Shows
LDS Missionary Moms67: Don't Waste A Good CrisisSend us a textHey 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’re ever given?I’m joined again by my brother Travis, and together we unpack what happens when life flips upside down—when your missionary leaves, comes home early, struggles in the field, or when life back home brings its own heartbreaks. We talk about how disorienting those moments can be, and how they’re...2025-04-1438 minLDS Missionary Moms53: Navigating Cultural DifferencesSend us a textIn 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 safe, nonjudgmental space as they navigate these experiences.Learn what happens in the brain when encountering something new, how curiosity can replace judgment, and why discomfort is a natural part of growth. You’ll also discover practical tips for responding empathetically and helping your missionary (and...2025-01-0611 minLDS Missionary Moms52: Reflections and IntentionsSend us a textAs 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 sets the stage for a purposeful and intentional 2025.In this episode, I share:🌟 The transformative power of reflecting on the past year.🌟 A simple process to recap your 2024, including how to use your calendar, photos, and journal as tools for memory and gratitude.🌟 My personal reflection...2024-12-3017 minLDS Missionary Moms51: The Key to Peaceful HolidaysSend us a textThe 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’re not alone.In this episode, we’re exploring what you can control: yourself. I’ll teach you how to recognize your body’s nervous system responses, simple tools for regulating when you feel reactive, and how to set loving boundaries without guilt.You don’t have to fix anyone or chan...2024-12-2313 minLDS Missionary Moms50: Faith Journeys: Trusting God with Those We LoveSend us a textFifty 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—my faith journey. This is a story of questioning, struggle, healing, and rediscovery, and I hope that it brings you peace and clarity, especially if you or someone you love is navigating a similar path.In this episode, I dive into:My breaking point: grappl...2024-12-1625 minLDS Missionary Moms49: Mapping EmotionsSend us a textFeeling 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, practical tools to stay calm and connected, even in stressful moments.What You'll Learn:How to recognize emotions in your body and map them.The role of your nervous system in managing stress and emotional responses.Common triggers for missionary moms and how to handle them...2024-12-0919 minLDS Missionary Moms48: Grace in the Holiday SeasonSend us a textThis 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 joy, and focus on what truly matters to you and your family.In This Episode:Why comparison is natural but not the full storyHow to recognize and reframe your inner criticLetting go of unrealistic “shoulds”Finding connection and joy by embracing your unique holiday seasonTakea...2024-12-0212 minLDS Missionary Moms47: Building Confidence versus ArroganceSend us a textIn 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 to big changes.I also introduce a powerful tool called the Dare of the Day. This practice involves writing down small, manageable challenges that gently push you out of your comfort zone. By tackling these dares, you can signal to your nervous system that it's safe to grow and...2024-11-2517 min
LDS Missionary Moms46: Your Missionaries Offering is Sufficient with Travis StephensenSend us a textIn 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 enough to prepare my child for their mission?” and how these feelings can creep into how we view our kids' progress.Travis shares insights about the unrealistic standards we set and how they can create a gap between where we are and where we think we should be. We discuss the importan...2024-11-1845 minLDS Missionary Moms45: Your Feelings Are ValidSend us a textIn this episode, I discuss how to process your emotions. You hear people say to feel your feelings all the time, but there isn't much information on how exactly that happens. I introduce the steps to help you feel your feelings, and it starts with validating your experience and acknowledging that what you are feeling is real and valid. The second step is normalizing your feelings. Normalize that, of course, you feel this way, which is separate from justifying. Last step is permission to feel. How many times were did you suck it...2024-11-1111 minLDS Missionary Moms44: Home MTC and Your Nervous SystemSend us a textI share my recent experience of home MTC and give some tools for activating your nervous system. It's a process of learning and understanding your emotional landscape without judgment. Team Hyper can feel very energized, and burning off energy may work for you; it didn't for me in this case. But softening and finding which muscles were clinched worked well. Share your missionary stories where you agree to allow me to share them:michellesevans.coach@gmail.com Missionary Mom Journal: https://www.amazon.com/Missionary-Mom-Chronicles-Michelle-Evans/dp/B...2024-11-0614 minLDS Missionary Moms43: Cycle of EmotionsSend us a textIn this episode, I break down the emotional cycle we all experience—especially during the highs and lows of having a missionary out in the field. From Team Hyper (stress, anxiety, anger) to Team Hypo (sadness, depression, withdrawal), emotions can feel overwhelming. I share tools to stay regulated, co-regulate with your missionary, and return to your zone of resilience.Learn how to:Recognize when you’re stuck in hyper or hypo states.Use co-regulation to help your...2024-10-2819 min
LDS Missionary Moms42: Navigating Mission DelaysSend us a textI’m so grateful you’ve joined me today. In this episode, I’m continuing our important series on supporting missionaries experiencing mission delays and struggles with pornography. I believe we need all the resources we can get on this topic, so I’ve brought in a special guest, Marie Poulter, an emotional health coach who specializes in helping individuals find freedom from pornography.Marie shares insights from her work with both teens and adults, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between habits and addiction. In her practice, she and her husb...2024-10-2154 min
LDS Missionary Moms41: Shifting Fear to Faith: Talking Pornography with Ben PughSend us a textIn this episode, I chat with Ben, a coach who works with parents and missionaries to tackle the sensitive subject of pornography. We talk about how fear can sometimes take over when we hear our child is struggling and how we can shift to a more faith-based approach that fosters honesty, safety, and long-term success.Find Ben Pugh: https://benpughcoaching.com/bio/Podcast: Impact: Parenting with Perspective:iTunes Parenting Trap Quiz Share your missionary stories where you agree to allow me...2024-10-1447 minLDS Missionary Moms40: The Repentance Dilemma for MissionariesSend us a textIn this episode, I’m diving into a topic that’s close to my heart—what happens when your missionary hasn’t fully repented before leaving and comes to realize it during their mission? I’ll share a personal story from my experience and talk about the uncertainty and fear when my son confessed to his mission president over a year into his service.Here’s what I cover in this episode:The story of my son’s mission and how unresolved repentance weighed on him.How our brains love to...2024-10-0715 minLDS Missionary Moms39: Nervous System: Recognizing Warning SignsSend us a textIn this episode of LDS Missionary Moms, I share a personal story from my own experience when my son had a difficult and unsafe missionary companion. I explain how this experience affected my nervous system and led me through different emotional stages. I introduce the concept of the "Zone of Resilience" and describe how our brains react to stress by shifting into what I call "Team Hyper" or "Team Hypo."In this episode, I discuss:How to recognize when you're leaving your Zone of ResilienceThe signs of being in "Team...2024-09-3015 minLDS Missionary Moms38: Encouraging HonestySend us a textHow do we create an environment where our kids feel safe enough to be fully honest with us, especially when it comes to tough topics like pornography or chastity?I share a recent conversation with one of my sons and how it made me reflect on the role we, as parents, play in encouraging honesty. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about what our kids are doing, but how we react when they open up to us. I’ll talk about my own mistakes, how I used to try to control ever...2024-09-2310 minLDS Missionary Moms37: Easing The TransitionsSend us a textIn this episode of LDS Missionary Moms, Michelle Evans shares insights on navigating the emotional and spiritual transitions of missionary life—both for missionaries and their families. Drawing on her brother’s military experience, Michelle explains how structured transitions can reduce the challenges when missionaries leave home and return after service.With practical tips for preparing families, staying connected during the mission, and easing the re-entry process, Michelle offers valuable advice for creating smoother transitions. Featuring quotes from Elder David A. Bednar, President Thomas S. Monson, and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, this...2024-09-1613 min