Latter Day Struggles: Recent Episodes
Valerie Hamaker
This podcast discusses some of the issues caused by traditions in the LDS church that create suffering and struggles. Valerie is a members of the church and a clinical therapist and bravely breaks down controversial, challenging, and important topics that affects her clients. She questions anything that seems to cause shame, suffering and struggles for individuals. You can find Valerie at www.valeriehamaker.com and on Instagram at Latterdaystrugglespodcast.
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Lately there has been a lot of talk about the LDS disaffiliation crisis in the 21st century. Here at Latter Day Struggles we support open dialogue about what happening in our LDS homes and congregations.
Please enjoy this special "audiobook" addition of a Latter Day Struggles series unpacking some groundbreaking research done by therapist Liz Macdonald exploring common LDS family dynamics shared by young adults whose disaffiliation experiences were the most challenging.
We care about people all across the spectrum of faith in and around the LDS church. Taking research like this seriously could profoundly reshape our community in healthy ways.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome
03:54 Meet Liz and The Study
11:48 Method and Study Limits
22:03 Four Key Findings Overview
28:00 Disconnected From Self
52:20 Fear-Based Theology and Parenting
01:02:38 Conditional Love and Worthiness
01:12:42 False Self and Hidden Struggles
01:22:32 One-Way Communication and Fear
01:31:17 Blaming Outside Influences
01:40:20 New Episode Research Overview
01:57:49 Purity Culture and Shame
02:08:05 Adult Development and Compassion
02:20:19 Fear of Selfhood
02:30:25 High Demand Religion
02:44:22 Research Recap
02:52:12 Eight Stages Walkthrough
03:04:59 Parents Threatened by Growth
03:19:13 Fundamentalism and Safety
03:27:20 From Identity to Intimacy
03:34:37 Recommendations and Repair
03:41:27 Closing and Resources
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In this episode Val digs into the concept of prophet worship [or any time humans hand over their discerning power to a formal authority figure] from the context of psychology and the “shadow”.
While we tend to talk about our “shadows” from the context of that which we are ashamed of, sometimes we actually disown our greatest divine attributes.
Tune in to this episode to learn why this happens and how to reintegrate our “golden shadows” back into our core identities. This conversation is an extension of Episode 447, so go back and listen if this intrigues you!
Does the idea of awakening your core identity or "True Self" resonate with you ? If so, jump onto a waitlist to join Valerie’s next healing group that focuses on the awakening of one’s True Self core identity.
This group is titled “Fundamentals of LDS Faith Crisis Healing” and the next group of this type begins spring of 2027!
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Setup
03:09 Traditional Shadow Basics
07:58 Golden Shadow Defined
09:27 Projection and Triggers
12:36 Golden Shadow Projection Example
17:07 How Outsourcing Happens
20:08 Official Carrier and the Cost of Imperfection
25:37 When Following the Prophet Doesn't Work
29:36 Reclaiming Discernment
32:22 Practicing and Giving Yourself Grace
35:52 Integration Not Overcorrecting
39:15 Closing Thoughts
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In this episode Valerie tackles a seemingly contradictory pair of claims:
The LDS church is experiencing record-breaking growth!
The LDS church is experiencing record-breaking defection!
Is one narrative simply not true?
Interestingly, the answer is no, both narratives are true. Join Val as she unpacks these seemingly contradictory claims & breaks down how these claims reflect specific kinds of data collection. She also explores how these narratives are tracking two different demographics of people in different stages of faith and consciousness development.
Valerie’s hope in episodes like this is to shine a light on normative human growth & development in the context of faith and to illustrate how the churches that do not understand or believe in stages of faith development only serve populations in [important but] earlier stages of growth & pathologize those in later stages, causing ever increasing levels of family fractures and institutional defection.
PS: to read more & see the data, pick up a copy of download the book Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them by Jeff Strong, linked HERE.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Series Setup
02:45 Two Conflicting Narratives
04:16 Record Baptisms Data
06:17 Disaffiliation Statistics
12:01 Both And Explanation
14:03 Three LDS Demographics
14:21 Active Core Strengths
17:58 Disaffiliated Core Growth
22:30 Never Fully Affiliated
26:11 Stages of Faith Framework
29:26 Attachment Stage Church Fit
31:02 Differentiation and Homelessness
41:44 Integration and Compassion
44:20 Closing Reflections
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Series Title: Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church & What We Can Learn from Them [Part III of III]
In this final episode of this beautiful series featuring guest author Jeff Strong & his bestselling book Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church & What We Can Learn from Them, Val & Jeff cover four "culture imbalances" that thousands of disaffiliated LDS offered as reasons they could not grow in the context of the LDS church. Listen in to hear some sobering & important data that offers a more accurate narrative surrounding the current LDS dissafiliation crisis.
As painful a this information might be for devout LDS loved ones, this information is vitally important. Can those who loved the church and want what is best for their faith- expanding families listen to their feedback and create safe harbor for those on unexpected faith journeys?
The only way our LDS homes and wards can become this kind of community is to listen, learn, and trust the words and experiences of those who often only leave because they feel that thriving spiritually is not possible if they stay.
Jeff's book Torn linked HERE
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
02:45 Why These Talks Matter
05:00 Unexpected Family Reversals
13:14 Why Culture Is Key
20:25 Imbalance One Who Belongs
28:53 Balancing Standards With Love
35:13 Transactional Faith Pitfalls
44:54 Map Not The Sea
50:57 Agency Versus Compliance
54:28 Trusting Individual Conscience
01:00:23 Pressure To Conform
01:03:15 Ubuntu And Closing Takeaways
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Series Title: Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church & What We Can Learn from Them [Part II of III]
In this fascinating episode, guest author Jeff Strong & Valerie tackle several key points that Jeff courageously and gently addresses in his bestselling book Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church & What We can Learn from Them.
Today, Jeff & Val lay out several culture issues that are pressuring the need for churches to adapt-not because people are becoming less and less "spiritual"...but because evolution is an upward spiral and human beings entering new stages of faith development have different needs. If these needs are not acknowledged; or if they are vilified, shamed, or pathologized- they will go away. We are seeing this at record rates in the LDS church.
Listen in as Jeff and Valerie clarify not only why so many lifelong multi-generational Latter Day Saints are leaving--but also share how spiritual growth/ differientiation & community belonging need not be mutually exclusive.
Jeff's book Torn linked HERE
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Book Setup
01:38 Recap and Survey Numbers
03:13 Seeing and Humility
10:12 Culture as Soil Metaphor
15:44 Acceptance and Faith Stages
25:19 Fear to Hope and Growth
29:18 Four Storms Shaping Belief
37:19 Culture Change and Margins
45:44 Diversity and Balanced Energy
51:05 Next Episode Preview and Closing
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Series Title: Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church & What We Can Learn from Them [Part 1 of 3]
In this three part series, Valerie is joined by Jeff Strong- friend, colleague, and author of the best-selling book Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church & What We Can Learn from Them. In this opening episode, Jeff shares his personal experience as an LDS bishop and father at a crisis point in time when his missionary son disclosed that he was coming home and leaving the LDS church.
In this moment, Jeff felt that everything was falling apart & in his own valley of the shadow, he could not meet his son where he was in his own valley of the shadow. The following 13 years comprising hundreds of interviews with disaffiliating Latter-day Saints & heartfelt soul-searching about the true meaning of faith culminates in this book: a Love Letter to the Devout Latter-day Saint who has a loved one who has left the faith.
Please listen to this series & consider reading than then gifting Jeff's book to one of your loved ones who does not understand your spiritual journey. Together we can heal our community and build bridges of understanding & belonging. no matter where we are on the spectrum of faith.
Jeff's book Torn linked HERE.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
02:07 Why Jeff Wrote Torn
02:56 Faith Crisis Sparks Research
06:16 Years of Writing and Rewrites
07:32 Who the Book Is For
11:07 Upstream vs Downstream Trauma
13:48 A Devout Reader’s Reaction
17:06 Mixed Faith Marriage Pain Point
20:24 Disaffiliation Numbers and Studies
28:36 Counter Narratives on Growth
29:52 Growth vs Activity Metrics
32:07 Convert Baptisms and Disaffiliation
33:04 Two Truths in Church Life
35:59 Four Waves Overview
38:11 Why Waves Feel Sequential
40:50 Upstream vs Downstream Pushback
43:54 Stages of Faith Transition
47:37 Belonging Over Belief
51:31 Success Stories of Inclusion
55:58 Bar Mitzvah Closing Story
58:27 Wrap Up and Next Episode
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In this episode, Valerie & colleague Jana Spangler are guests on Dan Wotherspoon's Latter Day Faith podcast where they talk about a little known version of the human shadow.
Many of us know about the 'classic shadow'...you know...parts of ourselves that we are ashamed of and seek to hide. What about parts of ourselves that we also hide...even though they are our our strengths, our superpowers and even manifestations of our unique spiritual gifts & attributes?
Listen in as Dan, Jana, and Valerie discuss why people in general tend to have and hide "golden shadows" and as they explore some reasons why the LDS population might manifest unique "golden shadows" as a consequence of LDS theology and tradition.
Timestamps:
00:00 Meet the Hosts
00:48 Where to Find Val
01:24 Jana’s Coaching Work
02:18 Shadow Work Basics
03:44 What Is Golden Shadow
04:58 Projection and Admiration
07:15 Fear of Your Light
10:09 Sacred Examples of Calling
13:12 Spotting Golden Shadow
18:43 Therapy Approach and Safety
21:41 Patriarchy and Buried Identity
29:25 Grief Forgiveness and Family
31:56 Grieving Without Confronting
32:51 Shame and the Not Me Boundary
35:50 Holding Complexity With Kids
37:07 Critical Thinking Both And
38:33 Mormon Theology and Sin Scripts
46:55 Inner Work and Quiet Practices
52:55 Golden Shadow and Authority
59:33 Reclaiming Discernment and Closing
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Series Title: "Latter Day Missionaries": A Mental Health Resource for LDS Missionaries & their Families [Part II of II]
In this episode Dr. Bryson Ensign joins Valerie again to unpack OCD & scrupulosity in the LDS mission field. This episode first explores how Dr. Bryson covers OCD/scrupulosity in his "Mental Health Training Center". It also explores how this resource could be lifesaving tool for the missionary as well as a crucial resource for the parents of full-time missionaries concerned about their child's wellbeing and not knowing how to help when their child is far away and struggling with various mental healthy issues.
Find additional information on Dr. Ensign's program HERE.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome Back Intro
00:44 Why Missions Get Complicated
03:11 Mental Health Training Center Overview
07:00 Why Missionaries Are Vulnerable
10:15 Parents Need Support Too
15:52 Steady Parenting Skills
20:39 Pivot to OCD Scrupulosity
23:42 How Each Lesson Works
30:32 Bryson Mission Story
35:04 When Scrupulosity Gets Reinforced
38:21 Healthy vs Unhealthy Faith
39:52 Parents Spot the Signs
42:43 Accountability Partner Plan
44:32 Lesson Flow Overview
45:38 OCD Basics Explained
49:16 Scrupulosity on a Mission
55:23 Why Missions Trigger It
58:51 Three Practical Tools
01:04:30 Where to Get Help
01:07:38 Specialized OCD Treatment
01:09:51 Final Thanks and Wrap
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Series Title: "Latter Day Missionaries": A Mental Health Resource for LDS Missionaries & their Families [Part I of II]
Do you know anyone who experienced issues with anxiety, depression, homesickness, getting along with that annoying companion, or struggles with shame and perfectionism on their LDS mission? Was that you? Your child? If you have been touched in any way with the LDS mission experience and would like a resource that is worth its weight in gold, this series is for you.
In today's episode you will meet Dr. Bryson Ensign, a former LDS missionary and psychiatrist in training who has dedicated countless hours creating a resource that he wishes he had on his own mission. As a devoted listener to the Latter Day Struggles podcast, Bryson shares a passion with Valerie to help those in and around the LDS faith with issues of mental well being that are often not understood (and therefore not addressed ) at the institutional level.
This episode shares his vision, sense of call, and an overview of his program. The next episode walks you through an entire segment of his curriculum (dealing with scrupulosity on the LDS mission). Enjoy!
Find additional information on Dr. Ensign's program HERE.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
02:48 Bryson's Background and Faith
07:24 Why Mission Mental Health
10:56 Program Overview: Latter Day Missionaries
16:01 Mental Health Training Center
20:36 Lesson Topics and Tools
28:19 Designed for Every Faith Stage
33:13 Holding Complexity: Obedience, Shame, and Mental Health
36:13 Systemic Challenges and Early Returns
40:30 Real Stories: Missionaries Suffering in Silence
46:10 The Church, Mental Health, and Cultural Change
51:16 Personal Call and Inspiration
57:52 Next Episode: Scrupulosity Preview
01:00:00 Closing and Resources
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Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part VII of VII]
This final episode of this series is our response to the point of view that Jesus did not ‘get political’. Jesus (and each of us) cannot avoid being political. We state our “politics” with each stance to either uphold or resist dominator hierarchies. And Jesus’ whole ministry can be defined by resistance to any system that placed the life of any human being over the life of any other human being.
Listen to this episode to answer for yourself the following questions: Did the actual Jesus of Nazareth embody radical love for all human beings and speak strongly and often about very "political" topics? Or did claim neutrality in a way that left those of his time uncertain about how he felt about authoritarian power structures and their treatment of "the least of these"?
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Series Finale
02:06 Recap of Episodes One to Six
05:01 Liberation Jesus or Empire Mascot
06:42 Scripture Lenses and Competing Jesuses
08:47 Jesus of Nazareth vs Christ of Empire
12:48 Refusing Power and Inner Kingdom
20:30 Flattening Margins and Social Norms
27:58 Good Samaritan and Bad Laws Today
34:42 Challenging Religious Gatekeeping
40:05 Taking Jesus Name Through Action
43:23 Love Over Fear God Image
47:06 Closing Thanks and Fellowship Invite
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Hey listeners of the Latter Day Struggles podcast! Join Val in this bonus episode as she answers audience questions that will help you feel like you've come to the right place for psychologically sound resources and community on your LDS faith expansion journey. We're not about burning anything down. We are about bridging. Building. Expanding. Transcending. Including. Becoming.
In this bonus episode Val answers a couple of questions about relationship struggles that inevitably come up when our relationship with the LDS church is evolving. She also shares her vision for the future of the LDS church if faith expanding people continue to gather and practice a more radical, inclusive, and non-polarized love than currently exists in our present LDS culture as groups gather at the opposite poles.
To be a part of a movement that actively practices critical thinking and personal growth--join Valerie & others leading out in a new way to manifest what true faith expansion is.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Purpose
02:07 How We Are Different
05:09 Beyond Binary Healing
07:45 Transcend and Include
12:18 Monday vs Friday Episodes
14:32 Friday Spiritual Expansion
21:57 Live Fellowship Overview
24:36 Fellowship Topics and Schedule
30:11 Upcoming Mission Mental Health Series
34:52 Why Groups Matter
42:52 Talking Across Ladder Rungs
52:15 Enrollment and Closing
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Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part VI of VII]
In this episode Val & Nathan break down what religious institutional silent is communicating in times of social unrest. Don't miss this episode or series if you want to more deeply understand why religions are simply never neutral! They are loudly communicating what they stand for when they choose silence over speaking truth to power.
Timestamps:
00:00 Series Recap Setup
02:12 Religion Meets Politics
05:24 Legitimacy vs Transformation
06:59 Silence Equals Complicity
08:48 Why Churches Stay Quiet
13:23 Truth Claims Block Reform
20:05 Faith as Moral Reform
26:01 Rethinking Prophets
29:37 Prophetic Not Partisan
31:30 Closing and Next Episode
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Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part V of VII]
In this episode exploring the intersection of religion and politics, Val & Nathan explore several specific areas where politics and religion are addressing the exact same fundamental questions around human dignity & worth; justice & injustice; and the appropriate use of power.
They then compare how these fundamental issues are confronted in real time on a world stage as Politician Donald Trump and Religious Leader Pope Leo XIV prove powerfully that politics and religion cannot be dissociated but must dialogue in order to find common ground in questions of human value, safety, and basic dignity. They also each demonstrate (through their respective approaches and value systems) two very different levels of human moral & consciousness development.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Setup
00:33 Religion Meets Politics
02:33 Same Core Questions
06:21 Human Dignity and Rights
11:22 Consciousness Development and Political Behavior
13:35 When Laws Protect the Wrong Values
14:40 Christian Nationalism and the LDS Church's Silence
20:42 LDS Shadow History and the Epstein Files
22:52 Justice and Accountability
26:07 Power Morality and Resistance
28:18 Rosa Parks and Inner Authority
30:03 Early Faith vs Transformation
33:08 Follow the Leader vs Follow the Divine Within
33:21 Elder Gilbert, ICE Raids, and LDS Silence
35:07 Legitimacy as the Highest Value in Mormonism
41:45 Pope Leo vs Trump
51:33 Episode Wrap and Next Steps
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Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part IV of VII]
In this episode Val & Nathan continue to build a case that it is impossible for religious systems to be "neutral" on political issues. They explore how society evolves as religions & political systems engage in the dance of shaping and being shaped by one another and how in every era brave individuals lead out in inviting social change & can come from either spiritual realm as both politics & religions confront how to dignify human life.
They also talk about how some churches lead the charge of social justice (confronting longstanding dominator hierarchies) and some churches are society's great "feet draggers" (defending dominator hierarchies). Why the feet-dragging? And why do the "feet draggers" often finally begrudgingly jump on the enlightenment train?
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Series Setup
01:44 Legitimacy vs Transformation Religions
05:43 Silence and Power Structures
09:42 Why Churches Cannot Condemn
11:37 Article of Faith 12 Obedience
13:54 Moral Consequences and Neutrality
18:38 Religion and Politics Interwoven
19:55 Civilizational Development Framework
22:50 Center of Gravity in Mormonism
24:13 Leading Edge Reformers
25:54 Civil Rights Awakening
27:52 Laws Versus Hearts
30:17 Legitimacy Church Trap
31:19 Pressure Forces Change
37:06 BYU And Wyoming Seven
39:27 Social Capital And Attrition
42:47 Patriarchy Next Frontier
44:17 God Beyond Hierarchy
47:18 Why Churches Catch Up
48:03 Spiraling Toward Transformation
49:00 Next Episode Preview
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Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part III of VII]
In this episode Val & Nathan go more "macro" and explain how churches (just like human beings and human civilizations) go through stages of development and that a church will choose its stances of "significant moral consequence" accordingly. In short, if a church is focused on earlier stage legitimacy--its all about preserving its favorite form(s) of dominator hierarchy. If the church has matured into a focus on personal transformation--it moves towards a stance of dismantling dominator hierarchies. And it is in moments of social unrest that one can see more clearly where a church is developmentally.
Listen in and keep in mind--both type of church are necessary and serve a role in the development of the human race. As these topics are explored, it is fundamental to the growth of our culture at large to recognize that later stages of development (in the human being and in the church) are built on earlier stages of development. So lean into this, even if it's uncomfortable!
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Series Setup
00:46 Recap Political Neutrality
02:35 Statement Versus Practice
06:42 Why the Silence Now
08:51 Faith Leaders Speaking Up
14:20 Solidarity Over Self Preservation
20:32 Legitimacy Seeking Religion
27:59 Transformation Seeking Religion
31:18 Jesus Versus Christian Nationalism
32:43 Personal Stakes and Closing
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Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part II of VII]
In this episode Val & Nathan walk through the last several decades and map issues of high and low LDS political involvement, offering a template for what the church feels is significant enough to merit their active public statements, financial resources, active instruction to LDS membership regarding the vote. What the church deems "of significant moral consequence" (per their official statement of neutrality) and what is deemed not morally significant enough to comment on in times of social unrest makes for very interesting conversation. Join Val & Nathan as they unpack this highly relevant topic in an effort to make sense of this phenomenon, which they realize is anything but neutral.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Series Setup
00:19 Recap Political Neutrality
02:42 Follow the Leader Tension
03:45 LA Churches Speak Out
05:26 Stated vs Observed Neutrality
06:31 High Engagement Moral Issues
11:40 Low Engagement Justice Issues
16:29 Matthew 25 Reality Check
19:47 2026 Silence and Current Events
23:16 Doctrine and Covenants 98
26:48 Silence as Endorsement
29:13 Next Episode Preview and Wrap
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In this Bonus Episode, Val answers some piling up questions about the power of healing that uniquely happens in the Latter Day Struggles Fundamentals of LDS Faith Crisis Healing Groups that hundreds of you have experienced in the past 3+ years.
A few of the questions that she answers:
**What is the difference between your Faith Crisis Healing groups and your new Live Fellowship Group?
**How are they different than other platforms where people meet and talk?
**How are these groups different than other platforms where people meet and talk?
**Are both-gendered groups effective?
**Should I do a faith crisis healing group instead of therapy?
I am_____________ (fully active, all of the way out, etc., etc.,) Am I Good fit?
Interested in grabbing the very last seat of the ONLY 2026 group of this kind? Click below to enroll!
**If watching this in the future, check out https://valeriehamaker.com/support-groups/ and see what is available. If no groups are registering, contact admin@latterdaystruggles.com and get added to a wait list!
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Q&A Setup
01:45 Why Only One Group
02:48 Live Event Announcement
05:48 Book and 2026 Plans
07:25 Live Fellowship Explained
12:52 Who Joins the Groups
15:58 What Has Changed
21:45 Platform Difference and Curriculum
25:16 Why Mixed Gender Groups
29:54 Groups Versus Therapy
31:59 Am I a Good Fit
35:15 Closing and Next Steps
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Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part I of VII]
Anyone else noticing religious leaders from some faith traditions throughout the world speaking out against more and more egregious forms of US government-imposed violence, force, exploitation of power, and unaccountability at levels unfathomable until only recently? And other churches, LDS included choose silence and stand by a formal stance of neutrality at this moment.
This series might be one of the more important and relevant of this podcast as Val & Nathan take you step by step towards their conclusion that religion and spirituality is and always will be political and politics is an expression of one's level of spirituality. Join them each week for this six-part series hopefully giving you words to make sense of your discomfort over silence in the face of harm and injustice.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Series Intro
00:42 Why Church Silence Matters
03:32 Six Episode Roadmap
05:02 Personal Take on Neutrality
07:02 Prop 8 and Moral Exceptions
09:08 Isolationism and Autonomy
13:34 Reading the Official Statement
20:51 Initial Reactions and Agreement
23:33 Conscience vs Real Practice
27:44 Mitt Romney as Case Study
30:42 Obedience and Hierarchy Thread
35:12 Immigration Example and Wrap Up
39:21 Closing and Next Episode Tease
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Series Title: An Exploration of the Idea of "Normal" within the LDS Church [Part II of II]
In this episode Val breaks down a couple of concepts that are NEVER talked about--the difference between "normal" in a family, church, or any collective and what is "normative" in that same group. NORMAL = "what we do around here that keeps things stable", whereas NORMATIVE = what is developmentally on track to help a person thrive?
When these two concepts clash--yikes. And when your "normative" growth isn't understood, you DO look very "abnormal"...and maybe even sinful, rebellious, prideful, and lost. Listen in to have your mind blown a little today!
Timestamps:
00:00 Unexpected Episode Setup
00:50 Guesting on Pioneer Paradox
02:17 Myth of Normal in Mormonism
03:07 Defining Normal
06:30 Defining Normative
09:09 When Normal Isn’t Healthy
11:52 LDS Culture of Conformity
13:42 Markers of Mormon Normal
19:08 Labels for Nonconformists
23:30 Faith Journey as Growth
26:08 Normative Developmental Shifts
31:05 Reconstruction and Inner Authority
34:04 Closing Encouragement
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Series Title: An Exploration of the Idea of "Normal" within the LDS Church [Part I of II]
In this fun collaboration with Casey & Will of the Pioneer Paradox Podcast, Val comes on wearing her "psychologist's hat" to talk about concepts within the LDS faith that seem normal until one squints and realizes that maybe they are common but definitely not 'normal'. Listen in as they walk through four common phenomenon within Mormondom that may be common ways to view the world but are not necessarily 'normal'.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Italy Trip
03:14 Myth of Normal Setup
06:23 Nature and Feminine Flow
08:40 Scouting and Rites of Passage
13:29 Canoe Covenant Story
18:30 Rituals as Meaning
20:59 Finding Your Inner Voice
24:26 Normal vs Normative
28:32 Boundaries and Growth
32:15 Certainty Sets Up Doubt
35:29 Exclusivity Blocks Wisdom
39:54 Parenting Critical Awareness
44:52 Mixed Faith Family Pain
50:29 Tribal Narratives Outsiders
56:30 Choose People Over Church
01:00:34 Decouple God From Church
01:04:42 Closing Thanks And Farewell
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In this episode Valerie introduces you to Mark Crego, fellow Latter-day Saint seeker, whose own many-decades-long faith journey led him to create a not-for-profit organization to help those in faith crisis in the LDS church get the resources they need. In the episode Mark's passion to help others is fueled by the memory of being a young man with questions and nowhere to take them and no community to normalize (or even celebrate) his growth.
Those who do not have resources or a supportive community while on the LDS faith journey often suffer from mental health issues, relationship distress, isolation, and shame. Learn how to be a part of a movement that makes sure that NO ONE experiences their most vulnerable spiritual awakening moments alone and concurrently supports professionals who have devoted their careers to creating communities of healing for the Latter-day Saint seeker.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:43 Mark’s Faith Journey Origins
04:00 Why Faith Journey Foundation Exists
05:22 Susan Hinkley and Related Projects
06:11 Valerie on Normalizing Faith Growth
10:20 Finding Neutral Support Beyond Church Systems
15:40 Faith Crisis as Identity Formation
18:59 How Valerie and Mark Met
19:18 Valerie's Origin Story with Latter Day Struggles
23:20 The Miracle of Finding Faith Journey Foundation
26:52 Scholarships and How to Get Help
30:54 Funding Model and Supported Projects
35:20 Sustainable Care and Paying Professionals
37:01 Other Communities and Projects FJF Supports
38:28 Valerie on Criticism of Paid Faith Work
40:14 Compassion Doesn't Mean Free Labor
44:14 Closing Invitation and Final Thoughts
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Hey Latter Day Struggles!
Due to your many requests—we are dropping a Latter Day Struggles series in “audiobook” format. You can enjoy the entire narrative arc in a single, uninterrupted format! Enjoy the experience as things 'click' into place as you take in this 'audiobook'! Please let us know what is happening within you as you transcend and include Mormonism one series at a time!
As a bonus drop, we have prepared one of our favorite series titled, "Community Healing: How our Greatest Wounds & our Greatest Healing Happens through Human Relationship" for you! Enjoy this deep dive.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Reset
10:32 Faith Crisis Isolation
16:00 Shunning and Going Underground
27:53 Finding Support Groups
36:38 Quotes on Group Healing
48:56 Trust the Healing Process
56:17 Roadmap Out of Chaos
01:01:19 Witnessed Healing in Relationship
01:13:25 Beyond All In or Out
01:21:22 Curriculum True Self to Rebirth
01:27:37 Relationships and Patriarchy Work
01:35:08 Hope Through Community
01:42:07 Introducing the True Self
01:59:37 Gnostics and Inner Authority
02:16:18 Love Over Fear
02:26:10 Sharing True Self Statements
02:45:22 Grief and Identity Shift
02:56:20 Writing the True Self Statement
03:03:02 Love Based Spiritual Growth
03:16:25 A Healthier Faith Relationship
03:23:23 Men Patriarchy and Identity
03:31:52 Reclaiming the Core Self
03:39:51 True Self Statement Practice
03:44:26 Welcome to Eden Poem
03:54:16 Community Stories Begin
04:11:37 Community and Belonging
04:46:17 Seeing Pain Not Ideas
04:53:18 Final Invitation to Heal
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In this follow up episode on recent LDS news that women are now allowed to serve in Sunday School presidencies, Val & Nathan pivot to the peculiar part of the announcement prohibiting no "mixed-gender" presidencies and share the outcome of their exploration of this odd move.
Upon deeper reflection, the move seems less about worries about slippery slopes towards sexual iniquity and possibly more about preserving another kind of slippery slope--the one that disrupts what some feel is the "natural order of the universe". If a female formally presides over a male in one realm of the LDS church, what could this possibly lead to?
Listen in as we propose that moves of this nature is proof that ultimately an all male priesthood must be surrendered...even if excruciatingly slowly...if the LDS church is going to survive in the long run.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Context
02:09 Reading the New Policy
02:46 First Reactions and Jokes
04:54 Why Mixed Gender Feels Weird
5:51 Relief Society President and Bishop — Mixed Gender Already Exists
08:21 Loyalist Perspective Brainstorm
09:32 Women Under Men in Leadership
11:09 Nathan's BYU Co-Mission Leader Experience
13:33 Men Under Women and Shame
15:53 Two Existential Questions the Church Dodged
17:14 Presiding and Priesthood Questions
19:13 Can Women Practice Revelation Without Male Approval?
22:49 Priesthood as Human Construct — "All or None of Us Have It"
25:12 Keys vs Duties Explained
28:12 Baptism Witnesses — A Case Study in Power Shifts
29:47 Power and Control Creep
32:39 Family Proclamation Implications
35:23 Women Leading Faith Journeys at Home
37:38 Joseph Smith Gave Women Blessings — Then They Were Taken Back
39:25 What Reforms Might Come Next
44:21 Closing Thoughts and Farewell
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Series Title: Straight Talk on Patriarchy and Harm [Part II of II]
In this episode Val & Nathan lay out a several reasons why they feel that the LDS church is not able to address the strong correlation between its patriarchal structure, sxual abuse & sxual abuse under-reporting. The foundation of this struggle is a refusal to question the divinity of patriarchy...which leads to the patterns outlined in this episode.
Please note--episodes of this nature are intended to be "hard on system, soft on people." Val & Nathan maintain that no person is actively trying to harm others--but harm is the inevitable outcome of structures that will not confront their own shadows.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:16 Recap of Previous Episode
01:00 Nathan's Faith Journey and Institutional Critique
02:43 The Harm of Institutional Patriarchy
05:11 Centralized Authority and Its Consequences
07:38 Theological Justifications and Their Flaws
11:45 The "Ship vs. People" Metaphor
15:20 Patriarchy in the Book of Jacob
17:38 Patterns of Abuse and Institutional Response
21:15 Science vs. Religion: Reconciling Evidence
25:30 Handling Abuse Internally
30:41 Legal Counsel and Institutional Protection
35:32 Credibility Issues and Reporting Abuse
38:45 Women Reporting to Women: Limitations
41:24 Conclusion and Call for Change
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In this episode I respond to your requests to explore the March 2026 Church news release announcing that women can now serve in ward Sunday School presidencies, and how this is linked to stages of psychological/faith development.
Please share this episode if it resonates! Link to the church's announcement can be found HERE.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and context
01:21 Gratitude and reflection
03:58 Reading the news release
07:52 What we will cover
09:04 Big picture framing
11:43 Liminal perspective reactions
16:59 Loyalist perspective reactions
19:58 Faith development stages
24:08 Leadership tension and paths
27:01 Beyond black and white
28:14 Real Reform Or Optics
29:05 Why Change Is Slow
31:10 Gradualism Explained
32:55 Lincoln And Strategy
37:37 Applying Gradualism Today
39:36 Women Priesthood Forecast
41:08 Near Enemy Concept
45:43 Near Enemy In Practice
48:41 Divine Authority Corner
52:11 Continuing Revelation Tension
56:17 Community And Next Steps
58:25 Closing Reflections
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Series Title: Straight Talk on Patriarchy and Harm [Part I of II]
In this episode I read to you a shocking and brilliant article that I wish every Latter-day Saint can hear. This is a tough topic but one where reform will not touch until we start looking it in the eye. Please listen and share this article. Thank you to the Dialogue Foundation and to the author Suzanne E. Greco, whose trailblazing work may eventually be instrumental in preventing countless LDS women and girls from future harm.
She wrote the article. I read the article. Please do your part and share the article (via the podcast or linked HERE!)
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Context
00:26 Upcoming Episode Preview
03:31 Reading the Article: Confronting Men's Violence
05:26 Author's Background and Article Introduction
06:26 Article Reading: Violence Against Women in LDS Church
11:11 Personal Story of Abuse
14:56 Credibility Issues and External Validation
19:59 Global Perspective on Violence Against Women
25:38 Utah Statistics and Under-Reporting
28:38 Male Ecclesiastical Leaders as First Responders
32:38 Challenges and Solutions
33:18 Solution One: Legal Changes and Clergy-Penitent Laws
38:31 High-Profile Cases and Institutional Betrayal
42:58 Solution Two: Women's Ministry and Male Protection Racket
46:23 Solution Three: Training and Education
48:23 DARVO Tactics and Victim-Perpetrator Dynamics
52:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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One thing that Val is always juggling is how to do it all and maintain her sense of humor, high commitment to play, and overall sanity. She loves running the podcast, the groups, and squeezes work with amazing LDS faith-journeying individuals and couples between the cracks (which is a highlight of her week!)
Fitting it all in can become tricky, which is why she has been looking for the 'just right' person to help with individuals & couples in Utah looking for a mental health worker with the stamp of approval from Val at Latter Day Struggles.
In today's episode you will meet Heather Sundahl, the newest member of Valerie's Latter Day Struggles team. Heather is a licensed mental health worker, a resident of Utah and strongly endorsed by Valerie as someone you can trust on your faith expansion journey. If you loved their laughter, tears (mostly Val!) and banter, you'll love knowing that Heather plans to come on a few times a year to tackle tough topics with Val relevant to your healing and growth. Jump over to latterdaystruggles.com if you're from Utah and want to work with Heather.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome And Guest Intro
01:01 Heather Background And Mentors
04:07 Early LDS Gender Messages
07:03 BYU Awakening Moment
09:58 Storytelling And Exponent Two
12:27 Becoming A Therapist
14:23 Healing Through Narrative
17:42 Owning Faith Narratives
19:18 Eve And Going Off Script
21:35 Life Beyond The Script
25:47 Navigating Church Tensions
26:57 Community Over Purity
28:05 Permission to Be Honest
29:05 Jesus as the Anchor
29:23 Self Care for LDS Women
31:24 Beyond Constant Sacrifice
33:51 Therapy Approach and Boundaries
35:33 Staying or Leaving the Church
39:02 Trusting Your Inner Compass
43:43 Faith Journeys and Belonging
49:08 Honoring Mormon Identity
51:14 Closing Vision and Next Steps
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We've heard it a thousand times...and probably have said it a few times ourselves. "The ________will never change." You fill in the blank..."The world will never change" or "the church will never change"...and yet they do.
How does evolution actually happen? This "bonus episode" is a download that Val had over the weekend after asking herself why she was doing this platform. The answer to her question is what you will hear in this episode. In short, the only way anything ever changes is when a small group of people gather and use their synergy to productively heal themselves and thoughtfully agitate for change in their worlds. Its how it has always been and always will be.
Listen in and decide if you are someone who wants to be a part of the change that is already underway in our world right now.
"We Shall Be Known" by MaMuse
Timestamps:
00:00 Bonus Episode Check In
00:32 Existential Questions
02:01 Live Fellowship Vision
03:56 Awakening Or Breakdown
05:54 Labor Pains of New Consciousness
07:05 Thesis Antithesis Synthesis
09:51 Seekers As Change Agents
11:19 Why Side Communities Matter
12:48 Community for Healing and Growth
14:53 Early Church Example
20:02 Feminine Divine and Equality
21:35 Institutions Retrench
26:08 Laboratories of Expanding Consciousness
30:07 Transformation In Groups
34:51 Who This Is For
36:16 Needs The Fellowship Meets
42:45 How Live Fellowship Works
48:40 Founding Group Details
53:36 Song And Great Turning
58:07 Enrollment And Scholarships
01:00:14 Closing Thanks
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In this episode Val is joined by Jana Riess, author and researcher of the LDS spectrum of experience and Jason Bergman, former BYU professor & faculty member. Together they discuss the many facets of the Clark Gilbert call to the Q12 of the LDS church.
In this conversation Jason contrasts his experience on the BYU faculty both before and during Gilbert's leadership and candidly shares the painful and life altering impact Gilbert's fervor for loyalty and conformity of LDS orthodoxy had on him and his career.
They also explore the possibility that well-intended loyalty to tradition can actually fracture lives, families, and even the potential good that churches can do in the long run--especially when loyalty to old ways end up getting in the way of further light and truth hiding in plain sight.
Join them for another bold, courageous, and candid conversation inviting spiritual growth in and around the LDS church.
Jana's Salt Lake Tribune Article
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Guests
00:36 Why This Topic Matters
01:55 Jana Riess Research
03:42 Jason BYU Background
07:20 Mixed Reactions Online
12:11 Why Gilbert Stands Out
17:27 Culture Warrior Defined
27:12 Polarization and Autonomy
35:53 BYU Orthodoxy Crackdown
40:43 Honor Code Turmoil Timeline
43:58 Choosing to Leave BYU
44:56 Faculty Fear and Silence
47:15 Big Tent Tensions
49:14 Incognito Faculty Support
52:41 Loyalty Oath Explained
58:33 Surveillance and Dismissals
01:00:35 Hiring and Worthiness Filters
01:02:52 Growth Versus Orthodoxy
01:07:31 Data on Same Sex Marriage
01:10:02 What BYU Lost
01:17:44 Evolution One Funeral
01:20:46 Gerontocracy and Mini Me
01:22:07 Final Thanks and Farewell
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Join us for this one-time-only recording of our FIRST Latter Day Struggles "Live Fellowship"!
What is this, you ask? Valerie has decided to offer a gathering place for those on the LDS and surrounding faith expansion journey wanting consistent (2x/month!) connection with her to go deeper into the mind & heart expanding content on both the Monday and Friday tracks of the Latter Day Struggles podcast.
In this opening gathering, Valerie explored with those in attendance how both The Family Proclamation to the World and the call of Clark Gilbert to the Q12 are reflections of a historical moment and a choice point that all organizations confront as they grow. The question?
