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Can You Feel So Now?

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Rating
★★★★★
5
from
31 reviews
This podcast has
70 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
Justin Barton
Explicit
No
Date created
2024/11/11
Latest episode
2026/05/09
Average duration
51 min.
Release period
6 days

Description

Conversations with very-recently returned missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discussing changes of heart, spiritual growth, change, and challenges from their missions. To help you remember the feelings brought on by connecting with God that inspired you to make enduring positive changes. https://www.alma526.com

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Check latest episodes from Can You Feel So Now? podcast


Can You Feel So Now, Aubrey Peterson?
2026/05/09
Justin Barton interviews his niece Aubrey about her 18+ months as a missionary, where she served, and how her faith deepened. Aubrey, from Snowflake, Arizona, explains being called to the Temple Square Salt Lake City Mission (Spanish-speaking) and later reassigned for a short outbound experience to the Colorado Springs Mission, finishing March 2026 after starting in November 2024. She shares challenges learning Spanish amid many languages, companions from different cultures, and differences in questions asked by tour groups. In Colorado, facing opposition and unfamiliar proselyting, she admits she lacked a firm testimony of the Book of Mormon and gained it through vulnerability, scripture study, prayer, and fasting. She describes faith as taking risks, learning she isn’t an exception to consequences or God’s love, and choosing surrender and trust in God.   00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:22 Aubrey Background and Hobbies 00:45 Finding a Love for the Gospel 01:29 Mission Call and Reassignment 02:46 Spanish at Temple Square 04:01 Gift of Tongues in Action 05:23 Culture Lessons on Tours 08:19 Colorado Springs Growth 11:23 Vulnerability and Testimony 14:57 Why Serve Without Knowing 16:37 Introvert to Missionary Life 18:50 Prayer Becomes Personal 21:35 Not an Exception 25:17 Faith Means Acting 30:06 Fasting and Letting Go 32:58 Surrender and Trust God 36:16 Mission Theme Scripture 39:05 Final Counsel Build Testimony 40:15 Can You Feel So Now 42:46 Spanish Testimony and Farewell
Can You Feel So Now, Lauryn Zobell?
2026/05/01
Justin Barton interviews recently returned missionary Lauren Zobell of Mesa, Arizona, who served an English-speaking mission in the Texas Houston Mission from September 23, 2024 to March 10, 2026. Lauren shares how struggles with self-image, anxiety, loneliness, and a painful breakup led her to take “simple” spiritual habits seriously, gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon (especially Alma the Younger), and accept repeated promptings to serve after encouragement from her bishop. She describes lessons from President and Sister McMullen about relying on the Savior’s Atonement, learning to love others through rejection, and strengthening ward members when teaching was slow. Lauren recounts trusting God’s timing in transfers, the challenge of maintaining missionary habits after returning home, the power of temple service, deepened testimony of Joseph Smith and the Restoration, and a conversion story of Don and Joe culminating in their sealing shortly before Don’s death.   00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:30 Meet Lauren Zobell 01:48 Mission Call Details 02:26 Choosing To Serve 04:44 Book Of Mormon Spark 06:26 Breakup To Belief 09:12 Prompting To Go 10:42 Leaders Who Lifted 12:40 Mission President Theme 15:03 Hanging By A Thread 17:24 Power Of Prayer 19:50 Gods Better Solutions 21:54 God’s Timing Revealed 23:29 Coming Home Is Hard 25:32 Building New Routines 26:32 Temple Work Power 28:03 Restoration Testimony Grows 30:11 Messy Resume and Anxiety 32:50 Grace Through Rejection 36:57 Don and Joe Conversion 41:38 Who God Made Me 43:13 Can You Feel Now 46:35 Gospel Testimony Closing
Can You Feel So Now, Sam Niles?
