpose with Darin Kinder

As a special agent with the United States Secret Service for 19 years, Darin Kinder has traveled to over 30 countries with presidents and leaders. But on September 11, 2001, he experienced the unspeakable horror as one of those at the World Trade Center.

Darin earned a Secret Service Medal of Valor for his heroism that day. But he’s quick to tell people that his story is only a story of survival, while Jesus’s story is one of salvation. For ten years following September 11, 2001, Darin held on to his story and prayed for the Lord to give him the mission for his life.

Darin now tells his story of that tragic day, and how even in the chaos and darkness, God was there. He knows that he is now called to speak to men on living lives marked by integrity, courage, and compassion through the ministry he founded, Valiant Ministries.

Darin and his wife of twenty tears are raising their four young sons, which he’d tell you is his greatest calling. Darin shares his thoughts on raising brave kids who are willing to live on purpose for the Lord. Darin’s story, his humility, passion, and purpose, will inspire you. Don’t miss this!

by Cynthia Yanof

Hope for marriages with Cheryl Scruggs

Cheryl Scruggs knows firsthand the difficulties that come with marriage.

After divorcing her husband, Jeff, in the midst of her own infidelity, Cheryl realized the lies she believed in her first marriage and the critical importance of having Jesus central in her relationships.

Now remarried to Jeff, she talks vulnerably about working through the daily ups and downs and pitfalls we all experience along the way. Cheryl also shares about her daughter’s very public accident (Lauren Scruggs) and how their family drew to the Lord during this crisis.

You will be encouraged with her practical words, and even get some suggested readings and resources to give your marriage a boost.

For More on Cheryl Scruggs:

Today’s podcast references Ephesians 3:20, Matthew 19:26, Deuteronomy 8, 1 Peter 3, and Ephesians 5

by Cynthia Yanof