In this episode, Whitney Murdock shares how her journey as an introverted missionary shaped her unique approach to mentoring others. Born into a blended family with deep faith roots, Whitney discusses how her parents' divorce at age 11 led her to find solace in scripture, building the foundation for her testimony. She reveals the surprising challenges of preparing for missionary service while grieving her brother's suicide just two weeks before her departure date. Whitney details her struggles with perfectionism during her Portland, Oregon mission, and how a mission president's blessing about "finding the one" helped her overcome social anxiety. Her insights about mental preparation for missionaries offer practical guidance for introverts facing similar challenges. Whitney's story highlights how God works through our authentic personalities rather than despite them, demonstrating that our "loaves and fishes" offerings become magnified when surrendered to divine purpose. This conversation provides valuable perspective for anyone feeling inadequate in their spiritual journey or questioning if they have what it takes to serve effectively.

In this episode, May Lundy shares her journey from childhood faith to adult conviction. Born in Mexico to educator parents, May describes how her grandmother's swift conversion set the spiritual foundation for generations to follow. Her father, a stake president, instilled the vital importance of intentional faith—gathering the family to vote on making Christ the center of their lives. May details her decade-long sprint through dual college degrees across two countries, leading to her eventual physical and emotional collapse while working at Deseret Digital Media. The turning point came during a desperate prayer on her living room floor, when three simple words changed her approach to discipleship. May discusses the misconception that grace only arrives at the finish line, instead discovering that Christ walks beside us through every step of our trials. Her insights on finding joy within hardship, not just beyond it, offer a fresh perspective on living with intention. May also shares wisdom gleaned from working with Elder Clark Gilbert and practical approaches to creating a home centered on Christ. This conversation invites listeners to reconsider what it truly means to walk hand-in-hand with the Savior in both struggle and success.

Unveiling the mind behind a literary phenomenon! In this episode of Why We Believe, Nathan Gwilliam sits down with Chris Heimerdinger, the mastermind of the "Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites" series that has captivated millions of readers. Heimerdinger reveals how a childhood obsession with finding a mythical "rainbow room" in Wyoming's Frost Cave sparked his imagination, leading to a dream during his mission that launched his writing career. His conversion story takes unexpected turns—from skeptical teenager to BYU film student who fasted and prayed in a secluded grove seeking truth. Heimerdinger shares intimate details about crafting emotionally charged scenes, admitting he wept throughout the writing process of his most impactful chapters. With surprising vulnerability, he discusses personal struggles including divorce, emphasizing that success as a religious author doesn't provide immunity from life's trials. This fascinating conversation explores how following unexpected spiritual guidance transformed Heimerdinger from aspiring stand-up comedian into a bestselling author whose work continues bringing readers back to scripture decades after its first publication.