2026/04/24
Host Justin Barton interviews returned missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sam Niles about his mission journey and faith. Sam was assigned to the West Virginia Charleston Mission (June 2023), but an illness in February 2024 led to a service mission after he was diagnosed with cancer, had surgery, and underwent nine weeks of chemotherapy (April–June 2024) followed by recovery. Feeling physically better, he returned to West Virginia, but a remission checkup triggered a trauma response and his mission president advised him to finish as a service missionary; he completed his mission in June 2025. Sam describes moments of peace through prayer, a powerful experience of feeling a divine presence in an ER, meaningful service in the temple and community, lessons about loving others, journaling, overcoming perceived stigma, and centering multiple identities around Jesus Christ.   00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:23 Sam’s Background and Hobbies 01:52 Mission Call and Timeline 03:20 Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment 06:21 Chemo Struggles and Service Work 08:48 Temple Service and New Perspective 13:20 Returning to West Virginia and Trauma 15:38 Atonement and the Empty Chair Moment 20:10 Identity After Cancer and Mission Stigma 25:45 Learning Prayer and Purifying Motives 32:57 Journaling and Loving Leadership 37:16 Why Justin Started the Podcast 40:54 Final Reflections and Alma 5 Questions 48:42 Testimony and Closing
Can You Feel So Now, Croft Christensen?
2026/04/17
Justin Barton interviews Croft Christensen on the Can You Feel So Now? podcast about his two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, beginning with Spanish training in the Mexico City MTC (Feb–Apr 2024), proselyting in Santiago, Chile (Apr–Dec 28, 2024), and finishing with a service assignment in Spokane, Washington after a hip injury, surgery, and rehab (Dec 2024–Feb 2026). Croft shares his initial peace upon receiving his Chile call, then his struggle, prayer, and fasting as he accepted staying home to serve, drawing on Elder Bednar’s teaching about being called to serve and assigned to a place. He discusses guilt about leaving a trainee, lessons from President Roseland on intentional obedience and serving Christ, differences in accountability as a service missionary, why service missions are equal, and his testimony of scripture study, revelation, Christ’s love, and a change of heart tied to Alma 5:26.   00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:28 Croft Background and Mission Overview 01:14 Hobbies and Interests 02:00 Mission Timeline and Dates 03:02 Opening the Chile Call 04:52 Injury and Coming Home 06:54 Calling Versus Assignment 08:50 Wrestling With Doubt 12:46 Staying Connected With Trainee 13:55 Lessons From Chile President 18:30 Service Mission Differences 22:40 Why Choose Service Mission 25:05 Mission Call to Action 30:16 How the Mission Changed Him 34:35 Primary Answers Revisited 39:42 Christ Love on His Heart 42:19 Alma 5 Can You Feel 45:21 Time Machine Self Coaching 48:11 Final Testimony and Closing
Can You Feel So Now, Sarah Kropf?
2026/04/10
Justin Barton interviews recently returned missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sarah Kropf about serving in the Indonesia, Jakarta Mission from August 2024 to February 2026, teaching primarily in Bahasa. Sarah shares misreading her call as “Indianapolis,” then learning about Indonesia’s many languages and cultures. She describes early loneliness on Bali with only one native companion and how praying for strength to do “one more day,” focusing on small acts of gratitude, and journaling helped her endure. She discusses developing deeper trust in the Lord, relying on prayer throughout daily interactions, and using charity (Moroni 7) to overcome fear and serve others, including companions. Sarah reflects on learning to live with less, teaching Muslims and Hindus about Christ as Savior, assuming love to avoid offense, and feeling hope that “the best is yet to come,” which she plans to carry into life and a possible future in labor and delivery medicine.   00:00 Welcome And Introductions 00:34 Meet Sarah Kropf 01:19 Mission Call To Jakarta 02:44 Language And Culture 03:32 Deciding To Serve 04:40 Early Struggles In Bali 05:56 One More Day Mindset 07:38 Gratitude As A Tool 09:49 Trusting The Lord 12:42 Finding Joy In Third Area 14:06 Scripture Focus On Charity 16:23 Assume Love Theme 18:05 Choosing Not Offense 20:29 Life With Less 21:45 Grocery Store Shock 22:43 Remembering What Matters 24:19 Faith Across Religions 26:24 Christ As The Constant 29:01 Prayer In Real Time 32:13 Cultures And Companions 33:41 Calling And Core Values 36:34 Change Of Heart 39:26 Song Of Redeeming Love 40:17 Advice To Future Self 41:54 Bahasa Testimony And Farewell
Can You Feel So Now, Spencer Sant?