Do we adapt to a more connected and pluralistic world that is experiencing an awakening of light and truth? Or do we double down in fear-based conformity?
This amazing interactive Fellowship Live episode gives you a taste of how your faith journey can move beyond a passive listening experience and towards active healing and connection with other seekers like yourself.
Jump in now and you can become a founding shaper of the first cohesive and intentional community of individuals whose LDS faith journey was an entry point into their greatest spiritual growth and evolution.
If you listened and this is for you, jump into the Latter Day Struggles LIVE FELLOWSHIP by clicking on the link below and enroll.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome: Why Seeing Faces Matters
00:51 Building a Faith-Expansion Community
02:33 What a "Sangha" Is
04:14 How the Fellowship Works
05:23 What This Space Is (and Isn't)
07:43 Ground Rules: Staying with Growth
09:28 Why Context Heals
10:48 The Family Proclamation & Clark Gilbert
13:57 America and the LDS Church as Parallel Institutions
15:52 Master Narratives & Threatened Identity
19:38 Retrench or Adapt: The Choice Point
27:00 Discussion: Authoritarian Systems vs. Healthy Communities
32:54 Pocket Communities Over Polarization
34:08 Seeing the System with Compassion
37:50 Why Narrative Change Feels Threatening
40:00 High-Level Language vs. Real-Life Details
42:42 Moving Beyond Fixed Rules
46:45 Transcend & Include
51:37 Rethinking Prophecy
56:13 Our Role in the Larger Awakening
01:00:16 Closing: Breakout Groups & What's Next
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Series Title: What does the Family Proclamation Mean to You? [Episode II of II]
This episode of Latter Day Struggles continues a two-part conversation about the LDS Church's Proclamation on the Family, examining the tension between claims of unchanging doctrine and the historical reality of doctrinal evolution.
Petrey demonstrates through historical analysis that LDS teachings on gender, sexuality, marriage, and family have repeatedly changed over time—from positions on interracial marriage and the priesthood ban, to birth control prohibitions, plural marriage, conversion therapy for LGBTQ individuals, and women wearing pants.
The conversation highlights how church leaders have consistently taught that their current positions were "unchanging doctrine" until those positions eventually changed, creating a pattern that contradicts claims of doctrinal fixity. Petrey offers a constructive framework for understanding doctrine as historically contingent and evolving—consistent with the LDS concept of continuing revelation—rather than eternally fixed.
The Family Proclamation
Op Ed by Taylor Petrey
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
00:19 - Overview of the Proclamation to the Family
01:19 - Recap: Last Week's Discussion
01:31 - Defining Doctrine and Authority
02:08 - What Does 'Doctrine' Mean to Members?
03:48 - The Salvational Weight of Doctrine
05:31 - Elder Rasband's Talk and Proclamation Analysis
09:40 - Historical Changes in LDS Doctrine
11:41 - Race, Interracial Marriage, and Doctrinal Change
13:14 - Birth Control and Plural Marriage
15:11 - History vs. Faith-Promoting Narratives
17:34 - Redefining Doctrine: Making Space for Change
20:06 - Conversion Therapy and Evolving LGBTQ Positions
22:31 - Holding Contradictory Positions Simultaneously
25:31 - Challenges of Authoritarianism in the Church
28:09 - Religious Authority Across Denominations
32:33 - Who Defines History vs. Who Defines Doctrine?
34:22 - Doctrine as Continuing Revelation
35:15 - Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions
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Series Title: What does the Family Proclamation Mean to You? [Episode I of II]
Welcome to this two-part series where Valerie welcomes returned guest scholar Taylor Petrey to discuss the LDS Church's Family Proclamation to the World as it reaches its 30th anniversary.
The heart of the episode centers on Taylor's controversial Salt Lake Tribune opinion piece in September 2025 (linked below) arguing that The Family Proclamation should be understood as commentary rather than revelation or unchanging doctrine. This characterization sparked significant pushback from conservative church members who insisted the document represents eternal, unchanging truth.
Taylor and Valerie explore the complex and often inconsistent ways that the LDS Church uses terms like doctrine, revelation, policy, and commentary, noting how these categories shift depending on context and speaker. They discuss how the proclamation itself has been reinterpreted over time and set you up for the second part of their conversation where they dive deeply into the changing interpretations themselves.
The Family Proclamation
Op Ed by Taylor Petrey
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:11 Discussing the Family Proclamation
01:48 Cultural and Political Context
04:20 Historical Background of Family Proclamations
07:04 The 1995 Proclamation and Its Impact
13:21 Opinion Piece and Public Reaction
24:43 Controversy and Clarifications
27:57 Historical Changes in Church Teachings
28:33 Modern Reinterpretations of Doctrine
30:42 Balancing Eternal Truths and Continuing Revelation
32:58 The Controversy of Words and Authority
36:15 Revelation vs. Policy: A Case Study
38:10 The Fluidity of Revelation
43:45 The Role of Commentary in Church Doctrine
48:20 Setting Up for the Next Episode
51:36 Final Thoughts and Conclusion
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Have you ever listened to a Latter Day Struggles episode and wanted nothing more than to talk about it but no one is around or would understand? Have you noticed that while your heart is growing faster than ever, your relationships are changing just as fast?
Val has noticed that this podcast community has served not only to help you make sense of your LDS faith journey but also has created friendship networks that are life enriching in ways no one could have imagined.
So why not expand our reach and create more places to connect and find healing + community?
Listen in today for all of the details on the new biweekly LIVE FELLOWSHIP: a place where you go to join live discussions on current podcast topics with Valerie & then make new friends on a healthy LDS faith journey in your own region.
What could be better? A few details:
- Join Val for 24 Live Fellowship gatherings a year + recordings if you miss out!
- Jump into the FREE Inaugural LIVE Fellowship on 2/18 at 9:30a PST!
- All who enroll by 2/28/26 get an extra month tacked onto their annual enrollment, compliments of Val :).
- Already in the Friday Fellowship as an annual member? Your tuition will be applied towards the upgrade (plus an extra discount!)
- New to all Fellowship Opportunities? Friday Fellowship content is INCLUDED with your annual tuition!
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:12 Announcement of Live Fellowship
01:36 Understanding the Faith Crisis
04:12 Overview of Learning Tiers
04:42 Monday Episodes Explained
06:20 Reframing LDS Doctrine & Theology
08:34 Friday Fellowship Deep Dive
12:30 Transcending & Including Mormonism
14:01 Introduction to Live Fellowship
17:12 Growth and Processing Groups
19:27 Individual Consulting Services
20:30 Why Create the Live Fellowship?
23:50 The Importance of Community
26:10 Forming Side Communities
28:30 Regional Breakout Groups
32:10 Differences: Live Fellowship vs. Depth Groups
34:00 Patriarchy Healing Curriculum
36:08 Logistics and Launch Details
37:00 First Session: Proclamation to the Family
38:30 Second Session: Transcendence & Inclusion
40:00 Recordings & Accessibility
41:00 Scholarships & Faith Journey Foundation
41:37 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
45:10 Ken Wilber Quote on Consciousness
47:30 Individual Transformation & Cultural Change
49:00 Closing Remarks
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In this episode Nathan & I pause to honor the impact that Ken Glenn had on us at this time of his early and tragic passing.
In this episode we share many examples that prove that the traditionally believing [Ken] and the… shall we say...less traditionally believing…[us!] LDS can co-exist, when vulnerability, love, and curiosity are chosen over judgment. We love you Ken. Thank you for showing us Christ-like love even if you did not fully understand our work.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and New Beginnings
00:53 Transition to YouTube
02:52 Memorializing a Mentor
06:17 Ken Glynn's Impact
09:54 Personal Stories of Ken
13:16 Ken's Humility and Kindness
14:14 Early Leadership Challenges
19:29 Parenting and Church Dynamics
20:10 Parental Decisions and Church Conflicts
22:53 Podcast Beginnings and Community Reactions
24:04 A Touching Tennis Meet Encounter
29:32 Mission Preparation and Temple Challenges
40:31 A Heartfelt Tribute to Bishop Ken
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In this episode I respond to your requests to explore President Dallin Oaks' desire that LDS girls get married younger. As a bonus, I propose a counter-solution to. the current LDS mixed-faith marriage crisis that does not involve pressuring younger marriage (and its well-documented risk factors) on LDS young adults.
Please share this episode if it resonates!
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:18 Valerie's Analysis of Early Marriage
02:00 President Oaks' Comments and Valerie's Response
09:10 Exploring the Motivations Behind Encouraging Early Marriage
13:50 Risks and Drawbacks of Early Marriage
25:04 Correlation Between Temple Marriage and Divorce Rates
28:40 Concerns of Church Leadership
31:34 The Marriage Crisis in the Church
32:22 Challenges of Mixed Faith Marriages
33:30 Theological Strain and Parenting in Mixed Faith Marriages
34:44 Historical Context and Faith Crises
36:42 The Push for Early Marriage
39:24 Differentiation of Self and Its Importance
45:06 The Impact of Early Marriage on Development
57:43 Proposing a New Approach to Faith Journeys
01:01:15 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
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With well over a million downloads since its first drop in March of 2022, the Latter Day Struggles podcast has established itself the place to find peace, healing, community, and words to describe your Latter-day Saint faith and trust crisis.
It is where thousands have come to realize that deep within themselves is a True Self capable of mapping out their own spiritual journey and integrating their Latter-day Saint background into this journey on their own terms.
In this "Best of Latter Day Struggles" episode, Valerie establishes herself as a Latter-day Saint mental health professional with a unique capacity to love her LDS faith enough talk about the beliefs and practices that are causing harm to members of the church worldwide.
The bottom line? Healthy spiritual wellbeing is correlated with healthy mental health. If my church beliefs and practices are making me sick in any way--these beliefs need to be courageously examined.
To those of you who have been on this journey since Valerie started the podcast (the "OGs") and to those who just learned about it last week and do not know where to start--pleasea enjoy this classic episode that got Latter Day Struggles on the map and has led to the healing of thousands of people in LDS faith crisis in the past 3 years.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction and Overview
02:06 – Four Stages of Faith Development
04:28 – Moving Beyond Stage 1
08:06 – Limitations of Stage 2
12:02 – Moving Toward Stage 4
14:43 – Contextualizing Faith Traditions
15:28 – Stages in World Religions
16:01 – Institutional Roles in Faith Development
16:32 – Supporting Complexity and Skepticism
18:00 – Therapist’s Perspective
19:02 – Healthy Family Systems and Faith Development
20:48 – The Role of Adolescence
22:01 – Ownership of Belief
24:43 – The Dangers of Over-Resistance
26:37 – Richard Rohr's Perspective on Faith Development
28:34 – Transitioning to Complexity
31:49 – Hope Beyond Skepticism
34:07 – Institutional Challenges
36:58 – Misconceptions About Atonement
38:44 – Institutional Self-Reflection
40:09 – Marginalization and Fear-Based Narratives
43:00 – Letters from Listeners: Shock and Isolation
46:59 – Ambivalence and Hope in Skepticism
50:03 – Understanding Faith Development Stages
53:45 – Creating True Community
56:00 – Transitioning Through Chaos
57:30 – The Emptiness Stage
59:00 – Achieving True Community
01:01:00 – Maintaining True Community
01:03:00 – Conclusion and Call to Action
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Series title: Mormon Faith Crisis—Progression, Not Pathology [Part III of III]
In this episode Valerie welcomes back friend and researcher Jeff Strong for the third installment of their series exploring Jeff's research learning about the actual experiences of thousands of Latter-day Saints. The theme that came through? Massive amounts of TENSION.
Today they go deeper into six distinct kinds of Latter-day Saints and highlight that one type, "the protector" is disproportionately rewarded while other types are often silenced and squeezed to the margins and sometimes out of the church altogether.
They unpack how an ignorance of the true diversity of 21st Century LDS membership is causing crippling harm to families and the church itself and emphasize the power that could come if we all understood and supported one another as a truly open and welcoming 'body of Christ'.
Timestamps:
01:04 – Understanding Cultural Differences
01:57 – Stages of Faith and Identity Segments
03:38 – Framework for Understanding Differences
08:00 – Setting Up the Segment Discussion
09:36 – Overview of the Six Segments
14:30 – Personal Examples of Segment Fluidity
16:19 – Avoiders and Their Journey
18:30 – The Spectrum of Development
21:15 – Disaffiliation and Its Complexities
22:50 – The Public Narrative vs. Reality
24:43 – Conformity and Control in Religious Communities
26:33 – Fear vs. Love Orientation
28:13 – Focus on Protectors
33:40 – The Need for Balance and Integration
35:02 – Balancing Different Attributes in Church Culture
39:30 – The Dangers of Fear-Driven Leadership
41:40 – The Role of Fear and Love in Leadership
44:00 – The Impact of Historical Persecution
50:00 – Everyday Conflicts and Growth Opportunities
53:14 – Final Thoughts on Growth and Development
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As we begin 2026 and the fourth year of the Latter Day Struggles Podcast, we wanted to say THANK YOU to ALL supporters of the podcast and platform!
So please enjoy this Office Hours recording and a podcast episode that is one that is a must-listen!
In this timely conversation Valerie tackles Elder Anderson's recent general conference talk on abortion. In one hour she goes from the macro issue of abortion itself and offers some thought-provoking concepts about NOT focusing on abortion and instead focusing on how abortion is the prevailing solution to unwanted pregnancy only because we live in a patriarchal society.
She also proposes that LDS women have valid reasons to feel unique and acute transgenerational pain connected to marriage, s*exual misconduct, power, and self sacrifice.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Listener Appreciation and Office Hours Format
02:17 – Elder Anderson’s Address on Abortion
05:01 – Developmental Stages and Vulnerability
07:00 – Weaponization of Authority and Internalized Harm
12:56 – Masculine vs. Feminine Worldviews on Abortion
15:00 – Societal Support and Resource Gaps
17:00 – Upstream vs. Downstream Solutions
21:00 – Deeply Embedded Patriarchal Assumptions
25:00 – Legal and Economic Disparities
29:54 – Critique of Elder Anderson’s Address
34:00 – Theological Shadows and Generational Trauma
36:00 – Recommendations for Healthy Spirituality
45:20 – Listener Reactions and Broader Church Issues
50:00 – The Importance of Individual Discernment
53:00 – Reflections on Church History and Patriarchy
56:00 – Calls for Healing and Inclusion
59:05 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement
59:54 – Closing Remarks and Call to Action
60:14 – Podcast Network Acknowledgment
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Series title: Mormon Faith Crisis—Progression, Not Pathology [Part II of III]
In today's episode Valerie and guest researcher Jeff Strong explore why people in the same LDS congregation can experience church so differently, depending on where they are in their faith journey. They introduce Jeff’s model of six faith mindsets—seekers, cultivators, protectors, avoiders, connectors, and explorers—each representing valid and meaningful ways of engaging faith.
The problem? That many of these healthy and normal ways of engaging with one's faith journey are pathologized within the LDS culture at both local and general levels. Valerie and Jeff hope that research like Jeff's and platforms like Latter Day Struggles will place growth where it actually belongs--as normal, natural, and precisely what each of us are here on this earth to do.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction and Welcome
00:22 – Series Overview and Jeff's Background
01:18 – Exploring Church Demographics and Tensions
02:45 – Review of Previous Episode
04:00 – Cultural Causes of Tension
05:30 – The Weight of Disaffiliation
07:00 – Research Methodology and Data Collection
07:58 – Strengths of LDS Culture
09:45 – Personal Reflections on Community
11:35 – Weaknesses of LDS Culture
13:20 – The Soil Metaphor for Culture
15:00 – The River Metaphor: Rigidity vs. Chaos
17:10 – The Impact of Cultural Rigidity
18:45 – The Struggle for Belonging
20:09 – Stages of Faith Development
22:00 – Simplicity and Complexity Explained
23:45 – Perplexity and Harmony Explained
25:30 – Faith Journeys and Community Reactions
27:00 – The Pain of Being Misunderstood
28:22 – Personal Faith Journeys
29:47 – The Garden of Eden Metaphor
30:47 – Pathologizing Growth in Faith
32:00 – The Need for Community Support
33:09 – Community and Belonging
33:52 – Brian McLaren's Model in Scriptures
35:30 – The Arc of Human Spiritual Growth
37:25 – Understanding Different Faith Mindsets
39:00 – Disparities in Perceptions of Christ-Centeredness
40:30 – The Loneliness of Nonconformity
42:04 – Introducing the Six Segments
44:00 – Descriptions of Each Segment
46:00 – The Dynamic Nature of Faith Mindsets
47:00 – Encouragement for Self-Reflection
48:24 – Conclusion and Next Steps
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Series title: Mormon Faith Crisis—Progression, Not Pathology [Part I of III]
The data is rolling in and Wow…if you want to know what’s really on the hearts and minds of many active Latter-day Saints, this 3-part series is a GOLD MINE.
Join Val and colleague Jeff Strong, prominent researcher on Mormon faith crisis as they begin to look at some of Jeff’s team’s large-scale surveys and in-depth interviews that detail how many active members quietly wrestle with internal conflict, misalignment, and a lack of belonging in their current LDS experience .
Don’t miss this intro to a fascinating series!
Follow along with the slides and data sets here!
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:19 Guest Introduction: Jeff Strong
01:00 Jeff’s Support and Early Conversations
01:37 Jeff's Background and Experience
03:00 Clarifying Jeff’s Professional and Research Credentials
04:26 Research on Disaffiliation
06:30 Personal Journey and Insights
08:04 The Start of the Research Journey
09:45 Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
14:00 The Role of Culture in Missionary Experience
16:30 Returning Home and Continuing the Research
18:00 The Importance of Data in Understanding Faith Journeys
20:00 The Demographic of Faithful Questioners
23:30 Data Collection and Analysis
25:00 Key Themes: Testimony, Community, and Belonging
27:00 The Spectrum of Activity and Belief
29:00 Conflict Among Active Members
31:00 Exploring Discomfort in Church Culture
35:22 Quantifying Discomfort and Belonging
36:22 Comfort Levels with Church Culture
37:25 Culture vs. Doctrine: A Real Example
38:21 Personal vs. Cultural Priorities
39:30 Tension in Cultural and Personal Priorities
40:35 Navigating Faith Beyond Checklists
42:00 Stages of Faith and Cultural Tension
43:17 The Impact of Leadership and Tradition
45:00 Orthodox vs. General Membership Comfort
48:36 The Importance of Awareness and Inclusion
51:00 Normalizing Faith Transitions
53:00 The Role of Community in Faith Journeys
56:36 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions
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In this episode of Latter Day Struggles, Valerie and guest Maxine Hanks dive into the complexities of reform and personal wellness within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
This fascinating conversation explores the first-hand experience of two women whose influential work spans a half-century in the LDS spotlight. With this time-span as a reference point, they discuss how the focus of institutional reprimand and control has shifted from scholars to mental health professionals, especially mental health workers who publicly address complex issues at the intersection of identity development, mental health, and its connection to LDS theology and practice.
Further, they explore the phenomenon of "diffuse policing," where in some wards and stakes, fellow members, rather than just church leaders, report and judge one another, leading to a sense of danger and exclusion within spiritual communities. Ultimately, they call for continued efforts to embody love, create safe spaces, and support the health and healing of all members, at every stage of the faith journey.
Books Referenced in this episode:
"The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy" by Carol Lynn Pearson
"Women and Authority: Re-Emerging Mormon Feminism" by Maxine Hanks
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:49 Reflecting on Sacred Work
01:49 Comparing Different Eras
03:01 The Impact of the Internet
06:02 Public vs. Private Scholarship
09:09 Mental Health Workers Under Fire
14:07 Balancing Individual and Institutional Needs
18:38 The Role of Mental Health in Faith Journeys
24:18 The New Taboo: Mental Health and LGBTQ Issues
25:40 Identity and Wellbeing: A Personal Journey
27:31 The Role of Mental Health Workers in the Church
30:32 Institutional Insecurity and Individual Growth
33:09 Policing and Persecution Within the Church
37:35 The Erosion of Safe Spaces in the Church
45:20 The Greatest Danger to the Church Today
49:51 Concluding Thoughts: Embodying Love and Compassion
Additional Episodes Referenced:
Ep. 179 - 182: Maxine Hanks Life Story
Ep. 222, 272: Maxine Hanks and Jody England Hansen on the recent garment changes
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In this part one of a two-part conversation, Valerie is joined by Maxine Hanks for a deeply personal and reflective conversation exploring their parallel journeys as Latter-day Saint female thought leaders navigating faith transitions, church discipline, and personal empowerment.
This episodes is more a tender conversation between two friends than an interview where both women share of the depths of the commitment to honor their higher selves, their experiences of honoring God’s work for them to do over institutional approval, and how they both draw strength from the historical echoes of their pioneering foremothers.
The episode also dives into the complexities of holding space for both one's truth and the perspectives of those who may see them as adversaries. Pull up a chair and join Val and Maxine for the next couple of Monday episodes about letting go, leaning into one’s purpose, and choosing love over fear.
Books Referenced in this episode:
"The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy" by Carol Lynn Pearson
"Women and Authority: Re-Emerging Mormon Feminism" by Maxine Hanks
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:17 Reflecting on Past Episodes
01:18 Listener's Insight and Emotional Connection
03:27 Maxine's Perspective on Resilience
04:03 Deep Dive into Personal Experiences
04:46 Facing Church Discipline
06:13 Spiritual Guidance and Feminist Work
12:19 Connecting with Pioneer Foremothers
23:07 Healing Transgenerational Trauma
29:29 Navigating Institutional Challenges
32:59 Understanding Shadow Work
33:32 The September 1993 Purge
34:13 Spiritual Guidance and Resilience
35:04 Personal Reflections on Excommunication
36:24 Comparing Experiences
41:34 Holding Space for Different Journeys
45:16 The Impact on Families
47:24 Honoring Individual Paths
59:32 Resources for Further Exploration
01:00:59 Conclusion and Next Steps
Additional Episodes Referenced:
Ep. 179 - 182: Maxine Hanks Life Story
Ep. 222, 272: Maxine Hanks and Jody England Hansen discussing the recent garment updates
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In today's BONUS EPISODE Val breaks down some ideas around why the LDS Church is uniquely vulnerable to the underreporting of child sex abuse. While some of its issues will be vulnerabilities of all patriarchal systems, there are others that might be unique to the LDS church due to its history, doctrine, practices, and culture.
Listen in as Val walks through her own process of understanding this devastating phenomenon in hopes to evoke more dialogue and heighten awareness…which is the only thing that brings about systemic reform in the long run. In the end, looking that this phenomenon will serve the best interests of all parties involved, so please share this episode far and wide.
Resources Referenced in this episode
From the Latter Day Struggles Podcast:
Patriarchy, Power and Gender Roles Resource Catalog
Episode 35, 36, 45, 98
6 Part Series - The Shocking Correlation Between Men Socialized in Patriarchies & Psychological/Spiritual Underdevelopment beginning on Episode 283
10 Part Series - In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy and its Correlation to Violence & Abuse beginning on Episode 333
Other Resources:
Year of Polygamy- Episode 197 Polygamy, Mormonism, and Child Abuse
The Dialogue Journal- Confronting Men's Violence Against Women and Girls in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Suzanne E. Greco
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Join Valerie and therapist colleague Dr. Julie Hanks in this recording of a recent “Instagram Live” where they explored the recent breaking news from LDS Newsroom decreasing the eligibility age from 19 to 18 for young women interested in serving full-time missions.
In this conversation Val and Julie tackle possible as variety of topics, including short term and long term social, cultural, and mental health drawbacks and benefits that might follow this policy change. They also address how skyrocketing attrition rates from women in patriarchal churches worldwide (and within the LDS church) might be connected to this shift in policy.
Don’t miss this riveting discussion that continues to correlate the connection between psychological health and gender equality—a topic that these two heritage Latter-day Saint therapists have committed a great deal of their careers to highlighting for the benefits of the LDS Church and all connected to it.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:29 – Implications of Mission Age Change
02:27 – Gender Roles and Patriarchy
03:30 – Strategic Motivations and Retention
04:51 – Personal Reflections on Mission Experiences
06:04 – Missions as Catalysts for Change
08:45 – Concerns About Early Marriage and Education
10:00 – Generational Differences and Faith Journeys
12:23 – Temple Access for Young Women
13:30 – Women Leaving Organized Religion
14:09 – Challenges and Opportunities for Church Evolution
16:00 – Paradox of Devotion and Faith Crisis
19:16 – Balancing Individuality and Community in Faith
20:30 – The Church’s Developmental Stage
22:21 – Potential for Organizational Change
24:00 – Normalizing Women’s Leadership
31:50 – Impact of Mission Age on Family Life
32:17 – Egalitarian Structure in the Church
33:32 – Women’s Leadership and Identity
35:30 – Birth Rate and Missionary Integration
37:00 – Economic Realities and Family Planning
39:39 – Mental Health Concerns for Young Missionaries
40:24 – Pressure and Autonomy in Missionary Service
42:00 – Stigma and Social Ranking
45:23 – Patriarchy and Gender Roles in the Church
47:15 – The Cost of Conformity
49:54 – Encouragement for Individual Choices
51:00 – Redefining Spirituality and Autonomy
52:39 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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If Episode 384 (the one right before this one!) addresses the larger psychological question of why the holidays & family events can be extra challenging and painful for those on the LDS faith expansion journey--then this episode answers the equally relevant follow up question: What can I actually do to maximize my potential to feel present and grounded at these holiday events?
In today's episode, Val focuses in on two prevalent kinds of LDS family systems that she has heard about over and over again in her work in LDS faith crisis/expansion: the authoritarian structure and her newly coined term, the 'adherent/apologetic' family structure.
If either of these family structures ring a bell then her "four critical safety pillars"— might help you navigate these challenging family gatherings with grace for your own nervous system and grace for your doing-their best loved ones.
Whether you're dealing with strict authoritarian dynamics or the anxiety-laden avoidance of adherent-apologetic families, Valerie's thoughtful strategies and encouragement will empower you to stay true to yourself while maintaining meaningful connections. Tune in to transform your holiday stress into an opportunity for growth and understanding.
Wait, there's more!
**Want to catch the first part of this conversation and not a Friday Fellow? Jump to the show notes for more info on how to catch this whole conversation!
**Need more to prepare? Val has prepared an ebook companion to episodes 384 and 385. Jump to the show notes for more information on this excellent resource as well!
https://valeriehamaker.com/downloads/navigating-family-faith-during-the-holidays/
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction and Episode Overview.
00:44 – Navigating Family Dynamics During the Holidays
02:00 – The Impact of Faith Transitions on Family Interactions
03:00 – Context for the Episode and Friday Fellowship
04:00 – Understanding Different Family Structures
05:00 – The Psychology Behind Family Types
05:57 – Authoritarian Family Dynamics
07:04 – Adaptive Family Dynamics
08:00 – Navigating Adaptive Family Interactions
09:03 – Adherent Apologetic Family Dynamics
10:30 – Indirect Communication and Triangulation
12:31 – Practical Tips for Holiday Interactions
14:00 – The Importance of Personal Choice and Boundaries
16:51 – Pillar 1: Internal Safety
20:00 – Tools for Internal Safety
23:30 – Pillar 2: Relational Safety
27:00 – Strategies for Relational Safety
30:00 – Practicing Differentiation and Respect
34:52 – Pillar 3: Environmental Safety
36:30 – Setting Boundaries Around Participation
39:44 – Pillar 4: Exit and Recovery Safety
42:00 – Dealing with Post-Event Emotions
44:00 – Vale
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Are you curious about what has happened in the minds and hearts of the Hamakers eight months post-resignation from the LDS church due to the waves that this podcast has made throughout the world for the past couple of years?
Well, one thing that happened changed Val's life and is now changing hundreds of Latter Day Struggles Podcast listener's lives too. It all started the day Val opened up a book that became a portal to an entire universe of deeper-stage LDS faith crisis healing. This new orientation is psychologically sound, as spiritually robust as they come, and is somewhat involved; but its healing philosophy can be summed up in three words: transcend & include.
Join Val and Nathan in this Q&A episode, where they walk through some questions that you might have if you have noticed a pivot in their Friday Fellowship content and want to know what you might be missing.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:41 Exploring Transcend and Include
01:51 Addressing Listener Questions
04:23 The Origins of the Podcast
06:59 Navigating Faith and Theology
12:06 The Middle Path and Personal Growth
18:43 Introduction to Ken Wilber's Work
28:22 Understanding Our Place in the Universe
29:31 The Concept of Transcend and Include
31:58 Faith and Consciousness Evolution
34:15 Challenges in Embracing Past Selves
42:51 The Importance of Compassion and Healing
50:52 Podcast Structure and Community Support
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Series Title: Unpacking LDS Polygamy Developments in 2025 [Part II of II]
Join Valerie and Jana Spangler as they finish their conversation about the fascinating currents of 2025 surrounding polygamy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In this episode they dissect the release of a new gospel topic essay solidifying Joseph Smith's role as the originator of polygamy, the provocative digitization of a John Taylor revelation, and analyze President Oaks' recent mentions of Heavenly Mother(s) in a public address. With insightful analysis and a call for self-discernment, they offer listeners both a historical exploration and a heartfelt guide to navigating these complex issues.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:21 Discussing Polygamy in 2025
01:44 New Gospel Topic Essay on Polygamy
03:52 Joseph Smith and the Origins of Polygamy
07:42 The Church's Narrative and Modern Movements
14:14 John Taylor's Revelation on Polygamy
20:33 Polygamy in Church History
22:21 Transparency and Church History
26:40 Gender Equality in the Church
31:47 Heavenly Mother and Polygamy
36:09 Differentiation and Personal Faith
41:22 Embracing Complexity and Holiness
43:28 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
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Join Valerie and her guest Jana Spangler in the next two Monday episodes as they delve into the complexities of polygamy within the Mormon church, focusing on the year 2025 when several significant events around this topic unfolded.
They discuss how early Mormon history, particularly Joseph Smith's revelation on polygamy, has impacted the faith journey of many members. Additionally, they explore the recent polygamy-related additions to the 'Come Follow Me' manual and what this means for teaching younger generations about this challenging subject.
The conversation extends to practical advice for LDS church-attending parents and teachers navigating the the polygamy topic with children both at home and at church, with a focus on fostering critical thinking both in children and in the adults who are shepharding them in their spiritual growth and development. This episode promises a thoughtful examination of faith, history, and the ongoing struggle to reconcile and/or let go of difficult Mormon doctrines.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:17 Discussing Polygamy in 2025
05:34 Historical Overview of Polygamy
15:18 Polygamy's Impact on Modern Faith
32:19 Personal Reflections on Polygamy
43:42 Controversy and Church Teachings
50:58 Questioning Narratives and Personal Feelings
51:21 Teaching Complex Ideas to Children
53:01 Gender Dynamics in Religious Teachings
58:20 Revised Teachings on Polygamy
01:11:37 Parental Guidance and Critical Awareness
01:23:17 Balancing Structure and Flexibility in Faith
01:35:38 Concluding Thoughts and Future Topics
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Series Title: A Two-Hundred Year Old Mirror: How the Faith Expansion Journey has Always Made Christian Leadership Sweat! [Episode II of II]
In this thought-provoking episode, Valerie and guest Casey McFarland dive into part two of their series comparing the dynamics between orthodox leadership and progressive membership in both the early Christian church and in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
They explore the discovery of the Gnostic Gospels and how their divergent beliefs sparked friction with orthodox leaders of the time. The conversation addresses the parallels between historical and contemporary challenges, such as the struggles around authority, the role of women, and the push and pull between rigidity and progressive thought.
The fascinating conclusion: What we are experiencing is utterly predictable, has happened before, and is more about the frictions around community, cohesion, and the inevitability that some souls much grow...even in a correlated space!
Did you hear their announcement about the Latter Day Struggles 2026 trip to Italy? Listen in and catch up if you didn't!
Previous episodes referenced:
159: LDS University Students Pressured to Not Ask Hard Questions
160: Why Scientific & Academic Inquiry IS Spiritual Seeking!
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:20 Comparing Modern and Early Christian Dynamics
01:12 Recap of Last Episode
01:21 The Gnostic Gospels and Early Christian Writings
03:45 Role of Women and Educated in Early Christianity
06:40 Evolution of God and Spiritual Development
07:38 Historical Parallels in Religious Thought
10:38 Authority and Questioning in Faith
18:11 Modern Reflections on Historical Religious Tensions
24:54 Inclusivity and Development in Faith Traditions
26:42 Contradictions in Logic and Authority
28:16 The Role of Satan in Early Christian Debates
31:30 Personal Experiences and Institutional Authority
34:05 The Struggle for Inner Authority and Faith Development
38:27 The Tension Between Tradition and Progress
50:15 Invitation to Italy: Exploring Early Christian History
53:38 Closing Remarks and Future Plans
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Series Title: A Two-Hundred Year Old Mirror: How the Faith Expansion Journey has Always Made Christian Leadership Sweat! [Episode I of II]
In the next two Monday episodes you are going to LOVE this conversation between Valerie and her friend Casey McFarland (of @pioneerparadox) as they discuss a fascinating aspect of early Christian history that is sure to resonate with you on your own faith expansion journey. They delve into the world of early Christian Gnostics and their progressive beliefs that challenged the early church general leadership by claiming that while a church can be a useful resource in one's journey towards spiritual light and truth, God could be found within each of us and is not controlled by any other human person or institution.
If you don't want to feel alone in your wrestles with institutional authority, these two episodes will hit home in every way. Also stay tuned for the end of the episode where Casey & Val make an exciting announcement that you will not want to miss!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:11 Casey's Background and Interests
03:26 Early Christian History and Book Discussion
06:49 Comparing Early Christianity and Modern LDS Church
11:48 The Role of Early Christian Leaders
30:40 Valentina and Progressive Early Christians
36:43 Ancient Philosophical Schools and Heresies
37:32 The Threat of Competing Beliefs
38:24 Valentina's Following and the Church's Response
40:00 Gnostic Beliefs and Self-Discovery
40:59 Quotes from Gnostic Texts
43:13 Gnostic Christianity vs. Traditional Christianity
48:23 The Concept of Maya and Moksha
52:58 Stages of Faith and Compassion
01:01:34 The Transforming Power of Love
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Series Title: An Exploration of ‘Fabricated Fellowship’ & ‘Harmful Religiosity’ on the Path Towards Healing Spiritual Community [Part IV of IV]
Join Valerie and her special guests, Steve and Ginger Hitz, in the final episode of a profound four-part series focused on the crucial role that community can play in fostering environments of growth and spiritual flourishing.
In this episode one focus is on the harms of blind conformity and the importance of learning to trust ourselves in the pursue light, truth, and love. Remember: spiritual community can be a helpful re-'source'. it is not the foundation of one's connection with THE Source.
Tune in to hear practical advice on fostering meaningful connections within and beyond traditional church settings, and discover the power of embracing your spiritual journey with intent and authenticity.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:27 Overview of the Series and Book
01:49 Barriers to Authentic Fellowship
04:20 The Parable of the Caterpillars
07:20 Breaking Free from Conformity
09:35 Personal Stories and Reflections
12:48 Creating Authentic Connections
18:03 Managing Tension and Spiritual Growth
25:54 Family Mantra and Community Support
36:24 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement
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Series Title: An Exploration of ‘Fabricated Fellowship’ & ‘Harmful Religiosity’ on the Path Towards Healing Spiritual Community [Part III of IV]
In this thought-provoking episode, Valerie and guests Ginger and Steve continue to delve into discuss their book, 'Igniting the Holy Flame.' In this episode the topic turns to a core principle key community spiritual healing. Paradoxically, the more each individual in a community is trusted to find God within, the more they bring this True Self to their communities around them. Healthy souls create healthy communities.
This episode delves deeply into the importance of finding one’s true inner self, the impact of meditation on spiritual growth, and how to navigate the tension between individual faith journeys and traditional religious expectations.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Series Overview
00:30 Recap of Previous Episodes
01:29 Today's Topic: The True Self
02:12 Guest Introductions and Personal Reflections
02:37 Challenges in Religious Communities
03:38 Reading from 'Igniting the Holy Flame'
05:08 Discussion on True Self and Spiritual Growth
06:31 Meditation and Personal Practices
15:47 The Role of Patriarchy in Religious Systems
19:28 Managing Tensions and Personal Authority
21:38 Celebrating Individual Faith Journeys
37:09 Closing Thoughts and Summary
39:15 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview
40:49 Final Remarks and Listener Support
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Series Title: An Exploration of ‘Fabricated Fellowship’ & ‘Harmful Religiosity’ on the Path Towards Healing Spiritual Community [Part II of IV]
In this second episode (of a four-part Monday series), Valerie dives deeper with Steve and Ginger Hitz, authors of 'Igniting the Holy Flame.'
The conversation centers on the barriers to spiritual thriving in church communities, specifically the concepts of 'fabricated fellowship' and 'harmful religiosity' complete with an exploration and examples of both concepts.
The discussion underscores the importance of individual spiritual discernment and highlights the journey towards creating more inclusive and love-centered religious communities. As usual, Latter Day Struggles strives to invite candid conversations that have the power to bring growth, healing, and spiritual awakening to every listener as they move about in all of their communities, 'religious' and otherwise.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Series Overview
01:17 Defining True Fellowship
01:56 Personal Stories of Fellowship
03:44 Challenges in Fellowship
10:32 Fabricated Fellowship
17:56 Harmful Religiosity
20:35 Grace vs. Legalism
36:47 Customs and Spiritual Growth
44:38 Conclusion and Next Steps
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Series Title: An Exploration of ‘Fabricated Fellowship’ & ‘Harmful Religiosity’ on the Path Towards Healing Spiritual Community [Part I of IV]
As Richard Rohr has often said, "It is through great love and great suffering" that the soul grows the most rapidly and the most durably. In this four-part series (every MONDAY for the next four weeks!) fall in love with Steve and Ginger Hitz, co-authors of 'Igniting the Holy Flame: Building Communities of Love from the Ashes of Negative Religious Culture,' a book inspired by the tragic loss of their son, whose suffering was amplified by a church culture that could not meet him where he was.
