The LDS Mission Podcast

What an incredible conversation I had with Logan Castleton, the Rapping Missionary, for Episode 189! As someone who has faced significant health challenges from birth, Logan's story of resilience, faith, and using his unique talents to further God's work is truly inspiring. Logan shared how he was born with a rare heart condition and has undergone numerous surgeries, yet he never let that stop him...

In episode 188 - Just Keep Going, I share the importance of just keeping going, even when the path ahead seems unclear or the results of your efforts aren't immediately visible. As the host of the LDS Mission Podcast, I've experienced firsthand how small, consistent actions can lead to big impacts over time. When I first started sending out my weekly "Tuesday Tidbit" emails back in 2019, I had jus...

Hey there, mission friends! In episode 187 - When Missionaries in Your District Are Struggling, we're diving into how to support missionaries (or anyone on your team) who are struggling. As a mission coach, I know how challenging it can be to see the people you care about going through a tough time. But I've got five key strategies to help you show up as an effective leader and guide them through....

Here in episode 186 - Why We Care what Other People Think, we are going to discuss this topic because It's a question that comes up a lot, especially for missionaries and young adults navigating big life transitions. In this episode, I dive into the fascinating reasons behind our innate desire to compare ourselves to others and worry about their perceptions of us. The truth is, this tendency to or...

In episode 185 - Another Take On Relationships, I share some insights I've been reflecting on when it comes to relationships. I've noticed that a large portion of my podcast episodes tend to focus on relationships, and I think that's because relationships are such a fundamental part of our lives, whether it's our companions, our families, our coworkers, or the people we interact with on a daily ba...

Here in Episode 184 - This Is God's Work we talk about as missionaries, it's so easy to get caught up in the pressure to perform and meet our goals. Whether it's baptisms, finding new investigators, or any other metric, the stress and anxiety can really start to weigh us down. In this episode, I open up about some recent conversations I've had with missionaries who are feeling overwhelmed by the n...

Episode 183 - Light in the Vessels, this Christmas episode is all about finding light in the darkness. As I've been preparing for holiday concerts and reflecting on the story of the brother of Jared, I've been struck by the powerful symbolism of the Lord causing the stones to shine in the darkness. Even when life feels tumultuous, heavy, and disorienting, Christ's light can still shine. The tempes...

As The LDS Mission Coach, I'm always looking for powerful stories and insights that can support current, future, and returned missionaries. This episode 182 - Mission and Post Mission Mental Health with my friend Mary Ward is one of those conversations that I know will resonate deeply. Mary vulnerably shares her personal struggles with mental health challenges during her COVID-era mission. From ba...

Transfers can be a real rollercoaster, am I right? The emotions, the uncertainty, the feeling like you're starting all over again - it's a lot to navigate. But I've got your back, friends. In episode 181 - Tips for Mission Transfers, I'm sharing four powerful tips to help you handle mission transfers with more ease and confidence. From allowing yourself to feel ALL the feels, to challenging your b...

Here on the LDS Mission Podcast, Episode 180 - Encouraging and Recognizing Others In this episode, I dive into the importance of encouraging and recognizing others in meaningful ways. As the LDS mission coach, I've noticed that mission culture often focuses heavily on goal accomplishment and outward recognition. However, not all missionaries thrive in this environment - some find it uncomfortable...

Today in Episode 179 - Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), as the LDS Mission Coach, I'm always looking for ways to support my listeners, whether you're preparing to serve a mission, currently serving, or a returned missionary. In this episode, I tackle the topic of FOMO - the fear of missing out. FOMO is something I've noticed many of my clients struggle with, especially around the holidays or major life...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Braylen Bleak to discuss her experience of being sent home from her mission due to disobedience. This is a topic that is often not openly discussed, but Braylon's vulnerability and honesty provide invaluable insights. Braylen shares her initial expectations of being the "perfect missionary" and the struggles she faced with perfectionism early on. She then...