2026/04/03
Host Justin Barton interviews returned missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Spencer Sant from Spokane, Washington, about serving in Madagascar from March 2024 to February 2026, including the mission’s split into North and South and the resulting shortage and rapid influx of missionaries that forced accelerated training. Spencer shares how the Lord provided during difficult leadership and language situations early in his mission, and he emphasizes obedience as essential for having the Spirit and converting others, with logic and the Spirit working together in teaching. He discusses key scriptures (2 Nephi 28:30 and Alma 32), rejecting a “checklist” gospel in favor of continual faith and action, and describes trials with a difficult companion that taught boundaries and Christlike love. Spencer explains how praying in Malagasy deepened his relationship with Heavenly Father, how personal study strengthened his testimony of repentance and the Atonement, how he receives revelation as simple “bings,” and how his mission shaped his goals, especially temple marriage, ending with a Malagasy testimony.   00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:18 Meet Spencer Sand 01:31 Called to Madagascar 02:21 New Mission Growing Pains 04:28 When the Lord Provides 07:17 Obedience Brings the Spirit 11:24 Logic and the Holy Ghost 12:40 Line Upon Line Faith 21:00 No Coasting After Missions 22:35 Hard Companions and Boundaries 26:27 Praying to Oh Father 28:21 Repentance as a Gift 32:51 Future Plans and the Temple 35:19 Revelation and Bing Moments 38:17 Can You Feel So Now Questions 43:40 Testimony in Malagasy Closing
Can You Feel So Now, Mallory Lybbert?
2026/03/27
Host Justin Barton interviews Mallory Lybbert about her service in the Washington Spokane Mission in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (set apart June 16, 2024; home Nov. 25, 2025) and the mission emphasis on the Doctrine of Christ—faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end—along with “press forward with steadfastness in Christ.” Mallory describes initially not wanting to serve, feeling prompted to go, and being grateful for a stateside call. She shares how faith became recognizing everyday actions as faith, how prayer deepened through listening for revelation and acting on first promptings (including a lawn-mowing contact who was later baptized), and how enduring became “enjoying to the end” and giving “justice to where you are.” She discusses repentance as ongoing change, lessons on exact obedience (including Mosiah 3:1–4), facing grandparents’ deaths near the end of her mission, and bearing testimony of the Restoration, Joseph Smith, and Jesus Christ.   00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:23 Mallory Background and Mission Dates 01:12 Mission Theme Doctrine of Christ 02:33 Faith Before and After Mission 04:01 Deciding to Serve 05:44 Opening the Spokane Call 06:29 Patriarchal Blessing Fulfilled 08:59 Culture Shock and Early Trials 10:28 Trainer Lessons for New Missionaries 12:29 Prayer and Hearing Answers 14:58 Promptings Lead to Baptism 17:00 Enduring and Enjoying to the End 20:06 Repentance as Daily Change 22:31 Hard Moments and Wanting Home 23:25 Grief Near Mission End 25:03 Blessing and New Perspective 26:30 Feeling Christ Through Companionship 27:48 Learning Exact Obedience 29:25 Obedience After Coming Home 31:28 Mission Prep Regrets 32:19 Preach My Gospel Breakthrough 33:32 Why Doctrine of Christ Matters 34:46 Knowing God Loves You 35:56 Obedience Turning Point Story 40:51 Can You Feel Questions 43:12 Coaching Your Future Self 45:45 Testimony and Closing
Can You Feel So Now, Quinlin Haglund?