This book and this podcast series is a plea for further awakening around aspects of church communities that set about to help but instead inadvertently do harm through concepts like 'fabricated fellowship' and 'harmful religiosity'. In this series you will hear both candid conversation about the pain points of faith communities and how to heal, grow, and create peace both within ourselves and within our communities.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:22 Meet Steve and Ginger: A Journey of Love and Faith
06:21 The Faith Journey and Spiritual Community
09:37 Skyler's Story: A Catalyst for Change
15:55 Interfaith Work and Universal Love
18:01 Revelation and Healing After Loss
25:08 Overview of 'Igniting the Holy Flame'
31:58 Closing Thoughts and Future Episodes
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Join Dr. Julie Hanks & Valerie in a heartfelt audience Q&A addressing their shared passion as therapists working with thousands of people in and around The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Listen in and find hope and comfort as these two women answer questions about their eventful year promoting, leading, and trying to embody (although imperfectly!) lives of psychological and spiritual health.
Stay tuned for the end of the episode where they announce a 4 week online Q&A session for those interested in exploring how they can stay connected to the LDS church in psychologically healthy ways & on their own terms. Link to enroll below!
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
03:15 Discussing Faith Journeys and Challenges
03:46 Addressing Audience Questions on Faith and Spirituality
06:12 Experiences with Church Leadership
12:16 Rebuilding Identity and Addressing Scrupulosity
20:29 Taking Feedback and Sacrifice
21:46 Honoring Family While Acknowledging Harm
25:16 Staying in the Church: Personal Reflections
28:31 Marriage and Dating After Stepping Away
31:22 Biggest Shifts in Faith Journeys
36:36 Upcoming Events and Announcements
https://drjuliehanks.as.me/schedule/d028d361/appointment/82717607/calendar/30967?appointment=
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In this eye-opening episode Valerie is a guest on the Inside Out Podcast with Ian Wilkes and Jim Bennett, where they dive deep into the complexities of women's roles within the LDS Church, locking in on the recent garment policy shifts.
You might be surprised to learn Valerie’s take on this topic. A hint: adding women leaders to these policy-making gatherings is NOT the answer to this conundrum where it seems that thousands of LDS women across the belief & practice spectrum are frustrated. Tune in to explore a thought-provoking discussion on equality, institutional overreach, and the beauty (and simplicity) that unfolds when humans are given the dignity to manage their own underwear drawers.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:31 Jim's Experience in Argentina
01:47 Special Guest: Valerie Hamaker
02:16 Valerie's Background and Podcast
04:50 Challenges of Patriarchy in the Church
06:18 Authority and Decision Making in the Church
16:35 Impact of Patriarchy on Men and Women
22:17 Garment Controversy and Gender Equality
30:21 Church Surveys and Member Feedback
35:38 The Problems with Fundamentalism
36:38 Controlling Dress and Underwear
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In this heartwarming episode, Val is the guest on the Therapy Brothers podcast hosted by brothers & fellow relationship therapists Brannon and Tyler Patrick.
The topic is navigating the choppy waters of a marriage in distress due to the faith journey of one of the partners--a demographic of couples that is multiplying rapidly.
The bottom line? A faith transition can (and has) weakened or destroyed many a marriage. But guess what? A faith transition can actually strengthen a marriage in ways that virtually nothing else can--if both partners have the framework and the tools.
Listen in as Valerie shares her experiences and strategies helping countless distressed couples rediscover love by:
- redefining what healthy marriage is
- focusing on values over beliefs
- embracing discomfort for growth
- fostering deep connections through compassion, curiosity, and healthy differentiation of self.
Whether you're in a faith-expanding journey or just want to deepen your relationship, this episode is packed with wisdom to guide you through the intricate dance of intimate relationship & spiritual evolution.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Going Live
00:33 Weekend Stories and Parenting
02:33 Introducing Valerie Hamer
04:00 Valerie's Professional Journey
06:08 Navigating Faith and Relationships
11:49 The Role of Compassion and Understanding
32:39 Process Over Content in Relationships
42:14 Valerie's Resources and Conclusion
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In this episode Valerie is the guest on the podcast Black & White & Gold hosted by Carly and Rob Allred where they engage in a compelling conversation on gender and faith.
Valerie is becoming the prominent voice for the LDS Church advocating for educating men around the harms of patriarchal indoctrination on male development. This work is yielding good results as more and more LDS men are becoming feminists in their own right and are declining traditional attitudes and roles of male privilege while speaking up for the equality needed to create a truly healthy community.
Tune in to hear a narrative that merges deep love for tradition with a call for transformative change.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Self-Trust and Patriarchal Systems
00:42 Exploring Patriarchy in Season Three
01:29 Defining Patriarchy and Its Impact
03:08 Introducing Valerie Hamaker
03:35 Valerie Hamaker's Background and Work
06:34 Challenges and Resignation from the LDS Church
09:06 The Aftermath and Community Support
12:21 Understanding Patriarchal and Dominator Models
23:37 The Harmful Effects of Patriarchy on Men
24:13 Personal Experiences with Patriarchy
25:33 The Impact of Patriarchy on Men
28:52 Exploring Masculine and Feminine Energies
32:04 Patriarchy and Gender Norms
34:57 The Fragility of Patriarchal Structures
40:55 Hope for Egalitarianism in Church Structures
46:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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In this episode Valerie is guest on the Parrish the Thought podcast where Brian Parrish interviews Val on the resistance she experienced from local priesthood leaders as a mental health worker tending to the complex issues of faith crisis in an institution that has yet to understand either the faith journey itself or widespread mental/relational/spiritual health issues that come from pathologizing the faith journey.
As we all know—fear of church leaders did not deter Val & Nathan and their love of YOU [their listeners!] is only stronger these many months following their crucible experience.
Moral of the story? Integrity breeds empowerment.
Listen in and feel empowered to own your own soul too!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:25 Valerie's Background and Podcast Journey
01:49 Starting the Private Practice
03:57 Intersection of Faith and Mental Health
05:12 Challenges and Growth in the Church
07:06 Launching the Podcast
09:58 Therapeutic Insights and Faith Dynamics
21:41 Confronting Church Leadership
33:22 Complexities of Faith and Leadership
39:31 The Challenge of Updating Church Doctrine
42:25 Personal Journey and Podcast Impact
46:29 Facing Church Leadership
57:19 Decision to Withdraw Membership
01:05:17 Reflections on Church and Personal Integrity
01:16:25 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
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In this episode, Valerie shares an inspiring journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth with The Wholeness Network. The theme was Brene Brown's exploration of the concept of "Braving the Wilderness" and on the heels of three years of learning to live & love one's truth at a potentially high social cost, Val felt that she had a couple of things to say about this.
This episode is a sharing of history, emotion on both ends of the spectrum and ultimately, a tale of courage, compassion, and finding one's true place in the world.
00:00 Finding My Path: Early Struggles and Discoveries
00:40 A Surprising Call to Ministry
01:06 Discovering a Passion for Therapy
02:38 The Journey to Graduate School
03:18 Embracing Complexity in Faith and Life
04:40 Launching a Podcast: Unexpected Success
07:40 Understanding the Faith Journey
08:11 Stages of Faith and Personal Growth
10:25 Challenges and Courage in Faith Transitions
15:40 The Role of Compassion and Empathy
23:45 Trusting Oneself and Embracing the Divine Within
27:49 The Price and Reward of Spiritual Journeys
28:05 Experiences of Resonance and Support
33:28 Navigating Faith and Personal Growth
42:36 Understanding Patriarchy in Faith Communities
50:58 The Impact of Enmeshed Family Systems
58:22 Embracing Wholeness and Self-Integration
Afterward: After their forced resignation from the LDS church in March of 2025, Val & Nathan were invited to share their stories on about a dozen podcasts. Due to Nathan's currently heavy travel schedule, most of these guest appearances are (unfortunately!) just Valerie. Thanks for sharing this journey with the Hamakers!
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In this exciting solo episode, Valerie reflects on the profound personal growth she has experienced over the past few months and shares her plans for what she is informally dubbing the "Latter Day Struggles 2.0" era.
In some ways, you will continue to get what you have come to expect--a respectful & honest conversation about all things Mormon through the lens of healthy psychology. Where 2.0 is going to shine is in several upcoming "Transcending & Including Mormonism" special series that will run every Friday for listeners looking to deepen their faith journey, finally get 'unstuck', or are hungry for their next wave of deepening growth.
Join Val in embarking on this new chapter, offering deeper, more holistic explorations of faith and consciousness.
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In this episode Val is a guest on the Join Latter Day Digest podcast & what unfolds is the very unlikely story that led to Val's and Nathan's eventual 'outlaw' status within the LDS church. Why is this so odd? Because this couple could not have been more traditionally believing for the majority of their lives--including spending most of their marriage following all of the traditional scripts of Mormonism...which in some ways worked and in other ways didn't work that well at all.
Then something happened within Val & Nathan (different life-shifting changes/crises) and their paradigms changed...radically. From living traditional roles prescribed by outside 'experts' on their lives to becoming passionate advocates of finding courage, truth, and God-connection within, Val shares a journey that might offer hope to anyone out there who thinks transformation isn't possible.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:22 Valerie's Early Life and Background
02:04 Young Women's Experience in the Church
04:33 Struggles with Traditional Gender Roles
10:06 Mission and College Years
16:25 Meeting Her Future Husband
18:53 Professional Aspirations and Challenges
22:01 Empathy and Helping Others
24:50 The Cost of Doing the Right Thing
25:22 Balancing Family and Career
25:48 Struggles of a Stay-at-Home Mom
27:44 Finding Joy and Autonomy
29:46 Guilt and Cognitive Dissonance
33:15 Pursuing a Career in Mental Health
36:43 Starting a Private Practice
41:10 The Birth of Latter Day Struggles Podcast
43:58 Helping Others Through Faith Expansion
47:05 Commitment to a Higher Calling
50:43 Conclusion and Future Plans
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Missed the LIVE Q&A where Val recently answered the flood of questions that have come in on the heels of her & Nathan's brave series venturing into the realm of politics, polarization & human/cultural evolution of consciousness?
In this Q&A Val takes some very challenging questions and walks you through ways in which politics & religion are reflections how people make sense of some of their ultimate concerns about themselves & others. Don't miss this episode if you have been inhaling their current Friday series or if you are thinking about inhaling it very soon!
00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Live Session
03:32 The Impact of Current Events on Mental Health
04:02 Human Growth and Development in Political Context
05:32 Introducing Latter Day Struggles 2.0
06:00 Transcend and Include: A New Approach to Faith
07:35 Understanding Human and Societal Development
09:47 Integral Theory and Its Relevance Today
11:22 Stages of Consciousness and Societal Growth
14:18 The Role of Politics in Human Development
19:43 Addressing Listener Questions
20:41 The Importance of Dialogue and Understanding
27:07 Personal Reflections and Political Evolution
47:46 Red Flags in Spiritual and Political Leaders
55:00 Talking to Children About Current Events
01:01:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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In this episode Valerie is the guest on the thought-provoking Inside Out Podcast, one of the first podcasts to interview her following the dramatic events that led up to the Hamakers' decision to resign from the LDS church rather than collude in an excommunication process that they did not endorse as ethical, legitimate, or appropriate.
This episode takes you through Val's early life and path leading to her current work and delves into the challenges she faced with church leadership due to her public mental health work on behalf of thousands of Latter-day Saints through her Latter Day Struggles Platform.
Among other things, Valerie discusses the critical tensions between church policies, doctrines, and personal mental health, while providing insights on how the LDS Church can evolve to better support its members.
**In the next several Monday episodes documenting Valerie's and Nathan's experiences connected to their resignation from the LDS church in March of 2025, Valerie represents the couple as Nathan is currently working out of town and unavailable during traditional recording hours. They apologize as so many of you so deeply benefit from his unique insights and perspectives!
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In this episode Val is a guest on the wonderful In Her Image Podcast to discuss the complex emotional journey of awakening to the divine feminine. They explore common emotional responses to one's realization that s/he has been estranged from half of deity for one's whole life, awakening to the power that many of us give away in allowing others to define who the Divine is, and how this journey almost always leads to the need to redefine one's relationship with the LDS church in ways that are more differentiated, self advocating, and truly connecting with ones' Divine Source.
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In this episode Valerie is interviewed by her good friends and fellow podcasters Susan Hinckley and Cynthia Wynward and the three talk about what it is like to be outspoken women in a 21st Century church that is not so sure what to do with this kind of woman. They are candid in their experiences, struggles, and insecurities as they figure out their own faith journeys somewhat in the public eye while walking with thousands of others through their own complex experiences.
Bottom Line: In a church that has chronically valued women for their ability to stand by in supporting roles, these women are showing this generation of people in and around the LDS church that 'fragile' has a whole new meaning nowadays!
Listen, become empowered, and share this episode!
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Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy & its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part VIII of X]
Join Val & Nathan as they respectfully lean into specific risk factors associated with formalized patriarchal religious institutions (including the LDS church) & how these vulnerabilities play out in very real ways. They also explore how our children can eventually become safer as their caregivers become educated & reach a critical mass of light & knowledge about the harmful (even if unintended) consequences to many children raised within patriarchal homes & churches.
Please note, Val & Nathan are not implying that child abuse & violence are inevitable when their families and churches are patriarchal. They are simply unpacking all of the heavily researched data pointing to heightened risk factors associated with patriarchy and violence/abuse. Please, let us learn from the ample data & protect our children.
Referenced in this Episode:
Associated Press: Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happen
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Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy & its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part VIIof X]
In today's episode, Val & Nathan walk through the layered risk factors around spousal violence/abuse that married couples are exposed to when belonging to a formalized institutional patriarchal church. Reinforcement of male authority, inadequately trained clergy offering counseling services, isolation from external oversight/support, and tendencies to protect the male abusers (esp those with leadership callings) are all discussed. They also make recommendations for inviting a safer/healthier marriage theology and climate that will contribute to individual & marital flourishing.
Please note, Val & Nathan are not implying that abuse & violence are inevitable when couples hold a patriarchal worldview or belong to a formalized patriarchal religious institution--they are simply unpacking all of the heavily researched data pointing to heightened risk factors associated with patriarchy and violence/abuse.
Referenced in this Episode:
Associated Press - Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happen
Bell Hooks - The Will to Change; Men, Masculinity and Love
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Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy & its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part V of X]
In this episode Val & Nathan walk through a series of other very common communities where men-on-men violence is normalized--culminating in a discussion that shows clearly that it is not a coincidence that patriarchal structures enforce strict rules on both women & LGBTQ+ people for the same underlying reason.
They will walk you through the "rules" and consequences imposed on sexual/gender non-conforming people and how deeply embedded systemic patriarchies use God to justify all kinds of violence & abuse directed at those not willing to acknowledge this man-made system of domination.
Referenced in This Episode:
Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion - Gregory Boyle
Podcast: Breaking Down Patriarchy- Episode 37: How to be an Anti-Patriarchist with Levi Murray
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Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy & its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part III of X]
In this jaw-dropping episode (at least it was jaw-dropping for Val & Nath to prepare and produce) Val & Nathan talk about the "Female Fear Factory" which is a phrase intended to communicate the implicit rules that girls and women worldwide are taught to follow in order to be safe in this world where patriarchy is treated as a "given" that must be managed and obeyed.
If you care about the spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing of yourself, your loved ones (of all genders) and your community at large--this series is a crucial masterclass.
Referenced in this Episode:
The Female Fear Factory; Unravelling Patriarchy's Cultures of Violence - Pumla Dineo Gqola
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Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy and its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part I of X]
In this opening episode of this incredibly important series, Val & Nathan offer an overview of what is to come in the episodes that follow. This series has been a labor of love for this couple who care deeply about their Latter-day Saint and surrounding loved ones and want to spread the word far and wide that all patriarchy is harmful but we live in day and age where institutional patriarchy MUST be lovingly challenged for the welfare of every single human being.
Patriarchy is tightly correlated to actual violence and abuse. If nothing else convinces you that reform is needed...maybe this will give you pause.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Podcast: Breaking Down Patriarchy- Episode 37: How to be an Anti-Patriarchist with Levi Murray
Podcast: The Foyer- Season 3 Episode 3 Women's Equality: It Absolutely Matters
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Series Title: Living in a World of Hypernormalization [Part I of II]
In this episode Val shares an update about how she is processing the recent events of her and Nathan's forced resignation in the face of excommunication by looking at this both as a personal issue for them but also plays with the idea that they are playing a symbolic role in a much larger narrative that is unfolding and colliding in both conservative Christian AND conservative political spaces and is gaining steam due to the concept of HYPERNORMALIZATION: a social phenomenon where cultural collectives know that things are very wrong but pretend that all is well.
Friday's episode dives into how HYPERNORMALIZATION might explain much that is going on in our own heritage tradition and why those who do not participate in the "rules of hypernormalization" (by acknowledging issues exist) are punished.
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Series Title: The 21st Century LDS Church's Ongoing Struggle to Respond to the Realities of Faith & Trust Crisis [Part I of II]
Join Val and friend, colleague and returned guest, Dr. Greg Prince as they talk about Greg's involvement in the profoundly important document "The Official Faith Crisis Report". A document that was the first of its kind, it compiled data about struggles in faith and trust that was sweeping the LDS church just after the turn of the century.
In this episode, you will learn backstage details that only someone involved in the actual process can tell you. Greg, as usual, adds his wit and wisdom to a fascinating story about the beginning of an era that we are all living through at this moment in the LDS faith expansion space.
Next episode Val & Greg tackle several sections of the report itself and engage in some spicy banter about what can happen with people in different stages of faith during a typical LDS church meeting. Join in for a great conversation!
The Official Faith Crisis Report
Books by Dr. Greg Prince
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Series Title: Transcending Church Rules on the PathTowards Genuine Christlike Discipleship w/Russ Hinckley Part III of IV
What do you think Jesus would desire that we focus on in our worship services and within our larger lives? In these last two episodes of this series Val invites Russ to share his thoughts on his "Christ Creed", or his "rewrite" of what he thinks Jesus would want his followers to focus on. In this episode they focus their conversation on Jesus using social gatherings and meals to push back against cultural outgroups. Among other topics, they dig into why and how Jesus' ministry tries to prove that society (not God) creates out groups. Jump into this one--so good!
Beyond Belief - Russ Hinckley
Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion- Gregory Boyle
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Series Title: Transcending Church Rules on the Path Towards Genuine Christlike Discipleship w/Russ Hinckley Part I of IV
Welcome to a beautiful series featuring guest author Russ Hinckley (who doesn't mind being referred to as Mr. Susan Hinckley of the "At Last She Said It" podcast) where Val and Russ explore his book "Beyond Belief" a radical reinterpretation of what Jesus likely would have those who gathered in his name focus on.
In this episode Russ and Val riff a bit about early Christian history and why creeds (official belief statements) were made and why Jesus likely could not care less about what are in those creeds. The rest of the series tackles what Jesus would probably have us focus on as individuals, families, and congregations.
Beyond Belief - Russ Hinckley
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In this episode Valerie is invited to be a guest on "Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt," a podcast where she shares many experiences leading to her choice to commit her career to the psychological and spiritual healing of those connected to her own Latter-day Saint faith tradition.
Val shares some personal experiences, some of her reasons for beginning and staying in this nerve wracking space, about the ups and downs of the work she does. Mostly she shares her conviction that what she is doing feels deeply "right" to her core... that when one knows they are in their integrity, other concerns fall away.
Join Valerie and host Meagan Skidmore for a fresh, heartfelt look at faith journey—through the eyes of someone who’s walking the path right alongside you.
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Series Title: A Look into the Minds of Creators of The Mother Tree & Queering Kinship in the Mormon Cosmos [Part I of II]
Why is my job the very best? Because I get to sit down with two of the kindest, more brilliant and beautiful souls out there--Kathryn Sonntag and Taylor Petrey-- to facilitate a conversation about all things modern Mormon feminism, scripture, symbology, and the feminine divine.
The Mother Tree: Discovering the Love and Wisdom of Our Divine Mother - Kathryn Knight Sonntag
Queering Kinship in the Mormon Cosmos - Taylor G. Petrey
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Series Title: A Deep Dive into the Fascinating Cosmos Found in Taylor Petrey's Queering Kinship in the Mormon Cosmos [Part III of IV]
One definition of "queering" that Taylor uses in his book is to complicate or expand--and this episode does just that in the realm of the feminine divine. Buckle up as Taylor and Val walk through his fascinating ideas regarding what Latter Day Saints call Heavenly Mother. This episode addresses historical and current scholarship around this highly charged topic and offers new ideas on how we might see this part of our theology in a whole new and provocative way.
Queering Kinship in the Mormon Cosmos - Taylor Petrey
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Series Title: A Deep Dive into the Fascinating Cosmos Found in Taylor Petrey's Queering Kinship in the Mormon Cosmos [Part I of IV]
In this episode Val and guest scholar and author Taylor Petrey set this series up by walking through the focus of Taylor's phenomenal new book, Queering Kinship in the Mormon Cosmos. They set the stage to blow your mind in the many ways that an open-minded and close reading of scripture makes all kinds of space for a heaven packed with not just heterosexual love and connection. Welcome to the world of "kinship"!
Queering Kinship in the Mormon Cosmos - Taylor Petrey
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Series Title: Valerie & Nathan Hamaker Forced Resignation from the LDS Church [Part III of III]
In this final episode detailing the tough events of Val and Nathan's last year trying to collaborate with their local priesthood leaders, they share why they chose to resign their membership instead of experiencing a disciplinary counsel. They also explore
the fear that some LDS leadership experiences with mental health workers and conclude with their process of letting go of resentment or anger so that they can move forward with true freedom.
Please SHARE these episodes. Val and Nathan want the narrative around their need to formally resign from the LDS church to be understood firsthand.
Thank you for your love and support at this time!
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Series Title: Valerie & Nathan Hamaker Forced Resignation from the LDS Church [Part I of III]
Please join Valerie & Nathan in this tough 3-part conversation sharing the events that led to what felt to them like their forced resignation from LDS Church this past week.
In today’s episode Val and Nathan walk through a timeline of a lot of painful experiences in the past eighteen months with multiple well-meaning local priesthood leaders who ultimately could not overcome their fear of the healing work happening on the LDS Church on the Latter Day Struggles platform. The episode ends with several truly beautiful testimonials sent to us by many of you, which were sent to all of these priesthood leaders, detailing the impact of our ministry—to no avail.
COMING UP...
PART II - Friday 3/21 episode: Special full-content listener Q&A episode answering your questions asked on @latterdaystruggles.com Instagram stories today.
PART III - Monday 3/24/25: Second half of Val and Nathan’s experiences, on their decision to resign, and their thoughts love, forgiveness, and moving forward with you.
*** Please SHARE these episodes. Val and Nathan want the narrative around their need to formally resign from the LDS church to be understood firsthand.
And thank you for your love & support friends. It means everything. We can proceed showing a different and better way. Love over fear. WE HAVE NO REGRETS
“[They] drew a circle that shut me out, heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But LOVE and I had the wit to win: I drew a circle that took [them back] in." -Edwin Markham
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Series Title: Community Healing: How our Greatest Wounds & our Greatest Healing Happens through Human Relationship [Part VIII of VIII]
Join Valerie in the final episode of a series exploring the beauty of community healing in the context of an LDS faith crisis. In this episode you will meet two current members of Valerie's brand new advanced content group, processing the impact of growing up in a patriarchal world and church.
This group dives deeply into how each and every one of us has been deeply impacted by the "Christianization of Patriarchy," and how awareness of our roots brings about healing and wholeness.
Valerie made a point to invite both a woman and a man from the new group to join her in this episode, where they could not only share their own personal journeys of awakening but also reflect on what it was like to witness someone of the opposite gender go through their own process of learning and growth.
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Series Title: Community Healing: How our Greatest Wounds & our Greatest Healing Happens through Human Relationship [Part VII of VIII]
Join Valerie and four amazing guests who get really brave speaking about their LDS faith journey as they become acquainted with the concept of true community.
In this episode Val invites two women and two men to talk about the fear of joining a healing group, especially in light of negative experiences, too common in their lives, when they shared what they were experiencing in church, or with some of their immediate and extended families.
Too often, their faith journeys made loved ones uncomfortable, sometimes even bringing up anger, guilt, or shame.
Listen as they share how healing it is to know that they "belong" simply because they are children of God on a quest for personal growth. In the Latter Day Struggles growth and processing groups, people learn that you do not have to believe a certain way to be loved, seen, and accepted.
Revolutionary, right?
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Series Title: Community Healing: How our Greatest Wounds & our Greatest Healing Happens through Human Relationship [Part VI of VIII]
In this Friday episode you will meet Leo, another fellow listener to the Latter Day Struggles podcast and an ongoing participant in Valerie's healing communities.
Leo and Val talk about Leo's true self journey and how he has realized his estrangement from his true self and how that was closely connected to burying multiple aspects of himself due to the demands of patriarchy.
Leo shares his confusion at the concept of true self and how he eventually realized that reclaiming this part of himself was the key to all healing in every area of his life.
Listen in and see if this resonates with you if you are a man socialized out of your wholeness by patriarchy...or if you are a woman who knows and loves a man who might resonate with Leo's very relatable experience.
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Series Title: Community Healing: How our Greatest Wounds & our Greatest Healing Happens through Human Relationship [Part IV of VIII]
Join Val in this beautiful episode with guest Joy, who shares some tender elements of her faith journey which began long before joining one of the growth & processing communities.
Val and Joy talk about Joy's journey finding her "true self" after realizing that the core of her selfhood could not be her ability to have the large family she desired.
They discuss what happens to a woman when what is "supposed" to happen slams into the reality of actually happens, and how pain and grief are often the catalysts to our deepest growth and personal empowerment.
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Series Title: Community Healing: How our Greatest Wounds & our Greatest Healing Happens through Human Relationship [Part III of VIII]
In this episode, Valerie and Nathan set the stage for why those who commit themselves to Val's healing groups say that what they learn about the concept of the "true self" can be life changing.
Val and Nathan talk about why this idea not only gives us access to full healing from LDS faith and trust crisis, it also offers a path to a more full, peaceful, and confident life.
The "true self" concept is a fundamental aspect of Val's Latter Day Struggles group curriculum. Members discover how to heal from their Mormon faith crisis through understanding who they are and what they believe. A year later, members will graduate knowing so much more about themselves, tapping into a well of personal growth and freedom they never thought possible.
This episode kicks off a series of voices that follow, where Val invites three different women and men to share their transformative experiences learning about their own "true selves".
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself - Michael Singer
Awareness: Conversations with the Masters - Anthony De Mello
The Different Drum - M. Scott Peck
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Series Title: Community Healing: How our Greatest Wounds & our Greatest Healing Happens through Human Relationship [Part II of VIII]
In today's episode Val and Nathan go deeper into what they have learned about the unique healing process of faith and trust crisis connected to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You'll learn how our faith crisis journey might be a bit different from other religion's faith journeys and why being in a non-judgmental group of people (who are open to whatever spiritual path you choose) is perhaps the most healing part of the journey.
Why? Because it helps you realize that you ARE capable of being the authority of your own life and your own relationship with spirituality and with your higher powers. Listen in to find some confidence that there is a neutral space for discovering your own indwelling competencies for spiritual growth!
Referenced in this Episode:
Gender Equity & Reconciliation: Thirty Years of Healing the Most Ancient Wound in the Human Family
Living an Examined Life - James Hollis
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Series Title: Community Healing: How our Greatest Wounds & our Greatest Healing Happens through Human Relationship [Part I of VIII]
The LDS faith journey is not an 'individual sport' and although some of us try, we realize that it can't really be done alone.
In this episode Val and Nathan walk you through why so many of us try to walk through this "valley of the shadow" alone.
We try to hide what’s happening to us due to what we've been taught about those who doubt, question, and seek for something beyond the correlated gospel.
Then they talk about what they have learned from hundreds of you who have been instrumental in the creation of a phenomenon that no one expected would happen--little micro-communities of sacred growth and healing happening almost every day of the week on the Latter Day Struggles platform.
If you want hope that healing your LDS-"crisising" soul is possible, once again, this episode is for you. And you'll learn why community is so important to the journey.
Referenced in this Episode:
Gender Equity & Reconciliation: Thirty Years of Healing the Most Ancient Wound in the Human Family
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Series Title: The Profound Impact of Feminine Suppression on Men & their Churches [Part VIII of VIII]
This is the final episode in a groundbreaking series diving deeply into what a lack of the feminine looks like in both LDS men and the LDS church itself. This episode
explores the profound ways in which patriarchal systems affect men's ability to discover and develop their true selves because patriarchies encourage the over-cultivation of traits that privilege power over partnership and external achievement over personal growth and development.
Valerie and Nathan discuss the internal struggles that men face when conditioned to spend their whole lives constructing false self identities, leading to ego inflation, exhaustion, mental health issues, and sometimes a sense of meaninglessness late in life.
Most importantly, this episode highlights how patriarchal systems distract men from the very purpose of life: to learn how to connect with one's own divinity, with others, and with their divine creators. Nathan's personal experiences and practical insights about his own growth journey provides a heartfelt look at overcoming patriarchal conditioning for a more holistic self-realization.
Referenced in this Episode:
The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity and Love - Bell Hooks
Living an Examined Life - James Hollis
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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Series Title: The Profound Impact of Feminine Suppression on Men & their Churches [Part VII of VIII]
In this episode Valerie and Nathan get personal as they share their marriage journey awakening to the impact that patriarchal influences had on their ability to connect and really grow closer as a couple and family. They candidly share VERY REAL moments of early distress and disconnection, especially the struggles that occurred before they realized the core of their struggles.
What they realized and are still learning each day is that each human being thrives as an individual AND within marriage and family life only as they fully embrace both their divine masculine AND their divine feminine attributes. Before they understand this profound concept, they suffered without a map for healing.
In short, if imbalanced energies in church are painful, amplify that pain exponentially within in the home.
Listen to this entire series to expand your potential for health and healing in every important relationship in your life.
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Series Title: The Profound Impact of Feminine Suppression on Men & Their Churches [Part VI of VIII]]
In this heart-to-heart episode of Latter Day Struggles, Val and Nathan delve into the profound effects of patriarchal conditioning and its impact on men's abilities to become relationally and emotionally mature.
Val and Nathan explore how little boys (raised in patriarchal cultures and churches) are often discouraged from cultivating traits fundamental to relational and emotional health due to a transmitted fear that these attributes are too feminine. They explore how this is not only a sad message for little boys, but that this messaging can be devastating for grown men who cannot experience true love and connection in their marriages and family lives.
Don't miss a single episode of this compelling and possibly life-changing series. Val and Nathan care so much about our individual and collective healing.
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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Series Title: The Profound Impact of Feminine Suppression on Men & their Churches [Part V of VIII].
In this compelling episode Valerie and Nathan delve deep into the subtleties of benevolent patriarchy and how it places harmful pressures on men. They explore the unrealistic expectations for men to always be strong, the emotional and psychological costs of these societal norms, and how these pressures can lead to personal and relational breakdowns.
Once again, Nathan lays it all out there with his own life experiences and talks about the debilitating pressure that he dutifully carried until he realized that this load was not only not necessary, but that it was not helpful, loving, or good for himself or his loved ones.
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In this enlightening episode, Valerie and Nathan tackle another tough but important topic: the insidious issue of the male superiority complex fostered by systemic patriarchy. They discuss how patriarchal structures teach boys and men, both subtly and explicitly, that they are superior to women, impacting the emotional and psychological development of all genders.
Nathan shares personal reflections on how he now sees that what he was taught and how he was treated as a boy and man in a patriarchal world and church deeply affected his own behavior and relationships. He invites all men to confront and unlearn these biases so that men both in and around the LDS church can embody their God-given potential, which frankly cannot be realized when their characters are crippled by patriarchal ideas.
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Series Title: The Profound Impact of Feminine Suppression on Men & their Churches [Part III of VIII]
Glad you're back! In this episode Valerie and Nathan delve into the impact that the overemphasis on masculine energy has on the ideas and practices within the LDS church because it is an institutional patriarchy.
Today they focus on the masculine trait of competitiveness and explore how this plays out in unhealthy ways when not balanced with collaboration, its feminine counterpart.
They then show how the masculine attribute of protection can also go sideways when not balanced with the feminine trait of emotional connection. In each case, they will offer on-the-ground examples that you might have felt uncomfortable about but never thought to connect to the deprivation of feminine energies within the church.
This episode and series was designed to show that healthy humans and systems need the divine, balancing energies of the masculine and the feminine and that there are very real consequences when both are not honored and celebrated.
As they say, once you see it, you cannot "not" see it. Val and Nathan are honored to be a part of this eye-opening and healing journey towards balance and personal and institutional healing.
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Series Title: The Profound Impact of Feminine Suppression on Men and their Churches [Part II of VIII]
In this episode Val and Nathan move from the theoretical to the practical and talk about what it actually looks like on the ground when divine masculine and feminine energies are not appreciated, balanced, and celebrated.
They use a handful of specific masculine attributes that are prominent within LDS culture and practice to demonstrate what imbalance looks like, what feminine attributes might be called upon to provide the needed counterbalance, and how all humans involved in imbalanced collectives are stagnated in their growth and development.
If you have always wanted "words" to describe some of the "senses" you have had while on your faith journey, Val and Nathan think this series is going to blow your mind. What they have learned in the study and preparation of this series has changed their perspectives in countless ways. They are so excited to share this information with you, their podcasting family!
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next daytime support & processing group starting Thursday, March 13th. To register/learn more, visit here.
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Series Title: The Profound Impact of Feminine Suppression on Men and their Churches [Part I of VIII]
Val and Nathan's series tackling the common traits connecting psychologically/spiritually underdeveloped people with men strongly socialized in a patriarchy went NUTS in response, shares, and downloads (episodes 283-288) as expected.
Why? Because our LDS faith expanding community seems to be STARVING to learn more about what health and wholeness looks like when women and men are both seen and treated as equals.
No fear, there is SO MUCH to say on this topic...at least eight more episodes!
In this opening episode of a new series diving even deeper into the on-the-ground costs exacted on men due to their patriarchal wiring, Val and Nathan start by creating a framework for what healthy masculinity and femininity could look like in every human being socialized as equals (no matter their gender!)
This episode focuses on how masculinity/maleness and femininity/femaleness are often used interchangeably and deeply misunderstood in this patriarchal world where we've all be raised. This episode sets the record straight on this topic as a foundation of the rest of this series.
This entire 8-part series aims to foster a more balanced understanding of both masculine and feminine traits within all people regardless of gender, particularly within the context of the LDS faith community as we confront the relational and spiritual harm caused by patriarchal structures of every shape and size.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next daytime support & processing group starting Thursday, March 13th. To register/learn more, visit here.
OFFICE HOURS FOR FRIDAY SUBSCRIBERS: Check your email for the invite to our next session on Mon, Feb 3rd at 2 p.m. Central!
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Series Title: Cutting Edge Research on the LDS Faith Journey Experience [Part II of II]
In this series' second half with the amazing author and researcher Jana Riess, you won't be disappointed in an abundance of aha moments and things to ponder after the closing music.
Val and Jana delve deeply into several aspects of Jana's current research (yes...new book forthcoming and you're hearing about it HERE before anyone else!) and dive deep into what Jana is learning about the important role that "edge" people (on the inside or the outside) play in bridging our sadly divided space.
Jana and Val also tackle the very complex topic of negotiating church activity during faith transitions and how members handle shifts in sexual behavior and shame. These discussions provide a comprehensive view of how personal identity and community intersect during faith transitions.
Jana's book The Next Mormons: How Millennials Are Changing the LDS Church can be found HERE
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next daytime support & processing group starting Thursday, March 13th. To register/learn more, visit here.
OFFICE HOURS FOR FRIDAY SUBSCRIBERS: Check your email for the invite to our next session on Mon, Feb 3rd at 2 p.m. Central!
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Series Title: Cutting Edge Research on the LDS Faith Journey Experience [Part I of II]
You're in for a wonderful two episodes here as Valerie welcomes researcher and author Jana Reiss for a conversation brimming with details about Jana's current project (a forthcoming book!) centered around the diverse personal experiences of hundreds of people on the LDS faith spectrum.
In order to not give too many spoilers for the next two episodes, you'll need to tune in to hear what she is learning in both her surveys and oral history interviews about people like yourself and also about people whom you love on different places of the spectrum.
In this info-packed two part conversation they hit (among other things!):
- sociopolitical influences on the LDS faith journey
- navigating sexual ethics during/after the faith journey
- the role of "edge" dwellers on potentially helping our LDS faith spectrum learn how to talk to one another
Jana's research is in part an effort to help us wherever we are on the LDS spectrum understand one another better...which we couldn't love more here on the Latter Day Struggles podcast!
Jana's book The Next Mormons: How Millennials Are Changing the LDS Church can be found HERE
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next daytime support & processing group starting Thursday, March 13th. To register/learn more, visit here.
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In this recording of the December's Office Hours special event offered to all of our "Full Content" Family of Listeners, Valerie answers a variety of questions from several listeners anxious about holiday events in the throes of the LDS faith journey.
During the holidays (or any family event surrounded by more traditionally believing family and friends) do you find yourself worried about how to talk to people whom you've never had trouble talking to before? Do you ruminate about how much to share? How much to not share? What is appropriate to share and when? Is it okay to ask loved ones to not just assume you are open to traditional activities that might make you uncomfortable now that your worldview is shifting?
Who knew a family party could become so stressful?
Listen in for some questions and responses that likely will remind you that you are not alone in the relational complications of the LDS faith journey--especially connected to family gatherings.
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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When someone starts a podcast in the LDS faith journey space, one question that is often asked is this: "Have You ALWAYS had this much courage?" Join Valerie in this episode as she asks this question to friends and colleagues Susan and Cynthia of "At Last She Said It".
