Prepare for what comes next.

What does it look like to carry your faith with you when the routines and people you’ve always relied on are no longer right down the hall? Annabel Baker, a chemical engineering student at the University of Alabama, shares what she learned navigating college, from finding Christian community to working through loneliness and growing in her relationship with God. She explains why building habits like prayer and Bible reading before college matters, especially when your schedule becomes less structured and there are more opportunities competing for your time. Annabel also shares how mentors, small groups, and a gratitude journal have helped her grow in her faith and recognize God’s presence in everyday moments. Her advice for seniors: start building those habits now, be intentional about finding community, and remember that you can make plans while trusting God to direct your steps. Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook

What happens when you leave the routines, people, and structure you’ve known for most of your life? Austin Gentry talks about what he learned when he went from a Christian school to a state university and found himself navigating new ideas, new experiences, and new responsibilities. Together, Tommy and Austin talk about making your faith your own, working through doubt, choosing your community, finding a church, and remembering that your identity doesn’t have to come from your major, your friend group, or what other people think of you. Most importantly, Austin encourages seniors to make some of those decisions before they get to college, so they aren’t simply reacting to whatever comes their way. Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook

Russell encourages seniors to look beyond graduation and start taking ownership of the areas of life they will soon be responsible for on their own. Rather than coasting through senior year, students can be intentional with their faith, family, friendships, future, finances, and time. He also challenges seniors to recognize the influence they have as the oldest students in their school or youth group and use that platform to connect with and invest in younger students. The conversation also covers preparing for changing friendships, finding Christian community in college, serving others, and addressing challenges before assuming everything will automatically change after graduation. Ultimately, Russell's advice for seniors is simple: count your days, be intentional with them, and be present in the year you're living right now. Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook

Matt Douglas, author of Unlocking College Admissions: Your Step-By-Step Workbook For Finding The Right College And Getting In, joins Tommy to unpack the college admissions process and help students and families approach it with less stress and more intentionality. He explains how to identify the best-fit college by considering academics, location, campus life, cost, and other factors. Matt also shares practical advice on extracurriculars, recommendation letters, college essays, standardized testing, AI, financial aid, and campus visits. Throughout the conversation, he reminds students that there is no single perfect college and that the goal is to find an experience that fits who they are and where they want to go. Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook

Senior year can feel like a race to make sure students know everything they need before they leave home, but Tommy emphasizes that being ready and being prepared are not always the same thing. Students may be excited for independence while still needing to develop practical skills like managing money and time, communicating with professors, building healthy community, and taking ownership of their faith. The Launch Mission Podcast aims to help parents introduce these conversations before challenges arise, giving students a framework for navigating them rather than trying to prevent every problem. Throughout Season 5, parents will hear from college experts, professors, ministry leaders, admissions professionals, authors, and actual college students about the transition into adulthood. Most importantly, Tommy encourages parents to use the podcast as a starting point for meaningful conversations and to gradually move from managing their student's life toward becoming a trusted advisor. Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook

Hear a preview of the Season 5, made specifically for the high school class of 2027. Season 5 will start with a special episode for parents on Labor Day and the first episode for students on September 14th.