265. When Missionaries Feel Fake

265. When Missionaries Feel Fake

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-69f8df2b-8754-83e8-a51c-a9e9f1cba69f-77" data-turn-id-container= "request-69f8df2b-8754-83e8-a51c-a9e9f1cba69f-77" data-testid= "conversation-turn-354" data-turn="assistant"> 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 [https://jenniedildine.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jennie.theldsmissioncoach/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jennie.theldsmissioncoach/] 5 Ways to Process Any Less-Than Happy Mission Memories Article: HERE [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ya-weekly/2025/11/5-ways-to-process-less-than-happy-mission-memories?lang=eng] Get the Full Show Notes and Text/PDF Transcripts: HERE [https://jenniedildine.com/podcast/] Free PDF Download: Podcast Roadmap [https://www.subscribepage.com/podcastroadmap] Free PDF Download: Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet [https://www.subscribepage.com/preparingmissionarycheatsheet] Free Training for Preparing Missionaries: Change Your Mission with this One Tool [https://jenniedildine.com/preparing-missionaries-oi/] RM Transition Free Video Series: 3 Tools to Help RMs in Their Transition Home [https://jenniedildine.com/3-tools-for-rms-opt-in/] Free Guide: 5 Tips to Help Any Returning Missionary [https://jenniedildine.com/landing-page/] Schedule a Free Strategy Call: Click Here [https://jenniedildine.com/work-with-me/]

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 [https://jenniedildine.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jennie.theldsmissioncoach/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jennie.theldsmissioncoach/] 5 Ways to Process Any Less-Than Happy Mission Memories Article: HERE [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ya-weekly/2025/11/5-ways-to-process-less-than-happy-mission-memories?lang=eng] Get the Full Show Notes and Text/PDF Transcripts: HERE [https://jenniedildine.com/podcast/] Free PDF Download: Podcast Roadmap [https://www.subscribepage.com/podcastroadmap] Free PDF Download: Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet [https://www.subscribepage.com/preparingmissionarycheatsheet] Free Training for Preparing Missionaries: Change Your Mission with this One Tool [https://jenniedildine.com/preparing-missionaries-oi/] RM Transition Free Video Series: 3 Tools to Help RMs in Their Transition Home [https://jenniedildine.com/3-tools-for-rms-opt-in/] Free Guide: 5 Tips to Help Any Returning Missionary [https://jenniedildine.com/landing-page/] Schedule a Free Strategy Call: Click Here [https://jenniedildine.com/work-with-me/]

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 [https://jenniedildine.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jennie.theldsmissioncoach/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jennie.theldsmissioncoach/] 5 Ways to Process Any Less-Than Happy Mission Memories Article: HERE [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ya-weekly/2025/11/5-ways-to-process-less-than-happy-mission-memories?lang=eng] Get the Full Show Notes and Text/PDF Transcripts: HERE [https://jenniedildine.com/podcast/] Free PDF Download: Podcast Roadmap [https://www.subscribepage.com/podcastroadmap] Free PDF Download: Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet [https://www.subscribepage.com/preparingmissionarycheatsheet] Free Training for Preparing Missionaries: Change Your Mission with this One Tool [https://jenniedildine.com/preparing-missionaries-oi/] RM Transition Free Video Series: 3 Tools to Help RMs in Their Transition Home [https://jenniedildine.com/3-tools-for-rms-opt-in/] Free Guide: 5 Tips to Help Any Returning Missionary [https://jenniedildine.com/landing-page/] Schedule a Free Strategy Call: Click Here [https://jenniedildine.com/work-with-me/]

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 [https://jenniedildine.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jennie.theldsmissioncoach/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jennie.theldsmissioncoach/] 5 Ways to Process Any Less-Than Happy Mission Memories Article: HERE [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ya-weekly/2025/11/5-ways-to-process-less-than-happy-mission-memories?lang=eng] Get the Full Show Notes and Text/PDF Transcripts: HERE [https://jenniedildine.com/podcast/] Free PDF Download: Podcast Roadmap [https://www.subscribepage.com/podcastroadmap] Free PDF Download: Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet [https://www.subscribepage.com/preparingmissionarycheatsheet] Free Training for Preparing Missionaries: Change Your Mission with this One Tool [https://jenniedildine.com/preparing-missionaries-oi/] RM Transition Free Video Series: 3 Tools to Help RMs in Their Transition Home [https://jenniedildine.com/3-tools-for-rms-opt-in/] Free Guide: 5 Tips to Help Any Returning Missionary [https://jenniedildine.com/landing-page/] Schedule a Free Strategy Call: Click Here [https://jenniedildine.com/work-with-me/]

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 [https://jenniedildine.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jennie.theldsmissioncoach/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/jennie.theldsmissioncoach/] 5 Ways to Process Any Less-Than Happy Mission Memories Article: HERE [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ya-weekly/2025/11/5-ways-to-process-less-than-happy-mission-memories?lang=eng] Get the Full Show Notes and Text/PDF Transcripts: HERE [https://jenniedildine.com/podcast/] Free PDF Download: Podcast Roadmap [https://www.subscribepage.com/podcastroadmap] Free PDF Download: Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet [https://www.subscribepage.com/preparingmissionarycheatsheet] Free Training for Preparing Missionaries: Change Your Mission with this One Tool [https://jenniedildine.com/preparing-missionaries-oi/] RM Transition Free Video Series: 3 Tools to Help RMs in Their Transition Home [https://jenniedildine.com/3-tools-for-rms-opt-in/] Free Guide: 5 Tips to Help Any Returning Missionary [https://jenniedildine.com/landing-page/] Schedule a Free Strategy Call: Click Here [https://jenniedildine.com/work-with-me/]