In this episode Susan & Cynthia share very different stories about their journeys that led them to the airwaves. Their stories are each unique in part because their temperaments are totally different, and perhaps that is what makes their work so relatable, engaging, and inspiring.
So whether you are an introvert (like Susan) or an extrovert (like Cynthia) there will definitely be something in this episode for you if you're looking to find that backbone and voice of your own to use in some realm of your life!
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*Happy holidays Latter Day Struggles listeners! For the next four episodes you will enjoy a few "Classic" episodes that have received some of the highest number of downloads and waves of feedback that these are among some of the most impactful episodes for many listeners.
Also, as a way to share my love and gratitude for all of you during this holiday season, the classic episodes dropped on Friday 12/27/24 and Monday 1/3/25 will be open to ALL listeners! Thank you for your support as your subscriptions make this podcast possible and sustainable in the long run.*
Today’s Classic episode is 214:
Show notes:
In this episode Valerie and Nathan explore how healthy identity development is stifled for both men and women due to the patriarchal structure of the church.
They discuss how a patriarchy cultivates a robust false self ego identity in the "one up" male gender and how the structure of the church stifles healthy ego development in the “one down” female gender in several ways (which they discuss in detail in this episode).
This entire series calls for a reevaluation of the current unequal distribution of opportunities for the growth and development of the true self in the LDS church and invites this church to become a place where all humans are nurtured in the development of their whole selves.
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
Support the show
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming March 2025. To register/learn more, visit here.
OFFICE HOURS FOR FRIDAY SUBSCRIBERS: Register here.
CLASSES: Visit our library.
SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo...
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Happy holidays Latter Day Struggles listeners! For the next four episodes you will enjoy a few "Classic" episodes that have received some of the highest number of downloads and waves of feedback that these are among some of the most impactful episodes for many listeners.
Also, as a way to share my love and gratitude for all of you during this holiday season, the classic episodes dropped on Friday 12/27/24 and Monday 1/3/25 will be open to ALL listeners! Thank you for your support as your subscriptions make this podcast possible and sustainable in the long run.
Today’s Classic is episode 211:
Show notes:
Join Valerie as she explores a variety of topics connected to the 2024 rebirth of the Law of Common Consent demonstrated by LDS women throughout the world who recently voted "opposed" to claims that women in the LDS church have more authority than women of other church's worldwide.
In this episode, Valerie processes a variety of topics including:
**Several reasons why the LDS church has chronic struggles with allowing women equality.
**A conversation about historical lack of collaboration with systems of learning, knowledge, and worldwide restoration enlightenment.
**A maladaptive commitment to "immovability".
**A conversation about the need to address intersectionality of the feminine divine and queer issues in LDS "eternal family" theology.
**Encouragement to embody love as the foundational energy of lasting spiritually-empowering social reform.
Support the show
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming March 2025. To register/learn more, visit here.
OFFICE HOURS FOR FRIDAY SUBSCRIBERS: Register here.
CLASSES: Visit our library.
SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo...
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Happy holidays Latter Day Struggles listeners! For the next four episodes you will enjoy a few "Classic" episodes that have received some of the highest number of downloads and waves of feedback that these are among some of the most impactful episodes for many listeners.
Also, as a way to share my love and gratitude for all of you during this holiday season, the classic episodes dropped on Friday 12/27/24 and Monday 1/3/25 will be open to ALL listeners! Thank you for your support as your subscriptions make this podcast possible and sustainable in the long run.
In this beautiful and tender episode, Valerie has the privilege of interviewing LDS theologian Fiona Givens about her early life, diverse experiences, important relationships, and classical education that eventually led her into the LDS faith and deeply into the study of many facets of the nature of God.
This story is one of all of the typical ups and downs, seemingly insignificant events that lead to other more significant events, and finally a few moments where Valerie proposes to Fiona why her unique life distinctively prepared her for the work that she is doing now; something that is profoundly blessing thousands of faith-expanding Latter Day Saints in this era. Perhaps Fiona is our own “Esther”, prepared for such a time as now.
Don’t miss this truly love-filled episode if you have found healing through the work of Fiona Givens. It will endear you to her even more.
Books referenced in this episode:
- The God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life
- The Christ Who Heals: How God Restored the Truth that Saves Us
- The Crucible of Doubt: Reflections On the Quest for Faith
- All Things New: Rethinking Sin, Salvation, and Everything in Between
Today’s Classic is episode: 126
Show notes:
In this beautiful and tender episode, Valerie has the privilege of interviewing LDS theologian Fiona Givens about her early life, diverse experiences, important relationships, and classical educ
Support the show
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming March 2025. To register/learn more, visit here.
OFFICE HOURS FOR FRIDAY SUBSCRIBERS: Register here.
CLASSES: Visit our library.
SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo...
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Happy holidays Latter Day Struggles listeners! For the next four episodes you will enjoy a few "Classic" episodes that have received some of the highest number of downloads and waves of feedback that these are among some of the most impactful episodes for many listeners.
Also, as a way to share my love and gratitude for all of you during this holiday season, the classic episodes dropped on Fridays 12/27/24 and 1/3/25 will be open to ALL listeners!Thank you for your support as your subscriptions make this podcast possible and sustainable in the long run.
Today’s “Classic” is episode 125:
Show notes:
Join Valerie and guest Fiona Givens as together they discuss a true prophetess and mystic, Julian of Norwich.
Father Richard Rohr has often called Julian his "favorite mystic" and Fiona attributes this woman as one of the most personally influential to her in the development of her own whole and holy theology of the divine. If these two recommendations aren't enough for you...then I don't know what to say!
A few highlights of this episode:
- **Julian's “showings” really shine a light on God’s inability to be angry with us for our humanness
- **Our current struggles with the nature of God in some brings up pain, anxiety, religious scrupulosity, and defection from the church
- **Our misunderstandings of the nature of God brings up generational trauma to the extent that we perpetuate a God concept that estranges us from Julian's God of infinite love
- **According to Julian's visions, sin is “no thing” in God’s eyes. Our missteps are the education that endears us to God
- **As a committed Catholic, Julian too struggles with heavenly visions that did not align with the teachings of her “holy church” and she [as do we] does the work of differentiating her church’s imperfections with her personal revelations, choosing to align with the truth that was revealed to her directly from it’s source
Book referenced in this episode:
- Julian of Norwich: The Showings: Uncovering the Face of the Feminine in Revelations of Divine Love, by Mirabai Starr
Support the show
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming March 2025. To register/learn more, visit here.
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Series Title: The Shocking Correlation Between Men Socialized in Patriarchies & Emotional Underdevelopment [Part VI of VI]
In this final episode of this incredibly important six-part series, Valerie and Nathan focus on why an education on patriarchy's impact on the spiritual and psychological souls of boys and men can be a catalyst for individual, family, and systemic healing in our faith tradition. If we as a spiritual community do not see systemic harm, we cannot confront it and heal it.
Val and Nathan advocate for these changes in an effort to help all humans (at all ages connected in any way to the Latter-day Saint tradition) thrive in every area of spiritual and psychological development. Please share this series with those who may benefit!
Breaking Down Patriarchy Podcast- Amy McPhie Allebest- "How to be an Anti-Patriarchist
LDSS Patriarchy Series: Episodes 212, 213,
Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People- Lindsey C. Gibson PsyD
The Will to Change- Bell Hooks
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming March 2025. To register/learn more, visit here.
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CLASSES: Visit our library.
SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo...
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Series Title: The Shocking Correlation Between Men Socialized in Patriarchies & Psychological/Spiritual Underdevelopment [Part V of VI]
In this episode, Valerie and Nathan continue to discuss how being spiritually formed in a patriarchy negatively affects men. This episode highlights how being raised in this "power-over model" hampers male emotional maturity, leading to issues like lack of empathy, rigid black-and-white thinking, and minimal self-reflection, making it tough for men to admit mistakes or be accountable to those around them both personally and institutionally.
Valerie and Nathan emphasize their desire to highlight this topic, hoping that more knowledge will bring a greater capacity for individual, family, and institutional growth and healing.
Breaking Down Patriarchy Podcast- Amy McPhie Allebest- "How to be an Anti-Patriarchist
Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People- Lindsey C. Gibson PsyD
The Creation of Patriarchy- Greda Lerner
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming March 2025. To register/learn more, visit here.
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Series Title: The Shocking Correlation Between Men Socialized in Patriarchies & Psychological/Spiritual Underdevelopment [Part IV of VI]
In this episode, Valerie and Nathan continue their exploration of how patriarchy harms men by discussing the overlap between emotional underdevelopment and patriarchal socialization.
They highlight how deeply socialized masculine norms restrict male emotional development beginning in boyhood, leading boys and men to have difficulties giving and receiving love in every relationship of their lives.
They also discuss Jesus Christ as a model of healthy masculinity and femininity, advocating for a shift away from rigid gender roles as a path towards emotional and spiritual maturity for both women and men.
Breaking Down Patriarchy Podcast- Amy McPhie Allebest- "How to be an Anti-Patriarchist
Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People- Lindsey C. Gibson PsyD
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming March 2025. To register/learn more, visit here.
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CLASSES: Visit our library.
SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo...
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Series Title: The Shocking Correlation Between Men Socialized in Patriarchies & Psychological/Spiritual Underdevelopment [Part III of VI]
In this episode Valerie and Nathan continue to explore how patriarchal systems can negatively impact the spiritual and psychological development of men.
They discuss why patriarchal men learn to see the world transactionally, why they might with listening skills, and how this all impacts their capacity to find connection with their higher selves, others, and God. Nathan shares his personal journey of moving away from these norms, emphasizing the need for men to embrace a more emotionally aware and connected way of living. Join us as we dive deep into these critical issues and offer insights for creating healthier relationships.
Breaking Down Patriarchy Podcast- Amy McPhie Allebest- "How to be an Anti-Patriarchist
Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People- Lindsey C. Gibson PsyD
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More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming March 2025. To register/learn more, visit here.
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Series Title: The Shocking Correlation Between Men Socialized in Patriarchies & Psychological/Spiritual Underdevelopment [Part II of VI]
In this episode, Valerie and Nathan delve deeper into the effects of patriarchy on men, making sense of why some of our men struggle to look squarely at historical realities and struggle with seeing another’s viewpoint or self-reflection.
In this series Nathan is incredibly vulnerable, sharing how he has spent most of his life unknowingly stagnated in his psychological [and therefore, spiritual] development by being raised in a patriarchal world and religious system as a cishet, white, Southern, American man.
This beautifully candid conversation reveals the challenges of unlearning patriarchal conditioning and embracing a fuller, more authentic self.
Tough? Yes. Possible? Absolutely.
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming March 2025. To register/learn more, visit here.
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CLASSES: Visit our library.
SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo...
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Series Title: The Shocking Correlation Between Men Socialized in Patriarchies & Psychological/Spiritual Underdevelopment [Part I of VI]
Join Valerie and Nathan as they kick off a new DEEP DIVE series exploring how patriarchy affects men in the LDS Church.
This series compares the attributes that emotionally underdeveloped people have in common with men socialized in an institutional patriarchy.
In each episode Nathan candidly shares how he is slowly healing from the wounds that patriarchal teachings imposed upon his mind and heart.
Tune in to understand with even more clarity how patriarchal structures negatively impact the growth and development of everyone, not just women, and why addressing this topic is crucial for a healthier LDS church.
Don't miss this eye-opening six-part conversation!
Breaking Down Patriarchy Podcast- Amy McPhie Allebest: "How to be an Anti-Patriarchist
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents- Lindsay C. Gibson PsyD
LDSS Patriarchy Series: Episodes 212, 213,
Support the show
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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Series Title: Celebrating 50 Years Exponent II & Mormon Feminist Voices [Part II of II]
In this episode Valerie continues to visit with Heather Sundahl and Katie Rich about how the Exponent II community provided the. LDS patriarchal structure with a model of how organizations look when run by women and for women and gender minorities.
What does this look like?
• Rotating leadership structure that allows many voices, ideas, and opinions
• The privileging of community over ideological purity
• An interest in many voices and diverse experiences
• More listening, curiosity, and empathy
• A focus on providing safe space to experience connection all of the way along the Mormon heritage spectrum
Listen to this incredible episode honoring not only the Exponent II organization itself but also a recent book published to capture its history and vision.
Please support Exponent II by purchasing the book “ 50 Years of Exponent II” https://www.amazon.com/dp/1560854774/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_P68B2S5G0PJ8SSB93JZM?linkCode=ml2&tag=valeriehamaker-20
Charitable donations always welcome to help them build an endowment. Go to https://exponentii.org/support-mormon-feminism/donation/
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming March 2025. To register/learn more, visit here.
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CLASSES: Visit our library.
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Series Title: Celebrating 50 Years Exponent II & Mormon Feminist Voices [Part I of II]
In this episode, Valerie speaks with Katie Ludlow Rich and Heather Sundahl, the co-authors of newly published book '50 Years of Exponent II'.
They discuss the fascinating history of the original “Woman's Exponent” magazine in the late 1800s and its revival magazine “Exponent II”, both offering a place for Mormon feminists to gather, write, and share their experiences as women of different eras wrestling with issues crucial to their time and their identity as women.
The conversation in this and Friday’s episode explores the impact of polygamy on Mormon feminism, the importance of women's independent voices, and how Exponent II's existence provided a crucial platform for Mormon women's stories and experiences.
Trying to make sense of how feminism exists in an institutional patriarchy? Wanting to find others who value their heritage but feel passion for women’s and gender minority issues? You’ve found your place!
Please support Exponent II by purchasing the book “ 50 Years of Exponent II” https://www.amazon.com/dp/1560854774/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_P68B2S5G0PJ8SSB93JZM?linkCode=ml2&tag=valeriehamaker-20
Charitable donations always welcome to help them build an endowment. Go to https://exponentii.org/support-mormon-feminism/donation/
Support the show
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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In this first “Office Hours” virtual meet-up, Valerie processes General Conference with Latter Day Struggles podcast subscribers. If you’re a subscriber and you couldn’t make it, no worries: here is the recording!
Some of the topics covered include:
- Emotions felt by many people in early, mid, and later LDS faith expansion journey
- Managing feelings of internal conflict …wanting to support more traditionally believing family during this weekend while also feeling very uncomfortable watching/engaging in the meetings…
- Temple Recommend Series:
Episode 189: Latter-Day Challenges-Anxiety, Autonomy, & the Temple Recommend Interview Dilemma (Part I of IV)
Episode 190: The Evolution of the LDS Temple Recommend Interview: A Historical Perspective on Shifting Standards (Part II of IV)
Episode 191: Questioning the Questions-The Evolution of LDS Temple Admission Process(Part III of IV
Episode 192: Temple Recommend Historical Exploration: Purity Testing, Competing Oath-Bound Organizations, and Reimagining a Process Based on Love and Welcoming (Part IV of IV) - And so much more!
Want to jump into the next “Office Hours” processing LDS faith journey and holiday family and friendship gatherings?
Information on how to subscribe directly below! Don’t miss a single life-enriching episode or gathering!!
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming March 2025. To register/learn more, visit here.
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Series Title: A Story of LDS Faith Expansion & Marital Resilience [Part V of V]
In this episode Valerie answers a variety of audience questions regarding the complexities of the LDS faith journey when a married couple finds themselves in different places on the LDS faith spectrum.
Valerie provides resources, insights, and tools around topics that range from how to establish emotional safety in frightening conversations, how to develop emotional intimacy, how to navigate parenting struggles, healthy boundaries, and how to grow intimacy & mutual in the differentiating marriage.
NOTE: the episode that was mentioned in this episode as forthcoming addressing why LDS marriages struggle so much when one partner goes on a faith journey was dropped one episode BEFORE this one (not after this one!). Sorry for the possible confusion!
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming Spring 2025. Check back soon for details!
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Series Title: A Story of LDS Faith Expansion & Marital Resilience [Part IV of V]
In this sensitive-content exclusive episode, Val tackles a tough theme--why does the LDS faith journey of one partner put thousands of marriages into a full blown tailspin? In this episode she offers ideas that stem from hundreds of professional hours working with LDS couples in deep pain.
Topics covered in this episode include fear experienced due to the eternal marriage theology, low differentiation in many marriages, struggles that many couples have in managing conflict constructively, and the impact that being part of an institutional patriarchy may have on issues of growth and flourishing for couples.
This episode concluded with Val offering insights on what she has learned in working with couples who come to thrive following the faith journey of one partner. If your marriage is on shaky ground, this episode might offer valuable wisdom, hope, and direction to you!
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming Spring 2025. Check back soon for details!
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SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or Patreon.
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Series Title: A Story of LDS Faith Expansion & Marital Resilience [Part III of V]
In this episode, Valerie is joined again by Katie and Jeremy as they share their journey from early religious alignment, through painful confusion and isolation, and then profound personal and relational growth and intimacy as a couple and family.
Emphasizing the importance of emotional safety, attachment styles, and healthy stress management, Through their candid discussions, Katie and Jeremy reveal how understanding each other's childhood experiences, pursuing curiosity over certainty, and utilizing trauma-informed counseling have given them the tools needed to resuscitate their marriage and find more connection than they had even before their faith expanding journey together.
This episode highlights strategies for couples facing similar faith-related challenges and offers a wealth of hope, practical advice, and profound insights for couples striving to strengthen their relationships amidst evolving spiritual beliefs connected to the LDS faith tradition.
For more information on the online class created and facilitated by Valerie Hamaker [Stress Management and Sharing Your Narrative] that is discussed in this episode go to https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/p/a-couple-s-guide-to-faith-crisis-expansion-session-03-stress-management-sharing-your-narrative
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More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming Spring 2025. Check back soon for details!
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Series Title: A Story of LDS Faith Expansion & Marital Resilience [Part II of V]
In this in-depth episode of Latter Day Struggles, Valerie continues the three-part series with Katie and Jeremy, a couple now thriving following a rough time of transition as Katie was evolving in her relationship to God and spirituality. Val leads Katie and Jeremy in a conversation about their complex journey, focusing on creating a supportive and differentiated marriage. Key topics include intentional parenting, honoring individual spiritual pathways, and building a strong relationship based on values rather than uniform beliefs. They share personal stories and insights, offering hope and practical advice for others in mixed-faith marriages.
Learn more about the online class created and facilitated by Valerie Hamaker [Establishing Safety as a Couple] discussed in this episode here
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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Series Title: A Story of LDS Faith Expansion & Marital Resilience [Part I of V]
In this episode, Valerie hosts a heartfelt and raw discussion with Katie and Jeremy about the complexities of navigating a mixed-faith marriage. They share personal stories, fears, challenges, and the journey they've taken to find common ground and love despite differing faith paths. This episode delves into the deep emotions of fear, hurt, shame, loneliness, and highlights the importance of communication, empathy, and love in overcoming marital struggles connected to faith transitions.
Learn more about the online class created and facilitated by Valerie Hamaker [Establishing Safety as a Couple] discussed in this episode here
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More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming Spring 2025. Check back soon for details!
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Series Title: Navigating Information Quality in the Latter Days [Part II of II]
Join Val and Nathan in this two-part series walking you through six questions that you can tape on your fridge and bathroom mirror to help you become a super savvy discerner of information quality.
In an age where we are inundated with information and people from all quarters of our lives wanting to persuade us to do things their way--this short series hopefully will assist you in becoming more savvy in every area of your life!
Link to Todd Cashden's book "The Art of Insubordination" here
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming Spring 2025. Check back soon for details!
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SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or Patreon.
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Series Title: Navigating Information Quality in the Latter Days [Part I of II]
Join Val and Nathan in this two-part series walking you through six questions that you can tape on your fridge and bathroom mirror to help you become a super savvy discerner of information quality.
In an age where we are inundated with information and people from all quarters of our lives wanting to persuade us to do things their way--this short series hopefully will assist you in becoming more savvy in every area of your life!
Link to Todd Cashden's book "The Art of Insubordination" here
Support the show
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming Spring 2025. Check back soon for details!
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In this exclusive episode, Valerie is joined by Jody England Hansen and Maxine Hanks where they delve into the recent changes in the style of the temple garment for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
They explore the psychological, theological, and historical implications of these updates, discussing the complexities around personal revelation, institutional control, and the evolution of the garment policy over time. The conversation includes an analysis of how religious garments have shifted from mystical symbols to objects of control, where many (especially women) feel micromanaged and mistrusted and the call for members to reclaim their personal spiritual journeys.
This episode is intended to help people connected in some way to the LDS church make sense of their complex feelings about the recent temple garment style changes in the context of their faith expansion journey. More information on this topic can be found in Episode 222 of the Latter Day Struggles podcast.
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming Spring 2025. Check back soon for details!
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Hello everyone! Here is a quick introduction to NEW curriculum that I am putting together (by popular demand!) helping our Latter-day Saint and surrounding community better understand our complicated relationship with what healthy masculinity and femininity looks like in all human beings and how this concept has been warped by being socialized in multiple layers of patriarchy.
This group beginning on November 7th at 10:30a Central is for those who have already been in at least 6 months of group work with me. There are only 5 SEATS LEFT!! Email admin@latterdaystruggles.comif interestedand if eligible, you will receive a registration link via email. First come first served! Women AND men invited! See you there!
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More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming Spring 2025. Check back soon for details!
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CLASSES: Visit our library.
SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or Patreon.
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Series Title: Faith Journeying Parents of Adult Children—Part IV of IV
In this episode Val recommends six fundamental adjustments to LDS thought that might heal families who are spread across the spectrum of faith.
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming Spring 2025. Check back soon for details!
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Series Title: Faith Journeying Parents of Adult Children—Part III of IV
In this tender episode Valerie has a conversation with special guest, Kim, who shares the intense emotional experience of entering into her own faith journey in the face of terror that she might lose the love and trust of her children and grandchildren.
This episode walks us through the steps she took to meet each of her adult children where they were while also standing in her own sacred truths.
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More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming Spring 2025. Check back soon for details!
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Series Title: Faith Journeying Parents of Adult Children—Part II of IV
Join Val along with therapist and colleague Liz Macdonald as they explore the experience of a more traditionally believing LDS individual, whose parent is going through a faith expansion journey. This episode empathetically shines a light on the very real existential crisis, concerns, and attachment fears evoked when one's caregiver grows in unexpected ways.
This episode is intended to offer both the courage to carry on our sacred growth journeys while also holding space for its impact on those nearest and dearest to us whom we raised in the faith.
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming Spring 2025. Check back soon for details!
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Series Title: Faith Journeying Parents of Adult Children—Part I of IV
In this series Val is joined by therapist, colleague and friend Liz MacDonald to dive deeply into the world of the faith expanding Latter-day Saint with more traditionally believing adult children.
They explore the unique stressors of this parent/child dynamic when the parent “goes first” on a faith journey, their fears, and some of their strategies intended to differentiate while staying in connection with their most important relationships.
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More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming Spring 2025. Check back soon for details!
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In this final episode of a four-part series, Val and Nathan focus on how embracing AMBIVALENCE is evidence of radical, spiritual growth.
In the context of this conversation, ambivalence is less about indecision and more about embracing paradox--the dark and the light-- within each soul, each idea, each collective.
As we embrace our spiritual journey more and more deeply, we see that "wholeness" is more noble than "goodness" and a more noble goal for the spiritually mature life. Get ready to have your brain stretched and challenged a little more as you listen! And thank you so much for subscribing!
Books referenced in this episode:
All Things New - Fiona and Terrell Givens
Living on the Inside of the Edge- Christian Kimball
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support & processing group coming Spring 2025. Check back soon for details!
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Remember when things were so simple? Back in the day when we were experts on pretty much everything related to life and eternity?
Well, if you’re listening to Latter Day Struggles, you’ve likely let that go and are learning to embrace ambiguity.
This episode [part three of a four-part series] tackles why certainty is so compelling but actually an illusion. The good news? Our growth turns mystery from terrifying to a beautiful adventure. Listen in and celebrate your progress!
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More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Tuesdays 12:30p November 2024. Register here.
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SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or Patreon....
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In this episode Val and Nathan unpack the difference between the anxiety that makes us sick and the anxiety that comes as we move deeper into our faith journeys.
They explore how detecting and letting go of fear-oriented theology, practicing mindfulness, and personally differentiating, helps us manage that super scary experience of becoming who we are here to become--deeply spiritual, unique selves--sometimes pushing up against ideas and people that do not validate us.
Anxiety can be all about embracing growth. Listen and see where you are in this process!
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Tuesdays 12:30p November 2024. Register here.
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SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or Patreon....
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Join Val and Nathan in this fast-paced 4-part conversation walking you through some hard evidence that you ARE, in fact, growing up! This series tackles why humans long for certainty, and how early life is mainly focused on avoiding anxiety. It goes on to help you see that the faith journey offers you all of the ingredients for growth in ways that you could not have imagined possible. If you LOVE the psychology of the faith journey explained—here’s another series for you!
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More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
SUPPORT GROUPS: Tuesdays 12:30p November 2024. Register here.
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SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or Patreon....
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Hey, amazing Friday subscribers! You have questions? Val has responses! For the next few Fridays (and other Fridays in the future) she’ll be answering YOUR questions.
This episode’s questions and discussion points:
- What is the hardest part of your work?
- I'm about to file for divorce and I am so scared of all the unknowns.
- What podcasts do you love?
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
SUPPORT GROUPS: Tuesdays 12:30p November 2024. Register here.
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CLASSES: Visit our library.
SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or Patreon....
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Join Val and colleague Dr. Julie Hanks as they dive into the topic of differentiation and how being differentiated is the key to our making healthy choices related to our relationship with the church.
This episode is a wonderful “teaser” for those who want to jump into their FINAL 4-week Q&A session, focused on supporting those people perplexed about how to relate to the LDS Church.
This session will not only include a Q&A but also include instruction on practical ways to develop differentiation skills.
This is a four week series, held on October 8, 15, 22, 29 on zoom 7-8p MT.
Seats are limited and will go fast!
http://drjuliehanks.as.me/decide
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More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
SUPPORT GROUPS: Tuesdays 12:30p November 2024. Register here.
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CLASSES: Visit our library.
SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or Patreon....
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Hey, amazing Friday subscribers! You have questions? Val has responses! For the next few Fridays (and other Fridays in the future) she’ll be answering YOUR questions.
This episode's questions:
- How do I support a full-time missionary child when I'm struggling with some of the church's teachings?
- How do I talk to my heartbroken father about my faith journey?
- What is your exact education and background?
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Tuesdays 12:30p November 2024. Register here.
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SUPPORT: Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or Patreon....
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A couple of months ago Valerie was invited by the Faith Matters Podcast to speak about one of the toughest topics they’ve ever covered—how to navigate the faith journey of a loved one when that faith journey seems to be costing a marriage or family eternal life together with that loved one.
When that episode dropped, both the Latter Day Struggles and the Faith Matters platforms were flooded with messages of gratitude from people grateful that important conversations like these are happening and grateful for a different and expanded way to think about the sacredness of each of our faith journeys.
Many people have reported that due to this episode, they can feel present, peaceful, and supportive of the spiritual journey of a loved one—instead of drowning in fear.
Here is the episode. We hope you’ll share this with your more traditionally believing family members if you think it speaks to their fears about your journey.
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More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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Hey, amazing Friday subscribers! You have questions? Val has responses! For the next few Fridays (and other Fridays in the future) she’ll be answering YOUR questions.
This episode’s questions:
- What are your thoughts about Gods controlling things and letting bad things happen to us?
- How can I best support my significant other who feels he has lost all footing in or with the church?
- What are the most life changing books you have read and why?
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episodes to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by less familiar consumers.
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Join Valerie and fellow podcaster Aubrey Chaves of the Faith Matters podcast as together they discuss the vision and purpose of the Restore Conference.
A common belief among these two brave and compassionate women?
True growth and connection is about being welcome and accepted wherever you are on your faith journey. No fine print.
In their unique ways each are involved in efforts for their LDS and surrounding fellow travelers. Listen in to hear why they are so committed to this work!
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More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes will be saved for Friday "Exclusive" episodes for subscribers only. This is in an effort to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by consumers who are not familiar with the body of their work or the healing intent of this podcast.
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In this final, exclusive episode of a four-part series on Plato's “Allegory of the Cave”, Val and Nathan get more personal about how this allegory resonates with their own experiences. They share their thoughts on how spiritual development rooted in fear can hinder us from reaching true selfhood. They talk about some of the catalysts and “small fires” that ignited their own journeys toward enlightenment, and the complex, sacred, and sometimes lonely experiences they've had in that pursuit. Valerie and Nathan emphasize the importance of supporting others on a similar path, and the connections that can be forged in these growing, painful, expansion spaces.
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes will be saved for Friday "Exclusive" episodes for subscribers only. This is in an effort to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by consumers who are not familiar with the body of their work or the healing intent of this podcast.
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In this third installment of a four-part series on Plato's “Allegory of the Cave”, Valerie and Nathan delve into how faith journeys can be compared to the transformative experience of seeing the sun for the first time and the internal and external struggle that comes with returning to the cave. How does the hero of Plato’s story reconcile his new perspective in his old surroundings? Val and Nathan discuss how enlightenment changes our perspective and ignites a desire to share new insights with others. While this desire may be well intentioned, it creates conflict and resistance when it is forced upon others.
In Friday’s episode, Val and Nathan talk specifically about how this allegory relates to the LDS faith journey and open up about some of the complexities that have come with their own spiritual awakenings.
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More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes will be saved for Friday "Exclusive" episodes for subscribers only. This is in an effort to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by consumers who are not familiar with the body of their work or the healing intent of this podcast.
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In part two (of this four part series), Valerie and Nathan continue to explore Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” and the gradual steps in moving from distortion and darkness to enlightenment. They break down the individual elements described in the allegory, what they symbolize , and how these elements distort reality and hold us back from finding truth. They talk about why this process must be self driven, and while it may be terrifying, it ultimately leads to a greater capacity for growth and spiritual enlightenment.
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes will be saved for Friday "Exclusive" episodes for subscribers only. This is in an effort to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by consumers who are not familiar with the body of their work or the healing intent of this podcast.
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What could Plato and "The Matrix" possibly have in common??
In episode one (of this four part series), Val and Nathan discuss themes that echo throughout ancient philosophy and modern day society. They begin this series by introducing Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” and the symbolism throughout one man’s journey from darkness to light. Drawing parallels between Plato’s allegory and pop culture, (including movies and TV shows), Valerie and Nathan discuss universal truths on spiritual enlightenment, and the challenges that individuals face when transitioning from a world of shadows to one of truth and enlightenment.
Val and Nathan set the stage for further exploration of Plato’s allegory in the upcoming episodes, promising to delve even deeper into its significance to the LDS faith journey.
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SUP...
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In this Advanced Content Exclusive and final episode of this series focused on better understanding the crucial importance of psychological (vertical) development within the context of the LDS church, Valerie and colleague Ryan Gottfredson apply all of the concepts tackled thus far in the the series to the potential of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were vertical development valued at every level of the church.
Ryan emphasizes characteristics of the rare but incredibly powerful attributes of the most influential and respected leaders with whom he has worked as a consultant and shares the impact that a psychologically healthy leader has on those whom they lead and on the overall health of their organizations.
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CLASSES: Discover ways, learn new concepts, and build skills that will help you grow and strengthen your relationships. Visit the class library.
SUP...
In part three [of a four-part series] Valerie and Ryan expand on the characteristics of a vertically developing mind. This episode highlights the characteristics of the most psychologically developed mind--characteristics that embody only 1% of the population! This "mind 3.0" values contributing to the world in meaningful ways, interdependent thinking, embracing vulnerability, and holding loving space for experiences and perspectives that vary (even in Sunday school!!). Val and Ryan also explore how and why trauma [individually, generationally, and systemically] stagnates vertical development.
This series wraps up on Friday with an inspiring final episode that you don’t want to miss. Valerie and Ryan integrate these "big ideas" about vertical development into the Latter-day Saint setting and explore how a vertically developing membership and leadership could contribute to unprecedented relational and spiritual expansion and satisfaction in our faith community.
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support group starts Tuesday Afternoons This November. To register click on this link.
CLASSES: Discover ways, learn new concepts, and build skills that will help you grow and strengthen your relationships. Visit the class library.
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Welcome to part II (of a four-part series) where Valerie and guest author and scholar Ryan Gottfredson dive deeper into how a focus on human psychological development can help individuals and organizations thrive. They discuss the progression of mind development from hyper-dependence (mind 1.0) to hyper-independence (mind 2.0), emphasizing the need for a healthier balance and the importance of reaching mind 3.0 (interdependence).
A key focus in this episode is a respectful but candid look into how these developmental stages show up in a variety of ways in the operations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The hosts discuss the prevalence of mind 1.0 and mind 2.0 characteristics within the church at multiple levels and the likely impact that unresolved collective intergenerational trauma has on the church's ability to reach its developmental potential at present. They advocate for addressing these issues to enable the church and its constituents to interact ethically with one another and with the world at large.
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes will be saved for Friday "Exclusive" episodes for subscribers only. This is in an effort to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by consumers who are not familiar with the body of their work or the healing intent of this podcast.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support group starts Tuesday Afternoons This November. To register click on this link.
CLASSES: Discover ways, learn new concepts, and build skills that will help you grow and strengthen your relationships. Visit the class library.
SUP...
In this opening episode [of a four-part series], Valerie welcomes organizational psychologist Ryan Gottfredson for a fascinating study of how our level of psychological development impacts how we (our loved ones, our friends, and our church!) navigate religion and spirituality.
This episode is a broad overview of Ryan's scholarship, found in his book "The Elevated Leader" and sets the stage for their in-depth conversation in the following three episodes tackling each stage of vertical development and why so many don't reach their developmental potential.
Throughout this series, Valerie and Ryan discuss the intersection of leadership, organizational behavior, and faith systems, highlighting the significance of holistic development in personal, family, and faith systems. The final episode integrates the concept of vertical development into specifics of the LDS church, offering insights into how a better understanding of human development might help our system support the growth and thriving of all connected to the church.
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More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes will be saved for Friday "Exclusive" episodes for subscribers only. This is in an effort to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by consumers who are not familiar with the body of their work or the healing intent of this podcast.
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support group starts Tuesday Afternoons This November. To register click on this link.
CLASSES: Discover ways, learn new concepts, and build skills that will help you grow and strengthen your relationships. Visit the class library.
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In this episode, Valerie and Nathan continue making sense of the struggle that many faith-expanding LDS (and surrounding) people have regarding past and present spiritual experiences. Sharing personal experiences of their own faith journeys, they open up about how their relationship to spiritual impressions, prayer, and personal revelation has moved from isolated experiences to more of an acknowledgement of ongoing divine connection. The episode ends with a conversation about how families can continue to work toward unity and community even when different family members' perspectives and interpretations of spiritual experience and personal revelation vastly differ.
More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes will be saved for Friday "Exclusive" episodes for subscribers only. This is in an effort to protect the content creators from being mischaracterized by consumers who are not familiar with the body of their work or the healing intent of this podcast.
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support group starts Tuesday Afternoons This November. To register click on this link.
CLASSES: Discover ways, learn new concepts, and build skills that will help you grow and strengthen your relationships. Visit the class library.
SUP...
In this episode of Latter Day Struggles, Valerie and Nathan respond to a very common question that people in early faith crisis often ask: "What do I make of my former spiritual experiences?" This two part series tackles many aspects of this perplexing aspect of faith expansion. Val and Nathan talk about the feelings of confusion that many feel about early faith defining experiences. They talk about other feelings that come including mistrust in oneself, one's feelings, one's former answers, one's capacity to get guidance, and sometimes mistrust in God. They offer thoughts around how many of us were taught to discern truth and how the spiritual journey is all about working through past experiences, emotions, and interpretations of our experiences as necessary for our growth into spiritually complex beings.
You definitely won't want to miss Part II in this Friday’s subscriber-exclusive episode either, where Valerie and Nathan delve deeper into how to move from a transactional relationship with God that was often connected to former spiritual experiences and how the faith journey is about expanding one's capacity to embody spiritual experiences rather than just having them. They also touch on how to navigate relationship impasses with others who cannot understand our journeys due to their own spiritual experiences.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support group starts Wednesday evenings this September. ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT. To pre-register click on this link.
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In this follow up episode Valerie and guest Steve Young delve into more specific examples related to the power of moving away from seeing the world through the lens of transaction and towards embodying more purely the teachings of Jesus Christ defined by unconditional love.
With personal examples from his own journey, Steve and Val hone in on four concepts that have shaped Steve's own spiritual life and personal work: gentle persuasion, meekness, long suffering and love unfeigned.
This discussion exemplifies how one can commit to personal discipleship and practice these principles in their own realms--whether it be in personal relationships, professionally, or in formal spiritual settings.
Val and Steve's hope in this series is to ignite further interest in first seeing more clearly where transaction exists, articulating how this way of relating is spiritually damning, and inviting each of us and our religious system into a higher, holier way of discipleship.
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In this enlightening episode of Latter Day Struggles, Valerie welcomes special guest Steve Young to delve into the transformative power of love within the context of faith expansion in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Together they explore ideas from Steve's book, "The Law of Love," highlighting the journey from transaction towards an upward leaning desire towards selfless love as the foundation of all belief and relationship.
Together, they address the inevitable anxieties surrounding non-transactional relationships with God and challenge listeners to embrace a higher, more intimate relationship with the divine, moving away from prescriptive (transactional) guidelines towards personal, holistic engagement with self, faith, others, and ultimately with God.
This episode offers a profound perspective on love's capacity to evoke authenticity and divine potential in ourselves and others.
Friday's episode is a tender conversation between Steve and Val where they share how their own strivings to embody the Law of Love has changed them and enriched their relationships.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support group starts Wednesday evenings this September. ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT. To pre-register click on this link.
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In this advanced content exclusive part two of this series, Valerie and Nathan continue to analyze the complexities of loyalty and how and when it can clash with personal integrity.
Together, they explore the potential conflicts arising when loyalty is prioritized over love within church institutions, and particularly how this near enemy attribute can be encouraged when discussing sensitive issues related to the LGBTQ community, a struggle owning complex historical issues, and other topics that would require openness, transparency, and full accountability for our system to meet its true potential as a place of spiritual health and healing.