In episode 177 - The Power of Possibility, I discuss the power of possibility and how our beliefs about what is possible can shape our actions and the outcomes we experience. I share a personal example of how I held onto the possibility of being able to provide training and support to missionaries, even when others doubted it was possible. This possibility eventually led to an opportunity to virtu...

In podcast Episode 176 - How To Like Something That  You Don't Like, I share my personal journey of learning to like something I previously didn't enjoy - fall. I explain how a conversation with a friend made me realize that instead of dreading fall as a precursor to winter, I could focus on actually liking the fall season. I outline several good reasons to change what you like, such as adding div...

In episode 175, I dive deeper into the topics of anxiety and fear. As we approach the Halloween season, I reflect on how fear and anxiety are not inherently bad emotions - in fact, we often seek them out through spooky movies, haunted houses, and other thrilling experiences. However, I acknowledge that unprocessed anxiety can escalate into more debilitating emotions like panic and terror. I share...

In episode 174 - When You're Asked to Teach, I share some important insights about creating a safe, loving environment when you are asked to teach, whether that's in a church setting, on a mission, or in any other context. I emphasize the importance of moving away from a "quiz" mentality and instead fostering open conversations where everyone feels welcome to share their thoughts and experiences....

Episode 173 - Am I Doing a Good Job. In this episode, I, Jennie Dildine, the LDS mission coach, discuss the mindset shift around the question "Am I doing a good job?" I share my personal experiences with self-validation and the human brain's tendency to focus on problems. I emphasize the importance of finding more believable and true thoughts, rather than trying to force positive thinking. I encou...

In Episode 172. Resolving Differences, I explore the important topic of resolving differences. I delve into the brain's natural tendency to categorize things as "good" or "bad," which can lead to divisiveness, especially in our current climate. I highlight scriptural teachings that emphasize Christ's inclusivity and the invitation for all to come unto Him. I provide practical steps to combat this...

In episode 171, I talk about the emotional roller coaster that can happen when supporting a loved one, whether that's a missionary, companion, spouse, or child. I share why our brains are wired to want to mirror others' emotions and try to "fix" their problems, but explain why that can actually be exhausting and counterproductive. Instead, I suggest ways to step off the emotional roller coaster, s...

Hey everyone, here on podcast episode 170, I'm excited to dive into the topic of shame in this episode. Shame is a complex emotion that many of us struggle with, especially during the unique experiences of serving a mission. In this episode, I explore the differences between shame and guilt, highlighting how they can be intertwined yet distinct. I share insights from Brene Brown's research, outlin...

Here on episode 169 we are talking about 'When a Missionary Is Having a Tough Time'. As the LDS mission coach, I'm excited to share this episode on supporting missionaries who are having a tough time. Whether you're a current missionary, a returned missionary, or a missionary parent, this episode is for you. I recently had the opportunity to attend the Restore faith gathering, where I connected wi...

In episode 168. Look How Far You've Come, I share an important perspective shift that can make a big difference in your mission experience and beyond - focusing on your gains rather than the gap. I was inspired by a message from my coach, who encouraged our group to celebrate our progress and achievements. So often, we have a tendency to fixate on our shortcomings and how far we have left to go. B...

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to share this episode all about rubber band emotions. As the LDS mission coach, I've noticed that emotions play a huge role in our lives, especially for those preparing for, serving, or returning from a mission. One of the key things I've learned is that trying to avoid or postpone uncomfortable emotions is like trying to hold a rubber band stretched out - it just crea...

Episode 166 - Back to Real Life, after an incredible 3-week family vacation in Europe, I've been navigating the transition back to my "real life" routine. As exciting as the trip was, I've found myself feeling exhausted, unmotivated, and craving the consistency of my normal schedule. I've realized this ebb and flow between craving novelty and craving stability is a natural part of the human experi...

In this episode, I dive deep into the concept of "believing it's enough" - a crucial part of the mission experience that many struggle with. As an LDS mission coach, I've found that this idea of feeling adequate and believing you're doing enough is one of the trickiest parts for both preparing and returned missionaries. I share personal insights and analogies to help listeners overcome the natural...