Relationships

You’re serving full-time. You’re pouring yourself out. And yet, you still feel like it’s not enough. Many missionaries live with an unnamed pressure, a constant inner drive to do more, be more, prove more. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Curt Thompson helps us uncover the role that shame plays in shaping our stories and how...

What’s really going on when you feel numb, irritable, or disconnected on the field—even when you’re doing what God has called you to do?  Why do high-functioning workers sometimes shut down emotionally, pull away from others, or lose the ability to feel God’s presence? How does long-term pressure affect your brain—and what can you do...

What if the pushback you’re getting from Gen Z missionaries isn’t rebellion—but an invitation to lead differently? Many leaders are navigating cross-generational tension in missions, unsure how to guide and motivate a generation that values autonomy, mental health, and meaning over traditional hierarchies and hustle culture. In this conversation, leadership expert Dr. Tim Elmore joins...

Ever hosted a short-term mission team and wondered, Was that really worth it? Or maybe you’re gearing up for your next one and already feeling the weight of logistics, expectations, and exhaustion. In this episode, Jesse and Andrea Kroeze—leaders of Touch the World and seasoned missionaries—offer a fresh take on how short-term teams can become...

Gen Z is stepping onto the mission field with big questions on their hearts. Is missions moral? Does the West still have a role to play? How do you navigate support raising in today’s world? And what does healthy emotional and spiritual sustainability really look like? In this conversation, Mark Matlock—author, Insight Lead at Barna,...

Are you constantly pouring out but feeling spiritually depleted? You care deeply—for people, for God’s mission—but somewhere along the way, your soul has gone dry. What if one small shift could change everything? If you’re thinking, “Empathy is overrated. People need tough love!” then this episode is especially for you. Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere...

There are some struggles missionaries carry that feel too risky to confess out loud. Whether it’s pornography, mental health concerns, faith struggles, same-sex attraction, gambling, or emotional collapse—many missionaries are silently asking: What would happen if anyone knew? In this episode, Dr. Janeen Davis joins us to talk about the silent battles missionaries face—and what...

How’s your fundraising working for you right now? Do you feel stuck? Are the methods you’re using just not connecting with supporters anymore? In this episode, fundraising expert Mary Valloni and branding strategist Mike Kim share modern, proven strategies missionaries can use to fully fund their ministry without awkward sales pitches or burnout. Learn how...

What happens when your missionary journey includes parenting a child with special needs?How do you handle therapy, schooling, and support in a cross-cultural setting? How do you balance your calling with your kid’s unique needs? In this very raw, hope-filled panel conversation, Stephanie, along with two missionary couples, the Maurers and Wurdemans, share their unique...

Have you ever felt angry on the mission field—and then guilty for it? You’re not alone. From cultural clashes to team tension to the things that just shouldn’t be, anger surfaces—and it often comes with a side of shame. In this deeply honest conversation, counselor Erik Troyer helps us reframe our understanding of anger, not...

Are you struggling to figure out what’s next after leaving the field? Why does reentry feel so disorienting—even when you’re returning “home” to previously familiar places and people? Is it possible to skip the re-entry culture shock you’ve heard about? How can you transition well? In this rich conversation, Shonna Ingram of Reentry Experts shares...

Ever felt misunderstood, sidelined, or frustrated by a teammate who just sees things differently?  Serving on a cross-cultural team on the field can be one of the most rewarding—and challenging—parts of missionary life. In this encore episode of, ‘Help Me Understand My Cross-Cultural Teammates‘ – cross-cultural leadership expert I’Ching Thomas shares practical wisdom and real-life...