The LDS Mission Podcast

Jennie Dildine | The LDS Mission Coach

This podcast will give you real life tools and strategies to handle any aspect of The LDS Mission Experience. Whether a preparing missionary, currently serving, RM, or a Missionary Momma this podcast will help you with the "how" of doing hard things. We'll address your mental and emotional well-being, your confidence, decision making and so much more. It's easier than you think to overcome worry and anxiety, create epic unwavering confidence, step powerfully into your potential and embrace what's next.

  1. 13h ago

    267. 5 Considerations When Teaching Mission Prep

    Episode 267: Five Considerations When Teaching Mission Prep came from a thoughtful question I received from a stake mission prep teacher who wanted to better prepare future missionaries to confidently open their mouths and share the gospel. As I thought about her question, I realized that preparing someone for missionary work isn't about teaching them to fit a certain mold. It's about helping them develop communication skills, embrace discomfort, and trust the unique gifts God has already given them. Whether you're teaching mission prep, training missionaries, serving a mission yourself, or navigating life after your mission, these five considerations will help you approach communication with greater confidence and authenticity. In this episode, I share why there isn't any "missionary magic" that suddenly appears when you put on a name tag, why awkwardness is part of learning something new, and why there isn't one perfect way to teach, testify, or connect with people. We talk about letting go of the pressure to say everything perfectly, choosing curiosity over performance, and recognizing that your greatest strength as a missionary isn't becoming someone else—it's becoming more of who God created you to be. I also explore why every missionary brings different strengths to the work and how those individual gifts allow them to reach people in ways no one else can. If you've ever wondered whether you're outgoing enough, confident enough, or "the right kind" of missionary, I hope this episode reminds you that God isn't asking you to become someone different. He's inviting you to expand who you already are. I hope Episode 267: Five Considerations When Teaching Mission Prep gives you greater confidence to trust yourself, communicate from your heart, and discover your own best way to share the gospel. 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 – Introduction 00:57 – Why This Episode Matters for Mission Prep Leaders 04:43 – The Purpose Behind These Five Considerations 07:52 – Consideration #1: There Is No "Missionary Magic" 11:39 – Consideration #2: Awkward Is Allowed 13:41 – Consideration #3: There Is No Right or Wrong Way to Communicate 17:19 – Consideration #4: Let Go of the "Ideal Missionary" Mold 21:24 – Consideration #5: Discover Your Best Way 23:47 – Helping Missionaries Practice These Principles 27:52 – Trust Yourself and Become More of Who God Created You to Be 31:54 – Final Thoughts   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

  2. Jul 24

    266. Your Emotional Thermostat

    Episode 266: Your Emotional Thermostat explores why our brains naturally try to keep us in what's familiar, even when that means avoiding growth. Whether it's fear, self-doubt, vulnerability, or even joy and success, we all have an "emotional thermostat" that wants to pull us back to our comfort zone. In this episode, I explain why emotional discomfort isn't something to fear and how increasing your capacity to experience all emotions can help you become more confident, resilient, and emotionally steady throughout your mission and beyond. Using stories from my own life, coaching experiences, and the analogy of Goldilocks' "just right" temperature, I share why our goal isn't to eliminate uncomfortable emotions but to learn how to move through them with intention. We talk about why your brain searches for problems, how your emotional baseline influences your decisions, and why true self-confidence isn't the absence of fear—it's trusting yourself to handle whatever emotions come your way. If you've ever found yourself avoiding hard conversations, new experiences, vulnerability, or even success because it feels uncomfortable, I hope this episode helps you see those emotions differently. Your world will only grow as large as the emotions you're willing to feel. I hope Episode 266: Your Emotional Thermostat gives you practical tools to expand your capacity, strengthen your confidence, and continue creating the mission and life you truly want. 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 00:55 – Mission Prep Plus & Feeling More "Sturdy" 03:08 – Your Emotional Thermostat 06:14 – Why Your Brain Returns to What's Familiar 09:49 – Your Brain Loves Problems 12:41 – The Goal Isn't to Eliminate Emotions 15:17 – Growth Expands Your World 18:52 – Real Self-Confidence Is Emotional Capacity 22:59 – Your World Will Never Grow Bigger Than the Emotions You're Willing to Feel 25:05 – Outro   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

