Pardon the Mess Podcast

Pardon the Mess Podcast Courtney DeFeo is wife to Ron, mom of 2 wildly fun girls, an author, and host of Pardon the Mess.

07/04/2025

On Pardon The Mess podcast, you know I am passionate about role models and mentors. That feels daunting and hard to do. Listen into this week’s episode with Amy Fenton. She simply dials in great role models to be around her kids. That feels doable. From the time around their grandparents to neighbors to your friends - our kids will pick up on what quality people do with their lives. Make it easy for them to be around great influences. You can keep it casual - but they will be impacted. I know I was as a child!

Listen to the full episode: https://lnk.to/pardonthemess

Happy Summer friends! We are continuing our series, Empty Nester Wisdom, with my friend . Amy is a mom to three grown ki...
07/03/2025

Happy Summer friends! We are continuing our series, Empty Nester Wisdom, with my friend . Amy is a mom to three grown kids and she’s been serving in children’s ministry for over 30 years. She has a passion for equipping the local church and the young children that come into those doors.

Amy talks about raising three kids (two boys) as a single mom and how the local church supported them along the way. She had a desire for her boys to be influenced by strong Christian men - and she can look back now and see God’s faithfulness. I pray through this episode that many feel called to step into volunteering for kids and students at your local church. It matters!

I loved her encouragement about finding a church that your kids actually enjoy. It may take sacrifice on your part, but consider prioritizing their needs in a church community when they are so young. I loved this practical yet profound advice for us all!

In this episode, we chat about:
—Asking for help as a single mom
—How to find a local church
—Importance of role models our kids’ lives
—How to support your children’s ministries

Listen to the full episode: https://lnk.to/pardonthemess

We have a rock star mom on the podcast today! Susan Peterson is a mom I have looked up to for years. She’s the co-founde...
06/26/2025

We have a rock star mom on the podcast today! Susan Peterson is a mom I have looked up to for years. She’s the co-founder of Relish, board member for Young Life and longtime volunteer serving Passion City Church and Illuminations. And fun little fact, she is the reason my little “ABC Scripture Cards” hit the market over 13 years ago.

There are many parts of this I want every mom to hear, but make sure you hear her approach to the emotions of the empty nest stage. She didn’t think she would be sad when her kids left the home and was surprised by the mourning. She gives us permission to stop and feel it. Don't miss her advice to take the time to ask God what is next and take the time to mourn the season that you loved so much. I also loved her challenge to stop and thank God for the gift of being a mom and having kids in your home.

Susan’s family has always traveled the globe serving God. As you will hear towards the end, she said that getting her kids out of their country was one of the best decisions they made. They were able to see God at work in the world. It changed each of them. So inspiring!

Listen to the full episode: https://lnk.to/pardonthemess

Sharon Mankin is a mentor and coach to many moms and many women. She brought me to tears right at the start of this epis...
06/25/2025

Sharon Mankin is a mentor and coach to many moms and many women. She brought me to tears right at the start of this episode - only 4 minutes in! She reminds me (and all of us) - that “letting go” isn’t something we just do at age 18. We’ve been letting them go their entire lives. And that’s a good thing. We are more ready than we know. And it’s a natural part of the parenting process.

Don’t miss this “empty nester wisdom” episode with Sharon!

In this episode, we discuss:
—Navigating empty nest stage
—Emotional journey of letting go
—How to recalibrate our expectations
—How to discover purpose beyond parenting

Listen now: https://lnk.to/pardonthemess

06/20/2025

I’m sharing Sharon’s personal story in this clip - because I think many moms can relate to this feeling. It may be hard to say it out loud or even admit - but it’s really important to recognize what’s really going on. This story and her husband’s response was a meaningful moment for me.

In today’s episode, Sharon Mankin coaches us through the new phase of empty nesting. She shares about how to pursue purpose beyond parenting. This may be one of the most helpful episodes you listen to this summer. She isn’t just compassionate - she is helpful. She gets us and wants women to thrive in all seasons.