As always, their conversation emphasizes the necessity of open dialogue, respect, and love-based virtues to foster a truly healthy spiritual community within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support group starts Wednesday evenings this September. ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT. To pre-register click on this link.
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In part one of this two part series, Valerie and Nathan delve into the delicate relationship between love, loyalty, and integrity. They discuss how loyalty, when prioritized over love, can lead to moral conflicts, confusion and systemic issues.
The conversation centers around recognizing loyalty as a near enemy to love, particularly within political, religious, and social contexts. With their usual compassion and candor, Valerie and Nathan advocate for genuine love over superficial loyalty. Tune in to explore how loyalty can overshadow true virtues and how embracing love as the true virtue can foster healthy connection and growth.
Friday’s powerful advanced content exclusive episode will delve deeper into how unquestioned loyalty is both damaging and dangerous, particularly within a religious system. Valerie and Nathan examine the proper place that loyalty should hold within relationships, and how Christlike love, compassion and one’s own integrity should always come first.
Don’t miss this compelling and thought provoking episode of Latter Day Struggles!
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support group starts Wednesday evenings this September. ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT. To pre-register click on this link.
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In this capstone episode concluding their groundbreaking four-part series treating the intersection of atonement theology, trauma healing, and the penal justice system, Valerie and Fiona Givens dive into some beautiful and unique contributions that can be found in LDS theology. They highlight some obscure but profound ideas hidden within Mormon doctrine that uncovers a God who loves infinitely, has compassion for the wounds that impact us throughout life, and who ultimately welcomes us all home.
Please join Valerie and Fiona as they uncover some beautiful LDS gems hidden in plain sight that add to the larger Christian and spiritual conversation helping us find peace, healing, and spiritual transformation.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support group starts Wednesday evenings this September. ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT. To pre-register click on this link.
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Welcome to part III [of a four-part series] where Valerie and special guest Fiona Givens dive deep into atonement theology, its implications on the growth of the human soul in general, the criminal justice system in particular, and the need for a healing-focused approach within the church and society.
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the impact of trauma on individuals, especially those within the criminal justice system. Fiona brings insights from scholars and trauma experts, emphasizing that what is often perceived as deviant behavior is deeply rooted in trauma and human woundedness. Fiona and Valerie advocate for a theological vision committed to healing and redemption, affirming that a compassionate approach can lead to true transformation and restoration.
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support group starts Wednesday evenings this September. ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT. To pre-register click on this link.
CLASSES: Discover ways, learn new concepts, and build skills that will help you grow and strengthen your relationships. Visit the class library.
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or become a recurring donor ...
Subscriber-only episode
In this enlightening episode two [of a four-part series] Valerie and Fiona Givens delve deep into the historical and theological underpinnings of atonement theology and its profound impact on the American penal justice system.
Fiona provides a rich historical context, explaining the shift from early Christian views that emphasized Christ's life, incarnation, and resurrection to the later Western focus on crucifixion and suffering, which laid the groundwork for a theology of substitution and punishment.
They critically examine how these beliefs manifest in punitive practices, advocate for a shift towards a more rehabilitative approach, and set the stage for further discussion in the next episode on the need to reconcile atonement theology and treatment of criminals with contemporary understandings of neuroscience and trauma.
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3. Click Follow to link the podcast to your listening app
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support group starts Wednesday evenings this September. ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT. To pre-register click on this link.
CLASSES: Discover ways, learn new concepts, and build skills that will help you grow and strengthen your relationships. Visit the class library.
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or become a recurring donor ...
Welcome to a podcast series that has been months in the making and one that you will NOT want to miss if you desire to find health and healing in your relationship with God, atonement, hope, and healing.
In this four part series, Valerie welcomes return guest and gifted LDS theologian Fiona Givens. Together they delve deeply into the development of various atonement theologies and their impact on both the average Christian "sinner" as well as the "criminal", especially and how each "deserves" to be punished.
This series explores roots of atonement theology; how, why, where, and when it changed, and how the atonement theology that came to North America eventually impacted the criminal justice system.
They further explore how modern neuroscience has become an unexpected partner in revealing the infinite goodness and inevitable woundedness of all human kind and how our understanding the nature of the brain can bring about lasting reform of our atonement theology and our criminal justice system.
Don't miss this entire series packed with cutting edge scholarship and a windfall of hope and healing on our ongoing reimagining of God's infinite love for all of their children.
Support the Show.
MORE LATTER DAY STRUGGLES RESOURCES:
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
SUPPORT GROUPS: Next support group starts Wednesday evenings this September. ONLY 5 SEATS LEFT. To pre-register click on this link.
CLASSES: Discover ways, learn new concepts, and build skills that will help you grow and strengthen your relationships. Visit the class library.
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or become a recurring donor on Patreon.
Subscriber-only episode
In this thought-provoking final episode of this four-part series, Valerie explores the complex historical and cultural factors that contribute to the prevalence of unique near enemy behaviors within the LDS Church. She discusses how the church's trauma history, including persecution and isolation, has fostered a culture of extreme self-protection and difficulty with self-confrontation.
Valerie also examines unresolved shadow characteristics related to gender, sexuality, and power, drawing connections to the church's struggle with reform and accountability. With her usual candor and affection for her home institution, Valerie offers her feelings that true virtue requires a courageous commitment to ongoing self-reflection and growth, both personally and within the church community.
The episode, series, and entire podcast highlights the transformative potential that humility, love, and accountability have in fostering authenticity and spiritual development within individuals and spiritual institutions.
SUBSCRIBE TO FRIDAY EPISODES BETWEEN 5/31/24 and 6/27/24: Premium content episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription. Enjoy your first month of Friday episodes at a reduced cost of $3 as a thank you for joining the Latter Day Struggles subscriber community! Sign up here!
WEBINAR: “Accepting Stages of Faith Within A Marriage” Valerie will host a webinar class for individuals and couples seeking guidance on how to stay united during a faith expansion experience. Special question/answer session directly after the webinar. Wednesday July 10th 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! Sign up here!
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or become a recurring donor on Patreon.
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available ...
In this episode three (of a four-part series) Val and Nathan continue their deep dive into applications of the Buddhist concept of the near enemy, shining a light on how this concept might apply to how the LDS and surrounding community might grow in light and truth as these ideas are understood and embraced. They focus on how behaviors like self-aggrandizing, pity, and clinging subtly undermine virtues such as charity, compassion, and love, often posing as their close allies. They analyze how these near enemies negatively impact missionary work, intimate relationships, and spiritual growth within the Latter-Day Saints community, particularly highlighting how spiritual exceptionalism and codependency in eternal marriage theology can hurt connection at the micro and the macro levels. The episode culminates in a reflective call for embracing both light and shadow selves and emphasizes acting from a place of genuine love and virtue rather than fear or the desire for validation.Thank you for joining us in this series intended to expand our capacities to grow whole and healthy in and around the LDS church.
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SUBSCRIBE TO FRIDAY EPISODES BETWEEN 5/31/24 and 6/27/24: Premium content episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription Enjoy your first month of Friday episodes at a reduced cost of $3 as a thank you for joining the Latter Day Struggles subscriber community!Sign up here!
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or become a recurring donor on Patreon.
——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To pre-register click on this link.
In this episode three (of a four-part series) Val and Nathan continue their deep dive into applications of the Buddhist concept of the near enemy, shining a light on how this concept might apply to how the LDS and surrounding community might grow in light and truth as these ideas are understood and embraced.
They focus on how behaviors like self-aggrandizing, pity, and clinging subtly undermine virtues such as charity, compassion, and love, often posing as their close allies.
They analyze how these near enemies negatively impact missionary work, intimate relationships, and spiritual growth within the Latter-Day Saints community, particularly highlighting how spiritual exceptionalism and codependency in eternal marriage theology can hurt connection at the micro and the macro levels.
The episode culminates in a reflective call for embracing both light and shadow selves and emphasizes acting from a place of genuine love and virtue rather than fear or the desire for validation.
Thank you for joining us in this series intended to expand our capacities to grow whole and healthy in and around the LDS church.
Support the Show.
SUBSCRIBE TO FRIDAY EPISODES BETWEEN 5/31/24 and 6/27/24: Premium content episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription. Enjoy your first month of Friday episodes at a reduced cost of $3 as a thank you for joining the Latter Day Struggles subscriber community! Sign up here!
WEBINAR: “Accepting Stages of Faith Within A Marriage” Valerie will host a webinar class for individuals and couples seeking guidance on how to stay united during a faith expansion experience. Special question/answer session directly after the webinar. Wednesday July 10th 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! S...
Subscriber-only episode
In this Latter Day Struggles EXCLUSIVE [episode two of a four-part series] Val and Nathan explore several topics relevant to the LDS faith journey through the lens of the "near enemy". Their focus in this advanced-content episode includes an analysis of:
**Faithfulness as the near-enemy of personal integrity
**Checklist obedience as the near-enemy of personal transformation
**Leadership by seniority/nomination/inheritance as the near-enemy of leadership by attraction
**Placating as the near-enemy of true reform (specific to current queer issues)
**Pedestalizing as the near-enemy of gender equality
This (and every) series endeavors to help faith-expanding Latter-day Saints better understand ourselves and our faith institution so that we all might connect, heal, and transform.
Thank you for subscribing to these advanced content exclusives, intended to help our faith expanding LDS and surrounding community grow and thrive in their faith journeys.
SUBSCRIBE TO FRIDAY EPISODES BETWEEN 5/31/24 and 6/27/24: Premium content episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription. Enjoy your first month of Friday episodes at a reduced cost of $3 as a thank you for joining the Latter Day Struggles subscriber community! Sign up here!
WEBINAR: “Accepting Stages of Faith Within A Marriage” Valerie will host a webinar class for individuals and couples seeking guidance on how to stay united during a faith expansion experience. Special question/answer session directly after the webinar. Wednesday July 10th 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! S...
In this episode one [of a four-part series] Valerie and Nathan delve into the profound concept of the "Near Enemy," highlighting how certain behaviors that superficially resemble virtues actually hinder personal growth and damage interpersonal relationships.
Drawing from Buddhist wisdom and Brené Brown's integrative work, they discuss how the near enemy behaviors can creep into all individual and systemic relationships and how these behaviors prevent genuine connection.
Episode 2 of this series will be a Latter Day Struggles EXCLUSIVE: tackling sensitive and idiosyncratic "near enemy" topics within the LDS faith tradition.
Episode 3 will tackle less sensitive "near enemy" topics found within the faith and typical of many faith traditions and other community settings.
Episode 4 of this series will be another EXCLUSIVE, exploring from a psychological lens some possible reasons why our LDS faith tradition uniquely struggles with its idiosyncratic "near enemy" behaviors.
This series is groundbreaking in that in integrates an element of sound Buddhist philosophy in an effect to help our LDS community understand some of our tradition's most significant shadow parts.
We hope that this series brings light, understanding, healing, and eventual reform. We care about the wellness of our faith tradition and those over whom it has influence.
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SUBSCRIBE TO FRIDAY EPISODES BETWEEN 5/31/24 and 6/27/24: Premium content episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription Enjoy your first month of Friday episodes at a reduced cost of $3 as a thank you for joining the Latter Day Struggles subscriber community!Sign up here!
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or become a recurring donor on Patreon.
——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To pre-register click on this link.
Subscriber-only episode
In this final episode in their series tackling the topic of OCD spiritual scrupulosity within the context of the LDS faith, Valerie and Brannon Patrick reflect on their own experiences as missionaries to offer a respectful critique of a culture that of vulnerable to struggles with mental health in general and spiritual scrupulosity in specific.
Their conversation addresses the critical issue of psychological distress among missionaries, exacerbated by a culture of perfectionism, performance, and a focus on missionary success connected to personal obedience.
Through personal stories and insights on their own faith journeys, they advocate for a healthier, more balanced approach to spiritual beliefs and the missionary experience, aiming to help individuals both on missions and beyond reclaim their sense of self-worth and belovedness.
In this episode three [of a four-part series] Valerie welcomes fellow therapist colleague Brannon Patrick for a discussion highlighting the profound impact of OCD scrupulosity on individuals within the LDS community.
In an unexpected turn of events, both Val and Brannon realize that they each struggled in their adolescence with the same unnamed fear of God's disappointment accompanied by attempts to mitigate these fears with scrupulous behaviors.
They explore how church teachings can exacerbate anxiety, particularly through doctrines that emphasize perfectionism and earning forgiveness.
This discussion advocates for a shift towards creating a supportive, healing church environment that views God as a loving companion in our journeys, not a harsh or disappointed judge.
Join them on Friday for a final conversation in this series about the vulnerabilities of full-time LDS missionary service on those with tendencies to struggle with spiritual scrupulosity and several recommendations on how to begin to heal as a spiritual community.
SUBSCRIBE TO FRIDAY EPISODES BETWEEN 5/31/24 and 6/27/24: Premium content episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription. Enjoy your first month of Friday episodes at a reduced cost of $3 as a thank you for joining the Latter Day Struggles subsc...
In this episode three [of a four-part series] Valerie welcomes fellow therapist colleague Brannon Patrick for a discussion highlighting the profound impact of OCD scrupulosity on individuals within the LDS community.
In an unexpected turn of events, both Val and Brannon realize that they each struggled in their adolescence with the same unnamed fear of God's disappointment accompanied by attempts to mitigate these fears with scrupulous behaviors.
They explore how church teachings can exacerbate anxiety, particularly through doctrines that emphasize perfectionism and earning forgiveness.
This discussion advocates for a shift towards creating a supportive, healing church environment that views God as a loving companion in our journeys, not a harsh or disappointed judge.
Join them on Friday for a final conversation in this series about the vulnerabilities of full-time LDS missionary service on those with tendencies to struggle with spiritual scrupulosity and several recommendations on how to begin to heal as a spiritual community.
Support the Show.
In this episode three [of a four-part series] Valerie welcomes fellow therapist colleague Brannon Patrick for a discussion highlighting the profound impact of OCD scrupulosity on individuals within the LDS community.
In an unexpected turn of events, both Val and Brannon realize that they each struggled in their adolescence with the same unnamed fear of God's disappointment accompanied by attempts to mitigate these fears with scrupulous behaviors.
They explore how church teachings can exacerbate anxiety, particularly through doctrines that emphasize perfectionism and earning forgiveness.
This discussion advocates for a shift towards creating a supportive, healing church environment that views God as a loving companion in our journeys, not a harsh or disappointed judge.
Join them on Friday for a final conversation in this series about the vulnerabilities of full-time LDS missionary service on those with tendencies to struggle with spiritual scrupulosity and several recommendations on how to begin to heal as a spiritual community.
SUBSCRIBE TO FRIDAY EPISODES BETWEEN 5/31/24 and 6/27/24: Premium content episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription. Enjoy your first month of Friday episodes at a reduced cost of $3 as a thank you for joining the Latter Day Struggles subsc...
Subscriber-only episode
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In this episode two [of a four-part series] Valerie and guest author Taylor Kirby delve into the complexities of OCD scrupulosity within the context of the Latter-Day Saint faith.
They continue their conversation tackling the following topics connecting OCD spiritual scrupulosity with the LDS faith tradition:
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Spiritual Exceptionalism (addressed primarily in episode 231)
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Low emphasis on the cultivation of personal authority
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High anxiety around sexuality and an integrated sexual identity
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A transactional relationship with God
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An atonement theology that leaves people feeling anxious, guilty, afraid, or shameful
The episode concludes with a call for church leaders to know their limits and a plea to direct individuals to professional help, aiming to foster a more supportive and growth-oriented environment for all connected to the church.
SUBSCRIBE TO FRIDAY EPISODES : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2363568/supporters/new
WEBINAR JUNE 5TH: “Developing Healthy Stress Management” Valerie will host a webinar class for individuals and couples seeking guidance on how to stay united during a faith expansion experience. Special question/answer session directly after the webinar. Wednesday June 5th 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation!
Sign up here!
SUPPORT LATTER DAY STRUGGLES: 1-time donations can be made on her business Venmo account
IG LIVE WITH VALERIE & JULIE HANKS: STEPPING BACK FROM THE CHURCH IN A PSYCHOLOGICALLY HEALTHY WAY: To register click here.
1:1 CONSULTING: available here!
GROWTH & PROCESSING GROUPS: New evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To pre-register click on this link.
Send us a Text Message.
In this opening episode of a four-part series focused on OCD spiritual scrupulosity in the context of the LDS church, Valerie begins by interviewing Taylor Kirby, author the the book "Scrupulous: My Obsessive Compulsion for God".
In this episode Taylor shares his journey with spiritual scrupulosity, explaining how these conditions manifested as compulsive religious behaviors fueled by some of the doctrine and practices connected to his LDS faith tradition.
This episode tackles the first of five key vulnerabilities linking spiritual scrupulosity within the LDS faith: spiritual exceptionalism, low emphasis on personal authority, anxiety around sex and the theology of the body, a transactional relationship with God, and an atonement theology sometimes leading to shame and fear.
Friday's episode digs into the rest of the five topics--ultimately emphasizing the importance of respectful and healing dialogue and urging listeners to prioritizes love, service, and grace over perfection. This entire series is a call for greater awareness and support for those grappling with OCD spiritual scrupulosity.
Support the Show.
SUBSCRIBE TO FRIDAY EPISODES : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2363568/supporters/new
WEBINAR JUNE 5TH: “Developing Healthy Stress Management” Valerie will host a webinar class for individuals and couples seeking guidance on how to stay united during a faith expansion experience. Special question/answer session directly after the webinar. Wednesday June 5th 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation!
Sign up here!
SUPPORT LATTER DAY STRUGGLES: 1-time donations can be made on her business Venmo account
IG LIVE WITH VALERIE & JULIE HANKS: STEPPING BACK FROM THE CHURCH IN A PSYCHOLOGICALLY HEALTHY WAY: To register click here.
1:1 CONSULTING: available here!
GROWTH & PROCESSING GROUPS: New evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To pre-register click on this link.
Subscriber-only episode
Send us a Text Message.
In this episode, Valerie and Nathan tackle Camille Johnson's recent address from the 2024 BYU Women’s Conference and its many contradictory and conflicting messages around personal choice, healthy and unhealthy leadership and followership, gender roles, womanhood, motherhood, career, obedience, and personal revelation.
The conversation illuminates the need to expand the principle of personal agency and questions the patriarchal structures that constrain individual autonomy.
This episode's foundation is an invitation to distinguish between a fear-based and a love-based relationship with our higher powers.
SUBSCRIBE TO FRIDAY EPISODES : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2363568/supporters/new
WEBINAR JUNE 5TH: “Developing Healthy Stress Management” Valerie will host a webinar class for individuals and couples seeking guidance on how to stay united during a faith expansion experience. Special question/answer session directly after the webinar. Wednesday June 5th 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation!
Sign up here!
SUPPORT LATTER DAY STRUGGLES: 1-time donations can be made on her business Venmo account
IG LIVE WITH VALERIE & JULIE HANKS: STEPPING BACK FROM THE CHURCH IN A PSYCHOLOGICALLY HEALTHY WAY: To register click here.
1:1 CONSULTING: available here!
GROWTH & PROCESSING GROUPS: New evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To pre-register click on this link.
Send us a Text Message.
In preparation for Friday's sensitive-content exclusive episode 230, Valerie offers a detailed overview of the entirety of General Relief Society President Camille Johnson's recent address given at the 2024 BYU Women's Conference.
This address was both intriguing and concerning, focusing concurrently on both following the specific directions of outside authority as the safest means of living one’s life while also encouraging women to follow the counsel of the spirit to allow God to prevail in a path that is unique to each woman.
In this episode Val sets the stage for the deeper dive into issues that intersect the topics of healthy human development, sound theology, and a call for institutional accountability regarding the impact that past teachings have had on thousands of LDS women.
Join Valerie and Nathan on Friday’s episode 230 for the in-depth analysis of the address reviewed in today’s episode 229. Information on how to subscribe to their new Buzzsprout platform found below.
Support the Show.
SUBSCRIBE TO FRIDAY EPISODES : https://www.buzzsprout.com/2363568/supporters/new
WEBINAR JUNE 5TH: “Developing Healthy Stress Management” Valerie will host a webinar class for individuals and couples seeking guidance on how to stay united during a faith expansion experience. Special question/answer session directly after the webinar. Wednesday June 5th 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation!
Sign up here!
SUPPORT LATTER DAY STRUGGLES: 1-time donations can be made on her business Venmo account
IG LIVE WITH VALERIE & JULIE HANKS: STEPPING BACK FROM THE CHURCH IN A PSYCHOLOGICALLY HEALTHY WAY: To register click here.
1:1 CONSULTING: available here!
GROWTH & PROCESSING GROUPS: New evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To pre-register click on this link.
Big News! Listen in and rest assured that more info is coming! Thanks for being here on our mutual faith expansion journey!
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SUBSCRIBE TO FRIDAY EPISODES BETWEEN 5/31/24 and 6/27/24: Premium content episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription. Enjoy your first month of Friday episodes at a reduced cost of $3 as a thank you for joining the Latter Day Struggles subscriber community!
click here for instructions.
Subscriber-only episode
Send us a Text Message.
In this follow up episode on the heels of her guest collaboration with the At Last She Said It podcast, Valerie delves much deeper into a topic that is key to our process of deciding when sacrifice and suffering is "good" as opposed to when it is unnecessary and unhealthy.
A key to discerning between "good hard" and "bad hard" is our ability to think complexly. This episode tackles what a complex thinking skills are, how to detect them in ourselves, in others, and how to cultivate them.
Faith journeys are fertile ground for developing complex thinking skills but this is not guaranteed. Listen to this episode to learn so much more!
—————————————————————————————————————WEBINAR: “Developing Healthy Stress Management” Valerie will host a webinar class for individuals and couples seeking guidance on how to stay united during a faith expansion experience. Special question/answer session directly after the webinar. Wednesday June 5th 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation!
Sign up here!
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or become a recurring donor on Patreon.
——————————————————————————————————————STEPPING BACK FROM THE CHURCH IN A PSYCHOLOGICALLY HEALTHY WAY: Valerie and Julie Hanks are offering a live Q&A session for those with concerns about the complexities of stepping back.Their last event sold out very quickly, and they anticipate that this one will also sell fast.To register click here.
——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To pre-register click on this link.
In this thought-provoking episode Valerie is the guest on the fabulous podcast "At Last She Said It" with hosts Cynthia Winward and Susan Hinckley. In this conversation this dynamic trio dives deep into the challenging concept of "good hard" vs. "bad hard" within the LDS community. They highlight the crucial difference between actions driven by fear and shame versus those fueled by love and personal choice. Through heartfelt personal experiences and some critical reflections, Susan, Cynthia, and Val emphasize honoring one's inner compass, advocating for spiritually meaningful paths shaped by personal empowerment and most importantly, they challenge each of us to rethink the valorization of suffering, advocating instead for balanced, joyful living aligned with the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
In this enlightening part three [of a four-part series] Valerie and special guest author Kathryn Sonntag delve deeper into the enriching concepts presented in "The Mother Tree: Discovering the Love and Wisdom of Our Divine Mother."
In this episode they continue using the metaphor of a tree to help us understand how to find personal wholeness through the integration of the masculine and the feminine.
Kathryn relates the trunk of the tree to 1) our mortal existence, 2) to the present and, 3) to the sacred nature of the earth and its deeply feminine cycles of birth, death, and rebirth as chief evidence that the divine indeed is deeply feminine.
Join us next time as we conclude our series on "The Mother Tree," where we will further delve into how the integration of our divine masculine and feminine energies can lead to a richer, more harmonious personal and spiritual life.
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey! click here for instructions.
——————————————————————————————————————WEBINAR: “Developing Healthy Stress Management” Valerie will host a webinar class for individuals and couples seeking guidance on how to stay united during a faith expansion experience. Special question/answer session directly after the webinar. Wednesday June 5th 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! Sign up here!
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? Make a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or become a recurring donor on Patreon.
——————————————————————————————————————STEPPING BACK FROM THE CHURCH IN A PSYCHOLOGICALLY HEALTHY WAY: Valerie and Julie Hanks are offering a live Q&A session for those with concerns about the complexities of stepping back.Their last event sold out very quickly, and they anticipate that this one will also sell fast.To register click here.
——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here!
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To pre-register click on this link.
In this enlightening part one [of a four-part series] Valerie welcomes author and feminist scholar Kathryn Knight Sonntag explore the themes of growth, development, and spiritual connection through Kathryn's book, "The Mother Tree." Their discussion encompasses the significance of trees in various spiritual traditions, their representation of sacred spaces, and their role in depicting the interconnectedness of life and spirituality. They emphasize the potential for individual healing and growth through the integration of both feminine and masculine energies, reflecting on the challenges LDS women face in a male-dominated patriarchal culture. This episode is a compelling call to recognize and harmonize the masculine and feminine within ourselves and our LDS faith tradition for a more balanced and healing spiritual experience. Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie by making a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month), available here. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
For a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe and support the podcast, click here.
——————————————————————————————————————WEBINAR: “The Growth Oriented Marriage” Valerie will host a webinar class for individuals and couples seeking guidance on how to stay united during a faith expansion experience. Special question/answer session directly after the webinar. Wednesday May 8th 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! Register for a spot here.
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STEPPING BACK FROM THE CHURCH IN A PSYCHOLOGICALLY HEALTHY WAY: Valerie and Julie Hanks recently finished a similar Q&A event working with their communities wanting to stay engaged in the LDS Church in a psychologically healthy way. They received lots of great feedback saying it was extremely helpful to those who attended.Valerie and Julie are hoping that the upcoming event will serve the same purpose for those with concerns about the complexities of stepping back.Their last event sold out very quickly, and they anticipate that this one will also sell fast.To register click here.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: As a trauma therapist, Valerie continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become more psychologically and spiritually healthy. All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To learn more click here.
——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here.
In this episode Valerie is joined by friend and colleague Dr. Julie Hanks, where they discuss the emotional and psychological complexities of stepping away from the LDS faith for those who feel called to do so. They emphasize the importance of making this transition in a psychologically healthy manner, and how challenging this is to do in a climate where not a lot of resources are available and this decision is fraught with so much distress and loneliness. The discussion covers potential challenges such as navigating changes in relationships with family and the larger community, managing internalized beliefs and fears, and the grief that accompanies leaving one's spiritual community. If this episode resonates with you, please join Valerie and Julie in their upcoming interactive Q&A series happening virtually every Thursday evening in June 2024. Link to enroll is in the show notes. Space is limited and these sessions fill up quickly. Note: Valerie and Julie are not prescribing leaving (or not leaving) the LDS church. They wish to support their LDS and surrounding community in psychologically-thriving independent of church membership or attendance status. For those interested in exploring how to stay involved in the LDS faith in psychologically healthy ways, please listen to episode 193 of Latter Day Struggles.
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? Support Valerie with a 1-time donation through her business Venmo account or by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month), available here. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
For a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe and support the podcast, click here.
———————————————————————WEBINAR: “The Growth Oriented Marriage” Valerie will host a webinar class for individuals and couples seeking guidance on how to stay united during a faith expansion experience. Special question/answer session directly after the webinar. Wednesday May 8th 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! Register for a spot here.
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STEPPING BACK IN A PSYCHOLOGICALLY HEALTHY WAY: Valerie and Julie Hanks recently finished a similar Q&A event working with their communities wanting to stay engaged in the LDS Church in a healthy way. Valerie and Julie hope the upcoming event will serve the same purpose for those with concerns about stepping back. Their last event sold out very quickly, and this one will also sell fast. To register click here.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: As a trauma therapist, Valerie continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become more psychologically and spiritually healthy. Groups are currently full, however, a new evening group starts September 2024. To learn more click here.
—————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie? Time-limited packages with Valerie are available here.
In this profound episode 3 [of a four-part series] Valerie and Nathan engage in a crucial discussion on the implications of withholding the sacrament for any reason within the LDS Church. They challenge the harmful practice of using the sacrament as a disciplinary measure, which can reinforce feelings of both public and internalized shame and unworthiness. They emphasize the importance of inclusivity in all spiritual practice and the spiritual damage done (to the denied individual, their families, and the faith community) as a result of the practice of withholding the sacrament. In Friday's concluding episode of this series, Val and Nathan get more granular, reflecting on several aspects of the culture and practice around LDS sacrament administration (everything from exactly worded prayers to the proper uniform and beyond) calling for a more compassionate and understanding church culture that truly reflects the generous and loving nature of the divine.Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie by making a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month), available here. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
For a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe and support the podcast, click here.
——————————————————————————————————————LATTER DAY NIGHT LIVE! Register for our latest 3-part webinar series “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis & Expansion.” Valerie will host a question/answer session directly after the class. Part 2 - May 8th 8:30 CST. Ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! Register for a spot here.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: As a trauma therapist, Valerie continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become more psychologically and spiritually healthy. All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To learn more click here.
——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here.
In this thought-provoking part one (of a four-part series) Val and Nathan engage in a deep exploration of the sacrament's significance in Christian practice and how it might sometimes diverge from the inclusive message of Jesus Christ. They set this series up by comparing and contrasting the history and diverse practices of sacrament across various denominations. Val then dons her "therapist hat" and discusses why and how embodied ceremonies can be a powerful tool for brain growth, learning, and meaning-making and how the concept of the sacrament has the potential to be a rich means of communion with self, God, and others. They also offer thoughts on how the sacramental ceremony can become less meaningful and even harmful when misappropriated for various reasons, which will be explored in detail in this series. This four-part series is intended to not only explore deeply the concept of sacrament broadly in the LDS faith, but also greatly broadens the concept of sacramental worship in a way that faith-expanding Latter-day Saints can embrace as an expression of their own growth journey. Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie by making a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.
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—————————————————————————————————————
SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month), available here. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
For a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe and support the podcast, click here.
——————————————————————————————————————LATTER DAY NIGHT LIVE! Register for our latest 3-part webinar series “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis & Expansion.” Valerie will host a question/answer session directly after the class. Part 2 - May 8th 8:30 CST. Ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! Register for a spot here.
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SUPPORT GROUPS: As a trauma therapist, Valerie continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become more psychologically and spiritually healthy. All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To learn more click here.
——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here.
In this episode Valerie welcomes special guest Brian Dille, a BYU alumnus and member of a professional organization responsible for accrediting institutions of higher learning in the USA. This series tackles the complex and pressing issue of academic freedom at Brigham Young University, especially in light of recent curriculum changes where the “musket” talk was made required reading for all incoming BYU freshmen.Brian and Valerie delve into the definition and historical context of academic freedom, exploring its crucial role in scientific progress and how it relates to current issues connected to BYU's relationship with academic accreditation. Friday's episode stresses the impact of the "musket talk" on all individuals at BYU and how integration of this talk signals not only concern for academic freedom but also the need for ongoing corrective dialogue inviting love, inclusion, and reform in an effort to protect those on the margins at church and on the campuses of church-operated schools.Join Valerie and Brian for both of these powerful episodes as they navigate some crucial Latter Day Struggles with respect, insight, and a firm commitment to honest discourse.Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!———SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie by making a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month), available here. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!For a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe and support the podcast, click here.——————————————————————————————————————LATTER DAY NIGHT LIVE! Register for our latest 3-part webinar series “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis & Expansion.” Valerie will host a question/answer session directly after the class. Part 2 - May 8th 8:30 CST. Ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! Register for a spot here.———————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: As a trauma therapist, Valerie continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become more psychologically and spiritually healthy. All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To learn more click here.——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here.
In this part two (of a three part series) Valerie and Nathan explore words—(because words very much matter in this conversation). They talk about the expanding use of the words "authority" and "power" connected to females and priesthood, thereby encouraging LDS women to understand their already-existing status in the church, while (significantly) never ever connecting women's roles and responsibilities to priesthood "keys". Val and Nathan discuss how these semantics games tend to land on modern-day LDS women (not well!) and further begin a discussion about how this disparity in equality shapes the psyches in the women of this organization. Val and Nathan contend that not having priesthood "keys" is not about women desiring status, attention, or prestige. It is about longing for their spiritual system to support their innate equality in the eyes of God. It is about providing women with a spiritual context wherein they are allowed to grow and thrive as human beings. Friday's final episode in this series breaks down five ways that women's development is stifled due to their unequal status in the LDS church. Subscribe to catch this [and every past and future Friday] episode. Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!—————————————————————————————————————SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month), available here. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!For a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe and support the podcast, click here.——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie by making a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: As a trauma therapist, Valerie continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become more psychologically and spiritually healthy. All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To learn more click here.——————————————————————————————————————LATTER DAY NIGHT LIVE! Register for our latest 3-part webinar series “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis & Expansion.” Valerie will host a question/answer session directly after the class. First session April 3rd 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! Register for a spot here.——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here.
Join Valerie as she explores a variety of topics connected to the 2024 rebirth of the Law of Common Consent demonstrated by LDS women throughout the world who recently voted "opposed" to claims that women in the LDS church have more authority than women of other church's worldwide. In this episode, Valerie processes a variety of topics including: Several reasons why the LDS church has chronic struggles with allowing women equality. A conversation about historical lack of collaboration with systems of learning, knowledge, and worldwide restoration enlightenment. A maladaptive commitment to "immovability". A conversation about the need to address intersectionality of the feminine divine and queer issues in LDS "eternal family" theology. Encouragement to embody love as the foundational energy of lasting spiritually-empowering social reform. Friday's episode begins a three-part conversation between Valerie and Nathan addressing how structural issues within the LDS church powerfully communicates its value of women, regardless of what is spoken about women or to women.
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month), available here. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
For a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe and support the podcast, click here.
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie by making a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: As a trauma therapist, Valerie continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become more psychologically and spiritually healthy. All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To learn more click here.
——————————————————————————————————————LATTER DAY NIGHT LIVE! Register for our latest 3-part webinar series “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis & Expansion.” Valerie will host a question/answer session directly after the class. First session April 3rd 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! Register for a spot here.
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here.
In this heartfelt episode, Valerie and special guest Nick take an intimate look into the personal journey his healing and self-discovery. They dive deep into Nick's past, discussing the challenges of reconciling his relationship with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while confronting lifelong negative beliefs about himself. Nick candidly shares his experiences with loneliness, sexual shame, and his reliance on pornography as a coping mechanism. Together, they explore the significance of nurturing one's inner child, the detrimental effects of internalized shame, and the beauty in transforming pain into compassion and understanding for both oneself and others. As they dissect the complex emotions tied to faith and sexuality, both Valerie and Nick underscore the importance of self-compassion, removing judgment, and fostering open conversations as tools for healing and growth. Friday's episode continues this conversation between Nick and Valerie as they explore another aspect of his LDS faith expansion personal journey: Healing from betrayal trauma connected to the Book of Mormon. If you want to find peace in your relationship with the Book of Mormon, listen to this tender episode.Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month), available here. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
For a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe and support the podcast, click here.
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie by making a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: As a trauma therapist, Valerie continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become more psychologically and spiritually healthy. All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To learn more click here.
——————————————————————————————————————LATTER DAY NIGHT LIVE! Register for our latest 3-part webinar series “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis & Expansion.” Valerie will host a question/answer session directly after the class. First session April 3rd 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! Register for a spot here.
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here.
This week Valerie and Nathan tackle two fundamental aspects of LDS observance--scriptures and prayer--and walk you through ways in which each of these concepts can be either helpful to our spiritual journeys are harmful to our spiritual growth experiences.
Episode 207 reflects on the complexities of scripture, tackleing the risks associated with misusing scriptures as tools of oppression and highlighting the damage caused when sacred texts are used to justify harmful actions, even on a catastrophic scale.
They discuss the importance of expanding our definition of what "counts" as scripture, the importance of truly tapping into our powers of personal revelation to discern when a voice is prophetic, and how books can be a mirror reflecting our connection to the divine.
Friday's episode 208 tackles how concept of prayer in the LDS faith tradition can be experienced as both deeply connecting to our true selves and our higher powers OR how teachings and practices associated with prayer can be instrumental in harming our relationship with self, others, and God.
Valerie and Nathan's desire in this series is to shine a light on the impact of certain aspects of religious faith and practice in the hopes that we can all experience our faith tradition in ways that truly support our spiritual development.
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month), available here. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
For a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe and support the podcast, click here.
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie by making a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: As a trauma therapist, Valerie continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become more psychologically and spiritually healthy. All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To learn more click here.
——————————————————————————————————————LATTER DAY NIGHT LIVE! Register for our latest 3-part webinar series “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis & Expansion.” Valerie will host a question/answer session directly after the class. First session April 3rd 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! Register for a spot here.
——————————————————————————————————————
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here.
In this part three (of a four-part series) Valerie and her therapist colleague Liz Macdonald delve further into the complexities of navigating faith disaffiliation among young adults in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their conversation today focuses on the unique challenges faced in families who belong to "covenantal religions", including the anxiety and isolation that both parents and their evolving young adult children can feel when facing the eternal threats of noncompliance with church covenants. Liz and Valerie delve into the double-bind that people might feel in "covenantal" religious systems (such as LDS and Judaism) where some may feel that they must choose between the crucial human task of authentic spiritual self development and requirement to make and keep certain belief-based covenants in order to be allowed connection with God and family for eternity. Friday's final episode of this series (available via subscription) delves deeply into a highly respected model of human growth and development and explores a possible correlation between the degree of psychological (under) development and one’s inability to tolerate the faith expansion process of loved ones. They also discuss how the healthy development of the young adult children might be impacted by lack of support from their parents in the crucial young adult years. This series is intended to offer love and empathy for all both the more traditionally believing LDS parents and their disaffiliated young adult children, shining a light on the extreme complexity of this situation and hoping to offer insights that will help families in our community heal. Please share this series with those who might benefit from this enlightening and healing discussion! Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month), available here.
For a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe and support the podcast, click here.
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie by making a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: As a trauma therapist, Valerie continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become more psychologically and spiritually healthy. All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To learn more click here.
