What makes a strong family culture on the mission field? How do you keep your values intact when everything around you is shifting? And is it possible to raise emotionally healthy kids overseas—without losing yourself in the process? In this episode, Jonathan and Elizabeth Trotter spill the tea about the joys and challenges of parenting abroad.

From bathroom disco lights and jet-skiing through monsoon floods to grief, transition, and adolescent pushback, they share honest stories and practical tools for keeping your family grounded, connected, and even playful in the midst of cross-cultural life.

If you’re longing to raise thriving kids and stay sane yourself, this one’s packed with the wisdom and grace you need.

Connect with the Trotters: www.trotters41.com

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How to identify your family’s “secret sauce” — and what to do when you realize you’ve lost it.
• Why routines and rituals (yes, even Saturday showers) are a lifeline during hard seasons.
• What to say to yourself when your teen suddenly wants nothing to do with you.
• How to balance ministry and family without sacrificing either (spoiler: it starts with a pre-decision).
• What MKs really need to thrive — and how to create a culture that supports them long-term.

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

Have you ever felt like you were doing all the right things spiritually—reading, praying, serving—but still felt disconnected from God?

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Geoff & Cyd Holsclaw—pastors, authors, and spiritual formation experts—walk us through the Landscapes of the Soul, a transformative framework rooted in attachment theory that reveals how our nervous system, relationships, and early experiences shape how we relate to God.

From the war zone to the desert, the jungle, and the pasture, they unpack how each of us connects—or struggles to connect—with God, and how we can begin to move toward healing, wholeness, and joyful connection.

Whether you’re in a season of spiritual dryness, ministry fatigue, or just craving deeper intimacy with God, this conversation will give you language, hope, and a pathway forward.

This episode will change how you see your story, your spiritual life, and your attachment to God—and open new doors of understanding for yourself and others.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to tell if you're operating in connection or protection mode—and why it matters in your walk with God
• The surprising way your nervous system reacts to spiritual practices (and how to work with it, not against it)
• Why some spiritual disciplines just don’t “work” for you—and how to find what actually helps you grow
• How your early relationships shaped your view of God—and what to do if that view feels distorted
• A simple question to ask yourself when you feel distant, dry, or emotionally numb in prayer

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

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 journeys of parenting children with special needs on the field—and all of the emotions that go with it!

Whether your child was diagnosed before you went overseas or while on the field, you’ll find encouragement, camaraderie, and practical wisdom here. We talk adoption, diagnosis, cultural stigma, guilt, sibling dynamics, marriage strain, faith struggles—and the surprising gifts God weaves through it all.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What to say (and not say) when people in your host culture misunderstand your child’s needs.
• Why some missionary parents feel isolated—and where to find others who truly get it.
• How faith and frustration often show up together on this parenting journey.
• Creative ways to build community support, even when resources are scarce.
• The power of honest conversations with your sending church and supporters.

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

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 as something to suppress, but as an invitation to draw nearer to God. Whether your anger is loud or silent, clear or confusing, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a path forward.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why anger is normal—even for missionaries—and how to stop shaming yourself for feeling it
• How to recognize what’s under the surface of your anger, like fear, unmet expectations, or pain
• What to do when you’ve already blown up—or shut down—in unhealthy ways
• How to create safe space for others’ anger as a leader, parent, or teammate
• The difference between righteous anger and resentment—and how to tell which one you're dealing with

Questions to Ponder as You Listen:

• What’s my typical response to anger—exploding, hiding, or something else?
• What am I really afraid of in the moments I feel most angry?
• Do I believe it’s safe to share my anger with God—or with someone else?
• Where do I need to ask for forgiveness—from God, from others, or from myself?
• What kind of support do I need to process the things that are still simmering beneath the surface?

