Called and Qualified: A Missionary Story Podcast

Jack Esplin

Jack shares his experiences of serving the Lord while being displaced twice — once by political unrest and the other by COVID-19. Blog: https://calledandqualifiedblog.blogspot.com/2025/03/episode-5-jack-esplin.html

Ashley Drowns

In this episode, Ashley shares her stories of serving in Hungary, and how she battled, worked through, and came closer to her Savior after coming home from her mission early because of depression. Blog: https://calledandqualifiedblog.blogspot.com/2025/03/episode-4-ashley-drowns.html Resources: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" (Hungarian): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oqha-Yf63E President Holland's Counsel: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2016-05-0012-elder-hollands-counsel-for-early-returned-missionaries?lang=eng

Dallin Slater

Dallin Slater served in the Dominican Republican from 2022 to 2024. He shares his experience of coming home early because of health issues and how we can help those who return early from their missions. Blog: https://calledandqualifiedblog.blogspot.com/2025/03/episode-3-dallin-slater.html Resources: "Called to the Work," Elder David A. Bednar, April 2017, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/04/called-to-the-work?lang=eng#title2

Samuel Ralph

Samuel Ralph served in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission from 2021 to 2023. In this episode, Sam speaks about his journey to prepare to serve with a disability, what it took, and what he learned. Blog: https://calledandqualifiedblog.blogspot.com/2025/02/episode-2-samuel-ralph.html?m=1

The Origin Story

In this episode, Chandler shares a bit of his story, the reason for the show, and what he hopes to accomplish Resources: "Duty Calls," Thomas S. Monson, April 1996, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1996/04/duty-calls?lang=eng. Terms: Whitewash: A reference to whitewashing a fence. When an all new set of missionaries takes over for the previous companionship in an area. Transfer: A period of six weeks during which missionary work is done. Following a transfer, a missionary companionship either remains in the area, one companion is moved to a new area, or both missionaries are moved from the area. Blog: https://calledandqualifiedblog.blogspot.com/2025/02/episode-1-origin-story.html