2026/03/20
Host Justin Barton interviews Quinlin Haglund, an endurance athlete and organist from Quaker Hill, Connecticut, about serving in the Adriatic North Mission (Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from June 2023 to June 2025. Quinlin describes learning Slovene in the MTC, serving his first year in Slovenia (including a branch he attended as a child), then transferring to Zagreb, Croatia, to finish his mission while learning Croatian. He shares emotional struggles with comparison and feelings of failure, and how returning to personal prayer, journaling, and keeping “a song in your heart” (especially “Come, Come Ye Saints”) helped him rely on the Lord. He discusses lessons on agency, the Serenity Prayer, mission themes of obedience guided by the Spirit, Omni 1:26 and consecration, and how the Lord used his media and music skills to produce mission content and organize concerts featuring Alex Sharpe from Celtic Woman.   00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:23 Quinlan Background and Sports 01:42 Adriatic North Mission Overview 04:08 Languages and Areas Served 05:09 Switching Countries and Stress 08:12 Doubt and Needing God 11:10 Rock Bottom and Comparison 15:10 Serenity Prayer Lessons 17:30 Prayer and Hymn Strength 22:04 Writing as Therapy 23:58 Journaling After Mission 25:53 Mission President Obedience 27:37 Spirit Versus Letter 29:25 Omni Verse Deep Dive 32:09 Consecration And Calling 35:52 Talents In Media Work 40:52 Change Of Heart 43:33 Song Of Redeeming Love 44:54 Advice To Future Self 49:12 Testimony In Two Languages
Can You Feel So Now, Jamie Fullmer?
2026/03/13
Justin Barton interviews Jamie Fulmer, who grew up in Spokane, later moved to Kansas, is adopted, and loves basketball and playing violin. Jamie shares how he served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California Los Angeles Mission ("CLAM") from August, 2023 to August, 2025, speaking Spanish after training at the Mexico City MTC. He discusses having two mission presidents who emphasized the doctrine of Christ, what he learned about Latino work ethic ("la chamba"), and how his understanding of daily repentance shifted to turning toward Jesus Christ. Jamie recounts a difficult training assignment with a companion who wanted to go home, and how prayer helped him trust the Lord. He highlights Ether 12 and describes seeing Jesus Christ in the people he served, growing in gratitude and specific prayer, recommitting to temple covenants, ministering, and preparing for future marriage and sealing, then answers Alma 5:26 questions about change of heart and the Song of Redeeming Love.   00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:43 Family Adoption and Hobbies 01:22 Violin on the Mission 02:25 Called to the CLAM 04:44 Spanish in Los Angeles 06:48 La Chamba Work Ethic 08:38 Repentance Reframed 10:55 Key Indicators and Sacrament 15:44 Hard Transfer as Trainer 22:38 Parents and Compassion 25:02 Ether 12 and Seeing Jesus 28:57 Prayer Growth and Specific Needs 31:55 Thy Will and Future Plans 37:53 Advice to Future Missionaries 39:34 Can You Feel So Now Questions 41:49 Time Machine Self Coaching 43:14 Spanish Testimony and Farewell
Can You Feel So Now, Charlotte Pedersen?