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

Shonna Ingram is a missionary care specialist with over 17 years of experience supporting cross-cultural workers through transitions and trauma recovery. She serves as a Trauma Care and Career Transition Specialist with Pioneer Bible Translators and is the founder of Re-entry Experts, an organization offering coaching, resources, and community cohorts for global workers navigating re-entry. Shonna is also the creator of the Renewed Hope Approach, a faith-based, trauma-informed framework designed to guide individuals through healing and restoration. Her books include Beyond Broken: A Church’s Guide to Trauma and Growth and Navigating Life in Transition: A Global Worker's Guide to Discovering the Root of Stress, Loss and Anxiety.

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

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 episode, cross-cultural leadership expert I’Ching Thomas shares practical wisdom and real-life stories to help long-term teams build trust, work through cultural tension, and grow together in unity.

Whether your team is brand new or you’ve been navigating these dynamics for years, this is one conversation you’ll want to share with your whole team.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How we can navigate cultural differences with grace and clarity
• The simple (but powerful) shift that helps us build trust on diverse teams
• Why indirect and direct communication can cause confusion—and what to do about it
• How team leadership styles vary across cultures (and why it matters!)
• Tips for creating a team culture that’s unified without losing uniqueness

Questions to Ponder as You Listen:

• Do I tend to assume someone’s personality… when it might actually be their cultural norm?
• How well do I understand my own communication style and how it impacts my team?
• Am I creating space for quieter voices to be heard on our team?
• Have I been more focused on tasks or people in how I engage my team lately?
• What’s one small step I could take to be more culturally curious and honoring this week?

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

Are you trying to hold it all together while quietly falling apart inside? Do you ever feel like you can’t afford to be honest about your struggles—especially as a missionary leader?

In this powerful conversation with Ian Morgan Cron, author of The Fix, we dive into the hidden world of addiction among missionaries—and not just the obvious kinds.

From people-pleasing and approval addiction to secret compulsions and burnout, Ian shares a compassionate, gospel-centered invitation to freedom, healing, and transformation. Whether you’re leading a ministry or simply trying to keep your head above water, this episode offers hope, truth, and practical steps toward becoming whole in Christ.

📌 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What addiction looks like beyond substances—and why missionaries are especially vulnerable
• Why willpower and ministry pressure aren’t enough to overcome our internal struggles
• How the 12 Steps can lead to spiritual transformation (even if you don’t consider yourself an addict)
• What to do when you’re leading while secretly falling apart
• How grace—not grit—is the real path forward

💭 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:

• What am I turning to for comfort, control, or a sense of worth?
• Where do I feel unmanageable inside—even if everything looks fine on the outside?
• Have I been trying to fix myself, or have I given God full permission to transform me?
• What’s one ‘sneaky’ compulsion in my life that I’ve been excusing or hiding?
• Who are the safe people I can process this with—and what’s keeping me from reaching out?

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/

Feel like your finances are always playing catch-up? Wondering how to plan for the future when you're just trying to make it through the month?

In this financial masterclass for missionaries, Dr. Keith Webb brings both wisdom and lived experience to the table. After two decades on the field and years training missionary coaches, Keith shares the top financial mistakes missionaries make—and what to do instead.

From emergency funds to long-term planning, he offers a better way to think about support, sustainability, and staying on the field for the long haul. If money stress is wearing you down, this episode is your next step toward freedom.

📌 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why trimming your support budget too low can actually cut your ministry short
• What a healthy missionary budget really looks like—including future expenses most people forget
• How to build a margin mindset instead of living donation to donation
• Why emergency funds are essential—and how to start one
• What it takes to prepare for the future without sacrificing present ministry

💭 Questions to Ponder as You Listen:

• Am I building my finances based on vision—or just survival?
• What beliefs about money might be shaping how I raise and use support?
• Do I have a plan for unexpected expenses—or am I just hoping nothing breaks?
• How would I approach money differently if I saw it as a tool for ministry, not a burden?
• What small change could I make this month to move toward financial sustainability?

Thanks for listening! Email us your questions at care@modernday.org

Website: https://www.modernday.org/podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu3ie6N7vXvESqcHrM-SRTC7-XoPEmnv6

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderndaymissions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndaymissions/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moderndaymissions

X: https://twitter.com/Modern_Day

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moderndaymissions/