In this episode, we discuss:
—Navigating empty nest stage
—Emotional journey of letting go
—How to recalibrate our expectations
—How to discover purpose beyond parenting

Listen now: https://lnk.to/pardonthemess

We have back on the podcast! You all loved her wisdom and practical help the last time she was on the podcast. From the...
06/19/2025

We have back on the podcast! You all loved her wisdom and practical help the last time she was on the podcast. From the first minute to the end, you can see why Sharon is a coach to many women. She has empathy, understanding and practical tools to help us navigate challenging seasons.

This conversation is helpful to all moms in all seasons who want to “let go” of their kids in a healthy way. I am a lifelong learner and I crave wisdom from women that are ahead of me in their journey. If you are heading into the empty nester season, you will be extra encouraged by her insight, stories and tips. She reminds us that we can discover purpose beyond our parenting role. She reminds us that God is not done with us!

My favorite part is towards the end when she shares about how to know when to step in and when to stay calm and let our adult kids walk through their struggles. I will treasure this advice ahead of Ella’s college years.

In this episode, we discuss:
—Navigating empty nest stage
——Emotional journey of letting go
—How to recalibrate our expectations
—How to discover purpose beyond parenting

Listen to the full episode: https://lnk.to/pardonthemess

06/13/2025

I absolutely LOVED this chat with my buddy Jennifer Scott about the empty nest years. She shares so many pieces of wisdom as she has triplet kids all in college. I asked her what she’s glad they did - as she looks back. Her answer was so encouraging to me. “We invested in a foundation of faith and foundation of relationship.”

We can do that parents! We can invest in our kids’ faith and in our relationship with them.

Thank you Jennifer for always being willing to share your heart, your wisdom and how God is working in your life. It’s invaluable insight for the moms behind you.

How do you know when to step in with your college or adult kids? Jennifer Scott is the mom of triplets that are all in college. She shares about how we must discern and lean on God to know when to hold back and when to show up. Don’t miss this episode! It’s for moms of all ages. I LOVE learning from moms ahead of me. Enjoy this empty nester wisdom with Jennifer.

In this episode, we discuss:
—Setting realistic expectations when college kids come home
—Resisting the urge to look back and nitpick how you parented
—Trusting God with your kids when the story isn’t finished
—Keeping relationship with your kid when we disagree with choices

Listen to the full episode: https://lnk.to/pardonthemess

You all LOVED our series “Empty Nester Wisdom” from two years ago so we are bringing it back. Mentors have played such a...
06/12/2025

You all LOVED our series “Empty Nester Wisdom” from two years ago so we are bringing it back. Mentors have played such a vital role in my parenting journey. For the next two months, we are going to learn from other wise and godly moms that are just a season ahead of us. This series isn’t just for those entering the empty nest season - it’s for all moms and all stages. Get your journals ready for the next 9 weeks - they all offer some advice and encouragement worth keeping. And possibly bring a tissue box.

I absolutely LOVED this chat with my buddy Jennifer Scott about the empty nest years. She shares so many pieces of wisdom as she has triplet kids all in college. I asked her what she’s glad they did as she looks back. Her answer was so encouraging to me. “We invested in a foundation of faith and foundation of relationship.” We can do that parents! We can invest in our kids’ faith and in our relationship with them.

How do you know when to step in with your college or adult kids? Jennifer shares about how we must discern and lean on God to know when to hold back and when to show up. Don’t miss this episode! It’s for moms of all ages. I LOVE learning from moms ahead of me.

Thank you Jennifer for always being willing to share your heart, your wisdom and how God is working in your life. It’s invaluable insight for the moms behind you. Enjoy this empty nester wisdom with Jennifer.

