In Episode 250: The View From Here, I'm reflecting on turning 50, reaching 250 podcast episodes, and what I've learned about the patterns of life through years of coaching missionaries, returned missionaries, and missionary moms. This episode is deeply personal as I share stories from my life—moments of faith, growth, heartbreak, uncertainty, and purpose—and how they've revealed a powerful truth: life doesn't move in a straight line. Instead, it unfolds in cycles of beginning, growing, unraveling, realigning, and becoming something new.

Throughout this episode, I explore how this pattern shows up everywhere—on your mission, after your mission, and in everyday life. When things feel like they're falling apart, it's easy to believe something has gone wrong. But what if you're just in the "unraveling" phase? I talk about how these moments are actually where deeper faith, clarity, confidence, and transformation begin. Whether you're navigating discouragement, self-doubt, identity shifts, or emotional challenges, this episode will help you see that nothing has gone wrong—you're right on track in your growth.

In Episode 250: The View From Here, I invite you to zoom out and trust the pattern of your life, just like the message of Easter teaches us—there is always renewal after unraveling. You are not behind, you are not broken, and you are not doing it wrong. You are becoming.

As always, if you found this episode helpful, I want to invite you to subscribe if you aren't already, share this episode with your friends and missionaries you know, and write a review. I know this work will help LDS missionaries around the world and it would mean so much to me if you did. Until next week my friends.

00:00 Intro
00:56 Birthday week, 250 episodes, and why this feels meaningful
02:29 The life pattern Jennie keeps seeing
04:29 Life doesn't move in a straight line
07:24 Choosing belief for yourself
10:11 Growth, control, and learning to let go
13:12 When life unravels: Lydia's surgery story
19:59 Unraveling leads to deeper faith and realignment
20:25 Discovering the work with missionaries
26:51 Why missionaries think something is wrong with them
29:33 Easter, renewal, and the cycle beginning again
30:47 Recording episode one and seeing the pattern now
31:58 Final thoughts: you are becoming

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5 Ways to Process Any Less-Than Happy Mission Memories Article: HERE

Get the Full Show Notes and Text/PDF Transcripts: HERE

Free PDF Download: Podcast Roadmap

Free PDF Download: Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet

Free Training for Preparing Missionaries: Change Your Mission with this One Tool

RM Transition Free Video Series: 3 Tools to Help RMs in Their Transition Home

Free Guide: 5 Tips to Help Any Returning Missionary

Schedule a Free Strategy Call: Click Here

Here on The LDS Mission Podcast, Episode 249 - You Can't Go Back to Your Comfort Zone, we talk about why the "comfort zone" your brain wants to return to doesn't actually exist—and what to do instead. Whether you're a preparing missionary, currently serving, a returned missionary, or a missionary mama, it's so normal to find yourself thinking, "I just want things to feel like they used to." But the truth is, life only moves forward, and the version of you (and your circumstances) from the past have already changed. In this episode, I break down why your brain craves familiarity, how it attaches feelings like safety, belonging, and happiness to people and places, and why that can keep you feeling stuck.

We talk about how those feelings were never actually created by a person, place, or situation—but by your thoughts—and what that means for your ability to create those feelings again moving forward. I share powerful mindset shifts to help you navigate discomfort, identity shifts, breakups, and mission challenges, and how to stop trying to "go back" and instead step into growth. You'll also learn practical tools like giving discomfort a purpose, anchoring confidence in your capability (not outcomes), and untangling your emotions from external circumstances.

Most importantly, I teach you how to become your own comfort zone—so you can feel steady, confident, and grounded no matter where you are or what's happening around you. This is one of the most empowering skills you can develop on your mission and in your post-mission life. If you've been wishing things could go back to how they were, this episode will help you see why that's not the goal—and how moving forward with trust in yourself is where your real power lies. Here on The LDS Mission Podcast, Episode 249 - You Can't Go Back to Your Comfort Zone, we learn how to stop looking backward and start becoming the kind of person who can feel at home anywhere.

As always, if you found this episode helpful, I want to invite you to subscribe if you aren't already, share this episode with your friends and missionaries you know, and write a review. I know this work will help LDS missionaries around the world and it would mean so much to me if you did. Until next week my friends.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

5 Ways to Process Any Less-Than Happy Mission Memories Article: HERE

Get the Full Show Notes and Text/PDF Transcripts: HERE

Free PDF Download: Podcast Roadmap

Free PDF Download: Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet

Free Training for Preparing Missionaries: Change Your Mission with this One Tool

RM Transition Free Video Series: 3 Tools to Help RMs in Their Transition Home

Free Guide: 5 Tips to Help Any Returning Missionary

Schedule a Free Strategy Call: Click Here

In Episode 248 – The Truth About "Finding Joy in the Work", I share a powerful mindset shift for missionaries, returned missionaries, preparing missionaries, and missionary moms who feel discouraged when they're "not finding joy in the work." In this episode of the LDS Mission Podcast, I break down why the phrase finding joy can actually be misleading and why joy isn't something you discover out on your mission or in your circumstances—it's something you create internally. We talk about agency, mindset, emotional resilience, and how the way you think about your mission, your purpose, and the people you serve directly influences the joy you experience.

I also explore the difference between joy, happiness, motivation, and commitment, and why missionary work (and life in general) often requires courage, discipline, determination, and faith—even when it doesn't feel exciting. Drawing on scriptures, teachings from President Nelson, and real-life missionary experiences, I explain how joy is actually the fullness of the human experience, including both the stretching moments and the rewarding ones. I also share three practical tools to help missionaries create more joy right now: evaluating novelty versus consistency, checking your level of rest, and taking ownership of how you choose to show up.

If you've ever wondered why the mission feels harder than expected, why motivation comes and goes, or how to actually experience more peace and joy while serving, this episode will give you powerful perspective and tools to help you move forward with confidence. Episode 248 – The Truth About Finding Joy in the Work reminds us that joy isn't something waiting to be discovered—it's something you can intentionally create through your focus, your thoughts, and your relationship with God.

As always, if you found this episode helpful, I want to invite you to subscribe if you aren't already, share this episode with your friends and missionaries you know, and write a review. I know this work will help LDS missionaries around the world and it would mean so much to me if you did. Until next week my friends.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

5 Ways to Process Any Less-Than Happy Mission Memories Article: HERE

Get the Full Show Notes and Text/PDF Transcripts: HERE

Free PDF Download: Podcast Roadmap

Free PDF Download: Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet

Free Training for Preparing Missionaries: Change Your Mission with this One Tool

RM Transition Free Video Series: 3 Tools to Help RMs in Their Transition Home

Free Guide: 5 Tips to Help Any Returning Missionary

Schedule a Free Strategy Call: Click Here