  3. Jul 17

    265. When Missionaries Feel Fake

    Episode 265: When Missionaries Feel Fake explores a concern I hear from missionaries all the time: "I don't feel like myself." Whether it's teaching lessons, talking to strangers, leading discussions, or stepping into a new role, many missionaries worry they're being fake or simply going through the motions. In this episode, I share why feeling performative isn't necessarily the problem and how understanding what's happening beneath the surface can help you show up with more confidence, authenticity, and peace. We talk about the difference between performing and pretending, why our brains naturally adapt to unfamiliar situations, and how the emotion fueling your actions matters far more than the actions themselves. I also share practical examples of how shifting from proving yourself to genuinely loving the people you teach can completely change your missionary experience. Whether you're preparing to serve, currently serving, training a missionary, or supporting one at home, this episode will help you recognize the difference between simply doing missionary work and letting your real testimony and love lead the way. If you've ever questioned whether you're authentic enough, spiritual enough, or "doing it right," I hope this episode reminds you that you don't have to become someone else to be an effective missionary. The goal isn't to stop performing a new role—it's to let your thoughts, feelings, and testimony become aligned with the person God created you to be. I hope Episode 265: When Missionaries Feel Fake helps you serve with greater sincerity, confidence, and connection. 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 00:55 – Do Missionaries Feel Fake? 04:28 – Why We All Perform 07:59 – When Performance Feels Disconnected 10:37 – The Feeling Behind Your Actions 13:59 – Stop Trying to Prove Yourself 17:17 – Don't Correct a Personality 19:31 – Authenticity Starts with Emotional Safety 22:46 – The Goal Isn't to Stop Performing 26:48 – Outro   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

  4. Jul 10

    264. I'm Not There Yet

    Episode 264: I'm Not There Yet explores one of the most common thoughts missionaries have: "I thought I'd be farther along by now." Whether it's confidence, spirituality, boldness, or becoming the kind of missionary you hoped to be, it's easy to compare yourself to an idea of who you think you should be. In this episode, I share why those inner expectations often create unnecessary discouragement and how learning to recognize them can completely change your mission experience. We talk about the difference between our outer expectations and our inner expectations, why comparison keeps us chasing someone else's strengths, and how God never intended for you to become someone else. Instead of trying to fit the mold of the "perfect missionary," we explore what it looks like to lean into the unique gifts, personality, and Christlike attributes Heavenly Father has already given you. You'll also learn why personal growth isn't about becoming a different person—it's about becoming the best version of the person God created you to be. If you've ever wondered whether you're growing enough, changing enough, or becoming enough, this episode is for you. You are not behind, you are not falling short, and you don't have to earn your place as a good missionary by becoming someone you're not. I hope Episode 264: I'm Not There Yet reminds you that you're exactly where you need to be, and that God is helping you become who He created you to be all along. 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 00:55 – "I Thought I'd Be Further Along" 04:36 – Outer vs. Inner Expectations 07:36 – The Type A Missionary Idea 10:12 – Infinite Types of Missionaries 14:23 – Chasing a Stereotype 17:08 – Who Do You Want To Become? 20:18 – Trust Your Strengths 21:43 – Outro   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