Listen to the full episode: https://lnk.to/pardonthemess

This past week, I was joined by Nicci Smith. Her son Tanner is a breakout star on Love on The Spectrum. This part of our...
06/11/2025

This past week, I was joined by Nicci Smith. Her son Tanner is a breakout star on Love on The Spectrum. This part of our conversation was so honest and real. She talked about the years she prayed that God would take away his troubles and his symptoms of autism. She shares about her faith journey and that it took parenting Tanner for her to be dependent on God. She realized that she had to let go of her wants and wishes and give him back to God. What a powerful story for all of us parents.

Listen to the full episode: https://lnk.to/pardonthemess

06/06/2025

You all LOVED our series “Empty Nester Wisdom” from two years ago so we are bringing it back. Mentors have played such a vital role in my parenting journey. For the next two months, we are going to learn from other wise and godly moms that are just a season ahead of us. This episode isn’t just for those entering the empty nest season - it’s for all moms and all stages. Get your journals ready for the next 9 weeks - they all offer some advice and encouragement worth keeping. And possibly bring a tissue box.

If you don’t watch “Love On The Spectrum” or follow Tanner (link to insta) - you are missing out! His mom, , is a hero in my book and I have been so touched by her and the way she parents her amazing son. Thank you Nicci for coming on and sharing some of your journey and the wisdom you have gained over the years. God is glorified through your life and it’s amazing to watch.

I want you to listen to the entire episode - but don’t miss this part where she shares honestly about letting go and opening her heart to the reality of his diagnosis and who God made Tanner to be. Her acceptance and full surrender to God opened doors to a beautiful life with her son.

Listen now: https://lnk.to/pardonthemess

06/05/2025

My "Empty Nester Wisdom" series was a favorite we did a few years back, and I can't wait to bring it back this summer.

Listen to the latest episode wherever you get your podcasts: https://lnk.to/pardonthemess

You all LOVED our series “Empty Nester Wisdom” from two years ago so we are bringing it back. Mentors have played such a...
06/05/2025

You all LOVED our series “Empty Nester Wisdom” from two years ago so we are bringing it back. Mentors have played such a vital role in my parenting journey. For the next two months, we are going to learn from other wise and godly moms that are just a season ahead of us. This series isn’t just for those entering the empty nest season - it’s for all moms and all stages. Get your journals ready for the next 9 weeks - they all offer some advice and encouragement worth keeping. And possibly bring a tissue box.

Have you all watched the amazing show “Love On The Spectrum?” If not, you need to add that to your watch list for the summer. It’s a romantic documentary series as people on the autism spectrum look for love and navigate the changing world of dating and relationships.

My guest today is who is a mom, wife and fierce advocate of the autism community. Her son, Tanner, is one of the breakout stars of the show. Nicci is doing an amazing job of sharing her faith in her new found fame. In today’s episode, we hear from a seasoned mom of four grown kids and all that God has taught her along the way.

She is so honest about her faith and her doubts which is so refreshing. She is also honest about how long she wanted to fix the autism out of Tanner. She provided invaluable wisdom to let go of control sooner. And to enjoy the exact child God gave to each of us. She shared that she’s thankful God didn’t answer her prayers to take the autism away.

Join us for the next 9 weeks and don’t forget to grab a journal and take notes from these wise mommas. What a gift!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://lnk.to/pardonthemess

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Pardon the Mess Podcast

Parenting can be messy. There’s lots of amazing moments followed by some really hard times that make it easy to be discouraged if we aren’t careful. That’s why we want to invite you to listen to our podcast, Pardon the Mess. Each week you’ll hear honest discussions from real people about the ups and downs of parenting, and the lessons God has taught them along the way. It’s fun, it’s real, it’s biblical, and it’s for everyone!

Cynthia Yanof is a wife, mom, blogger, and the host of the Pardon the Mess podcast. She has a relaxed style of interviewing, combining her quick wit and sense of humor with a firm commitment to never taking herself too seriously. She loves Jesus, her family, foster care, and having lots of friends around her as often as possible. Cynthia is relatable, real, and a friend to all of us just trying to walk the road of life in a meaningful way that’s pleasing to the Lord.