2026/03/10
Justin Barton interviews Charlotte Peterson, a BYU student and recently-returned missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who gave up college running opportunities after feeling prompted to prioritize missionary service. She served from February 12, 2024 to July 22, 2025, initially reassigned to the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission for five months while awaiting a visa before going to the Zimbabwe Harare Mission. Charlotte shares how fasting shifted her from trying to change God’s will to aligning with it, how Florida taught her obedience and the reality of missionary work in the U.S., and how her mission deepened her relationship with Christ through prayer and the “daily bread” principle. She testifies of enduring discipleship after returning home, and bears testimony of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, and eternal families. 00:00 Meet Charlotte Peterson 01:07 Running Dreams and Revelation 03:06 Mission Call and Reassignment 03:59 Language and Companions 06:13 Fasting and Trusting God 09:50 Lessons from Florida 11:41 Obedience from Love 15:56 Daily Bread with Christ 21:01 Scriptures for Hard Days 24:23 Prayer and Hearing God 29:57 Prayer Becomes Real 31:08 Bearing Your Cross 33:12 Joy While Carrying 35:16 When It Felt Crushing 35:33 Dangerous First Transfer 38:03 Prayer Through Hardship 39:41 Missionary After Coming Home 43:33 Finish Strong Together 44:11 Alma 5 Change of Heart 46:16 Song of Redeeming Love 48:02 Remember in Dark Times 50:44 Testimony in Zimbabwe 53:27 Final Thanks and Farewell
Can You Feel So Now, Ethan Coplen?
2026/03/05
Host Justin Barton interviews return missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ethan Coplen, who recently came home from the South Africa, Cape Town Mission, about his upbringing in Queen Creek, Arizona, his large family, football achievements, and a period of inactivity after moving out at 18. Ethan shares how a serious football injury led to a spiritual impression that redirected his life, repentance, and a decision to serve a mission. He discusses learning to rely on Jesus Christ rather than pride, the difference between reading and studying scripture, and how praying, pondering, and obedience shaped his conversion. Ethan recounts facing depression and grief after losing his sister and her children to tragedy during his mission, and explains how being “yoked” with Christ helped him endure. He closes with invitations to prospective missionaries, return missionaries, and nonmembers to seek truth and remember miracles.   00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:31 Ethan Background and Football 01:33 Leaving Home and Church 04:01 Injury and Turning Point 05:57 Returning and Choosing Mission 07:10 Why Falling Away Felt Easy 09:48 Personal Relationship With God 12:00 Yoked With Christ and Miracles 14:49 Missionary Focus and Self Conversion 17:54 Reading Versus Studying 20:37 Charity Learned in the Field 23:11 Obedience Lesson and Spiritual Witness 26:56 Love Your Neighbor 28:10 Pondering and Prayer 29:34 Mission Trial and Loss 32:30 Everything to God 34:16 Hearing the Spirit 36:35 Why Suffering Happens 38:43 Bearing the Burden 40:42 Three Invitations 46:45 Change of Heart 48:18 Song of Redeeming Love 49:47 Back to Basics 52:09 Closing Testimony
Can You Feel So Now, Joshua Fullmer?
2026/03/03
Host Justin Barton interviews returned missionary Joshua Fulmer on the Can You Feel So Now? Podcast about his service in the Texas, Houston East Mission (Spanish-speaking) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joshua shares his background in a large family, plans for BYU, and passions for running and piano. He discusses emotional challenges of tying feelings to missionary outcomes, learning to pause rather than react through prayer, repentance, and temple worship, and a baptism incident where he accepted correction. Joshua recounts a prayer answered when a hostile man relented and helped them contact someone. He reflects on the mission theme Joshua 3:5, temple service, healthier living, scriptures Alma 37:15–17 and D&C 82:10, deepened relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, future plans in music and possibly medicine, and a change of heart centered on redemption and trusting God.   00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:19 Meet Joshua Fulmer 01:27 Called to Texas Spanish 02:06 Music as Ministry 03:21 Running and Resilience 04:34 Emotions and Control 06:29 Pause Then Respond 07:52 Baptism Lesson in Humility 10:03 Discipleship After Mission 13:08 DandC 4 Attributes Shift 16:00 Trusting God Story 19:30 Mission Theme Sanctify 22:08 Scriptures and Promises 24:42 Knowing the Father 28:59 Needing Jesus Daily 33:22 Future Plans and Risks 37:54 Can You Feel So Now 39:36 Five Year Faith Advice 41:09 Spanish Testimony Closing
Can You Feel So Now, Michael Hazel?