——————————————————————————————————————LATTER DAY NIGHT LIVE! Register for our latest 3-part webinar series “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis & Expansion.” Valerie will host a question/answer session directly after the class. First session April 3rd 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! Register for a spot here.
——————————————————————————————————————
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here.
In this episode one of a mind-expanding four-part series, Valerie and special guest and fellow therapist Liz Macdonald delve into the delicate nature of the relationship between a certain type of Latter-Day Saint parent and their young adult children who navigate different paths regarding their faith.
In this episode, Liz offers and overview of an in-depth research project she did learning more about the extreme turmoil experienced by those in conflict with their parents due to LDS disaffiliation. They also begin to unpack the findings in this research paper.
Friday's episode (available by subscription) delves into more of the specific findings of this research, including an analysis of what the disaffiliated young adults experienced in their relationships with their parents. Liz and Valerie explore not only the phenomenon uncovered in this research but potential reasons for these findings embedded in the theology. They also offer ongoing empathy for all parties in this challenging dynamic. This series is intended to offer love and empathy for all both the more traditionally believing LDS parents and their disaffiliated young adult children, shining a light on the extreme complexity of this situation and hoping to offer insights that will help families in our community heal. Please share this series with those who might benefit from this enlightening and healing discussion! Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
—————————————————————————————————————
SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month), available here. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
For a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe and support the podcast, click here.
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: You can support Valerie by making a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: As a trauma therapist, Valerie continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become more psychologically and spiritually healthy. All support groups are currently full, however, a new evening group is scheduled to start in September 2024. To learn more click here.
——————————————————————————————————————LATTER DAY NIGHT LIVE! Register for our latest 3-part webinar series “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis & Expansion.” Valerie will host a question/answer session directly after the class. First session April 3rd 8:30 CST. Come ask Val your burning questions and be part of the conversation! Register for a spot here.
——————————————————————————————————————
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available here.
In this part three of their series celebrating some of the most significant spiritual work of Father Richard Rohr, Valerie and Nathan dive deep into the sin of exclusion which, ironically, is a serious issue within most religious systems. This episode highlights how religious systems in general struggle with marginalizing other religious systems and create margins within their own systems. Reflecting on Richard Rohr's meditation from ''Yes! And" Daily Meditations, Nathan and Val discuss the necessary inclusion of outcasts who embody the church's rejected identities (single, queer, female, theologically nonconforming, etc) and are crucial for its wholeness and conversion. They emphasizes the role of 'edge workers' positioned throughout the world— those on either border of the institution who can act as canaries in the coal mine, heightening awareness around their own systems' subtle and obvious outcasts. They heighten the importance of surrender to the validation of the institution in the service of serving God and those in and around the institution without social equity or who are too afraid or wounded to speak their own pain. Together, they urge the necessity of moving beyond judgment and towards a more inclusive, understanding, and compassionate approach that embraces all, especially those who have felt marginalized within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Until this happens, the LDS church cannot serve its role as a faith community of true healing, growth, and transformation. Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles are accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe
https://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie by making a one-time donation to her business Venmo account or by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!
https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/
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LATTER DAY SOLUTIONS ONLINE CLASSES: Now available! “Mixed-Faith Parenting in the LDS Faith” parts 1-3. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com
https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/courses/
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CONSULTING: 1:1 time with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/p/1-1-consultations
In this profound four-part series, Nathan and Valerie delve into some of the most formative ideas that they have learned on their faith reconstruction journey with the help of Father Richard Rohr.
In this episode they talk about the nature of God and how this basic concept impacts EVERYTHING else in one's spiritual journey.
They riff on ideas from Julian of Norwich, Richard Rohr, John Calvin, and current LDS scholars and theologians Fiona and Terryl Givens as formative in their reconfiguration of a compassionate and universalist God, challenging traditional perspectives of a conditionally-loving God demanding performance and repentance to achieve "worthiness" and present or eternal blessings.
This conversation also paves the way for upcoming discussions on the prophetic wisdom of Richard Rohr which includes topics around why patriarchy is so harmful, the excavation of the True Self, and the importance of honoring brave voices of dissent.
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
—————————————————————————————————————
SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe
https://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!
https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/
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LATTER DAY SOLUTIONS ONLINE CLASSES: Now available! “Mixed-Faith Parenting in the LDS Faith” parts 1-3. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com
https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/courses/
——————————————————————————————————————
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/p/1-1-consultations
In this episode of Latter Day Struggles, Valerie is joined by Dan Wotherspoon, a beloved voice in our Latter-day Saint progressive community. During their conversation, Wotherspoon shares his poignant personal history, detailing a journey from early rebellion, through an LDS mission, a higher-education-induced faith crisis, and finally a profound spiritual awakening that led to his enduring realization that love is the most real force in the universe. Both Valerie and Dan speak to the importance of individual discernment in worship and connection with the divine, the importance of transitioning from passive to active engagement in one's faith development, and Dan shares some insights from his experience as a student under Father Richard Rohr at his "Living School". Friday's episode is a special recording where Valerie changes roles and is interviewed by Dan Wotherspoon. In this tender episode she shares some of her most poignant realizations and experiences associated to her own faith journey from orthodoxy her stepping into the role as advocate and voice for health and healing within the Latter-day Saint community.
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe
https://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!
https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/
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LATTER DAY SOLUTIONS ONLINE CLASSES: Now available! “Mixed-Faith Parenting in the LDS Faith” parts 1-3. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com
https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/courses/
——————————————————————————————————————
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/p/1-1-consultations
In today's part one of this two-part series, Valerie sits down with the insightful Jana Spangler to chat about her first-hand spiritual growth as a student of Father Richard Rohr. Jana walks us through the overarching teachings of the Living School's teachers, especially what she learned personally from Father Richard Rohr and the other interdenominational leaders at his “Living School”, a program sponsored by Rohr’s Center of Action and Contemplation. They dive deep into the Mormon experience also, envisioning a shift toward more meaningful, mystical connection.
In Friday's episode Jana shares specifics about her depth experience at The Living School, including what she learned about finding the sacred in the profane, the importance of becoming non-dualistic, and embracing a Christianity that is embodied in advocacy and social justice. Don't miss her wisdom! It is beautiful and thought provoking!
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
—————————————————————————————————————
SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe
https://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!
https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/
——————————————————————————————————————
LATTER DAY SOLUTIONS ONLINE CLASSES: Now available! “Mixed-Faith Parenting in the LDS Faith” parts 1-3. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com
https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/courses/
——————————————————————————————————————
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/p/1-1-consultations
In today's episode, Valerie and her friend and colleague Dr. Julie Hanks delve into the complex emotional landscape of staying somehow connected to the LDS Church.
They explore the importance of self-definition and psychological health, advocating for boundary-setting and personal spiritual responsibility and reflect on the intricate dynamics of faith, community, and individual well-being in the context of the LDS faith.
Because they have found THIS TOPIC to be so heavy on the minds of so many of their mutual listeners, they have decided to host a four-evening Question and Response (Q&R) series in February of 2024 to extend a lifeline to those wrestling with these challenges and offer resources for navigating faith and personal growth. Link to enroll directly below!
Click here to enroll in Question and Response with Valerie and Dr. Hanks
Join them for an insightful dialogue intertwining the sacred with the psychological and more information. Bring your own questions to Julie and Val in a closed, non-recorded dive about "staying" on your own terms and in psychologically healthy ways. PS: Part II of this series is a focus on "stepping away" in psychologically healthy ways. Enroll for both!
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe
https://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/
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SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles
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SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!
https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/
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COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com
https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/courses/
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/p/1-1-consultations
Welcome to episode #3 in this four-part series on the history of the LDS temple recommend interview! Today, Valerie and Nathan continue this conversation by focusing on the evolution of temple admission from no process at all, to a vague, self-reflective process, to a process governed by adherence of specific theological beliefs and practices which changed depending a variety of factors discussed in this episode.
One example they that explore is the shift in the demand for support of the practice of plural marriage to excommunication for the practice plural marriage--both connected to temple eligibility.
They talk about how the temple recommend has become a forum for assessing and withholding worship privileges connected to issues such as loyalty, tithing, and LGBTQ identities, intellectualism, and feminism.
As they unwrap the layers of historical context their hope is to demystify both the content and the process of the temple recommend interview, in hopes that you will feel less anxious and more empowered to connect with God through the temple if you feel that this will authentically enhance your spiritual journey.
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe
https://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!
https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/
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COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com
https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/courses/
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/p/1-1-consultations
In this profoundly enlightening four-part series of "Latter Day Struggles," Valerie and Nathan explore the complex issues surrounding worthiness and temple recommend interviews within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They delve into the hurtful misinterpretations of unworthiness, the struggle for direct spirituality versus patriarchal intermediaries, and they make sense of the discomfort and anxiety that many people feel due to the temple recommend interview process as members spiritually evolve. Their conversation also touches on the broader landscape of temple observance across various religious traditions as a way to see that temple worship is common and life-giving to many amongst spiritual traditions worldwide.Friday's episode begins the historical analysis of the changes in the interview, exploring such topics as word of wisdom, chastity, cursing, and plural marriage...just to name a few! See you there! Referenced in this episode: The History of Temple Admission Standards: Journal of Mormon History Vol. 24, No. 1, 1998 (usu.edu)Temple Recommend Evolution – Wheat & Tares (wheatandtares.org)Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!—————————————————————————————————————SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey! https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7 Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe https://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/ ——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap! https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/ ——————————————————————————————————————COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/courses/ ——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/p/1-1-consultations
In today's part III of Valerie's series with Greg Prince they delve into an era that Greg claims we should all better understand as we navigate our 21st century LDS faith. This episode casts a spotlight on the leadership of David O. McKay, with a special focus on his complex relationship to the eventual lifting of the temple/priesthood ban, his handling of Ezra Taft Benson's anti-communist obsession, and his questionable handling of McConkie's infamous "Mormon Doctrine" This conversation illustrate the intricate interplay between policy, revelation, and societal readiness that shaped church decisions during McKay’s presidency. Valerie and Greg also navigate through challenging themes, such as the potential for power to corrupt, the church's structural comparisons to a corporation, and the high expectations placed upon church leaders. The discussion also delves into the personal impact of church policies on its members and the importance of actively owning one's faith. FRIDAY'S episode is a seamless continuation of this conversation with a special focus on some scientific findings (researched by himself and Lester Bush) around leadership vulnerabilities of any kind of formalized genontracry. Please subscribe to listen! Info below! Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!————————————————————————————————————— SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7 Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribehttps://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/ ——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/——————————————————————————————————————COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/course-library——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/private-practice/
Hello Latter Day Struggles friends! In this bonus episode, I share the details of many of the ways that I am supporting your LDS (and surrounding) faith expansion journeys. As a psychotherapist trained in intimate and family relationships, trauma, and group-work, I could never have guessed that my specific course-work would lead me to LDS faith crisis because when I was in this intensive training process, I didn't even know what faith crisis was and had not experienced anything of the sort in my own life. YET. Well, God works in mysterious ways, right? When life happened and my eyes began to be opened to spiritual growth that I didn't even know was possible (for both me and thousands having similar experiences), I was ready enough to step into this space due to the preparation that I didn't even know was happening. So take a listen to this quick informational episode and join me for whatever portion of my offerings work for you. I love you all! Here's to a happy and thriving 2024 in our faith expansion journey together! ————————————————————To enroll in Val’s webinars and new group go to latterdaystruggles.com. ————————————————————To enroll in the first session of Val and Dr. Julie Hanks’ “Do I Stay or Do I Go” Q&R series go to drjuliehanks.ask.me.
Welcome back to "Latter Day Struggles," for another not-to-be-missed four-part series with distinguished guest, Greg Prince—an influential voice in progressive Mormon circles and a man of diverse expertise and deep compassion. In today’s episode, we explore Greg's seven generations of Latter-Day Saint heritage and his application of scientific principles to the study of Mormon history and theology. As a devoted researcher and advocate, Greg delves into the LDS Church's engagement with LGBTQ issues in general and their many-decades-long involvement fighting gay marriage, as detailed in Greg's excellent book "Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions: Unintended Consequences". FRIDAY'S episode II of this series will focus on Greg's experience writing "Leonard Arrington and the Writing of Mormon History" and a fascinating conversation about this era from a man who can offer some first-hand wisdom. Please subscribe to listen! Info below!Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there! ———————————————-Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions—Unintended Consequences: https://amzn.to/47f5Sez————————————————————————————————————— SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7 Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribehttps://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/ ——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles!——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/——————————————————————————————————————COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.comhttps://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/courses/——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valerie-hamaker-s-school1.teachable.com/p/1-1-consultations
In this thought-provoking episode Valerie delves into the topic of women and church hierarchy, focusing on the symbolic and practical implications of women seated at the stand in church leadership. Valerie shares her personal connections to the San Francisco Bay Area (where the recent "seating chart" debacle took place) with her experience as a missionary in that area. She contrasts gender policies within the LDS framework to those of other denominations and unpacks some of the complexities of gender dynamics, the influence of historical and transgenerational trauma, and suggests reimagining stewardship beyond traditional hierarchies. Tune in for an insightful dialogue and be sure to catch Friday's episode reading and analyzing Amy McPhie Allebest’s influential essay "Dear Mormon Man, Tell Me What Would You Do?"Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!————————————————————————————————————— SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7 Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribehttps://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/ ——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/——————————————————————————————————————COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/course-library——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/private-practice/
In this beautiful episode 3 of this 4 part series, Valerie continues the deep dive into the beautiful life story of special guest, Maxine Hanks. From exploring her theological journey into early Christian gnosticism, to her experiences in Christian liturgy, to her studies at Harvard, to her work as a Chaplain, and finally her return to the LDS Church, Maxine's journey offers a unique perspective on faith and self-discovery. Her fascinating path interweaves elements of personal growth, mission, and calling with a desire to be instrumental in community reconciliation and part of an expanding body of Christ. This episode also introduces a further exploration of Maxine’s reintroduction experience to the LDS faith (which is detailed in the final episode of this series). The final episode of this series delves into Maxine's reconciliation experience with the LDS church, her thoughts on others in her September 6 cohort whose experiences were not as generous, and her vision for a more loving body of Christ as a church who learns the power of true ministry.
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7 Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribehttps://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/
——————————————————————————————————————COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/course-library
——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/private-practice/
In this first of a compelling four-part series, Valerie welcomes Maxine Hanks, editor of the groundbreaking feminist book "Women and Authority" which led to the infamous "September 6" purge of 1993, where many LDS feminists and scholars were disciplined by the LDS church for their scholarship and advocacy work.
In the next four episodes, Valerie welcomes Maxine Hanks to the Latter Day Struggles podcast where Maxine offers a detailed account of her own life story, beginning with her call to help her LDS church see its own feminist roots, her word editing "Women and Authority" and details not only her own intriguing experience as one of the "September 6" but also her sacred and circuitous 20-year journey of faith expansion following her excommunication that culminated in her decision to return to formal LDS affiliation.
Today's episode specifically focuses on her sacred experiences feeling called to uncover the powerful feminist underpinnings that are unique to the early Mormon faith and how and why this project was a lightning bolt for her patriarchal Mormon community.
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7 Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribehttps://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/
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COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/course-library
——————————————————————————————————————
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/private-practice/
In this episode Valerie and Nathan discuss Elder Carlos A. Godoy's talk "For the Sake of Your Posterity". In this episode they focus on the following:
- Support of the fundamental importance of the influence of parents
- Deep concerns about fear and guilt tactics used to motivate behavior of church members
- The importance of understanding stages of faith development to offer context and grace instead of judgment
Friday's part II (available by subscription--see below for more info) covers the following:
- Several reasons why parents in LDS faith crisis found this address particularly painful
- Val and Nathan's personal experiences as parents navigating parenthood from both perspectives and their reframing of the concept of "weak links" and "strong links"
- An invitation to the idea that parents considered “weak links” are actually practicing extreme courage and strength in changing their parenting techniques to fit the unique spiritual needs of themselves and their families.
The series explores the potential harm that rigidity, guilt, and fear tactics have on weary and vulnerable parents wrestling with deep spiritual questions. Join Valerie and Nathan this week as they call for a more empathetic approach to parenting in the context of LDS faith journey.Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!————————————————————————————————————— SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7 Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribehttps://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/ ——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/——————————————————————————————————————COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/course-library——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/private-practice/
In this thought-provoking Part Three of this Four-Part Series studying Adam's fascinating book "Original Grace", Valerie and Adam dive into the challenging concept of suffering as linked to God's wrath. They address the damaging theology of viewing suffering as punishment and explore the doctrine of original grace.
Adam differentiates between justice and suffering within this doctrine.
Val discuss how beliefs about God's nature impact our responses to suffering. She highlights potential harm in traditional atonement models, and suggests a shift towards an understanding of original grace.
In their final episode in this series together, Val and Adam do a deep dive into Adam's recent presentation at the Restore Conference hosted by the Faith Matters Foundation. Don't miss this!
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7 Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribehttps://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!
——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/
——————————————————————————————————————COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/course-library
——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/private-practice/
In this first episode of a fascinating 4-part series with Adam Miller, Valerie and Adam dive into a thought-provoking discussion about the concept of grace, focusing on the larger Christian and Latter-day Saint traditions.
Adam shares his insights from his book "Original Grace," emphasizing that grace should be seen as the original intention of God rather than a backup plan.
Val and Adam explore why grace is often viewed as a backup plan, reflecting on human nature and our instinctual need for survival. They also touch on the topics of justice and heterodoxy, setting the stage for the next episode's deeper exploration.
Join Valerie and Adam in this captivating conversation that challenges traditional interpretations and paves the way for a more nuanced understanding of grace and its implications in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!https://tinyurl.com/bddk8ak7 Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribehttps://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/
——————————————————————————————————————
COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/course-library/
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/private-practice/
In this heartfelt episode, Valerie and guest Christian Anderson reflect on the life and legacy of Lavina Fielding Anderson, Christian's mother: a writer, scholar, and passionate believer in protecting the vulnerable and champion for a more inclusive Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. —In Monday's episode, Valerie and Christian explore Lavina's early life, her convictions, and her eventual confrontation with the LDS church around issues of ecclesiastical abuse. —In Friday's episode, Christian recounts his own feelings and memories of Lavina's brave and courageous life and legacy. This episode delves into the importance of speaking up for what is right and the need for checks and balances within religious institutions.————————————————————————————————————— SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/valerie-hamaker/subscribe?fbclid=PAAaZOujT5Iv-ArVKxx_ZnsJryIeK7uymznxXxCfmDAjArPXxc9c6MCky899g_aem_ATa689KXBF31ycMSoST32hApZpdhYUynZdSHSbNSgCplOwFGXHIYlkS8IOvJbd5xJbU Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribehttps://valeriehamaker.com/how-to-subscribe/ ——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap! Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to join a support grouphttps://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/support-groups/how-to-join-a-support-group/——————————————————————————————————————COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to purchase a coursehttps://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/course-library/how-to-purchase-course/——————————————————————————————————————CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! Click here to learn more! https://valeriehamaker.com/latter-day-struggles/private-practice/
In this first episode of a two-parts series, Valerie and guest Jon Ogden delve into the topic of raising spiritually literate children within and beyond the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jon's online program UPLIFT KIDS focuses on providing options and resources for families to incorporate ritual and tradition into their lives, creating a safe space for children to learn and grow while respecting different belief systems.
Monday's episode 167 offers a general overview of Jon's vision for this program.
Friday's episode walks us through how parents can use the Uplift Kids program to integrate the most current psychology, science, and the great world religions into a holistic and integrated spiritual experience for kids of all ages.
Parents, you don't want to miss this week's episodes!
SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
Click here to subscribe to all Friday Latter Day Struggles Episodes
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!
SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to join a support group
COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to purchase a course
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! Click here to learn more!
In this episode of Latter Day Struggles, Valerie visits with Aimee, a Canadian seminary teacher, to discuss her experiences as a progressive thinker in the Latter Day Saint space. Aimee shares her journey of personal growth and how this translates into her approach to seminary teaching-prioritizing inquiry over dogma and allowing her students to become creators of their own spiritual learning experience. Valerie and Aimee explore the challenges of teaching with a church-correlated curriculum that may not align with the instructor's personal beliefs and values. Through their conversation, they emphasize the importance of love, creating a safe space for students, and helping them grow closer to God.Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
————————————————————————————————————— SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
Click here to subscribe to all Friday Latter Day Struggles Episodes
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe
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SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to join a support group
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COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to purchase a course
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CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! Click here to learn more!
In this episode, Valerie is joined by Julie Hanks to discuss some of the challenges faced by parents of adolescents in and around the LDS church. They answer a handful of questions submitted by listeners to both of their podcasts including thoughts about making boundaries with well-intended but overstepping leaders, avoiding black and white thinking, healthy ways to talk about the temple and the garment, and how to address LGBTQ+ issues in church settings. Overall, this episode offers valuable insights and guidance for parents as they strive to support their children's growth and well-being.Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
————————————————————————————————————— SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
Click here to subscribe to all Friday Latter Day Struggles Episodes
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to join a support group
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COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to purchase a course
——————————————————————————————————————
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! Click here to learn more!
Join me for an hour learning about the body's response to painful words. This will happen THIS Monday October 9th, 2023 10:30a Central Time for a FREE virtual webinar. This gathering is especially for those wanting to know if a trauma, processing, growth, and support group through the Latter Day Struggles Platform is right for you. Those in my current or former groups of course welcome to jump in as well! Enroll HERE!https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrdu2gqjwsHd1NdcdewxlyebWmhfxQDaow
Welcome to a beautiful two-part conversation between Valerie and Patrick Mason, who talk about the often-unaddressed issue of conflict in religious congregations and how tough conversations can be turned around to propel spiritual growth.
Patrick has a unique perspective in this issue as a university professor who has recently begun holding gatherings in his home, helping young adults in and around the LDS church feel safe in their honest enquiries around spirituality in general and the LDS faith in specific.
Valerie and Patrick traverse complex terrain, discussing the fear of constructive conflict within the Latter-day Saint community that often stifles genuine spiritual ministering and growth. Patrick examines this cultural practice, arguing that conflict can and should be seen as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat to unity and peace.
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
Click here to subscribe to all Friday Latter Day Struggles Episodes
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to join a support group
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COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to purchase a course
——————————————————————————————————————
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! Click here to learn more!
In the next two episodes Valerie and Nathan respond to a BYU address titled “Stand Forever” by Elder Corbridge, where he proposes to university students that there are only four questions that even matter in one’s quest for spiritual knowledge in the LDS church.
According to him, once these “primary questions” are answered, no “secondary questions” need be asked.
In this series Valerie and Nathan challenge both the the proposed four “primary questions” themselves and the premise that it is wrong to enquire about anything related to our unique faith journeys.
FRIDAY’S episode tackles Val’s and Nathan’s responded to E Corbridge’s proposal that scientific and other academic inquiry is not spiritual in nature and explore why the experience of doubt is evidence of spiritual questing and courage.
Podcast-related resources:
- Stand Forever, by Lawrence E. Corbridge, BYU Devotional
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
Click here to subscribe to all Friday Latter Day Struggles Episodes
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to join a support group
——————————————————————————————————————
COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to purchase a course
——————————————————————————————————————
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! Click here to learn more!
In this third episode in this mini-series featuring Chris Kimball’s book Living on the Inside of the Edge, Chris and Val talk about dangers of MAGICAL THINKING and how pervasive this is in the LDS church. They discuss how compelling a transactional understanding of life might feel (as all people crave certainty) but how damaging this is when churches offer simple if/then promises that crumble for many of us when things fall apart. What follows failed promises made by well-meaning loved ones and churches? Not only the despair of the loss (the death, failed marriage, etc.) but also the despair that the whole system upon which one believes in God does not work. Friday’s closing episode of this series is a tender conversation about parenting on the edge. Chris and Valerie talk about fears that they have or have overcome in raising their children on the edge, knowing that others may well see them and/or their children as failures on the Mormon scoreboard.Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!—————————————————————————————————————— Helpful podcast-related resources:
- Living on the Inside of the Edge: A Survival Guide, Christian Kimball
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SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey!
Click here to subscribe to all Friday Latter Day Struggles Episodes
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!
——————————————————————————————————————
SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap!
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to join a support group
——————————————————————————————————————
COURSES: Now available! “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” parts I and II. See what else is offered on latterdaystruggles.com
Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to purchase a course
——————————————————————————————————————
CONSULTING: Interested in doing individual or couples work with Valerie or a member of her trained team? Time-limited packages with Valerie and extended work with her team of coaches and therapists are available! Click here to learn more!
Welcome to the first of a WONDERFUL four-part mini series with guest Christian Kimball, author of the beautiful book “Living on the Inside of the Edge”.
In today’s episode Chris and Val will focus on the topic of how prone we as Latter Day Saints (as are others in early stage spiritual and psychological development) are to think in BINARIES: good/bad, right/wrong, in/out.
Their invitation is to break out of binary-thinking and begin to see your relationship with the church on your own terms, emphasizing that your relationship with your current spiritual practice WILL CHANGE, because our life’s experiences change us all.
In Friday’s episode Val and Chris focus on finally truly growing up in our relationship with the church! This episode digs into the concept of obtaining a differentiated [read: adult-to -adult] relationship with the church and how this adult-to-adult dynamic might look on the ground in real life relationships, especially with your bishop. Info on how to subscribe to the Friday episodes of the Latter Day Struggles Podcast is directly below. See you there!
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You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion support and processing groups. As a trauma therapist she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Enrollment JUST OPENED for upcoming Latter Day Struggles Support and Processing Group beginning NOVEMBER 2023. Details on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP so jump in asap!
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All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month) by following this link directly below. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey.
Click here to subscribe to all Friday Latter Day Struggles Episodes.
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To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here: https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles
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LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com
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For those of you listening to this FRIDAY episode of the Latter Day Struggles podcast, we offer you a heartfelt THANK YOU for your generosity in supporting our work on your behalf.
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Helpful Links for Listeners:
- How to support the podcast and subscribe
- How to join a support group
- How to purchase a course
In the next two episodes Valerie will share with you her findings following hundreds of intense hours working with members of the LDS church in faith and trust crisis this past year since she opened up her first growth, processing, and support groups as a trauma therapist serving her own faith community. These observations might be of particular interest as they come exactly 10 years following the creation of an exhaustive report (linked in full below) created for (then President) Dieter F. Uchtdorf as a way to help LDS general authorities better understand the nature of the suffering of so many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in faith and trust crises. Valerie’s analysis in this episode and Friday’s episodes covers the following (among other things): The current main causes of LDS faith and trust crisis The emergence of some issues in 2023 that were less prominent in 2013 What people in faith and trust crisis generally are experiencing from a psychological perspective The relational suffering of those in LDS faith and trust crisis due to the standard rhetoric about “those who doubt” The psychological interventions that Valerie uses to help people heal from the trauma of faith and trust crisis How people look and feel as they heal from this experience both in relationship to themselves, others, and the LDS church Valerie feels a deep personal commitment to help each person who comes to this platform. Thank you for trusting this platform as you work through this challenging but ultimately rewarding experience of spiritual growth! Faith Crisis Report: https://faenrandir.github.io/a_careful_examination/documents/faith_crisis_study/Faith_Crisis_R28e.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0HEjV8dDVB9J1__x6ISIgHBRFw5TL06l-mr38edrjdAqbVZbp7Ox2ZvuU&fs=e&s=cl&fs=e&s=cl————————————————————————————————————————————-All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month) by following this link directly below. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey.Here is the link to subscribe to all Friday Latter Day Struggles Episodes: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/valerie-hamaker/subscribe?fbclid=PAAaZOujT5Iv-ArVKxx_ZnsJryIeK7uymznxXxCfmDAjArPXxc9c6MCky899g_aem_ATa689KXBF31ycMSoST32hApZpdhYUynZdSHSbNSgCplOwFGXHIYlkS8IOvJbd5xJbU___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles____________________________________________________________________________LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________Enrollment JUST OPENED for upcoming Latter Day Struggles Support and Processing Group beginning NOVEMBER 2023. Details on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP so jump in asap! _________________________________________________________________________For those of you listening to this FRIDAY episode of the Latter Day Struggles podcast, we offer you a heartfelt THAN YOU for your generosity in supporting our work on your behalf.
Following last week’s deep dive into the talk “To the Mothers in Zion”, you are likely struck by the need to better understand the fraught roll of women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the 20th and 21st century.
However, the struggle to understand the unequal status of women is not just an LDS in nature. It is MUCH bigger than that. And it is deeply connected to the loss of our collective knowledge of the feminine divine.
This is what this week’s Latter Day Struggles episodes plans to explore.
And who better to take us on this journey than own beloved poet laureate, author, and feminist extraordinaire—Carol Lynn Pearson.
The specific topic of this two-episode series is Carol Lynn’s one-woman play titled “Mother Wove the Morning”.
In Carol Lynn’s typically beautiful and dramatic way, we learn all about women throughout the ages their ongoing search for the divine face of God.
Monday’s episode offers context to the creation of this play—her personal experiences that led up to the realization of this idea, where, how, when it was performed and how it was received.
She shares her experience deciding to address the feminine divine in an era where feminist and heavenly mother scholarship was under the critical scrutiny from the leadership of the church and how she decided to answer the call notwithstanding the risks.
In Friday’s episode Carol Lynn will delight us all with an overview of the cast of characters whom she selected to perform through her and actually performs a portion of the play for us all to enjoy!
If you loved the little portion that you heard on the podcast, don’t hesitate to go to her website carollynnpearson.com and buy the entire play and the book that goes with it. It is time for a resurrection of this amazing one-woman play in the ongoing celebration of the feminine face of God with whom so many of us are finding deep connection.
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All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month) by following this link. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey.
Here is the link to subscribe to all Friday Latter Day Struggles Episodes:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/valerie-hamaker/subscribe?fbclid=PAAaZOujT5Iv-ArVKxx_ZnsJryIeK7uymznxXxCfmDAjArPXxc9c6MCky899g_aem_ATa689KXBF31ycMSoST32hApZpdhYUynZdSHSbNSgCplOwFGXHIYlkS8IOvJbd5xJbU
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To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles
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LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________
Enrollment JUST OPENED for upcoming Latter Day Struggles Support and Processing Group beginning NOVEMBER 2023. Details on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP so jump in asap!
This week on Latter Day Struggles we are diving into an address that rocked the worlds of many women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The talk? “To the Mother’s in Zion” given by Ezra Taft Benson clear back in 1987. This talk became a sort of priesthood-directed “Mormon motherhood position statement” for all women of the church for several decades.
To say the very least, it made its mark on thousands of women during this era and beyond.
In today’s episode Valerie offers a truckload of VERY SIGNIFICANT context that will help each of us better understand the reasons for this heavy-handed mandate for women to stay in the home. Some of the context addressed in this episode includes:
Historical issues that informed Benson’s stance (the Red Scare, the sexual revolution, the feminist movement, the civil rights movement)
The LDS church’s longing to achieve “in-group” status with the Christin conservative Right after a century of polygamy-induced shunning
The LDS church’s commitment to codified gender roles in an effort prevent the spread of homosexuality
Benson’s own involvement in the ultra-conservative John Birch Society
In FRIDAY’S episode, Valerie and friend and colleague Julie Hanks together walk through their own formative years as LDS girls and how this talk impacted them personally. They also jump into the address itself and talk about several sections from a psychological, spiritual, and relational health standpoint.
Link to "To the Mother's of Zion" talk: https://emp.byui.edu/satterfieldb/pdf/tomothersofzion.pdf. _____________________________________________________________________________
All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month) by following this link. Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey. _____________________________________________________________________________
Here is the link to subscribe to all Friday Latter Day Struggles Episodes:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/valerie-hamaker/subscribe?fbclid=PAAaZOujT5Iv ArVKxx_ZnsJryIeK7uymznxXxCfmDAjArPXxc9c6MCky899g_aem_ATa689KXBF31ycMSoST32hApZpdhYUynZdSHSbNSgCplOwFGXHIYlkS8IOvJbd5xJbU
___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________ Enrollment JUST OPENED for upcoming Latter Day Struggles Support and Processing Group beginning NOVEMBER 2023. Details on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP so jump in asap!
Hello Latter Day Struggles listeners! We are on episode #5 of this miniseries exploring the sociological phenomenon of the creation of deviant out-groups.
In today’s and Friday’s (final) episode of this series we will be covering several recommendations given by the brilliant scholar Gerta Lerner on how we as individuals within our own systems can break down hierarchical systems of oppression.
The recommendations explored today are as follows:
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Accept differences in others. Don’t just tolerate them. Val and Nathan go into some detail about how this might look on the group within the culture and theology of the LDS church.
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Once we acknowledge, honor, and accept the differences of unique others in our individual relationships, allow them to be a complex composite of a a multitude of characteristics (not simply a representative of their grouping that makes them different).
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Although we enjoy these loved ones in 1:1 situations and don’t focus on their differences, we DO NOT “move on” in social situations where institutionalized marginalization is taking place. ***Tune in for much more on this topic!
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Personally notice when we move into stigmatizing others. Val and Nathan talk about how this is such a human self-preserving temptation.
FRIDAY’S final episode of this series breaks down the last few recommendations that we can each integrate into our own growth journeys as we endeavor to become more and more capable of truly loving our fellow humans.
Books referenced in this episode: Decolonizing Mormonism edited by Gina Colvin: https://amzn.to/3qrMJGR. Universal Christ by Richard Rohr: https://amzn.to/47y2egU. ———————————————————————As mentioned in this episode, HERE is the link to subscribe to all FRIDAY Latter Day Struggles Podcast episodes. THANK YOU for your support!
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/valerie-hamaker/subscribe?fbclid=PAAaZOujT5Iv-ArVKxx_ZnsJryIeK7uymznxXxCfmDAjArPXxc9c6MCky899g_aem_ATa689KXBF31ycMSoST32hApZpdhYUynZdSHSbNSgCplOwFGXHIYlkS8IOvJbd5xJbU
___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________ Enrollment JUST OPENED for upcoming Latter Day Struggles Support and Processing Group beginning NOVEMBER 2023. Details on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP so jump in asap!
Welcome to part III of this really important Latter Day Struggles mini-series exploring the topic of how all organizations (our church included) create hierarchical systems with those in power and those who are seen as deviant, ‘other’ or an ‘out-group’ in some way.
So far in this series we have explained the psychological phenomenon itself, zoomed in on how this plays out on the ground in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and now we are going to spend the next two episodes walking through the six-step process of how humans create those groupings whom we choose to dominate, subjugate, and marginalize.
This episode tackles in detail the first three steps:
1) Mark the difference in a group of people who are unlike yourself.
2) Stigmatize the difference.
3) Institutionalize the discrimination practiced against the group.
FRIDAY’S episode IV (accessed by following the subscription link at the end of the show notes) tackles steps 4-6.
In these next two episodes (today’s and Fridays) Val and Nathan will offer both historical and current examples of how each of these steps in the creation of marginalized “out-group” populations looks both within the LDS faith and in other contexts.
Get ready to have your mind further expanded.
Here is the link to the book being referenced in this series: “Living with History: Making Social Change by Gerta Lerner:
https://a.co/d/5wEvMqp
Here is the link to subscribe and listen to the next episode in this series [and every Friday episode].
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/valerie-hamaker/subscribe?fbclid=PAAaZOujT5Iv-ArVKxx_ZnsJryIeK7uymznxXxCfmDAjArPXxc9c6MCky899g_aem_ATa689KXBF31ycMSoST32hApZpdhYUynZdSHSbNSgCplOwFGXHIYlkS8IOvJbd5xJbU
___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________ Val’s Monday noon CST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group is FULL. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming groups. Go to latterdaystruggles.com for enrollment information.
Welcome to an all new Latter Day Struggles Mini Series!
In this series Val and Nathan will be covering in-depth one of Val’s recent Sunstone Symposium presentations exploring the psychology around human civilization’s tendency to organize themselves into hierarchies. These hierarchies consist of an empowered group whose authority is dictated by selecting a different group over whom they dominate. These disempowered groups are sometimes called “out-groups” or “deviant others”. In Episode 1 of this series Val and Nathan cover the following:
*** Why societies [countries, corporations, churches, middle schools...just to name a few] organize themselves into a dominating few who find identity and cohesion in their rule over designated disempowered out-groups.
*** How those in power use differences in others to dominate them.
*** How some disempowered ‘out groups’ are common throughout time and place [gender, class, race] and also how unique out-groups are arbitrarily selected within micro-cultures.
***How out-groups come to see themselves as subordinate, weaker, and essentially less-than after generations of oppression and messaging that they were created to be subservient to the dominant.
This Friday’s Episode 2 [accessed via subscription, link below to subscribe] Val and Nathan will discuss how this concept applies to hierarchal structures in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, both through macro-issues such as their historical and current struggles with institutional patriarchy, racism, and issues around disempowering gender and sexual minorities.
They also break down how within the LDS church there are a variety of more subtle hierarchies and disempowered out-groups that may seem invisible because they are so entrenched in the culture and theology. These more subtle micro-cultural power dynamics hurt people by communicating that the worth of all souls is unequal in the sight of God.
Their desire in shining a light on this phenomenon in this series is to help our community root out the multiple layers of hierarchy to create a community bonded not by the division between powerful in-groups and powerless out-groups, but by equality and Christ-like love.
Here is the link to subscribe and listen to the next episode in this series [and every Friday episode].
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/valerie-hamaker/subscribe?fbclid=PAAaZOujT5Iv-ArVKxx_ZnsJryIeK7uymznxXxCfmDAjArPXxc9c6MCky899g_aem_ATa689KXBF31ycMSoST32hApZpdhYUynZdSHSbNSgCplOwFGXHIYlkS8IOvJbd5xJbU
___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________ Val’s Monday noon CST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group is FULL. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming groups. Go to latterdaystruggles.com for enrollment information.
