The LDS Mission Podcast

Episode 164 - ADHD Strategies for Missionaries and RMs with Kamden Hainsworth In this episode, I had an insightful conversation with Kamden Hainsworth, an ADHD coach and advocate. We discussed the unique challenges that missionaries and returned missionaries with ADHD can face, and Kamden shared valuable strategies and insights to help support them. Kamden shared her own experiences serving a miss...

Episode 163 - Rewrite Your Script In this episode, I share the powerful concept of rewriting your personal narrative to empower yourself. I open by recounting a dramatic story from my past - a situation involving fraud, lawsuits, and financial turmoil that could have easily been the plot of a movie. This experience taught me that everyone has a unique story, and the way we tell that story can grea...

Episode 162 - Into the Unknown In this episode, I discuss the common fear of the unknown that many missionaries and returned missionaries face. I emphasize the importance of preparing for missions through my Mission Prep Plus program, which helps equip missionaries with the coping skills and tools they need to navigate the uncertainty of missionary work. I share tips for embracing uncertainty and...

Hey everyone, it's Jennie Dildine here with another episode of the LDS Mission Podcast. Today I wanted to discuss the idea of practice and whether it truly makes perfect. We've all heard the saying "practice makes perfect", but is that really the case? In this episode, I share some of my own experiences where I felt very confident and competent in something, only to later struggle with doubts and...

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning into this episode of the LDS Mission Podcast. Today I wanted to discuss the importance of asking powerful questions as a missionary. While our one job is to offer thoughts with love, I've realized we can do even more by also asking questions with compassion and love. By understanding people's perspectives through questions, we can better meet their needs. I shared s...

Episode 159 - Wanting and Willingness In this episode, I discuss the difference between wanting and willingness. I share personal experiences where I have learned to say no to things I don't want to do, in order to better understand my own desires. However, I also emphasize the importance of being willing to do things even when we don't want to, through sacrifice. This willingness allows us to hav...

Hey everyone, it's Jennie Dildine here with another episode of the LDS Mission Podcast. On today's episode, I wanted to share some leadership tips that I've learned from my own experiences serving in various callings and leadership positions over the years. I talk about the importance of recognizing that there are both "visionaries" and "implementers" on any team or project, and how each person br...

Hey everyone, it's Jennie Dildine here with another episode of the LDS Mission Podcast. Today I have a really insightful discussion about religious OCD and scrupulosity. I talk with Claire Breedlove, a licensed clinical social worker who has a lot of experience treating OCD, especially when it comes to religious themes. We discuss what scrupulosity is, how it can impact missionaries and young adul...

Jennie here with episode 156 of the LDS Mission Podcast. This week we're talking all about overcoming the RM struggle. As many of you know, coming home from a mission can be a big adjustment. Here are the main things that I hear over and over from return missionaries, "I really struggled with not having a clear schedule and purpose anymore." "I feel lost and I'm not sure what to do next." In this...

Hey everyone, this is Jennie Dildine with episode 155 of the LDS Mission Podcast. On this episode I discuss the art of holding space, which is an important tool for confidence and relationships. I talk about how holding space can help missionaries and leaders create a supportive environment by allowing others to have their own experiences and emotions without judgment. Some ways to hold space incl...

Hey everyone, Jennie here with the show notes for today's episode where we discussed managing motivation and avoiding crossing that fine line to overwhelm.   In this episode, I shared some of my own experiences feeling motivated but then crossing over into anxiety or overwhelm as things start to pile on. I talked about how important it is to pay attention to your emotions and really understand the...

This episode of the LDS Mission Podcast features an inspiring interview with Kate Kilpack about her experience serving a service mission after facing unexpected challenges early in her proselyting mission. Kate Killpack is a diligent missionary who started off her mission in June of 2023 in the Mexico City MTC when her mission experience took a couple of unexpected turns. After struggling with OCD...

In this episode of the LDS Mission Podcast, I discuss the secret to "how" when it comes to navigating life's challenges and transitions. Whether it's preparing for a mission, college, or parenthood, most of us don't have a clear manual to follow. However, we can overcome uncertainty by learning to manage our emotions, trust ourselves, and view life as a great experiment rather than a test. I encou...