2026/02/27
Justin Barton interviews newly returned missionary Michael Hazel on the Can You Feel So Now podcast. Michael shares his background and explains that he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Alabama, Birmingham Mission from June 2023 to June 2025, assigned Spanish-speaking for two transfers before serving mostly in English while still using Spanish. He describes being inactive from about age 13 to 25 due to painful experiences and feeling that the Atonement didn’t apply to him, then beginning a spiritual turnaround in 2019 when someone read the Book of Mormon with him daily for 90 days. He discusses the difference between being “lukewarm” versus fully detached, how many small spiritual experiences helped him understand grace and the Atonement as constant help, and why faith and accepting God are choices rooted in agency. Michael emphasizes charity—choosing to love people who are rude, lost, or even threatening—and explains forgiving a bishop he once hated by choosing forgiveness and later feeling peace even when seeing him at the temple. He outlines how consistency comes through daily Book of Mormon study, meaningful prayer as a real conversation with Heavenly Father, and conscientiously partaking of the sacrament, and he shares views on recognizing revelation in everyday ways and repenting as simply turning toward Christ. He recounts being prompted to serve a mission later in life after a branch conference message from his stake president about covenants and bears testimony that following Jesus Christ is always the right decision. Using Alma 5:26, he describes a change of heart as visible in a person’s countenance, defines the “song of redeeming love” as a state of being, and advises his future self to remember the Lord’s tender mercies. He closes with a testimony of Jesus Christ, the reality of spiritual witness, the importance of temple worship and consecrating one’s will to God, and the joy found in the work of salvation and exaltation.   00:00 Welcome + Meet Michael Hazel (Background & Family) 01:22 Mission Call: Alabama Birmingham & Spanish-to-English Switch 03:18 Why He Left the Church (13–25) and What Brought Him Back 05:19 Lukewarm vs Detached: The Misery of Life Without God 07:05 Reading the Book of Mormon Daily: Rebuilding a Testimony 09:05 Atonement Reframed: “Wind at Your Back” + Still Small Voice 11:30 Sobriety, Agency, and Choosing Faith Over Nihilism 14:47 Charity on the Mission: Loving the “Lost” and Difficult People 19:21 Forgiveness as a Choice: Healing from a Hurtful Leader 22:56 No Gray Area: Doctrine Changes Behavior + Staying Consistent 27:15 3 Daily Anchors for Spiritual Consistency (Scriptures, Prayer, Sacrament) 29:01 Your Environment Shapes Your Spirit: Who You Spend Time With 30:42 Hearing God’s Voice: Recognizing Revelation in Small & Simple Ways 34:57 When You Can’t Feel the Spirit: Repentance as a Simple Turn to Christ 37:52 Why Serving a Mission Is Always the Right Choice (And a Life-Changing Story) 45:50 Alma 5: “Can You Feel So Now?” Change of Heart & Redeeming Love 48:33 15 Years Later: Remembering Tender Mercies When You Feel Off Track 49:44 Final Testimony: Choosing Christ, Daily Consecration, and True Joy
Can You Feel So Now, Emma Pratt?
