The LDS Mission Podcast

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 events. When we're on a mission, it's easy to feel like we're missing out on family gatherings, trips, or even new pets at home. But I want to share that FOMO is a common human experience, and there are ways we can reframe our mindset to find joy and abundance in the present moment.

I dive into the five key reasons we might experience FOMO - comparison, not being present, not liking where we are, being multi-passionate, and adding negative meaning. For each one, I provide practical solutions and mantras you can use to cultivate a mindset of gratitude and the "joy of missing out." Whether you're navigating the mission experience or any other life transition, I hope these insights empower you to create the fulfilling life you desire.

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

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 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 courageously recounts the difficult decision to confess her mistakes to her mission president, the emotional pain of the repentance process, and the incredible support she received from her parents.

Through it all, Braylen's faith in the Atonement and her determination to remain strong in the gospel shine through. Braylen's story is a testament to the healing power of the Savior and the importance of facing our challenges head-on.

Her advice to others in similar situations - to trust in the Lord's plan and have the courage to walk the difficult path of repentance - is both inspiring and hopeful. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to better understand the complexities of the mission experience.

Braylen Bleak is from Laramie, Wyoming and a recently returned missionary. She is in school studying special education and elementary education, and runs her own photography business.  The lyrics she shares on this episode are from the song Flowers - by Samantha Ebert

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

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

Free PDF Download:  Podcast Roadmap

Free PDF Download:  Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet

My 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 pisode 117 - 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 virtually connect with and uplift a group of missionaries during a hurricane. I emphasize that God and our Heavenly Parents can only work within the framework of what we believe is possible. If we don't see the possibility for change or growth, we won't take the necessary actions to make it happen. I encourage listeners to open themselves up to the vast expanse of possibility available to them, rather than dwelling on their limitations.

By believing in what's possible, we allow God to work miracles in our lives. The key takeaway is that dreaming big and staying open to possibility is the first step. When we believe, all things become possible through God's power working in our lives. I hope this episode inspires listeners to embrace the possibilities before them.

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

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 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 diversity and experience to your life, making things easier, and simply because "why not?" However, I also caution against changing what you like just to fit in or be accepted by others. Your unique preferences are valuable.

To help listeners learn to like something new, I provide seven steps: be curious, observe how others enjoy it, practice enjoying it, lean into it, change your language, be open to being wrong, and understand it may take time. I share my own experiences applying these steps to fall, and encourage everyone to try this experiment with something in their own lives.

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

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 episode175, 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 a message I received from a concerned parent, whose son is struggling with anxiety but is hesitant to open up to his church leaders about it, fearing they may see it as disqualifying him from serving a mission. I emphasize that anxiety is a normal human emotion, not an illness, and that we need to do a better job of normalizing these feelings, especially for youth and young adults. Leaders and loved ones should create safe spaces for people to be honest about their fears and anxieties, offering support instead of judgment.

Ultimately, I encourage listeners to look to Christ, who can provide the courage to face our doubts and fears, even if He doesn't immediately take them away. By relying on the Savior's plan and Atonement, we can navigate our very human emotions with more self-compassion and resilience.

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

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 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. I highlight the Savior's example of teaching each person according to their unique needs, and how we can emulate that by truly understanding where people are coming from before trying to teach them.

The goal should be to create an atmosphere of unconditional love and acceptance, where the Spirit can freely flow. I encourage listeners to evaluate their own teaching approaches and consider whether they are cultivating this kind of safe, uplifting environment. By doing so, we can help everyone feel inspired, supported, and able to contribute meaningfully to the conversation, just as the Savior did. The key is moving away from a focus on "right" and "wrong" answers, and instead opening up the dialogue for all to participate.

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 missionaries around the world and it would mean so much to me if you did. Until next week my friends.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Get the Full Show Notes HERE

Free PDF Download:  Podcast Roadmap

Free PDF Download:  Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet

My 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

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 encourage listeners to shift their focus from seeking external validation to recognizing that what they are doing matters, regardless of whether they feel they are doing a good job.

I also discuss the importance of self-acceptance, effort, and the process of growth and transformation. I provide listeners with a new free resource, the "Podcast Roadmap," to help navigate the podcast episodes. I encourage listeners to download the freebie, leave a review, and reach out to me if they need support or have questions about the mission experience.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Get the Full Show Notes HERE

Free PDF Download:  Podcast Roadmap

Free PDF Download:  Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet

My 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 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 divisiveness, such as understanding that we may not know someone's full story, creating a safe space for diverse perspectives, and gently addressing divisive language. Importantly, I encourage listeners to let go of the need to convince others and instead focus on broadening their circles to include people with different beliefs and experiences. By embracing our differences and making room for everyone, I suggest we can create a more unified and Christ-like community.

In conclusion, I emphasize that the best way to resolve differences is not to try to resolve them, but rather to understand that we are all part of the same human experience and should welcome everyone into our circles with love and understanding.

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 missionaries around the world and it would mean so much to me if you did. Until next week my friends.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Get the Full Show Notes HERE

Free PDF Download:  Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet

My 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 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, such as recognizing when you're mirroring their emotions, reminding yourself that their experience is theirs, and accessing more grounded emotions like curiosity, acceptance, and compassion.

By getting off the ride, you can be a calmer, more effective support rather than getting caught up in the ups and downs. I share how this allows you to show up in a more useful way and avoid blaming yourself when your loved one is struggling.

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 missionaries around the world and it would mean so much to me if you did. Until next week my friends.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Get the Full Show Notes HERE

Free PDF Download:  Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet

My 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

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, outlining the four elements of shame resilience: recognizing shame, practicing critical awareness, reaching out to others, and speaking openly about shame.

By understanding shame as a natural human emotion, rather than something to be feared or avoided, we can learn to process it in a healthy way. I encourage listeners to approach shame with self-compassion, recognizing that we all experience it and that it doesn't make us inherently flawed or broken.

Throughout the episode, I emphasize the importance of normalizing the discussion around shame and other emotions. By sharing our experiences and supporting one another, we can reduce the isolation and shame that often accompanies these feelings. Whether you're preparing for a mission, currently serving, or a returned missionary, I hope these insights empower you to navigate the emotional landscape of the mission experience with greater understanding and resilience.

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 missionaries around the world and it would mean so much to me if you did. Until next week my friends.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Get the Full Show Notes HERE

Free PDF Download:  Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet

My 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