If you’ve ever cried after dropping a kid at college and then immediately enjoyed the quiet house and clean kitchen… this episode is for you. I sit down with my friend, speaker, and longtime Pardon the Mess host Courtney DeFeo for a conversation that somehow covers Target boycotts, Auburn obsession, empty nesting, insecurity, friendship boundaries, and the emotional climate of your home—all while making you laugh harder than you expected.

Courtney shares why she’s stepping away from Pardon the Mess after three years hosting the show I originally launched, and we talk honestly about what it means to release something you love with open hands. We get into parenting girls, surviving the college launch years without emotionally collapsing onto your children, and the weird tension of missing your kids desperately while also appreciating that nobody has trashed your house in 48 hours.

We also unpack one of Courtney’s favorite topics: the “tone” of your home. What do people actually feel when they walk in. Safe? Seen? Critiqued? Loved? Included? Courtney shares practical wisdom about small “attitude maneuvers” moms can make that completely shift the atmosphere of a family.

There’s also encouragement here for moms entering a new season. As kids grow up and launch, we talk about how motherhood was never meant to be the end of your story. There’s still purpose, calling, creativity, and probably a few embarrassing new adventures ahead.

All things Cynthia

All things Courtney DeFeo

Pardon the Mess

Happy Mother’s Day week, friends. Truly—sending you lots of love this week. 💐

Now before I say anything else… I implore you to listen to this episode. Consider this your Mother’s Day gift from me. It is that good. Like sit-in-the-car-after-it-ends-because-you-need-a-minute good.

I sat down with Sharon Mankin, and it turned into one of those conversations that stirs something in you. At the core, she reminds us: you’re not as confused or off-track as you think—you’re probably just moving too fast to hear what’s already true.

We talk parenting (and yes, over-functioning 🙋‍♀️), learning to step back so our kids can grow, and how sometimes our need to fix things is more about us than them. She also challenges us to be more intentional about the “DNA” of our families instead of just drifting with culture.

And then we get into transitions—empty nesting, changing seasons, and how disruption, as hard as it is, can actually open the door to new vision and purpose.

It’s wise, practical, and deeply encouraging. Go listen. 💛 (Oh—and I tell a Mother’s Day story in the intro that hopefully reminds us all to be grateful… even in May-cember.)

All things Cynthia

Connect with Sharon Mankin HERE.

Find questions to ask family and friends to get feedback on your gifts, strengths, and passions Here.

Explore how to identify your family values and write a family mission statement with Morgan Taylor HERE or Family ID HERE.

Build a healthy mindset using Jon Acuff’s book, Soundtracks HERE.

Dive into the concept of Benevolent Detachment in the Wild at Heart podcast HERE or in John Eldridge's book, Get Your Life Back, Here.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, I’m kicking off a month of conversations focused on moms and the people we love most—and it felt only right to start by bringing on one of my own kids.

So I sat down with Kate (my daughter) and Molly (her “great friend,”)—who showed up in matching bonnets from the Dollar Store… which honestly tells you everything you need to know about how this episode starts. If you missed these two last time they were on the show . . . you are in for some real fun today.

They’re both in that in-between season—wrapping up college and stepping into the next phases of life—and as we talked, it became clear pretty quickly: most of what shaped them over the last few years didn’t come from a classroom.

We talked about friendship—what actually makes someone a good friend and how rare it is to find people who can truly celebrate others well, especially when they’re hoping for the same things themselves. We talked about relationships too, and the balance of wanting someone who loves the Lord while also finding a real connection and joy together.

But what I loved most was hearing how their faith has become their own. Not something they simply grew up around, but something they’ve had to choose—through real experiences, meaningful friendships, and stepping into things bigger than themselves.

As we kick off a Mother’s Day month of encouragement, today’s show is thoughtful, funny, and gives you a real-life glimpse into what’s actually shaping your kids in the college years.

All things Cynthia

Kate’s Foster Care Podcast