LDS Missionary Moms
Sending a missionary out can be a harrowing experience for mothers. From the emotions of getting them ready to drop them off at the MTC or the airport without a phone. This podcast is dedicated to supporting the moms so they can support their missionaries when they receive disturbing emails from their missionaries, are homesick, are trying to navigate learning a foreign language, and so much more.
We will be diving into the real issues MOMS face, providing some relief that you are not alone.
Episodes
70 episodes
69: Loneliness Can be Sacred
When the house is quiet and the calendar emptier than it's ever been, loneliness can feel like a fog that won't lift. In this episode, I’m sharing my personal experience with that soul-deep ache—especially after sending off my youngest missiona...
•
Episode 69
•
20:06
68: Balancing Having a Missionary and Aging Parents
This episode is for the women in the middle—the ones answering emails from missionaries while navigating doctor appointments with aging parents. The ones holding everyone’s emotions, while their own heart quietly stretches and breaks.Tod...
•
16:41
67: Don't Waste A Good Crisis
Hey friends—Michelle here.This episode was born from a simple quote: “Never waste a good crisis.” At first, it sounds counterintuitive—maybe even insensitive. But what if it’s actually one of the most empowering invitations we’r...
•
38:17
66: What I'm Learning From My Missionaries (and you can too)
This week, I deeply reflect on how we grow when our missionaries do. With stories from my own life and honest moments of vulnerability, we introduce a beautiful framework to help you see your quiet transformation: the mirro...
•
Episode 66
•
23:08
65: Self Sabotage
You set a goal, make a plan, feel excited… and then sabotage it. Procrastination, excuses, distractions—we all do it. But why?Why We Self-Sabotage:💡 It’s a worthiness issue. We only allow ourselves to succeed at the ...
•
22:04
64: Why Self Confronting is Growth
What happens when your expectations for your missionary’s experience don’t match reality? How do you handle the fear, frustration, and even resentment that can arise when things don’t go as planned? In this episode, I dive into the powerful con...
•
23:24
63: Helping Your Missionary Through Discouragement
Every missionary experiences discouragement at some point, and as moms, we feel it too. When our missionary calls home saying, “I don’t know if I’m cut out for this,” or “I don’t feel like I belong here,” our instinct is to fi...
•
14:14
62: Aligning Morning Self and Evening Self
Have you ever noticed that the version of you at night makes plans that your morning self dreads? Or that your weekday self is disciplined, but your weekend self throws everything out the window? You're not alone! In this episode, I explore the...
•
14:45
61: Your Worth Isn’t Earned—It’s Already Yours
So many of us unknowingly tie our worth to what we do—our achievements, our callings, even how our kids turn out. But the truth is, self-worth and self-confidence are not the same thing—and if we don’t understand the difference,...
•
18:00
60: 4 Pillars to Feeling Like You Again
Your nervous system is not being dramatic—it’s doing its job, constantly asking, "Are we safe?" And when your missionary leaves, that question can send you into stress overdrive. Whether you're lying awake composing ema...
•
17:25
59: What I Wish I Had Taught My Missionary Before They Left
Sending a missionary out is exciting, but there are always things we realize after they leave that we wish we had covered. In this episode, I’m sharing what I missed and what I got right before sending my missionaries...
•
17:23
58: Conversation Lulls
Have you ever found yourself on a call with your missionary and hit an awkward lull in the conversation? Maybe they’re giving one-word answers, or they just want to sit in silence. It can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be!In this...
•
Episode 28
•
21:17
57: External vs. Internal Validation – How to Build Lasting Self-Esteem
Episode Summary:Do you ever find yourself seeking approval from others to feel “good enough”? Whether it’s worrying about what people think of your parenting, your missionary’s success, or even your own emotions, external validati...
•
Episode 57
•
17:00
56: The Power of Having a Minimum Baseline
In this episode, I share a game-changing concept called the "minimum baseline," inspired by Brooke Castillo and the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. Learn how small, consistent actions can help you and your missionary create sustaina...
•
Episode 56
•
12:44
55: Emotional Awareness
Life as a missionary mom can feel overwhelming—balancing emotions, family, and the ever-present “what ifs.” In this episode, we dive into understanding and managing your nervous system, starting with mapping where you are emotionally and physic...
•
Episode 55
•
14:19
54: The Power of a Thought Audit
In this episode, we explore the transformative tool of a Thought Audit—a simple yet powerful way to identify and challenge the thoughts shaping your life.What You’ll LearnLessons from Wrestling: How pre-m...
•
Episode 54
•
19:43
53: Navigating Cultural Differences
In this episode, we explore the challenges of cultural shock and differences your missionary might face, whether serving in a foreign country or a different part of the U.S. As moms, our role isn’t to shield them from the unfamiliar but to be a...
•
Episode 53
•
11:46
52: Reflections and Intentions
As we settle into this in-between space between Christmas and New Year’s, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and realign. Today, we’ll dive into the practice of looking back at 2024—the wins, the challenges, and the lessons—and how it set...
•
Episode 52
•
17:08
51: The Key to Peaceful Holidays
The holidays can be a beautiful time of connection and joy, but let’s be honest—sometimes family dynamics can be… tricky. If you’ve ever felt triggered, overwhelmed, or unsure how to navigate challenging conversations or behaviors, you...
•
13:03
50: Faith Journeys: Trusting God with Those We Love
Fifty episodes—what a milestone! I want to take a moment to thank each of you for being here, for listening, and for creating this incredible community.To mark this special occasion, I’m opening up and sharing a deeply personal journey—m...
•
25:58
49: Mapping Emotions
Feeling overwhelmed by your own emotions and nervous system? In this episode, we explore how emotions show up in your body, what your nervous system is trying to tell you, and how you can map your emotions to build resilience. Learn simple, pra...
•
19:14
48: Grace in the Holiday Season
This holiday season, are you feeling the pull of comparison? Join us as we explore why comparison feels so tempting, why it doesn’t serve you, and how to quiet your inner critic. Discover simple strategies to let go of the “shoulds,” reclaim jo...
•
Episode 48
•
12:44
47: Building Confidence versus Arrogance
In this episode, I share actionable ways to build confidence for yourself and help your kids do the same. We'll explore how to develop confidence in areas like praying—especially praying out loud in front of others—and how small steps can lead ...
•
Episode 47
•
17:12
46: Your Missionaries Offering is Sufficient with Travis Stephensen
In this episode, my brother, Travis Stephensen, and I discuss the challenges of letting go of judgment—both toward ourselves and our missionaries. We discuss the negative narratives we often tell ourselves, like “I’m not enough” or “Did I do en...
•
Episode 46
•
45:11