In this part III of a four-part series analyzing the history of gender and sexuality in the LDS church from post WWII until present, Valerie and Taylor Petrey do a deep dive into gender, sexuality and how the following historical developments, policies, and political engagement are each connected to the LDS Church’s attempts to keep in place heteronormativity due to the contagion theory of sexual orientation: —Church Correlation Movement —Family Home Evening Program —Home Teaching Program —Collaboration with the Religious Right —The Equal Rights Amendment —Prop 8 —The Proclamation to the World on the Family —The 2015 Policy
In Friday's Final episode in this 4 Part Series, Val and Taylor wrap up this fascinating series responding to those out there who claim that “No doctrine has ever changed regarding gender and sexuality in the LDS church".
In short...nothing could be more false!
They will walk you through a lengthy list of all of the ideas forwarded by various official leaders throughout the years on pre-mortal gender, post-mortal gender, birth control, sexually acceptable behaviors amongst married cisgendered people, and so much more.
They also will walk you through a historical list of proposed causes and cures forwarded by the Church for homosexuality over the years.
They conclude Friday’s episode on a personal note, sharing how work in this area has deeply impacted them and why they both care so much about shining a light on this history. Its all about healing our community and helping expand our ability to love.
Here is the link to subscribe and listen to the next episode in this series [and every Friday episode].
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/valerie-hamaker/subscribe?fbclid=PAAaZOujT5Iv-ArVKxx_ZnsJryIeK7uymznxXxCfmDAjArPXxc9c6MCky899g_aem_ATa689KXBF31ycMSoST32hApZpdhYUynZdSHSbNSgCplOwFGXHIYlkS8IOvJbd5xJbU
Tabernacles of Clay: https://amzn.to/3O7YJFi
___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________ 1 SLOT LEFT to JOIN Val’s Monday noon CST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group (starting Aug 7, 2023), To join: Go to latterdaystruggles.com
In this first episode in a fascinating four-part mini-series, Valerie and special guest Taylor Petrey break down the historical shifts in the theology of gender and sexuality in the LDS church beginning in the post-WWII era through the present as outlined in his excellent book Tabernacles of Clay (linked below). Questions addressed in this episode [among others]:
--How historical racial oppression relates to the larger picture of gender and sexual oppression
--A paradox: If gender and sexuality is pre-mortal in nature, why it constantly seems to need human mediation, legislation, commandments
--How the LDS church’s post-WWII stance on gender/sexuality is related to these same issues within larger Christian culture and seen as a matter of national security
--The connection between the church's post-WWII stance in strong support of the patriarchal order of marriage and their polygamy legacy
FRIDAY’S EPISODE 140 EXPLORES THE FOLLOWING: [among other topics] (accessed via subscription at the link below):
--Culturally and religiously evolving stances on homosexuality (from moral to a legal to a medical to psychological phenomenon)
--An exploration of the very fraught relationship between the psychological world and the Mormon ecclesiastical world in the treatment of psychological issues in general and sexual issues specifically
--Significant developments in the administration of Spencer W. Kimball, the "self-help" movement, Miracle of Forgiveness, and the impact of this era
--An exploration of the proposed varying causes and cures for homosexuality throughout the years as speculated by various LDS church leaders
Thank you for supporting Val and Nathan’s countless hours devoted to enriching your spiritual journey!
Here is the link to subscribe and listen to the next episode in this series [and every Friday episode].
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/valerie-hamaker/subscribe?fbclid=PAAaZOujT5Iv-ArVKxx_ZnsJryIeK7uymznxXxCfmDAjArPXxc9c6MCky899g_aem_ATa689KXBF31ycMSoST32hApZpdhYUynZdSHSbNSgCplOwFGXHIYlkS8IOvJbd5xJbU
Tabernacles of Clay: https://www.amazon.com/Tabernacles-Clay-Sexuality-Gender-Mormonism/dp/1469656221/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DS7HY4Y69419&keywords=tabernacles+of+clay+sexuality+and+gender+in+modern+mormonism&qid=1689568484&sprefix=tabernacles,aps,149&sr=8-1 __ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her NEW AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group that will meet on Mondays at noon Central Time…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! ____________________________________________________________________________ Another way to financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________
I see you!
You're missing your Friday morning fix with Valerie and the Latter Day Struggles Podcast!
Well, I gotcha covered :)
This quick bonus episode walks you through step by step HOW to subscribe to the Friday episodes of this podcast no matter what provider you use (you do NOT need to listen on Spotify but you DO need to subscribe THROUGH Spotify...just to answer a question asked many, many times!)
Here is the link on how to subscribe:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/valerie-hamaker/subscribe?fbclid=PAAaZOujT5Iv-ArVKxx_ZnsJryIeK7uymznxXxCfmDAjArPXxc9c6MCky899g_aem_ATa689KXBF31ycMSoST32hApZpdhYUynZdSHSbNSgCplOwFGXHIYlkS8IOvJbd5xJbU
This episode will walk you through what to do once you click this link!
If you want step by step WRITTEN and visual instructions with screen shots of each page in the subscription process, go to this link on my instagram account:
https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE4MDQzNTQ5MDMzNDcxNDUy?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
See you soon again!
We’ve made it to episode #5 of this six part mini-series exploring LDS church growth struggles as studied in the recent journal article titled, “End of Growth? Fading Prospects for Latter-day Saint Expansion” (article in full linked below)
In today’s episode, the focus of analysis is on the following three points:
—The historical ‘gathering to Zion’ mentality has created isolationist culture to those gathered; has left many parts of the world with few members to grow the church; has therefore defaulted heavily on Utah-centric “world-view”, with secondary privileging of US “worldview”; less so on the rest of the world
—Occupational hazard of itinerant missionaries with low investment to quality conversion and hyper-focused on number of baptisms
—The accelerated baptism program of the church which pressured all parties from mission presidents to missionaries to aggressively pressure lay people to quickly decide to be baptized with inadequate time to understand not only what they were learning about but also to acclimate to a new social network, belief system, an ideology
The next and final episode of this series tackles perhaps the most fascinating concept explored in this report: a proposal that the LDS church's stance as God's only "true church" is at the foundation of the various administrative struggles that have impeded the church's ability to grow.
Link to the article analyzed in this series: https://jmssa.org/stewart/
NEWS FLASH! Starting on the NEXT EPISODE [138] Friday July 14th all of the Latter Day Struggles FRIDAY episodes will be available to you for $9.99 per month.
Specific instructions for subscribing to this content on a variety of podcasting platforms can be found on my Instagram account @latterdaystrugglespodcast in my current stories and in the highlights labeled “subscribe" here:
https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3ODczMDgxMDA5OTI4ODE1?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Subscribing to a paid podcast:
When you subscribe to a paid podcast, Spotify listeners will see the Friday podcast on their regular feed.
If you listen elsewhere, you will receive a private RSS feed that you can use to listen on the listening app of your choice. PLEASE do not share this with anyone. Invite others to subscribe as a way to ethically support this podcast. :)
Non-Spotify users can find your private RSS feed in the confirmation email you receive after subscribing.
Paste your private feed into the listening app of your choice. For iTunes users, go into your iTunes app and once subscribed, click on the three dots on the top right corner, select "Follow a Show by URL" and then paste in your private feed each week. Thank you for your support!
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Another way to financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles
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LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________
Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her NEW JULY 2023 support and processing faith expansion group that will meet on Mondays at noon Central Time…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies!
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Welcome to episode #4 of this six part mini-series where we are diving into all things LDS church growth struggles as studied in the recent journal article titled, “End of Growth? Fading Prospects for Latter-day Saint Expansion” (article in full linked below)
In today’s episode, Nathan and Val work through three more reasons exploring why the LDS church has not grown into the "next Islam" as forecasted about 40 years ago.
This episode focuses on these three points:
—Retention issues amongst specific demographics, especially adolescents and generation Z. Youth and young adult disaffiliation is increasing and youth age at disaffiliation is getting younger.
—Philosophical shifts in the missionary program including reduction in on-the-ground visibility between missionaries and the people in the communities where they serve; heavier focus on key indicators of success related to issues outside of the control of missionaries.
—The impact of the leadership being a gerontocracy and how this organizational philosophy may exact costs in growth.
NEWS FLASH! Beginning Friday July 14th all of the Latter Day Struggles FRIDAY episodes will be available to you for $9.99 per month. Details on how to subscribe forthcoming.
Thank you for supporting Val and Nathan’s countless hours devoted to enriching your spiritual journey! They are deeply grateful for your support of their work.
Link to the article analyzed in this series: https://jmssa.org/stewart/ ___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her NEW JULY 2023 support and processing faith expansion group that will meet on Mondays at noon Central Time…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! ____________________________________________________________________________
In the next three episodes of this six part series analyzing the article titled “End of Growth? Fading Prospects for Latter-day Saint Expansion” (article in full linked below) Nathan and Val work through 10 reasons social scientists postulate the LDS church did not grow (as forecasted about 40 years old) into the “the next Islam”.
This episode focuses on the following:
—The church’s emphasis on “building from centers of strength.” In the 1990’s the church rolled out a program redirecting missionary efforts and funds to parts of the world to "grow in leadership and capital before expanding to other parts of the world.”
—Multiple trends unfolded that were not expected based on early predictions: LDS fertility rates dropped significantly. Marriage rates dropped. New converts worldwide were frequently empty nesters. Many international converts had less children than their neighbors attending other churches.
—A contracting LDS missionary force relative to early predictions.
Nathan and Val break down each of these topics and weigh in on how each each of these research findings represents (in their opinion) either an administrative situation, gradual and unable-to-predict-societial-evolution, or perhaps a subtle trending towards personal authority and spiritual autonomy that does not concurrently translate into LDS institutional nominal growth.
In the next episode Nathan and Val tackle topics 4-6 of the ten topics covered explaining lower than expected LDS church growth according to the journal article linked below. Stay tuned!
NEWS FLASH! Beginning Friday July 14th all of the Latter Day Struggles FRIDAY episodes will be available to you for $9.99 per month as a simple way for you to support their time and effort creating frequent, high quality content. Details on steps to subscribe forthcoming. Thank you for supporting Val and Nathan’s countless hours devoted to enriching your spiritual journey!!
Link to the article analyzed in this series: https://jmssa.org/stewart/ ___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her NEW JULY 2023 support and processing faith expansion group that will meet on Mondays at noon Central Time…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies!
Join Nathan and Val in part II of this six part series analyzing the article titled “End of Growth? Fading Prospects for Latter-day Saint Expansion” published recently in the Journal of Mormon Social Science Association (article in full linked below) where Nathan breaks down some incredibly fascinating data about the growth of several Christian churches in subsaharan Africa to offer some context and critique regarding the "massive growth" that some claim is happening in this part of the world in the LDS church.
Questions answered in this episode:
Are there a lot of LDS baptisms happening in subsaharan Africa compared to the rest of the world?
How does the nominal growth of the LDS church compare to other missionary-minded churches in this same area?
What are some possible reasons why especially the Seventh Day Adventists and the Jehovah’s Witnesses are baptizing and retaining exponentially more people in this area of the world than the LDS church?
What might the LDS church’s tendency to bring the “American church” and it’s culture to Africa have to do with their relative struggles in membership growth and retention?
What might the LDS church learn from other thriving religions in this same demographic about allowing locals to infuse their beautiful customs and culture into a basic structure of a religious system?
Link to the article analyzed in this series: https://jmssa.org/stewart/ ___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her NEW JULY 2023 support and processing faith expansion group that will meet on Mondays at noon Central Time…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! ____________________________________________________________________________
Val and Nathan are so excited to jump into a VERY FASCINATING six-part podcast mini-series analyzing a recently published journal article titled, “The End of Growth? Fading Prospects for Latter-day Saint Expansion”.
In the mid 80’s a team of social scientists predicted that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was on track to become “The next Islam”, projecting that if the LDS church stayed on track with its current growth, it would achieve a membership between 36.4-121 million members by the year 2020.
At year end 2019 the LDS church reached a mere 16.5 million members, less than half of the number projected by these social scientists.
What Happened? This is the topic of the next several episodes of the Latter Day Struggles Podcast.
In this specific episode, Nathan and Val offer an overview of six “misses” that the research team did not account for and then they break down each general area: including (but not limited to) serious issues of member retention, a signifiant drop in child-of-record baptisms, the shrinking size of the church’s missionary force, unexpected shrinking LDS fertility rates, and skewed membership record keeping practices.
IN FRIDAY’S EPISODE Nathan and Val tackle the topic of church growth specifically in Africa (the LDS church’s current missionary growth emphasis) and put the LDS church’s relative success in this geographic area in context by looking at the astronomical growth in Africa of two “cousin” church traditions—the Seventh Day Adventist’s and the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Nathan and Val then discuss some valid reasons why these other faith traditions might be enjoying exponentially more growth in Africa and how the LDS church might benefit from learning from their religious counterparts, who seemed to have cracked some codes in multicultural membership growth and retention.
Link to the article analyzed in this series: https://jmssa.org/stewart/ ___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her NEW JULY 2023 support and processing faith expansion group that will meet on Mondays at noon Central Time…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! ____________________________________________________________________________
In this second episode of this mini-series, Valerie responds to a variety of personal questions including (but not limited to):
How the podcast and accompanying work has impacted Val’s and Nathan’s parenting and family life.
Val’s and Nathan’s asymmetrical developmental time line that prepared them for this collaboration.
Their current relationship with local ecclesiastical leaders.
Her current reasons for continuing to attend her own LDS church congregation.
Her feelings about those who choose to distance themselves from the church (temporarily or permanently) due her influence and her sincere encouragement for people to forge their own paths.
The most impactful books Val has read that evoked her own “faith crisis”, but which also led to her decision to create a platform to address these topics in a healthy, more open way
Thoughts and feelings about the potential of church discipline, personal surrender, belonging to ones’ self, and growing feelings of peace due to owning her journey and living in her integrity
Books mentioned in this episode as most impactful for Valerie:
Origins of Power and Extensions of Power written by D. Michael Quinn Stretching the Heavens: The Life of Eugene England and the Crisis of Modern Mormonism
___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her NEW JULY 2023 support and processing faith expansion group that will meet on Mondays at noon Central Time…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! ____________________________________________________________________________
Join Val and fellow therapist Brannon Patrick this week as Brannon interviews Valerie about her first year accidentally diving into the deep end as a professional voice speaking respectfully but directly on behalf of thousands of individuals in the LDS faith and trust crisis and expansion space.
In those two episodes Valerie responds to a variety of personal questions including (but not limited to):
Her own experiences finding herself a in a role speaking at the intersection of good psychology, a call for healthy theology, with a keen understanding of the dynamics of healthy and unhealthy organizations.
How she has navigated activity in the church.
Her and Brannon’s experience first deciding to work together and then his deciding to no longer work with her and their touching conclusions about this tough relational period.
Her experience with the very real possibility of burnout in this highly emotional work.
Her reasons for committing so much time and nurture to the support and processing group process and the unintended benefits of this experience for her as a facilitator.
Her and Nathan’s journey as a couple, evolving parents, and working together on the podcast.
Val’s thoughts on the possibility of church discipline due to her ministry.
And much more!
Latter Day Struggles Podcast Episodes mentioned in this episode as most impactful for Valerie:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-118-stumbling-blocks-and-the-book-of/id1612326898?i=1000611873921,
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-126-a-glimpse-into-the-spiritual-journey/id1612326898?i=1000615415109
___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ LIVE: COURSES I and II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Purchase on latterdaystruggles.com ___________________________________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her NEW JULY 2023 support and processing faith expansion group that will meet on Mondays at noon Central Time…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! ____________________________________________________________________________
In this brief minisode, Val gets everyone (especially those not on social media) up to speed on the many directions that she is going to help you in your faith journey.
Here’s what I talk in more detail about on this bonus episode:
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There is a new Latter Day Struggles support and processing group starting July 17th 2023 and this is the last group beginning for the next several months. If you’ve been on the fence, now is the time to jump in! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and enroll there.
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Today 6/18/23 is the LAST DAY to benefit from GREAT discounts on Valerie’s Online Courses “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. She is offering buy one get one free until midnight central standard time. Much more info about this on instagram at @latterdaystruggle.com in the highlights and current stories and on latterdaystruggles.com
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Not mentioned but worth mentioning :) is that Valerie will be participating in a variety of ways at this year’s Annual Sunstone Symposium. Her presentation topics are “The Creation of the Deviant Out-group” and “LDS Faith Crisis 10 Years After the Faith Crisis Report”. I will also be running a breakout group on working through faith crisis. Please come to Sunstone and support this wonderful organization! I’d love to meet you in person!
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To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles
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COMING THIS FRIDAY: COURSE II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Go to latterdaystrugglespodcast on instagram for more information and coupon code! ___________________________________________________________________________
Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her NEW JULY 2023 support and processing faith expansion group…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies!
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Join Val and a handful of special guests on this special Part II episode honoring PRIDE month. In this episode several beautiful women and men share their unique journeys finding self/other love and acceptance on the full spectrum of gender and sexuality.
Unlearning can be more challenging than learning, especially in a religious system that has focused so strongly on heteronormativity. But these beautiful people show that is can indeed be done and that the journey is sacred and one worth celebrating and sharing.
Please note: In the section featuring Kit and Bree and their beautiful love story, I want to make clear that the manner in which they have been able to navigate their marriage is a representation of what has felt congruent to each of them in their own personal story.
I do not want to communicate that other outcomes in other marriages are not acceptable or reasonable. I believe that giving each individual in each couple the liberty follow what is most congruent to them is the path to wholeness.
Books and podcasts recommended in this episode: —Questions from the Closet Podcast —Listen, Learn, and Love Podcast —Beyond the Block Podcast —Goodbye I Love You book (by Carol Lynn Pearson) ___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ COMING THIS FRIDAY: COURSE II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Go to latterdaystrugglespodcast on instagram for more information and coupon code! ___________________________________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her NEW JULY 2023 support and processing faith expansion group…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! ____________________________________________________________________________
Join Valerie for the next couple of week honoring PRIDE in a variety of different ways.
First and most importantly, Valerie has invited several individuals (like yourselves!) from her small groups to share their own growth journeys in the context of PRIDE month.
In each of these stories shared you will learn from gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and straight ally individuals who learned profound lessons about love over fear, love over judgment, and love over unhealthy theology.
They share the beauty of being a work in progress and each model how it is okay to believe one way until we experience enough life to teach us to belief another way that is more aligned with God’s love for the diversity of their sacred creations.
Books and podcasts recommended in this episode: —Questions from the Closet Podcast —Listen, Learn, and Love Podcast —A Walk in My Shoes by Ben Schilaty ___________________________________________________________________________ To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here:https://www.patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles ____________________________________________________________________________ COMING THIS FRIDAY: COURSE II of “A Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion”. Go to latterdaystrugglespodcast on instagram for more information and coupon code! ___________________________________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her NEW JULY 2023 support and processing faith expansion group…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! ____________________________________________________________________________
In this episode Valerie reviews her overarching philosophical and psychological orientation for healthy marriage in general and how she helps couples heal from struggles typical to LDS faith crisis in particular.
She reviews key components to every section of her two part self-guided online course titled The Couples Guide to LDS Faith Crisis and Expansion.
Part I is already available for purchase and Part II of this Course is available beginning June 17, 2023 on latterdaystruggles.com. Go to latterdaystrugglepodcast on instagram to get a coupon code to purchase Part II of this series and for an additional coupon code to purchase the two-course bundle for the first week following its launch. Valerie is also offering a limited number of consults to a few couples [first come first served] wanting support between sessions when they purchase these courses. Contact Valerie at info@latterdaystruggles.com if interested. ___________________________________To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here: https://patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles.___________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her June 2023 support and processing faith expansion group…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion. ____________________________________________________
This week on the Latter Day Struggles podcast Valerie focuses on a population of people whom she loves and sees consistently in a lot of pain here in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Married couples in the LDS church tend to experience a great deal of distress when one partner begins a growth process that departs in any way from the standard beliefs and practices of the LDS faith. In this episode Valerie breaks down what she has coined “the successful failure” of LDS marriage theology, a belief system that is so incredibly successful garnering the faith and loyalty of some individuals that they would choose their beliefs about marriage over the marriage itself. In short, the success of the LDS indoctrination about the specific demands of an LDS marriage may strongly contribute to the failure of the actual LDS marriage. This is tragic.As a marriage therapist and a witness to too many LDS marriages coming undone unnecessarily, Valerie has chosen to commit the past few months creating two profound online courses to help couples not become casualties to this “successful failure” phenomenon. This episode describes the phenomenon in detail and the next episodes in this mini-series describes Valerie’s overarching philosophical and psychological orientation to helping couples work through this challenge and become a stronger, more unconditionally loving couple than they ever imagined possible. New ___________________________________To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here: https://patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles.____________________________________Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her JUNE 2023 MONDAY support and processing faith expansion group…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.____________________________________________________
In this beautiful and tender episode, Valerie has the privilege of interviewing LDS theologian Fiona Givens about her early life, diverse experiences, important relationships, and classical education that eventually led her into the LDS faith and deeply into the study of many facets of the nature of God. This story is one of all of the typical ups and downs, seemingly insignificant events that lead to other more signifiant events, and finally a few moments where Valerie proposes to Fiona why her unique life distinctively prepared her for the work that she is doing now; something that is profoundly blessing thousands of faith-expanding Latter Day Saints in this era. Perhaps Fiona is our own “Esther”, prepared for such a time as now. Don’t miss this truly love-filled episode if you have found healing through the work of Fiona Givens. It will endear you to her even more. Books referenced in this episode by the Givens’: The God Who Weeps, The Christ Who Heals, Crucible of Doubt, All Things New ___________________________________To financially support Valerie’s ongoing ability to provide this content to you and others, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here: https://patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________
Join Valerie and guest Fiona Givens as together they discuss a true prophetess and mystic, Julian of Norwich. Father Richard Rohr has often called Julian his "favorite mystic" and Fiona attributes this woman as one of the most personally influential to her in the development of her own whole and holy theology of the divine. If these two recommendations aren't enough for you...then I don't know what to say! A few highlights of this episode: Julian's “showings” really shine a light on God’s inability to be angry with us for our humanness. Our current struggles with the nature of God in some brings up pain, anxiety, religious scrupulosity, and defection from the church. Our misunderstandings of the nature of God brings up generational trauma to the extent that we perpetuate a God concept that estranges us from Julian's God of infinite love. According to Julian's visions, sin is “no thing” in God’s eyes. Our missteps are the education that endears us to God. As a committed Catholic, Julian too struggles with heavenly visions that did not align with the teachings of her “holy church” and she [as do we] does the work of differentiating her church’s imperfections with her personal revelations, choosing to align with the truth that was revealed to her directly from it’s source. Book referenced in this episode: Julian of Norwich: The Showings: Uncovering the Face of the Feminine in Revelations of Divine Love Edited by Mirabi Starr. **The God Who Weeps by Terry and Fiona Givens ___________________________________To financially support this high quality content, become a patron of Latter Day Struggles here: https://patreon.com/LatterDayStruggles________________________________________________Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.
If you loved the last episode of Latter Day Struggles, you’ll love Valerie and Nathan’s discussion about the 5 components that can help each of us know that we have embraced a mature spirituality: A MATURE SPIRITULITY: 1. Resonates from within (is not compelled from beyond) 2. Invites the numinous (beckons, compels us forward, drives us to know more with a magnetic-like pull) 3. Opens us to mystery (welcomes the unknown; is open to a different way of seeing, worshipping, experiencing, that is unconnected to our programming) 4. Asks us to grow up (does not hand off the soul stretching discerning process of life to authorities, experts, or any other "big person", thus preventing us from the inevitable anxiety of growth) 5. Invites us to live a value driven relational life (the culmination of all of the above points shows up "on the ground" as responsible, accountable, respectful of other's journeys, and loving of the process of life as a sacred growth experience) **Each of Valerie’s Support and Processing Groups and Online Courses is Grounded in these Five Principles and offers a structure for achieving a mature relationship with spirituality. Book referenced in this episode: Living an Examined Life by James Hollis ____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN her AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
During the Covid Pandemic, Valerie read even more than usual. One of the authors whom she binged was Jungian analyst James Hollis, who tipped her entire psychological and theological paradigm…right-side-up…finally. She passed several books off to Nathan and together they reconfigured a spirituality that is the foundation of what you hear in some way, shape, or form in each episode of Latter Day Struggles. In this episode they discuss the colossal difference between LESS MATURE and MATURE spirituality. Highlights: 1. Immature spirituality hands beliefs and life choices off to authority figures. Mature spirituality takes personal ownership in one’s own beliefs and life choices. 2. Immature spiritual builds walls. Mature spirituality breaks down walls. 3. Immature spirituality “pins down” truth and mandates proper worship, observance, and belief. Mature spirituality knows that once the mystery of God and other mystical experience has been given a name, a form, a face, and a structure—its essence, beauty, and mystery often recedes, ceasing to connect us to the divine. Book referenced in this episode: Living a Examined Life by James Hollis. Link to purchase on Latterdaystruggles.com. ____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s Wednesday 7p JUNE Group ( 2 slots just opened up per 5/13/23) or her AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s Wednesday 7p JUNE Group ( 2 slots just opened up per 5/13/23) or her AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
Author, Evangelical theologian, and recently deceased Christian reformer Rachel Held Evans poignantly stated, "A lot of people think the hardest part about religious doubt is feeling isolated from God. It's not. At least in my experience, the hardest part about doubt is feeling isolated from your community." In this episode Valerie and Nathan share their thoughts and personal experiences about how faith expansion can be both a deeply sacred experience of personal enlightenment but also profoundly isolating, lonely, and relationally painful as we try to relate to our former circles of family and friends. Why is this so hard? Val and Nathan offer some ideas: Our Former Inner Circle LDS tribe (both friends and family)1. Sometimes build their relational lives around the church, which makes relating to those different from themselves challenging; especially in relationships where both parties were accustomed to relating to one another only through church-related common beliefs 2. Sometimes seem to struggle being genuinely interested, curious, and open to the experiences of their friends and loved ones now differing from themselves and relate to us from a place of "concern, heal, reconvert, or fix" 3. Are conditioned by teachings at church that those of us in faith expansion are "falling away" or "led by Satan" in our experiences, thereby making it challenging to want to explain, justify, self defend (as we have heard this rhetoric ourselves all of our lives). 4. Judge those of us no longer fully aligned with them. This judgment might be cloaked in 'concern', but its essence (possibly unconscious but still felt by us) is "without the church you are lost. As a faithful church member, my testimony insulates me in certainly, thereby also preventing me from curiosity, openness, and a true desire to learn from you." These divides create an added layer of grief on top of the grieve of faith and trust crisis. These divides prevent us from drawing upon our core family and friends when we’re need them most. This episode was is offered with the hope to help you feel seen, understood, and not alone as we struggle relationally in our faith expansion. Book referenced in this episode: Searching for Sunday. Podcast mentioned in this episode https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fireside-with-blair-hodges/id1559678265?i=1000582242575____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s Wednesday 7p JUNE Group ( 2 slots just opened up per 5/13/23) or her AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
Join Val as she breaks down a thought provoking idea about the pull of cynicism as a natural emotional component of Christian faith evolution. She explores a beautiful and thought provoking quote by the late Rachel Held Evans from her book Searching for Sundays. Highlights of this episode: Cynicism is a protective emotion often experienced to manage legitimate emotions such as betrayed trust, grief, anger, and disorientation. Grief and disorientation in LDS (and other Christian) faith crisis/expansion experiences are often directly correlated to one’s former “all in” status and [over] commitment to the promises made by the institution Recovering from cynicism and moving into a psychological space of faith expansion and spiritual peace cannot be forced Psychological and spiritual growth embodies an eventual paradigm shift in relationship to the institution, complete with a realization that no institution could (nor should) do for us what it claimed it could (and should) do to bring us truly into contact with our most whole selves and our creators. As we grieve the former paradigm (and any harm done by it)and embrace our life’s experiences as platforms for deepening discernment, wrestle, and the opportunity to seize personal authority for ourselves, we can see these institutions as paradoxically instrumental in our processes of truly growing up and deciding what to accept, reject, and reconcile for ourselves. Book referenced in this episode: Searching for Sundays by Rachel Held Evans ____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s Wednesday 7p JUNE Group ( 2 slots just opened up per 5/13/23) or her AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
In this episode, Valerie again is a guest on "The Brannon Patrick Show" and they continue in their conversation about the ways that our inherited constructs about God get in the way of our personal growth and our relationship growth to our higher powers.Specific ideas that hurt: 1) God is male. They discuss how this is a human construct and a natural outgrowth of patriarchy and that a centuries-old male governing church culture has created religious systems that carry energies consumed in power and control issues. They discuss the parallels between our institution’s struggles with women (heavenly and earthly) and how this shows up in ways that men have contrived to limit power, authority, participation, and voice of both the feminine divine and of her daughters; and that this extends into an attempt to curtail interaction between the feminine side of God and all of her children. They discuss how our male construction of God insidiously impacts marriages, parenting, family systems, and church systems. 2) God is white. In this section Val and Brannon layer racism on top of our centuries-old struggles with sexism in our ideas about God and go through the various ways this has impacted not only our own tradition, but countless others as well. They end the episode by exploring why it is so scary to let go of our false and sometimes even harmful constructs about God but also why it is so important to do so in an effort to become psychologically healthy and autonomous human beings “worshiping how, where, and what” we may. ____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s Wednesday 7p JUNE Group (2 new slots just opened up) or her AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group [Tuesday May 2023 group is FULL]…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
In this episode Valerie is guest on Brannon Patrick's new podcast "The Brannon Patrick Show” where he invites her to dive into a two-part conversation about how some of our received ideas about God may hurt us here in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. These harmful [though possibly unintended] ideas includes the following:1. God is unapproachable until we are worthy enough and we need an intermediary to protect us from him2. We increase in lovability according to our righteousness 3. Fear of God’s anger or disappointment is an effective motivator for obedience 4. Pressure to “follow the covenant path” creates a high anxiety relationship with self, others, and God as well as a low sense of personal confidence, autonomy, struggles with perfectionism, and struggles with shame.In response to these fraught ideas about God, Val and Brannon talk about how a new understanding of God can heal us both psychologically and spiritual. They discuss the following: 1. The only motivation that is transformative in our growth and development is love 2. Mistakes do not estrange us from God, they draw us towards God, provide experiential learning, embodied growth, and compassion for others’ struggles. 3. Our natural disposition is towards goodness4. When we experience ourselves as lovable, we simply become more of who we always were and therefore fear and shame have no healthy part in our life’s experiences. 5. God blesses every part of our personal journey6. Spiritual maturity creates resilience and decreasing need for validationNext episode in this 2-part series: Overcoming our Old-White-Guy-in-the-Sky Programming. To check out Brannon’s new podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brannon-patrick-show/id1675960009____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group [May and June 2023 groups are FULL]…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
Join Valerie and special guest Paul Toscano in this part four (last in this series) focused on untangling some of the complexities of The Book of Mormon. In this episode Val questions Paul on a variety of topics involving The Book of Mormon, including its connection with Joseph Smith Jr., her own wrestles with the fraught relationship between leadership & followership; the roles, expectations, and hopes of a spiritual leader, and so much more. Here are a few highlights of Paul’s thoughts from their conversation: All mystical texts, trancelike experiences, and visionary accounts are strange, uncomfortable, and often implausible—including the very birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God has shown humans mysteries through a variety of “weird” manifestations with large numbers of eye witnesses throughout time. Such anomalous events might be less jarring to those who have a broader world view and higher respect for the idea that God has revealed Truth in “strange” ways throughout time and place and to many people throughout history. Placing the Book of Mormon within the context of the countless interactions between God and humans throughout time would help LDS people make sense of both its significance and yet that it is simply just one of countless anomalies in the grand scheme of God’s workings. It is especially challenging to conceptualize this Book as part of a self-insulating faith tradition that insists that they have little to learn from other traditions and eras. Regarding disappointment with leadership past and present, we are all desperate for “strong men” save us from the trouble of the wrestle that comes with faith journey. We naturally want to lean on those who preferably make it unnecessary for us to do the work of going directly to God about what is truth, wisdom, and loving. One of the greatest tests of true discipleship is to learn to forgive God…for the pain of our suffering…for Their not preventing harm to those we love at the hands of those in power; for allowing good people to do bad things and bad people to do for things… This kind of discipleship forces us to learn how to hold the tension of opposites and demands that (if willing) we be stretched beyond our known capabilities. This process makes us holy. Finally, Paul shares these views: Salvation is not a community experience. Salvation is an individual experience and it happens in the act of saving wounded things. The individual saves the church, not the other way around. The individual saves the family, not the other way around. ____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s Wednesday 7p JUNE Group (a very few slots left) or her AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group [Tuesday May 2023 group is FULL]…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
Join Valerie and special guest Paul Toscano in this part three on a series focusing on untangling some of the complexities of the Book of Mormon. Paul had a lot of fascinating ideas about this topic including: There are 3 ways to look at the Book of Mormon: •As a historical record (the most immature, irrelevant, and unhelpful approach) •For its literary value (perhaps interesting but often not transformative) •As a mystical/visionary text (as a living, supernatural text intended to be interpreted by the reader with the objective to transform in ways only possible by suspending one’s demand for proof, evidence, certainty.)According to Paul there are several reasons why very few people are able to approach the Book of Mormon as a mystical/visionary text: • We currently live in a world steeped in scientific materialism. Our minds are socialized in understanding and valuing only the rational and literal; often struggling to interpret the spiritual, supernatural, or mystical. •The LDS church itself has proven to be a huge stumbling block through its decades-long efforts to “prove” that the Book of Mormon is a historical text, hoping that by proving its historical truth, it might thereby “prove” to be the “only” true church. •The LDS church leadership have provided additional stumbling blocks through their heavily correlated efforts to prescribe dogmatic meaning to the text rather than allow readers to find meaning for themselves in this and other mystical texts. Toscano contends that The Book of Mormon was never intended to “prove” that the LDS church is true, but rather has one—and only one—prominent purpose. In his opinion (and as claimed in the beginning) the Book was given to convince all people that Jesus is the Christ, and has manifested himself in many forms throughout time and throughout all spiritual traditions. He sees this as one of many mystical “living texts” that have been given to through wounded humans [some Christian and some non-Christian faith traditions] that might bring us closer to God if we were able to look “through them” rather than “at them” to experience a transformative relationship with God for ourselves. Book References in this Episode: The Sanctity of Dissent by Paul Toscano Mormonism in Crisis: A Critique and a Defense by Paul Toscano Latter-Day Dissent by Paul ToscanoStrangers in Paradox by Margaret and Paul ToscanoPodcasts Referenced in this Episode: Mormon Stories Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/077-understanding-the-mormon-september-6-paul-toscano-pt-1/id312094772?i=1000387301142Gospel Tangents Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-toscano-explains-scripture-symbolism-part-1-of-6/id1203894370?i=1000567830857The Toscano Dialogues: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-toscano-dialogues/id959358119____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s Wednesday 7p JUNE Group (a very few slots left) or her AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group [Tuesday May 2023 group is FULL]…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
It's time to take a deep dive into what may be a psychologically and spiritually confusing topic for many individuals in and around the LDS church—THE BOOK OF MORMON.
In this SECOND of a four part series Valerie interviews Taylor Petrey [Current Editor in Chief of Dialogue: Journal of Mormon Thought] Valerie engages Taylor in a dialogue about the negative impact that many current members are experiencing around the overly simplistic narrative regarding the translation of the Book of Mormon, its origin, meaning, and literalness.
Valerie contends that this complicates one’s ability to read this book and find its potential gems of truth from a place of candid openness when it brings up other complicated feelings related to historical transparency and a long culture within the church that is "faith promoting" at the expense of complex reality.
Too much to say in the show notes about this vibrant and loaded topic!! Listen to these episodes and discern for yourself if/how the Book of Mormon can lead you closer to Jesus Christ.
Links for the lit review referenced in this podcast series: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dialogue-journal/id1437336260?i=1000536188942 and https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dialogue-journal/id1437336260?i=1000539193843
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Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s JUNE 2023 Wednesday 7p CST Support Group (a couple slots left and they are going FAST) or her AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group [May 2023 group is FULL]…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies!
