ACERCA DE ESTE EPISODIO
Some mission returns feel like a setback. Austin’s story reveals why that moment may be far more important than the mission itself. After preparing to serve in the Montana Billings Mission, Austin hit a wall almost immediately in the MTC—anxiety, sleeplessness, panic, and the crushing feeling that he was failing at something he had prayed for. What followed was a painful return home, a tough adjustment to life after the MTC, and a long process of learning how to separate mental health from worthiness, shame, and spiritual identity.
Austin and host Jon Larsen get honest about what early-return missionaries are rarely told: coming home does not mean your life is over, your testimony is gone, or your future is closed. Together they unpack the pressure to “just flip a switch,” the harm of being treated like a checklist instead of a person, and the difference it makes when someone actually listens, supports, and believes you. Austin also shares the moments that helped him heal, including a deeply tender priesthood blessing from his fellow elders, the support of his family and wife, and the perspective shifts that gave him peace about why he was prompted to serve at all. You’ll hear:
- What happened in the first 10 days at the MTC
- Why anxiety and self-doubt can intensify in silence
- How leaders and peers can either wound or help during an early return
- Why treatment, time, and honest support matter more than pressure
- The advice Austin would give anyone currently wrestling with the same feelings
Austin speaks openly about faith, mental health, and recovery. Essential listening if you or someone you love is carrying the shame of an early return, wondering what comes next, or needing a reminder that there is still a future, still purpose, and still healing.