2026/02/24
Justin Barton interviews Emma Pratt, who grew up in Idaho in a large farming family and learned hard work and endurance from long nights driving tractors. She explains how those lessons carried into her mission, especially during a six-week transfer with no people to teach, where she learned to rely on Jesus Christ and see those she spoke with as God’s children. Emma served in the Alabama Birmingham Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from December 2023 to June 2025, felt spiritual confirmation about her call, and describes being strengthened when asked to train a new missionary despite feeling inadequate—overcoming weaknesses in initiating conversations and using scriptures. Alma 26:12 became a key passage for her about doing all things in God’s strength. She shares an experience of God’s hand in a friend who contacted missionaries via Facebook after hitting rock bottom and was baptized soon after changing his life. Emma also reflects on her parents’ divorce at age 13 as a personal rock-bottom that led her to choose the gospel, influenced by her mother’s example of prayer and observing differences between relying on Christ versus other coping methods. The conversation covers her approach to personal revelation through prayer journaling, finding quiet places to pray, and adjusting post-mission to less structure while trying to keep spiritual habits and goal-setting (including the mission “power wheel” and My Plan). Major themes include choosing lasting joy in Christ (including Helaman 5:12), leadership and charity as a sister training leader, repentance as a joyful process of improvement, and integrating consecrated living into everyday work. Emma closes by connecting her change of heart to gathering Israel and preparing for the Second Coming, and bears testimony of Jesus Christ.   00:00 Meet Emma Pratt: Big Family, Farm Life & Creative Hobbies 01:12 Farm-Built Endurance: Hard Work Lessons That Carried Into the Mission 02:24 No Friends to Teach: Finding Joy When Mission Work Feels Slow 04:24 Leaning on Christ Through Inadequacy: Training a New Missionary 06:06 Go-To Scripture Power: Alma 26 and ‘In His Strength I Can Do All Things’ 07:04 Called to Alabama Birmingham: Dates, First Reactions & Confirmation 08:24 ‘God’s Hand Was in This’: A Facebook Message, Rock Bottom & a Fast Baptism 10:12 Her Own Rock Bottom: Parents’ Divorce, Choosing the Gospel & Staying Happy 13:20 Prayer + Journaling for Revelation: Learning to Hear God More Clearly 15:19 Home From the Mission: Quiet Places, New Habits & the ‘Power Wheel’ Goals 20:56 Tractor Time as Sacred Time: Audio Scriptures, Talks, Podcasts & Saints 22:01 Mission Soundtrack: From Church History to The Beatles 22:30 Finding a Higher Joy in Jesus Christ on the Mission 23:44 Happiness vs. Joy: The “Slow Boil” and Choosing Miracles 25:12 Building on the Rock: Helaman 5 and Enduring Trials 26:34 Sister Training Leader Lessons: Charity, Leadership, and Real Training 29:11 Letting God Train You: Humility, Weak Spots, and Repentance Without Shame 33:36 Consecrating Everyday Life: Giving Equal Time to the Lord (Even Dishes) 38:33 Change of Heart & “Can You Feel So Now”: Purpose, Time Machine Advice, and Testimony
Can You Feel So Now, Olivia Armstrong?
2026/02/20
Podcast host Justin Barton interviews Olivia Armstrong, originally from Glenwood Springs, Colorado, now living in Provo, Utah. hobbies like reading, outdoor activities, hammocking, and thrifting. She served a Spanish-speaking mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Texas, Dallas West Mission from September 25, 2023 to March 26, 2025, sharing how mission life taught her about companionship, humility, and relying on Christ through serious prayer rather than focusing on baptisms. She discusses the challenge of adjusting after coming home, including missing her “people,” slipping into Spanish slang, and struggling to stay spiritually fed while starting a job and returning to school, emphasizing the need to fight for time with God. Olivia explains that her mission focus was building relationships and helping people know Jesus Christ is for them, regardless of whether they join the church, and reflects on a close friendship with someone she taught but did not baptize. She credits Mission President Ord with helping her keep her personality while serving, and shares a framework he taught: God’s love for us and our love for God as the foundation, leading to the Plan of Salvation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with other topics as “details.” Olivia recounts being driven to her knees during a difficult period with a companion and finding peace and Christlike love through prayer. She describes learning an eternal perspective partly from the movie Inside Out, and contrasts religion (a way of viewing life) with God (a reciprocated relationship), recalling a strong spiritual confirmation in the temple celestial room during her first endowment. Olivia testifies that God’s love is loud and personal through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, answers the show’s Alma 5:26 theme about change of heart and the “song of redeeming love,” and offers a future reminder to herself to return to prayer and dependence on God. The episode ends with Justin inviting Olivia to bear her testimony in Spanish.   00:00 Welcome to the Can You Feel So Now Podcast + Meet Olivia Armstrong 00:36 Olivia’s Background: Colorado to Utah, Mission Call, and New Hobbies 01:18 Family Snapshot: Siblings, Mom, and Stepdad 01:44 Texas Dallas West Mission Culture: First Impressions, Humidity, and Training Shock 03:33 Learning to Be a Better Companion: Pride, Teamwork, and the ‘Triangle’ with the Lord 04:46 What the Mission Was Really About: Prayer, Growth, and Not Just Baptisms 06:21 Coming Home After the Mission: Dates, Re-Entry Whiplash, and Fighting to Stay Spiritually Fed 09:04 “These Are My People”: Relationships Deeper Than Baptism and Why Jesus Christ Is for Everyone 11:44 How Jesus Christ Became Personal: President Ord’s Pyramid (Love, Plan, Gospel, Details) 15:51 Rock-Bottom Balcony Prayer: Anxiety, Companion Struggles, and Finding Christlike Love 20:32 Turning Pain into Perspective: Trauma, Growth, and the Inside Out Lesson 24:03 Lessons from President Ord: Bringing Your Pre-Mission Self with You 24:47 Finding Your Mission Self: Hawaiian Shirt, Nikes & Authenticity 26:33 Reverence Without Losing Personality (Disciples, Agency & ‘Love Is Loud’) 30:46 How ‘Love Is Loud’ Got Refined: From Back-of-Seminary to Real Desire 33:44 Experimenting on the Word: Learning to Pray, Study & Ask for Help 34:47 Religion vs. God: Why Relationship Is the Center 36:42 First Time Prayer Felt Real: Temple Endowment & the Celestial Room 39:02 Final Message: The Atonement Is Proof God’s Love Is Loud 40:32 Change of Heart & Becoming a ‘Spiritual Giant’ Through Doubt 43:24 The Song of Redeeming Love: Hearing It in Everyday Life 45:25 Time-Machine Advice to Future Self: ‘Drive to Your Knees’ 47:04 Closing Testimony in Spanish (Wrap-Up)

Podcast reviews

Read Can You Feel So Now? podcast reviews


5 out of 5
31 reviews
★★★★★
Zoix33 2025/04/22
I’m blown away by the depth of most of the missionaries.
Even if it may not make them, remember, it is helping me remember how I felt, and reminding me that I want to be better and do better.
★★★★★
Chelseamckell 2025/02/22
A gift of a podcast!
Such a great podcast and awesome conversations to listen to! And such a blessing for the person being interviewed to have this conversation to look ba...
★★★★★
Jspils 2025/01/04
Inspirational!
This is such a great idea for a podcast and a beautiful way for young adults to share transformative experiences they had on their missions.
★★★★★
ehslc 2024/12/02
Thoughtful discussions
This is a great podcast for both returning missionaries and those that haven’t served or served years ago. It’s given me several things to consider in...
★★★★★
Jawsh4 2024/11/28
This podcast is low key dope
Justin does a great job on these interviews with these amazing RMs. No cap
★★★★★
Shadowalker5 2024/11/17
Inspiring!
I find the concept behind this podcast to be amazing! I tried it out and found it to be so inspiring! I look forward to making it my regular!
★★★★★
Matt Borders 2024/11/15
Missions are life changing and this podcast is such a treasure
This podcast is such a great platform for the recently returned missionary. It’s superb to offer a venue wherein the missionary can reflect, testify a...
★★★★★
pianoman232 2024/11/14
Connected to human experience
Justin does a great job of asking inspired questions that help direct the conversation. I am grateful for the blend of faith and personal experience i...
★★★★★
CurlyQ19 2024/11/13
Love this!
What a cool concept for a podcast! Excited to hear more faith-filled stories from these returned missionaries.
★★★★★
UserMBrown 2024/11/13
Reflective and inspiring
After listening to the pilot and first episode, I found myself reflecting on the things I learned when I was young and how that shaped my testimony. I...
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