Return Missionary Next Chapters
Return Missionary (RM) Next Chapters is a podcast sharing inspiring, honest stories of life after the mission. Through candid, vulnerable, and deeply human conversations with returned missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the show explores how mission service and cumulative life experiences shape faith, identity, and the direction of both the chapters already lived and those still being written. These are stories for anyone navigating the questions, growth, and hope that come after the name tag comes off.
Episodes
51 episodes
Chris Enger - Callings: How they influence our Next Chapters
Sid talks with Chris Enger about growing up in a large family, being shaped by a devoted mother, and learning early how to rely on the Savior through family hardship. The conversation moves from his mission in the Texas McAllen Mission to the p...
Brian and Rebecca Dunn - Choosing Joy in the Congo: Mission Leaders who re-defined "hard" as the Savior led the Way
In this episode, Brian and Rebecca Dunn share their journey from childhood faith to marriage, family life, and eventually serving as mission leaders in the Republic of the Congo. Their story centers on how discipleship is shaped by family respo...
Jason Hadfield - Thomas the Tank Influencer: Enduring the Unexpected Passing of a Mother, Anxiety, Depression, and Set-Backs
This conversation follows Jason’s journey from growing up in Brigham City, Utah, through the loss of his mother at age 3, a difficult mission experience, and the long process of rebuilding with faith and self-understanding. It also traces how a...
Camila Polanco - Bible Mix-Up in Colombia: A Story of a Daughter Who Found the Gospel her Mother once Embraced
Camila shares how a childhood in a Catholic family, years of unanswered spiritual questions, and a chance encounter with missionaries led her to the Book of Mormon, baptism, and eventually a full-time mission. This conversation traces the momen...
Hon. Clay M. Smith - Judge Not, that Ye Be Not... The Faith-filled Journey of a CA Cty Superior Court Judge
This conversation explores Judge Smith’s upbringing in Southern California and Nevada, his mission experience, his path into law and the bench, and the lessons he learned from decades as a judge and bishop. It also covers the role of faith, lea...
Christina Franklin - ADHD, Autism, and Joy: Leaning into Trusting God to Lighten Heavy Burdens
Christina Franklin shares a deeply personal story about faith, obedience, and learning to follow God even when the path is frightening or unexpected. From living in multiple states as a child to serving in Venezuela and later navigating difficu...
Ezra Borrego - Near Death and a Life of Miracles: Overcoming Divorce, Loss, and Near Death through Faith
Ezra shares a life shaped by service, resilience, and steady faith. From growing up in Show Low, Arizona, to serving a mission in Rapid City, South Dakota, and later working in firefighting, law enforcement, hospice, and mortuary care, his stor...
Macy Lemmon - Gold Medal to Lost Expectations: Inspiring Journey of Breaking Down and Rebuilding
Macy Lemmon shares the story of growing up in a dance family, competing at a high level, serving a mission, and then navigating the emotional reset that came after returning home. This conversation is especially useful for anyone trying to figu...
Dr. Ray Price - Harvard to Mongolia: Changing the 2nd World Through Faith and Enhanced Medical Care
In this conversation, Dr. Ray Price shares the experiences that shaped his life, from growing up in a military and church-centered family to serving a mission in Thailand and building a career in surgery and global health. He reflects on faith,...
Katie Schrecengost - War, Death, & Healing: Finding Joy after Life Shattering Loss
This conversation follows Katie’s path from growing up in the Midwest and serving a mission in Ukraine to becoming an English teacher, losing loved ones, and navigating a major health scare. It matters because she speaks candidly about grief, s...
Erika Newcomb - Navigating Mental Health, Faith Crises, and Divine Promptings: A Powerful Lesson on Trusting Him
Show OverviewIn this episode, Erika shares a deeply personal story of growing up in upstate New York, navigating family change, and wrestling with mental health struggles through her teen years and into college. What makes this co...
Austin Bunkall - AWOL from Perfectionism: How an Acute Mission Panic Attack led to Seeing God's Hand in His Life
In this episode Austin Bunkall shares his experience serving a mission in Argentina, including the pressure he felt to be perfect, the panic attack that led him to return home early, and the emotional recovery that followed. It also explores ho...
Ellie Johnson - From Influencer to Missionary: Dropping Your Nets for Christ, and Picking Them Up Again With Christ
Episode SummaryIn this episode we sit down with Ellie Johnson—creator and host of The Guide Podcast—to talk about faith, timing, and what happens when you step away from your own plans to follow a prompting. Growing up in...
David Sturt - It is About Great Work: A Former Mission President Explains how Greatness Starts With Ordinary People Doing One Thing Well
David Sturt shares his life shaped by faith, hard work, and unexpected turns, from childhood in Cape Town to mission service in Texas and Kenya, and throughout his leadership at O.C. Tanner. Along the way, he explains how his book The Great...
Borey Sem - From Buddhist to Baptism: An Amazing Journey from Cambodia to Faith, Mission, and New Beginnings
In this interview, Cambodian born and raised Borey Sem opens up about her difficult upbringing, unlikely conversion, missionary service, mental health struggles, family tensions, and the choices that led her to a future in communications.
Bitsy Tullis Cowley - Thriving after a Mission Assault: How a D1 Student Athlete Almost Missed her Mission of a Faith, Growth, and Perspective
Join us as Bitsy shares her compelling story of overcoming trauma, accepting reassignments, embracing her mission(s), and discovering the transformative power of faith. You'll hear about her unexpected challenges on her mission, her deep spirit...
Kenny Candia - Gang Life to God's Life: The Inspiring Life Journey that Lifted a Boy from "Big Boy" Jail to Serving a Mission
Join us in this episode as Kenny Candia shares his profound story of overcoming a challenging youth marked by gangs, juvenile hall, and a tumultuous life, to embracing faith, service, and meaningful relationships. His journey underscores the tr...
Emmie Burch & Dr. Debbie Siebert - Music Chooses You: The Story Behind the Siebert Family Music Success and Emmie's Mission Journey and Post Mission Chapters
This inspiring episode dives into the lifelong relationship between music, faith, and family, highlighting personal stories and lessons learned from Emmie Burch and Dr. Debbie Siebert (mother/daughter). If you're curious about how music can sha...
Jeffrey Redd - Mission Readiness: Former Mission President Shares Thoughts on Whether one is Ready to Serve
In this episode, we explore the journey of a former mission president as he transitions into new chapters of his life. Jeff's stories are vulnerable, real, and rich with lessons on faith, service, and personal growth, inspiring others who are n...
Nate Manning - Divorce, Death, and Bitterness: A Lesson in Finding God in the Depths of Greatest Darkness
In this episode, Nate shares his story of serving in Spain, returning home, facing life's unexpected trials of divorce and death, and finding meaning in pain through faith and the Savior. His vulnerability illuminates how challenges can be tran...
Richard Ostler - Author Your Own Story: The Unexpected Power of Self-Compassion
Summary:In this conversation, Richard reflects his upbringing, mission, career, and the spiritual lessons that shaped his life. Richard shares a deeply personal and thoughtful perspective on returning from a mission, learning to understa...
Dr. Greg Hudnall - No More Suicide: Saving Self and Others through Christlike Attributes
In this episode, we explore the transformative journey of a former missionary who turned into a beacon of hope for countless young people battling mental health struggles and thoughts of suicide. Dr. Hudnall shares vulnerable stories from his c...
McKenzie Johnson - Finding Connections after Addiction, Loss by Suicide, and Mental Health Struggles
In this episode, we sit down with McKenzie Johnson, a resilient and authentic voice who shares her journey through challenges like addiction, mental health struggles, and the heartbreaking loss by suicide of loved ones. Her story is a beacon of...
Richie Franklin - Family over Broadway: The Remarkable Journey of Losing Self to Finding Purpose
In this episode, Richie Franklin shares his journey of transformation from a faithful missionary in Paraguay to a versatile actor, scholar, author, and devoted father of seven. His story explores the importance of faith, intentional living, and...
Tyrone Foster - From NFL Dreams to the Mission Field: Impactful Life Chapters Enduring Loss, Feeling Lost, and Being Found through Jesus Christ
In this episode, Tyrone Foster shares a vulnerable story of overcoming early adversity, losing his father at a young age, and the powerful ways faith and purpose life gave him clarity and direction. His story is meant to inspire and guide other...