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NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”
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Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
It's time to take a deep dive into what may be a psychologically and spiritually confusing topic for many expanding members in and around the LDS church—THE BOOK OF MORMON. In this FIRST of a four part series Valerie interviews Taylor Petrey [Current Editor in Chief of Dialogue: Journal of Mormon Thought] where together they review a myriad of topics that have been addressed over the years in the Dialogue Journal related to the ongoing skirmish between the “naturalist” and the “apologist” camps regarding authorship, authenticity, and historicity (just to name a few!) They talk about the Isaiah controversy, chiasmus, contemporary doctrines of the early 19th century woven into this text, DNA issues, and the rise and fall of FARMS (Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Study) among other important topics. They also address thoughts from religious scholars (LDS and non-LDS) who maintain that regardless of the above complexities, the Book might be (and has been) valuable for many, once it’s genre is better understood and if it were read as scripture rather than history. In the second segment of this series, Valerie engages Taylor in a dialogue about the challenging relationship that many people in and around the LDS church have about The Book of Mormon due to their early learnings that were overly simplistic or inaccurate regarding the translation of the Book of Mormon, its origin, meaning, and literalness. They explore how the origin stories and other surrounding complexities of this book often complicates one’s ability to find potential gems of truth from a place of candid openness because to some it brings up other trauma related to historical transparency issues and many challenging-to-overcome narratives that sometimes privilege “faith promotion” over truth—to everyone’s detriment. Links for the lit review referenced in this podcast series: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dialogue-journal/id1437336260?i=1000536188942 AND https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dialogue-journal/id1437336260?i=1000539193843__________________________________________________Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s support and processing faith expansion groups! There are a FEW SLOTS OPEN beginning in June 2023 in the Wednesday evening 7p CST group. Because this is an evening group, these slots will go FAST and open up very infrequently. __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”__________________________________________________Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
While generally trying to avoid “taking pages out of Satan’s playbook” [which sounds both a little terrifying and very intriguing at the same time], Val and Nathan recently found themselves at odds in their respective interpretations and experiences listening to President Nelson’s April 2023 General Conference address titled “Peacemakers Needed”. And neither of them backed down even after a robust conversation about their respective experiences. Listen in as they share their thoughts and feelings during this address and just for fun, let them know on their Instagram page @latterdaystrugglespodcast which perspective you share…or if you see something in between. Let the sparring begin :) Link to the address: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/47nelson?lang=eng____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s AUGUST 2023 support and processing faith expansion group [May 2023 group is FULL]…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
This episode introduces the concept of “non-heirarchial revelation” as key to the spiritual health of any Christ centered organization. This episode dives into ideas about how revelation going in both directions: 1] creates a synergistic partnership between leadership and lay membership where both parties are increasingly growing in their abilities to not only communicate with God, but also where all parties learn to work together as spiritual equals2] insulates the church from the misplaced idea that God limits revelation to those with certain positions of formal power 3] protects leaders from a burden of perfection in receiving revelation that no one cannot be expected to maintain 4] takes the pressure off of leaders [and their predecessors] from fruitlessly defending their own stances when their directions prove afterwards not to have been revelatory. In sum, the model of non-heirarchal revelation invites our entire spiritual community to become more mature, seeking, and collaborative as it spreads out the burden of responsibility amongst the entire body of the church! Book and chapter referenced heavily in this episode: Women and Authority edited by Maxine Hanks. Chapter title: “Non-Heirarchial Revelation” by Todd Compton. ____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s MAY 2023 support and processing faith expansion group—3 OPENINGS LEFT!…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
Join Val and Nathan in this episode where they respond to the address recently given in April 2023 general conference by Allen D Haynie, titled “A Living Prophet for our Day”. Specific points from this address explored: 1] The rule-of-thumb suggested privileging current prophetic counsel over past prophetic counsel when contradictions surface 2] Parents who teach and model by example the importance of personal discernment over strict compliance to church authorities will inevitably negatively impact their children's spirituality and 3] Exact obedience to the prophet protects us from a hostile and dangerous worldVal and Nathan discuss troubling nature of the tactic of fear used to motivate obedience throughout this address. They also discuss the problematic nature of the “water bottle crushing” example as one that might suggest compliance to the inessential [or nonsensical] as a new form of higher law. They explore how the "water bottle crushing" antidote also invites inappropriate scrutiny upon a fellow mortal and exacerbates the perceived power differential that inhibits both leaders and constituents from living healthy, autonomous lives in respectful support of one another. This entire episode calls for the need for personal discernment as the fundamental guiding principle in guiding all of our choices in our discipleship of Jesus Christ. ____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s MAY 2023 support and processing faith expansion group—3 OPENINGS LEFT!…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
In this episode Valerie and Nathan reminisce about the "good ol’ days" when they anticipated General Conference and the spiritual feasting that it involved. This podcast (111th semi-weekly session, btw ;) of reminiscing was produced mainly to help many of us make sense of the very complicated feelings we have when the first weeks of April and October roll around. What do some of us feel? Based on their conversations with dozens of Latter Day Struggles Support Group Members…Many feel trauma activated within our bodies due to past (and the anticipation of future) spiritually and psychologically damaging sermons that condemn us and our friends and loved ones. Many feel frustration over what feels like ongoing blindness to the pain of individuals and families in faith crisis feeling unseen, unheard, and misunderstood. Many feel invisible at the ongoing underrepresentation of the female gender in a church that proclaims gender equality but does little to display this in doctrine or practice. And then there is grief. Grief at the memory of when General Conference used to mean simplicity, sweet rolls, and maybe bingo games. This memory feels like life in another dimension altogether. It was certainly back in another stage of life and spiritual development. Val and Nathan share thoughts and feelings about the growing pains of transitioning from a relationship between the compliant and slightly frightened child [our old selves] relating to the overly protective authoritarian parent [the institution], to their present relationship, which they insist becomes like one between two adults relating to each other from a place of discernment, choice, and candor. ____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto latterdaystruggles.com to JOIN Valerie’s MAY support and processing faith expansion groups! MAY start with enough interest…Join now & meet some lifelong friends & spiritual allies! __________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.”____________________________________________________ Are you impacted by Valerie’s willingness to tackle some of the most historically and currently “taboo” topics in the LDS faith tradition and want to financially support her deep commitment to shifting her professional time in this direction? You can financially support Latter Day Struggles podcast by donating via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
In this episode Val and Nathan explore what it takes to form a psychologically healthy system…whether this system an immediate or extended family group, a relief society class, priesthood quorum, Sunday school group, or any combination of people who come together regularly to share some part of their lives, thoughts, feelings, or experiences. Val and Nathan walk through the four stages that all groups of people must pass through to become a safe and vibrant place for human growth and development in an interpersonal setting. The four stages of healthy community development are: 1] PSEUDO-COMMUNITY (faking common experience, belief, and agreement in the majority narrative) 2] CHAOS (someone shares a differing idea, experience, perspective, and others frantically try to reconvert them back to their way of thinking, feeling, believing) 3] EMPTYING (the mandatory inner work of emptying ourselves of self righteousness, expectations, pride, the need to convert, heal, and save others) 4] TRUE COMMUNITY (Where people come together and support one another in their own unique journey, accepting others exactly where they are and allowing love—not same belief—to drive connection and unity.)Join Val and Nathan as they break down these concepts, share personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings about the challenges of pseudo-community, how to invite healthy community, why community building is especially challenging in systems created around a foundation of supposed right belief, and how even an ongoing personal “emptying” is healing and helpful in cultivating healthy relationship with others when larger scale community building seems daunting. ___________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.” ____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com or jump onto Latter-day struggles.com to JOIN of her space limited processing/support groups! New group forming MAY 2023. We are 9 slots away from having enough people to start this group in May!! Jump in and meet some of your future closest allies in your faith expansion journey. ____________________________________________________ To financially support the Latter Day Struggles podcast, donate via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
In this episode Valerie reviews some fascinating ideas about the relationship between cognitive dissonance and self justification and applies these ideas to humanity, institutions, churches, and the LDS church. She walks you through the following ideas: 1] why humans and institutions self justify2] why people in leadership are especially prone to self justification3] why entire communities get caught up in self justifying behaviors4] the self-justifying tactics people and institutions use when they are called out for questionable behaviors5] what can be done to overcome the tendency to self justify In this episode Valerie applies principles of “self justification theory” to make sense of both historical and current struggles within the LDS church where this concept seems to readily apply. The book referenced throughout this episode is called “Mistakes Were Made, But Not By Me” by Carol Tavris ___________________________________________________ NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.” ____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode: New group forming April 2023. ____________________________________________________ To financially support the Latter Day Struggles podcast, donate via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
In this episode, Valerie highlights what you will learn in her NEW online course “A COUPLE’S GUIDE FOR LDS FAITH CRISIS AND EXPANSION” for couples struggling with uneven faith journey experiences. This is her first of several in a series of online courses that align with the content and mission of the Latter Day Struggles Podcast—to expand your personal authority and strengthen your ability to live a whole, healthy life as a person either in or around The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In this first of two courses committed exclusively to the struggling LDS couple [where one partner is in faith expansion and one partner holds more traditional/orthodox views of the LDS church],Valerie offers insights and practical techniques to help both partners see that their fear, disorientation, worry, and anguish is legitimate, frightening, and can be overcome through compassion, strengthened empathy and communication skills, and love. Valerie’s curriculum begins by building a foundation around the couple’s already-existing resiliencies. She then works with couples on better understanding one's own and their partner's impossible-to-talk-about current emotions and experience. She then offers a path helping each individual understand their self , their partner, and their early conflict management patterns. This leads naturally into the presentation of strategies that will help each partner look with compassion on the other’s current stance in their unique faith journey. This course offers a wealth of information, prompts for a variety of couples’ for conversations, journal prompts, and reflection questions for both each individual and the couple to discuss. This course is suitable for both the couple to take together OR for one partner in the marriage who desires clearer language, deeper understanding, and new ideas about how to communicate with and understand their partner. ••A quick correction about this episode: in a few different places, Valerie accidentally used the word “validation” in place of “individuation” when describing the second class in this course. Sorry for the confusion!Listen in and purchase this wonderful content at latterdaystruggles.com TODAY!___________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode: New group forming April 2023. ____________________________________________________ To financially support the Latter Day Struggles podcast, donate via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
In this final guest-interview portion of their ‘Eternal Marriage Theology Health Check’ series, Valerie visits with a married couple who shares their journey from early Mormon orthodoxy (which came naturally for him and felt like an ill-fitting costume for her) to their current stance as a couple whose primary allegiance shifted away from the LDS church and its beliefs and towards true commitment to each other and their expanding understandings of God, growth, and love. Does this mean the LDS church no longer mattered to them? No. This couple shares their tender journey honoring his more traditional views and the real anxiety he felt both for himself and his wife as he witnessed firsthand her suffering as she no longer could conform to much of the LDS teachings that worked well for him. Their story is one of authenticity, compassion, disorientation, struggle, conflict and resolution, and ultimately, what it looks like to really—really—unconditionally love your chosen parter, exactly as they are and where they are in their faith journey. Does this couple’s early journey align with struggles you are feeling in your own marriage? If so, beginning March 31, 2023, go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course led by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion” ____________________________________________________ Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode: New group forming May 2023. ____________________________________________________ To financially support the Latter Day Struggles podcast, donate via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode: New group forming April 2023.____________________________________________________To financially support the Latter Day Struggles podcast, donate via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
In this episode you meet TJ, a wonderful young man navigating the complexities of young single adult life as a gay member of the LDS church. He shares his story about slowly and gradually learning to accept his infinite lovability in God's eyes, which led to his eventual ability to also accept his sexual identity. TJ shares with Valerie his ongoing process sorting out what he’s been taught about the plan of salvation…what feels right, what feels wrong, what is known, and what is unknown. This ongoing process is empowering him look for truth at its source and to live accordingly with integrity and increasing confidence. While TJ’s present experience with God is growing stronger, unfortunately he continues to bump into questions of belonging due to current Mormon theology. When it comes to actual affiliation with the LDS church, how and where does he FIT and if he chooses to marry and start a family…will he be given the gift of belonging that we ALL deserve and long for? In other words, how does one move forward on a Sunday morning when they feel worthy and lovable in God’s eyes just as they are, but are misunderstood and “othered” in the eyes of a church claiming to speak in God’s name? It’s painful. This conversation is a powerful opportunity to better understand the extremely challenging position that our beloved queer loved ones experience due to the current eternal marriage and family theology in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It highlights that there are many who want to feel the love and belonging of their LDS affiliation, but struggle ultimately escaping a theology that reinforces in-groups and out-groups, exclusion, and isolation in a variety of significant ways. When theology excludes, it is not God’s way. And followers of God must speak in love and defense of those excluded. ___________________________________________________NEW!! Go to latterdaystruggles.com and purchase a brand new online course moderated by couples therapist Valerie Hamaker titled “An LDS Couple’s Guide to Faith Crisis and Expansion.” ____________________________________________________Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode: New group forming April 2023.____________________________________________________To financially support the Latter Day Struggles podcast, donate via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work! ____________________________________________________
Join Valerie in this incredibly tender episode with two sets of LDS parents with children on the LGBTQ+ spectrum as they share their journey as individuals, as a couple, and as a family system embracing their gay and transgender children.Each of these beautiful parents walk us through their early years of life in the LDS church and their varying experiences embracing the doctrines the eternal marriage and the ‘together forever’ family and how their lives shifted (and are still shifting) in relationship to the LDS church as each of these brave parents navigate their deepening commitment to the first and greatest law: To Love One Another. ____________________________________________________Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode: New group forming April 2023.____________________________________________________To financially support the Latter Day Struggles podcast, donate via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work!____________________________________________________
In this portion of this series featuring the tender stories of individuals learning about the complexities of the LDS eternal marriage theology first hand, Valerie visits with Cindy, a woman brave enough to share her story of her two marriages.Her first marriage was the result of young Cindy’s desire to please her orthodox family, her ward, and her church by marrying the Mormon “ideal man” despite her own reservations and internal discomfort. Listen in as she shares her tender memories as an idealistic young woman trying to earn love, measure up to her learned ideas of enoughness in a patriarchal system, and finally her eventual strength to divorce and truly begin her journey to selfhood.When she fell in love with a “non-member” [insert a gasp here, please] she was consoled by the hope that eventually he would see the light, conform, convert, and therefore make everything okay.What unfolds is a beautiful story of deep love, compassion, and patience…on the part of Cindy’s husband, as he waited for her to grow up and realize that their marriage was precious just exactly as they each were—different, complex, and accepting of the otherness of the other. Cindy’s story is evidence that marriage is not about right belief and religious conformity. It is about patience, grace, and love.____________________________________________________Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode: New group forming April 2023.____________________________________________________To financially support the Latter Day Struggles podcast, donate via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work!____________________________________________________
Join Valerie and her special guest Lark, a single woman who candidly shares her painful journey beginning in the youth program aspiring to check every single box on the Mormon woman spectrum that was practically guaranteed to bring her all of the love, fulfillment, and satisfaction earth or heaven could offer.This seemed all good and fine until life didn't cooperate and Lark found it imperative either sink in sorrow or challenge her deeply embedded paradigm handed her by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.In this beautiful interview Val and Lark walk through her raw and sacred process taking ownership of her own divinely appointed life, its unique sorrows, its unique joys, and how this life continues to be the place where Lark is satisfying her own brave, harrowing and sacred hero's journey.She shares how she came to realize that the eternal marriage doctrine was not only not helpful, it was actively hurting her relationship with herself and with her divine parents, and therefore in need of an update on her own terms.Her story is beautiful and inspiring.____________________________________________________Go to www.latterdaystruggles.com to sign up for a space limited support and processing group run by Valerie: New group forming April 2023. Sign up now! ____________________________________________________To financially support the Latter Day Struggles podcast, donate via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work!____________________________________________________
In this final autobiographical portion of this series focusing on the complexities of the LDS eternal marriage doctrine, Valerie and Nathan reflect on their own relationships with fear and shame as driving forces in their own formative years. This conversation spans several topics including fears around single-hood (and the deep psychological wounds inflicted by the current doctrine on LDS singles) and fears that one's formal relationship with the church (oddly, not with each other and not God…) could rip otherwise deeply loving and bonded families apart as well as estrange heavenly parents from their children. Also of significance, they explore the possibility that fear (not love...) might be a primary means by which the institution motivates belief, loyalty, and compliance. Losing one’s dearest loved ones FOREVER is, after all, a pretty scary idea…and one that might motivate just about anyone to do/believe just about anything. The salient point here, is that love can bond us to each other, God, and love-infused Christian doctrine in ways that fear and shame NEVER CAN. And when motivated by love, we (humans and institutions) become more and more like the loving God who created us and daily nurtures us. Next up in this series: several touching interviews with individuals uniquely impacted and shaped (and currently reshaping for themselves) the LDS Eternal marriage theology. ____________________________________________________Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode: New group forming April 2023.____________________________________________________To financially support the Latter Day Struggles podcast, donate via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work!____________________________________________________
In this very personal episode, Val and Nathan talk about their own lived experiences around the LDS eternal marriage doctrine and specifically how they have navigated concepts of patriarchy and eternal polygamy. Valerie expands the concepts of masculinity and femininity and shares thoughts on how these concepts are often confused with our socialized understandings of maleness and femaleness. She goes on to explore why these misunderstandings get in the way of relational development and impedes our unique individual development as beautiful combinations of both masculine and feminine strength and energy. They also talk about why institutionalized patriarchy can and often does insidiously make its way into the home and consequently is growth-stunting and intimacy-killing in relationships both in this life and beyond. These ideas need to be talked about. Formalized doctrine supporting patriarchy and eternal polygamy hurt women. They hurt men. They hurt marriage. They hurt the spiritual, psychological, and relational development of every person in the systems where they are formally upheld.******Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode. ***** New group forming in April 2023 _____________________________________To financially support the Latter Day Struggles podcast, donate via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work!__________________________________
In this very personal next several episodes in this series on the LDS theology of eternal marriage and its implications, Val and Nathan talk about their own marriage and how both individually and as a couple they have experienced plenty of soul-struggle in an effort to find the path that celebrates both relational intimacy (in all of its forms) as well as deep commitment to one's own and the others' personal growth.Val and Nathan walk through a timeline that follows their early more orthodox beliefs and practices in marriage and family, its impact, the accompanying suffering (different, but significant for each of them) and their eventual (and ongoing) change of paradigm.This paradigm shift has changed everything...from the way they self define, spend their time, and see themselves interacting in the world--as actors and creators of their own _____________________________________Books referenced in this episode: Living An Examined Life by James Hollis and The Way to Love by Anthony DeMello. —————————————————————-Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode. ————————————————————NEW Faith Expansion Support and Processing group forming April 2023. _____________________________________To financially support the Latter Day Struggles podcast, donate via Venmo @valerie-hamaker (last 4 digits 3447 if applicable) and THANK YOU for so many enquiring on how to support our work!_____________________________________
In this fourth part of their ongoing series on the complexities of the LDS doctrine of eternal marriage, Val and Brannon tackle yet another tough but important facet of this subject: the possible engines that drive us all too often…1] FEAR: The fear of the eternal consequences of not marrying. The fear of divorce and it’s stigma in this life and implications in the next life. The fear of coming out and coupling and its supposed social and eternal consequences. The fear of sharing faith expansion with a frightened partner. The fear of ruining one’s eternal family by one’s spiritual expansion experiences. The fear of confusing our children with our complex relationship with the belief, dogma, church. The fear of being an eternal object or colluding in the idea of making another an eternal object. 2] SHAME: The shame coming with the silence when we feel compelled to not doubt. The shame of destroying our marriages as we evolve and grow and internalize that we are “betraying” our partners, parents, children, posterity. The shame of singlehood and it’s doctrinal implications. The internalized shame of being created “wrong”’ and not suited for the right kind of marriage as a queer person. The sometimes public shame of being excluded from precious family ceremonies predicated on “right belief” with no consideration of one’s eternal worthiness or the family bond of love. Sadly, the list goes on. Val and Brannon’s deepest desire is to expose the IMPACT of our current theology and its massive implications on individuals striving to be in healthy connection with the LDS church. Their believe that as the church has shaped us, it is our divine business to help reshape the church when there is evidence that one of its foundational theological concepts inadvertently wounds and estranges us from our divine identities as immensely worthy children of deity, who desire nothing more than our growth and peace. ******Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode. *****New group forming April 2023.
Join Valerie in her analysis of the recent breaking news regarding the financial settlement between the LDS church and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission regarding tithing holdings. In this episode Valerie breaks down the following: •••An analysis of why, in a healthy relationship between ANY two parties [including between an individual and their church], one party does not decide unilaterally that ANY "matter is closed" especially in situations that involve a sacred breach of trust. •••What needs to happen after a violation of trust between two parties to heighten the possibility that trust can be restored. •••A proposal that the chief truth claim of the LDS church makes it vulnerable to struggles with honesty, transparency, and accountability.•••The correlation between institutional perfectionism, underlying shame, and struggles with honesty, transparency and accountability.•••A breakdown of valid and integrity-based victim responses that might follow a breach of trust when the perpetrating party chooses not to be transparent or accountable upon discovery of broken trust.•••An invitation to step into the healing power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, admit wrongdoing, and activate the potential for relational healing between the institution and the parties betrayed (both God and the tithe-paying membership of the LDS church). Research Mentioned in this episode:Books:Mormon Enigma by Linda Newell and Valeen Tippetts AveryThe Challenge of Honesty by Francis Menlove. ******SEC Order Against Ensign Peak and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2023/34-96951.pdf Podcasts: *****https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-about-tithing/id1506045350?i=1000600836433. ***** https://podcasts.apple.com/us/. podcast/latter-day-struggles/id1612326898?i=1000575296164. ******https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772?i=1000601299946*****Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode. ***** New group forming April 2023.
In this third of a multi-part series, Valerie and therapist colleague Brannon Patrick continue to unpack the very multifaceted doctrine of eternal marriage. In this episode Val and Brannon address the twin evils that profoundly impact every level of identity within the LDS church from the macro to the micro levels: PATRIARCHY and it’s painful offspring, POLYGAMY. Their analysis highlights that: 1] while patriarchy continues to be institutionally endorsed, true partnership on any level [institutionally or within a marriage] can never be fully achieved, and that 2] the eternal polygamy doctrine as currently still taught by the LDS church damages real-time marriage relationships and creates a corrosive power differential between partners that makes true healthy relationships of equality impossible to achieve unless/until this doctrine is rejected by both partners. Val and Brannon invite us all [members at every level of the LDS church] to look honestly and with humility at the theological ideas that shape [or misshape] our implicit sense of worth, and work together to receive more truth and light that is more consistent with the nature of our divine parents and our Savior and their incompressible love for all of their children. The doctrines discussed in today’s episode highlight the negative impact of institutionalized gender hierarchies both on earth and in the next life. ******Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode. *****New group forming April 2023.
In this second of a multi-part series, Valerie and therapist colleague Brannon Patrick continue to unpack the very multifaceted doctrine of eternal marriage and all of its complex implications in the real lives of real people, often finding the “plan of happiness” feeling more like the “plan of sadness” as life progresses in ways that almost inevitably do not line up with what doctrine frames as the ideal and only way to achieve God's highest heaven. IN THIS EPISODE Val and Brannon dig into the inner experience of those who might legitimately feel like second, third, or even 'steerage' class citizens in Mormondom…the divorced, widowed, never married, and all sexual and gender minorities…basically everyone except the cisgendered, temple attending, married couple. Clearly this is a LARGE POPULATION of people internalizing messages about themselves, their place, and their value not only in the church, but also in God’s eyes in this life and throughout eternity. Val and Brannon invite us all [members at every level of the LDS church] to look honestly and with humility at the theological ideas that shape [or misshape] our implicit sense of worth, and work together to receive more truth and light that is more consistent with the nature of our divine parents and our Savior and their incompressible love for all of their children. ******Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode. *****New group forming April 2023.
In this multi-part series, Valerie and therapist colleague Brannon Patrick begin to unpack the very multifaceted doctrine of eternal marriage and all of its complex implications in the real lives of real people, often finding the “plan of happiness” feeling more like the “plan of sadness” as life progresses in ways that almost inevitably do not line up with what doctrine frames as the ideal and only way to reach heaven.
Valerie and Brannon open this series by introducing a framework for human growth that emphasizes that the primary task in life is for each of us to realize our own fullest and unique potential and that the healthiest framework within which to realize this self growth is one where one's growth is celebrated, even as it departs from one set, rigid, predetermined framework.
This model makes space for ALL women and men and does not diminish one’s salvation potential based on earthly or even heavenly relationship constellation.
This philosophy opens the way for persons of all sexual/gender orientations who are
1] single (never married, divorced, widowed),
2] the married couple where one partner is non-religious or practices any other religion, and
3] the married couple where one person is expanding in the LDS faith and no longer conforming to various forms of dogma.
In this more expansive way of looking at human development, God’s children are able to more fully partake in a truly all-inclusive plan of happiness.
In this re-imagined plan of growth, our close relationships [intimate and otherwise] are experienced as an expansive, unconditionally loving supportive network.
This sounds like heaven to us…Because this framework is grounded in realizing every human’s growth potential and infinite worth.
Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode. New group forming April 2023.
This episode was recorded for "The Sisterhood Podcast" recently and takes a deep dive into issues of womanhood, LDS culture, and the vital importance of women learning how to truly be active agents of their own lives. Valerie addresses several topics including the following: 1) the influence that the church's gendered teachings have had on some women who foreclosed early dreams and desires because they felt that these parts of themselves were "wrong", 2) the importance of learning to claim one's own personal authority and learn to tolerate the discomfort of others' not approving of our self-affirming life's choices, and 3) strategies for helping children and adolescents of both genders learn how to think in complex ways that 4) affirm their ability to know that they are capable of connection with their own true selves and their divine creators, who can help them craft a value-driven life. *********Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode.
In this episode, Valerie looks a psychological lens to explain some of the dynamics at play between some current spokespeople for the LDS church and those who are asking for dialogue and change in a variety of areas. As an intimate relationship therapist, Valerie frequently works with couples and helps them with struggles around the issue of power, growth, and fear. These very same concepts can be superimposed onto other relationships, and in this episode, Valerie demonstrates how some church spokespeople and many faith-expanding church members might be seen as locked in a struggle for healthy identity development, just as some individuals struggle in their intimate relationships. The good news? This is normal, expected, and the only way to relationship health in the long run. In both settings, what begins as the perfect romance [the perfect church, the perfect lover] MUST give way to what really "is"...which brings up grieve, protest, denial, and eventually growth, if both parties recognize that the early “romance” was based on an illusion. Valerie also talks about what happens when the initially more empowered party in the relationship does not WANT to end the "romance" stage of the relationship and she gives possible reasons for why the empowered “caregiver” struggles giving up their role when the less empowered party wakes up and begins to self define. Valerie is hoping that this episode might propose a psychologically grounded answer to the "why are they acting this way?" questions regarding recent combative discourse. Link to the speech “Why A Church” for your reference: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/kevin-s-hamilton/why-a-church/******Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode.
In this special episode Valerie and Nathan respond to the recent address given by Elder Hamilton titled "Why a Church". This episode attempts to acknowledge many potentially hurtful or harmful "take aways" that many might have experienced who are deeply committed to following Jesus Christ and who are also trying to discern if there is a place for them to worship in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as complex thinkers and committed seekers of systematic and spiritual truth. Some potential "take aways" [which may not be intended but nonetheless may still have been experienced] include 1) Stay silent although in legitimate pain that is connected to membership in this church 2) there is no channel for conversation, accountability, or healing between wounded members and top governing individuals 3) there is no place for those who feel called to bless this organization through respectful public education, advocacy, and other efforts to invite growth, change, and an increase in love, 4) the atonement of Jesus Christ ONLY operates through this one church, and 5) we as children of God cannot and should not learn to trust ourselves to learn, grow, or discern truth independent of this institution, but rather should be dependent upon the church for all spiritual needs. This episode is intended to be a loving and direct response to what many members in and around the LDS church are feeling was communicated. If this was not intended, please clarify. Healthy relationships do not demand silence or non-questioning compliance and call these demands trust, faith, and obedience. Healthy relationship in every context invites dialogue, openness, accountability, and the embodiment of true common consent. As these attributes are practiced at all levels of the institution, our religious system may begin to heal through love. Link to the speech “Why A Church” for your reference: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/kevin-s-hamilton/why-a-church/******Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode.
In this final episode in this series honoring Blaire Ostler [scholar, author, and warrior at the complex intersection of the Mormon and Queer worlds], Val and Nathan walk through 15 suggestions given by Blaire on how we can do a better job educating ourselves and those around us on queer issues so that our queer children and adolescents feel seen, safer, and valued. Please share this entire series with those around you who may not understand the psychological costs exacted upon our own loved ones due to current Queer-phobic theology. Helping others see this issues with new eyes might protect a precious life.******Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode.
Join Valerie and author, theologian, and scholar Blaire Ostler as they tackle the beauty of speculative theology through their analysis of Blaire’s book “Queer Mormon Theology”. In this bold and beautiful book, Blaire invites her readers to consider multiple traditional Mormon-specific beliefs through a queer lens, showing us how a robust theology is ALWAYS inviting of study, questioning, and re-evaluation to become more reflective of the Savior we profess to worship. Blaire Maintains through multiple ideas and examples that we as disciplines of Jesus Christ are not only invited to widen our theological views, but encouraged to do so, actively participating in the democratic process of common consent. Listen to this beautiful conversation and find yourself a copy of Queer Mormon Theology. Dialogue Podcasting Network Podcast/episode referenced in this episode: “The Foyer”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-foyer/id1589860799?i=1000550522621 ********** Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in this episode.
In this beautiful episode, Blaire Ostler joins Valerie in an autobiographical conversation about her painful and dynamic hero’s journey reconciling within herself her queerness and her Mormon-ness, finding for herself that she could not shun either. This conversation covers the gradual unfolding of her queer identity and the pain she went through both within her body and between herself and her creators. She shares deep grief, “aha” moments, self hating moments, and moments of profound and growing self love and self acceptance. She emphasizes that this journey is HERS and that other queer people or Mormon people have the right to do their lives differently but proudly and boldly claims her own right to the path that she has chosen to walk at the intersection of two frequently unkind-to-each-other identities. Trigger Warning: this episode speaks of suicide ideation. Dialogue Podcasting Network Podcast/episode referenced in this episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-foyer/id1589860799?i=1000550522621 *********Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode
This is part FIVE of a five part series analyzing Brian McLaren’s book “Do I Stay Christian”. In each of these episodes, Val and Nathan go through McLaren’s 10 compelling reasons to LEAVE institutionalized Christianity and 10 compelling reasons to STAY. In this episode the two reasons discussed to LEAVE are as follows: 9) Because of its tendency to constrict intellectualism [please jump over to episode 79 of this podcast for a deep dive into the damage done due to constrictive intellectualism and many cognitive biases common to underdeveloped Christian thinking] and 10) Because Christianity is “SHRINKLING” [shrinking+wrinkling]. The two final reasons discussed in this episode to stay Christian are, 9) To Free God from the dangerous image as the angry old white guy full of judgement and wrath, and 10) Because of Fermi’s Paradox and the Great Filter [yep…you’ll clearly need to tune in to have the first clue about what he means here!!] **Val and Nathan respect McLaren’s straightforward, honest look at our Christian history and share in his trust that each of us is wise enough to look truth straight in the eye in order to forge our own path towards health and wholeness. Sunstone Symposium address referenced in this episode [Val’s favorite symposium address of all time]: OWN YOUR RELIGION: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sunstone-magazine/id1113651395?i=1000580244207. Book referenced in this episode [other than ‘Do I Stay Christian’, is ‘Faith After Doubt’ by Brian McLaren******** Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
This is part FOUR of a five part series analyzing Brian McLaren’s book “Do I Stay Christian”. In each of these episodes, Val and Nathan go through McLaren’s 10 compelling reasons to LEAVE institutionalized Christianity and 10 compelling reasons to STAY. In this episode the two reasons discussed to LEAVE are as follows: 7) Because Christianity is STUCK due to its “belief policing” and its accompanying resistance to scientific advancements that might push up against traditional religious ideas, and 8) Because Christianity as a religious system has arguably failed in its prime purpose: to transform people into loving, caring human beings. Reasons to stay in this episode are as follows, 7) Leaving complex and messy systems is arguably buying into a similar superiority complex that often draws people into Christianity in the first place and 8) Christianity is both getting better and it is getting worse. On the side of better: Christianity in some traditions is finally waking up after “hitting bottom” due to the internet’s built-in ability to demand openness and accountability. Christianity is arguably getting worse in that ‘Christian Nationalism’ and other toxic co-opting of the Christian name is proving to be a brand of belief that waits in the wings to fill the pews and the airwaves if Christian-reformers leave. *****Val and Nathan respect McLaren’s straightforward, honest look at our Christian history and share in his trust that each of us is wise enough to look truth straight in the eye in order to forge our own path towards spiritual health and wholeness Book referenced in this episode [in addition to “Do I Stay Christian”] is "Extensions of Power" by D. Michael Quinn ********** Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
This is part THREE of a five part series analyzing Brian McLaren’s book “Do I Stay Christian”. In each of these episodes, Val and Nathan go through McLaren’s 10 compelling reasons to LEAVE institutionalized Christianity and 10 compelling reasons to STAY. In this episode the two reasons discussed to LEAVE are as follows: 5) Because of Christianity's "real" master...MONEY. In this section Nathan and Val break down both how this issue applies to both "big" Christianity and to our our faith tradition's specific complex and problematic relationship with money, and 6) Because of serious harm done due to white male patriarchy. The two viable reasons to STAY in institutional Christianity discussed in this episode are: 5) Due to Christianity's legendary founder. This section focuses both on expanding our understanding of the difference between scriptural literalism and scriptural literary value and also helps readers of scripture understand the human tendency to expand the stories of legendary people, sometimes causing mistrust and confusion. The final reason to stay is this episode is 6) because innocence is an addition and solidarity is the cure. What McLaren means by this is that those who leave Christianity are enjoying the luxury of privilege. Listen in to capture what he means by this! Val and Nathan respect McLaren’s straightforward, honest look at our Christian history and share in his trust that each of us is wise enough to look truth straight in the eye in order to forge our own path towards spiritual health and wholeness Book referenced in this episode [in addition to “Do I Stay Christian”] is "Extensions of Power" by D. Michael Quinn ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
This is part TWO of a five part series analyzing Brian McLaren’s book “Do I Stay Christian”. In each of these episodes, Val and Nathan go through McLaren’s 10 compelling reasons to LEAVE institutionalized Christianity and 10 compelling reasons to STAY. In this episode the two reasons discussed to LEAVE are as follows: 3) Because of the huge world-wide death toll and life toll due to Christian imperialism/ colonization, and 4) Because of perpetual issues with loyal Christian “company men” who value loyalty to institution over loyalty to those whom they are serving who come to worship God and find healing community. The two viable reasons to STAY in institutional Christianity discussed in this episode are: 3) Because those who value the rhythms of community worship will find that there is no human-run institution that will be exempt of the complexities of human-run institutions, and 4) Because when speaking relative to the creation of the universe, Christianity is in its infancy and very young things are very underdeveloped by necessity. Val and Nathan respect McLaren’s straightforward, honest look at our Christian history and share in his trust that each of us is wise enough to look truth straight in the eye in order to forge our own path towards spiritual health and wholeness Book referenced in this episode [in addition to “Do I Stay Christian”] is “The Creation of Patriarchy” by Gerta Lerner ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
This is part one of a five part series analyzing Brian McLaren’s book “Do I Stay Christian”. In each of the next 5 episodes, Val and Nathan go through McLaren’s 10 compelling reasons to LEAVE institutionalized Christianity and 10 compelling reasons to STAY. In this episode the first two reasons to LEAVE are as follows: 1) Because of the brutal treatment of Jewish people by Christians throughout Christianity’s history, and 2) Because of Christianity’s long history of brutality to their own brave dissenters who have seen institutional problems of blindness, ignorance, and corruption have called them out, and have been physically or psychologically punished. The two viable reasons to STAY in institutional Christianity discussed in this episode are: 1) Because leaving Christianity hurts those valiantly trying to heal systemic problems [and those staying comprise some of the bravest, noblest badasses you can find anywhere😉] and 2) because there are more options than to stay compliantly or leave defiantly. Those who stay can model high levels of integrity, authenticity, and personal authority. Val and Nathan respect McLaren’s straightforward, honest look at our Christian history and share in his trust that each of us is wise enough to look truth straight in the eye in order to forge our own path towards spiritual health and wholeness. ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
This episode is part II of Valerie and Nathan’s reflections on their journey out of orthodoxy. In this episode they respond to the large amount of feedback that the previous episode received by those listening to Valerie’s former podcast “Generation Xhausted” and address several questions, including their thoughts on parenting, leaving institutional religion all together, and more. Val also talks about how the human brain as a “three member committee” struggles to meet separate needs and gives a neurological explanation for why faith expansion brings up so much angst in so many people. Book referenced in this episode: Faith After Doubt by Brian McLaren. ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
In this episode, Val and Nathan share a recording from Valerie's first podcast titled "Generation Xhausted", which is a podcast where Valerie delved into issues of soul crisis, something that many people simply call "burnout", ranging from crisis in marriage, aging, parenting, work, body image, and finally, faith crisis. In this particular episode, Val and Nathan talk about their own faith journeys and their ongoing realizations as they left the simplicity and somewhat hubristic comfort of orthodoxy. They also share how they have—and currently are—making meaning of the complexities of relationship with institutional religion in the face of personal soul expansion.
Join Val in this beautiful conversation with Jody England Hansen as together they explore the following ideas about the complexities of membership in the human race (oh, and also in the LDS church) as well as other beautiful ideas about making meaning of struggle and becoming the makers of meaning in our own spiritual lives. This conversation focuses on these two main topics:1. The power and importance of taking ownership in our own worship. Much can be learned if we are allowed to find and interpret relevant meaning in every aspect of our lives (ranging from the symbolism in the LDS temple to the symbolism in Star Wars or Lord of the Rings). As we realize we are the creators of meaning, we find ourselves more satisfied in our worship, rather than feeling guilt, shame, or boredom for having meaning imposed upon us by outside forces.2. We are all on a hero's journey and making meaning of the steps of the heroes journey gives meaning to chaos, grief, and disorientation. Jody also offers thoughts on how her childhood in the home of Mormon progressive scholar and educator Gene England has influenced her ability to stay in the wrestle and create a spiritual life that works for her, while also honoring that each individual has a unique hero's journey of their own. Mentioned in this episode: Eli-Talk [Jewish-TedTalk Style Talk] Recommended by Jody: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBWIEAR_GQYPoem--Voting As a Fire Extinguisher: https://apoemaday.tumblr.com/post/700401485975011328/voting-as-fire-extinguisher ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this
In this episode Val and Nathan open up with a refresher courses on the theories of faith development that have impacted their growth the most and break down a theory that is less about stages of faith and more cyclical in nature. This stage theory breaks down 1. Order 2. Disorder 3. Reorder. They give many examples in pop culture, nature, theology, and myth that illustrates that cycles of birth, death, and rebirth can be found virtually everywhere. This cycle reminds us that Jesus didn't begin the cycle of birth, death, and resurrection, but rather is one sublime manifestation of this pervasive phenomenon. Val and Nathan further talk about why we resist this cycle in our own lives, why this cycle is absolutely necessary to our growth and transformation, and how the cycles of order (birth), disorder (death/suffering), and reorder (rebirth/resurrection) can be found most significantly in our own lives as our own ideas, expectations, paradigms, and desires evolve ever upward. Books referenced in this episode: Stages of Faith by James Fowler, A Different Drum & The Road Less Traveled (3 book series) by M. Scott Peck, