Returning Stronger Stories

Returning Stronger
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Real stories from LDS Early Returned Missionaries and their parents. Each episode features an honest conversation about what happened, what helped, what didn't, and the spiritual experiences that shaped their journey home. Guests share the advice they wish they'd had, offering hope and practical support for anyone walking a similar path. Hosted by Jon Larsen, LMFT, and peer mentor Brooklyn Larsen of Returning Stronger Coaching. Learn more at https://returningstronger.com

  1. 5d ago

    “Everyone has Something to Contribute” | Episode 13 with Karaline

    In this episode of Returning Stronger Stories, Karaline shares her journey of serving in Chile, coming home early to prioritize her mental health, and finding renewed purpose through a service mission. She reflects on navigating anxiety, comparison, and the fear that her experience had been cut short, while discovering that faith, support, and personal revelation can lead to unexpected paths forward. Together with host, Brooklyn Larsen, they offer encouragement for anyone whose life or mission hasn’t gone as planned: every path looks different, and meaningful service and growth can continue in new ways.

  2. Sep 28

    “You Aren’t a Failure; You’re a Child of God” | Episode 12 with Robert

    When OCD, shame, and the fear of public failure collide with a missionary experience, everything changes. Robert @lineuponline shares the raw story of coming home early, the unseen mental health struggle behind it, and the moment that turned humiliation into a faith-building lesson he still carries nearly 20 years later.He opens up about the compulsions he hid for years, the misdiagnosis and dismissal that left him discouraged, and the painful reality of being sent home when he wanted desperately to stay. But this conversation goes far beyond the mission itself. It’s about what happens when your identity gets shaken, when other people make assumptions, and when you have to decide whether you will let shame define you or let the Savior heal it.You'll discover:• How OCD and scrupulosity can surface in highly structured, high-expectation environments• Why reassurance often fails to fix the deeper problem• The pivotal first-Sunday-back moment that changed how Robert viewed judgment, pain, and mercy• How he learned to hand his hurt to Christ instead of carrying it alone• Why being upfront about an early return became a source of unexpected ministry to othersRobert also shares the spiritual moments that confirmed he was still seen and known by God, including a powerful fulfillment of a patriarchal blessing and the response to a vulnerable Instagram reel that reached 250,000 views. If you've ever felt mislabeled, misunderstood, or afraid that one hard experience says everything about you, this episode will remind you that your story is not over and your worth was never on the line.Perfect for early return missionaries, parents, and anyone trying to help a loved one through mental health challenges, this conversation offers honesty, hope, and a strong testimony that the Atonement covers far more than we usually imagine.

  3. Sep 21

    A Parent's Perspective: "Your Life is a Mission" | Episode 11 Featuring Mary Alice

    When a missionary comes home early, the hardest part is often not the return flight, it’s what happens next. Mary Alice Hatch shares the parent side of that story, revealing how one family faced church culture, shame, and fear while choosing unconditional love over conditional expectations. Jon Larsen sits down with Mary Alice, host of What Now Podcast, for an honest conversation about her son's early return from his mission and the ripple effects that followed. She opens up about the pressure families feel to meet the “right” mission timeline, the pain of wondering how others will respond, and the moment a prophet’s words helped reframe her fear into faith. You’ll discover: Why “checkbox culture” can damage families and faithHow a parent can support revelation even when it doesn’t match expectationsWhat to say when a missionary comes home early and what not to sayWhy unconditional love can be a protective factor for a struggling childHow Mary Alice turned a painful experience into a podcast meant to help others feel less aloneMary Alice also shares the unexpected grace her family showed, the advice she gave another mother in crisis, and the powerful reminder that a mission is not the only measure of a life of service. For parents, returned missionaries, and anyone navigating disappointment, identity, or spiritual redirection, this conversation offers perspective, hope, and a deeply human reminder that God’s plan is often bigger than our own. If you need reassurance that coming home early is not the end of the story, this episode will meet you right where you are.

    A Parent's Perspective: "Your Life is a Mission" | Episode 11 Featuring Mary Alice

  4. Sep 14

    “Keep the Lord in Your Heart” | Episode 10 with Remi

    When a mission ends before you planned, the hardest part is not just coming home, it is learning how to trust that God still has a purpose for you. Remi shares the raw story of an early return from the Fort Worth, Texas mission, the health crisis that sent her to the ER on day three of the MTC, and the mindset shift that helped her turn disappointment into faith. She opens up about the shock of discovering not one but two stomach parasites, the painful tests that revealed her body was shutting down, and the moment she had to accept that her mission would look nothing like she imagined. But this episode is not just about loss. It is about the miracles that still happened along the way, including a powerful connection with a youth who shared her story and a deeply moving temple experience that changed her perspective forever. You'll discover how Remi navigated the emotional toll of being judged online, what her "village" of family and friends did that helped her heal, and why she believes early-return missionaries are still full-time missionaries in every meaningful way. She also shares the advice she wishes every returning missionary could hear: give yourself grace, be proud that you answered the call, and keep serving with your heart even when the tag comes off. If you are an early-returned missionary, love someone who is, or need a reminder that your worth is not measured by how long you stayed but by how willingly you showed up, this conversation will stay with you. It is a story of faith under pressure, healing without shame, and discovering that sometimes the mission is not ended - it is simply transformed.

  5. Sep 7

    From Early-Returned Missionary to LDS Bishop | Episode 9 with Austin

    Some mission returns feel like a setback. Austin’s story reveals why that moment may be far more important than the mission itself. After preparing to serve in the Montana Billings Mission, Austin hit a wall almost immediately in the MTC—anxiety, sleeplessness, panic, and the crushing feeling that he was failing at something he had prayed for. What followed was a painful return home, a tough adjustment to life after the MTC, and a long process of learning how to separate mental health from worthiness, shame, and spiritual identity. Austin and host Jon Larsen get honest about what early-return missionaries are rarely told: coming home does not mean your life is over, your testimony is gone, or your future is closed. Together they unpack the pressure to “just flip a switch,” the harm of being treated like a checklist instead of a person, and the difference it makes when someone actually listens, supports, and believes you. Austin also shares the moments that helped him heal, including a deeply tender priesthood blessing from his fellow elders, the support of his family and wife, and the perspective shifts that gave him peace about why he was prompted to serve at all. You’ll hear: What happened in the first 10 days at the MTCWhy anxiety and self-doubt can intensify in silenceHow leaders and peers can either wound or help during an early returnWhy treatment, time, and honest support matter more than pressureThe advice Austin would give anyone currently wrestling with the same feelingsAustin speaks openly about faith, mental health, and recovery. Essential listening if you or someone you love is carrying the shame of an early return, wondering what comes next, or needing a reminder that there is still a future, still purpose, and still healing.

  6. Aug 31

    “Keep Moving Forward with Faith” | Episode 8 with Kashli

    Early-return missions can feel like failure, but Jon Larsen’s conversation with Kashli shows a different story: one of faith, mental health, and finding purpose when your path changes twice. Kashli shares what it was really like to leave the Alaska Anchorage Mission after just three weeks, serve six months as a service missionary, return to the field in Fort Collins, and eventually come home again after nine months total. Along the way, she opens up about the mental health challenges behind those decisions, the pressure of other people’s opinions, and the private embarrassment that can come with an early homecoming. You’ll hear how a freezing Wyoming morning and a single shooting star became a turning point, why taking life one day at a time made the biggest difference, and how support from family helped her stay grounded when she felt overwhelmed. Jon and Kashli also unpack the emotional weight of unsolicited advice, including the pain of being sent “don’t you quit” messages when she was already making a difficult choice to prioritize her health. You’ll discover: Why sometimes the right decision is not the one you plannedHow to handle shame, self-consciousness, and other people’s expectations after coming home earlyWhy mental health struggles can require more than prayer and perseveranceHow to stop feeling like you “ruined” God’s planThe surprising blessings Kashli only recognized later, including meeting her fiancé as a result of her service in Alaska and a best friend in ColoradoKashli’s story is a reminder that meaning often shows up in hindsight. What first looked like disruption turned into connection, growth, and a deeper trust that God’s plan is bigger than the moment you’re in. Essential listening if you’ve ever felt like you had to come home early, change course, or make peace with a version of life you never expected.

  7. Aug 24

    “Called to a People, Not a Place” | Episode 7 with Andrew

    When a mission ends early, it can feel like everything is being taken away, but for Andrew, it became proof that God was redirecting him to the exact people he was meant to serve. His story of leaving the Cincinnati, Ohio mission, wrestling with the fear of unfinished purpose, and finding a clear spiritual answer on the plane home is a powerful reminder that a detour can still be a calling. Brooklyn Larsen sits down with Andrew for a deeply personal conversation about early return, unexpected health challenges, and the moment he realized his mission was not over, it was changing. He opens up about the anxiety of leaving something he loved, the blessing-prayer experience that anchored his next step, and the way counseling helped him carry stress he did not fully understand at the time. You'll discover: Why Andrew believed he had already served the people in Ohio, even as he grieved leavingHow a spontaneous missionary blessing became the spiritual turning point that changed everythingWhat it was like transitioning into a service mission in southern UtahWhy missing a companion was one of the hardest parts of coming home earlyHow temple service and leadership opportunities deepened his testimony and healingAndrew also shares why early return is not the end of a mission story, but often the beginning of a different kind of service. If you've ever wondered whether an unexpected change means you've missed God's plan, this conversation offers real comfort, clarity, and hope. Perfect for missionaries, returned missionaries, parents, and anyone navigating a life path that did not go the way they expected. This episode will leave you with a stronger sense that God places people, not just places, in your path for a reason.

  8. Aug 10

    “He Was Preparing You for Something Greater” | Episode 6 with MacKenna

    Some of the hardest mission stories are the ones that end early, and McKenna’s is proof that “shorter” does not mean “less faithful.” After serving through COVID quarantines, losing her stepdad on the day she started home MTC, and wrestling with the fear of coming home before her expected date, she shares what it really looks like to trust revelation when everyone else has an opinion. Host Jon Larsen talks with McKenna about the pressure of being told she was “giving up,” the emotional toll of returning home early, and the spiritual moments that helped her recognize she was still exactly where she needed to be. From a powerful Doctrine and Covenants scripture that reached her family at the right moment to a testimony meeting centered on death and the plan of salvation, her story is full of the kind of faith that only comes after being tested. You’ll hear how a “refiners fire” mission changed McKenna’s life, why her companion became a lifeline during one of the hardest seasons she’s ever faced, and how she learned to stop measuring her mission by time and start measuring it by intention. She also shares what the backlash around early returns misses completely, especially when mental health, grief, and obedience to promptings are part of the story. We break down the difference between outside judgment and personal revelation, why support matters more than commentary, and how mission service can still shape your life long after you come home. McKenna also opens up about the unexpected doors that followed, including meeting her husband the month she was supposed to return and being sealed in the temple. If you’ve ever wondered whether coming home early means you failed, or if you’re trying to make peace with a decision that doesn’t look the way you expected, this episode will meet you right where you are. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s timing is not always our timing, but it is still His plan.

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About

Real stories from LDS Early Returned Missionaries and their parents. Each episode features an honest conversation about what happened, what helped, what didn't, and the spiritual experiences that shaped their journey home. Guests share the advice they wish they'd had, offering hope and practical support for anyone walking a similar path. Hosted by Jon Larsen, LMFT, and peer mentor Brooklyn Larsen of Returning Stronger Coaching. Learn more at https://returningstronger.com

Information

  • Creator
    Returning Stronger
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Returning Stronger
  • Show Website
    Returning Stronger Stories