  5. Jul 3

    263. Reminders To Live By

    Episode 263: Reminders to Live By was inspired by one of my favorite General Conference talks, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf's "Forget Me Not." As I revisited this talk, I couldn't stop thinking about how perfectly these five reminders apply to missionaries, returned missionaries, missionary moms, and anyone preparing to serve. In this episode, we talk about being patient with yourself, understanding the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice, finding happiness now instead of waiting for better circumstances, remembering the why behind the gospel, and trusting that God knows you, loves you, and has never forgotten you. I also share why our brains naturally notice what's going wrong and how learning to respond with self-compassion instead of self-judgment changes everything. We explore the 50/50 experience of life, missionary comparison, healthy sacrifice, emotional wellbeing, and why your worth has never depended on your performance. Whether you're serving a mission, preparing to serve, supporting a missionary, or adjusting after your mission, these reminders can help you experience more peace, more confidence, and a stronger relationship with God. More than anything, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not behind, you're not forgotten, and you don't have to earn God's love. He already knows your name, He understands exactly where you are, and He is cheering you on every step of the way. If you're looking for more self-compassion, greater perspective, and practical tools to strengthen your mission and your faith, I hope you'll listen to Episode 263: Reminders to Live By. 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 00:55 – The Conference Talk That Inspired This Episode 03:14 – Why This Talk Matters For Missionaries 06:55 – The Five Forget-Me-Not Reminders 07:35 – 1. Be Patient With Yourself 12:05 – 2. Good Sacrifice vs. Foolish Sacrifice 15:52 – 3. Be Happy Now 18:52 – Stop Waiting To Be Happy 20:08 – 4. Remember the Why 22:16 – 5. The Lord Loves You 24:15 – Your Worth Never Changes 25:50 – You Are Not Forgotten 27:21 – Outro   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

  6. Jun 26

    262. Face and Feel Your Fear

    Episode 262: Face and Feel Your Fear is a reminder that fear isn't something to eliminate—it's something to understand, experience, and move through. In this episode, I share why fear, anxiety, self doubt, and uncertainty don't mean you're doing something wrong. Whether you're preparing to serve a mission, currently serving, or navigating life after your mission, I want to help you see fear as evidence that you're growing, stretching, and becoming the person God is helping you become. Using the story of David and Goliath, I explore what courage really looks like and why David's greatest strength wasn't the absence of fear but his willingness to face it anyway. We talk about emotional resilience, feeling your emotions instead of avoiding them, allowing anxiety to rise and fall, facing your personal Goliaths, trusting God, and recognizing that the challenges you're facing today may be preparing you for something even greater tomorrow. I also share conversations with missionaries who are learning that confidence isn't never feeling fear—it's knowing you can feel fear and still move forward. If you've been waiting to feel fearless before taking the next step, this episode will encourage you to stop waiting and start trusting yourself. You'll learn how to face your fear, feel your fear, and discover that courage, growth, and confidence are built by moving through discomfort, not avoiding it. Episode 262: Face and Feel Your Fear will help you see your struggles as preparation, your fear as information, and your willingness as one of your greatest strengths. 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 00:55 – A Message From A Future Missionary 04:44 – Face & Feel Your Fear 06:30 – Fear Isn't A Stop Sign 08:32 – David & Goliath 10:05 – Your Lion & Your Bear 11:21 – "I Didn't Expect To Feel This Way" 13:15 – Opposition In All Things 14:47 – Your Goliath Might Surprise You 17:46 – Fear Is Information 18:35 – Feel The Bell Curve 19:40 – Emotional Resilience 20:30 – Your Fear Is Your Education 21:28 – Becoming The Next Version Of You 22:45 – The Opposite Of Fear Isn't Fearlessness 23:50 – What David Really Teaches Us 25:01 – Face It. Feel It. Move Through It. 26:30 – Outro   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

  7. Jun 19

    261. What If I Get Cold Feet

    Episode 261: What If I Get Cold Feet? is for anyone who is preparing to serve a mission, nearing a big life transition, or wondering what to do when fear starts getting loud. In this episode, I talk about the very normal experience of getting "cold feet" before something important and why feeling fear, hesitation, uncertainty, homesickness, or anxiety doesn't automatically mean you've made the wrong decision. We explore what cold feet actually are, why your brain reacts this way before growth, and how to stop mistaking fear for revelation. I teach the difference between the "yappy dog" voice and the "wise owl" voice, and how to recognize when your lower brain is simply trying to protect you from discomfort. We talk about fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of leaving family, fear of not measuring up, and how your brain often treats emotional discomfort like a physical threat. I also share a coaching experience with a future missionary who was struggling with cold feet and how learning to understand her fear helped her make an intentional decision that aligned with her values, her relationship with God, and her future. If you've ever wondered whether your fear means you should stop, slow down, or change direction, this episode will help you get curious instead of reactive. You'll learn how to separate fear from revelation, trust yourself, strengthen your partnership with God, and move forward with courage even when uncertainty is present. Episode 261: What If I Get Cold Feet? will help you understand your fear, hear your own wisdom more clearly, and make decisions with confidence and intention. 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 03:31 – What Does "Cold Feet" Mean? 05:10 – Why We Get Cold Feet 07:13 – Big Decisions Trigger Fear 08:40 – Fear Is Not Revelation 09:55 – The Yappy Dog & The Wise Owl 10:56 – Let Fear Have A Vote 12:15 – Emotional Threats vs Physical Threats 13:56 – Fear Can Come Along 15:05 – Is Fear Pointing To Something More? 16:30 – A Missionary's Cold Feet Story 18:54 – Don't Let Fear Drive The Car 20:05 – Questions To Ask Yourself 21:30 – Courage Looks Different For Everyone 22:15 – What If The Fear Never Goes Away? 23:02 – Ready Doesn't Mean Fearless 24:10 – Cold Feet Doesn't Mean Stop 25:05 – Trust Yourself & Trust God 26:00 – Outro Underneath Summary on Libsyn and Website -    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

  8. Jun 12

    260. About the Mission Bubble

    Episode 260: The Mission Bubble explores something I see all the time with missionaries, returned missionaries, and missionary moms: the tendency to get so immersed in the mission experience that we lose perspective. In this episode, I talk about the "mission bubble," the unique environment that helps us focus, grow spiritually, develop confidence, learn discipline, and deepen our relationship with God. But sometimes that same mission bubble can magnify challenges, distort our perspective, and cause us to be much harder on ourselves than we would be outside of the mission. I share the story of a missionary who felt guilty for taking a day off while she was sick and use that experience to explore perfectionism, overgiving, self worth, comparison, burnout, obedience, mission culture, emotional wellbeing, and learning to trust your own revelation. We talk about why everything can feel so urgent, permanent, and high stakes on the mission, how mission pressure can amplify anxiety and self criticism, and why it's important to occasionally step outside the bubble and see things through a more compassionate and realistic lens. Throughout this episode, I offer practical "mission bubble reality check" questions to help missionaries create perspective, develop self compassion, strengthen emotional resilience, trust God, and navigate the mission experience with more wisdom and grace. If you've ever found yourself questioning your worth, overanalyzing your performance, struggling with perfectionism, or feeling like you're never doing enough, Episode 260: The Mission Bubble will help you step outside the bubble and see yourself more clearly. 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 02:00 – What Is The Mission Bubble? 04:30 – The Benefits Of The Bubble 08:20 – When Perspective Gets Distorted 10:45 – Making Meaning Of Everything 13:10 – Mission Pressure & Anxiety 15:00 – Overgiving & Self Sacrifice 17:35 – Trusting Your Own Revelation 19:10 – Blinders & Self Awareness 20:15 – Perfectionism & Self Worth 22:25 – Reality Check Questions 23:45 – Compassion Questions 25:05 – Human Needs Matter 26:00 – Revelation Questions 27:15 – The Bubble Will Pop 28:15 – Mission Is Part Of Life 29:30 – Peek Outside The Bubble 30:58 – Outro     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

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About

This podcast will give you real life tools and strategies to handle any aspect of The LDS Mission Experience. Whether a preparing missionary, currently serving, RM, or a Missionary Momma this podcast will help you with the "how" of doing hard things. We'll address your mental and emotional well-being, your confidence, decision making and so much more. It's easier than you think to overcome worry and anxiety, create epic unwavering confidence, step powerfully into your potential and embrace what's next.