Hey everyone, Jennie here with episode 151 of the LDS Mission Podcast. This week I wanted to talk about something very personal - being a mom of adult children. As many of you know, I have 5 kids ranging from young adults to teenagers. It's been such a journey watching them grow up, and there are so many lessons I've learned along the way. In this episode, I share some of my best tips for letting...

Hey everyone, it's Jennie here with episode 150 of the LDS Mission Podcast. Today I wanted to discuss the power of our thoughts and how we can empower ourselves through more positive self-talk. As missionaries, we often experience doubts, worries and insecurities. But did you know the thoughts we choose to think can significantly impact our confidence and outlook? In this episode I share how our d...

Hey everyone, Jennie here with episode 149 of the LDS Mission Podcast. In this episode we discuss the importance of feeling heard and valued, both on your mission and in other situations. I talk about how feeling unheard can lead to a lack of agency and feelings of isolation. But there are respectful ways to advocate for yourself and have a voice without being confrontational. I also share insight...

Hey everyone, Jennie here with the latest episode of the LDS Mission Podcast. On this week's episode, I wanted to discuss the importance of viewing our emotions in a positive light. Rather than labeling feelings as "good" or "bad", I encourage listeners to think of emotions as helpful signals that can guide us.   I share several analogies, such as comparing emotions to smoke detectors, that are me...

Hey everyone, today's episode I talk on finding the process that works best for you. I talked about how we're all so uniquely different and how important it is to figure out what fills your own personal energy tank. Some key things I discussed were the importance of asking yourself what you need in each moment and making sure your processes energize you rather than deplete you. I want to encourag...

Isabella Beals is a Senior at Brigham Young University. She is a theater arts studies major with a double minor in music and psychology. She is planning on attending graduate school to study therapy and eventually wants to become a certified drama therapist. Isabella also served as a full-time missionary in Albania from 2018-2020. She loves the gospel, her mission, and her discipline of theater an...

Episode 145 - We Rejoice in Christ  Hey everyone, I'm so glad you joined me for this Easter episode of the LDS Mission Podcast. In this episode, I discussed the importance of focusing on Jesus Christ and His grace in our lives and missionary work. I wanted to be explicit in my views and feelings of Christ and so I share my personal testimony of Christ and reflected on scriptures like Second Nephi...

Episode 144 - What Makes Missionaries Spiral In this episode, I explore some of the common reasons why missionaries may struggle or experience downward spirals during their missions. Drawing on my own experiences and observations working with missionaries, I discuss how our natural human experiences of feeling sad, overwhelmed or stressed can easily lead us to add extra negative meaning and self-c...

Episode 143 - How to Create Your Own Luck In this episode, I discuss how shifting your mindset can help you create your own luck. I talk about how our thoughts and beliefs influence our perception of luck, for better or for worse. Some key strategies I explore include visualizing your future self who has already achieved their goals, and bringing that positive feeling to the present. I also discus...

The LDS Mission Podcast, Episode 142 - Be Kind to Your Toddler Brain In this of the LDS Mission Podcast, I, your host Jennie Dildine, take a deep dive into the fascinating concept of the "toddler brain" and its impact on those gearing up for missions or currently out in the field. I want to shed light on the dual nature of our brains—there's the higher brain that plans and reasons, and then there'...

Episode 141 - Internal and External Reference Points I'm excited to share today's topic - Internal and External Reference Points. As missionaries and returned missionaries, it's so easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others and seeking validation externally. In this episode, I introduce the vacuum concept. Using this concept, it will help us all to learn to look inside ourselves for va...

Episode 140 - About "Feeling Better" The main focus in this week's episode, is on personal growth and managing emotions while serving a mission. I talk about some of the challenges with only focusing on "feeling better" and argue for the importance of "getting better at feeling" a range of emotions. I share how understanding that thoughts influence feelings helped me when raising my son on the aut...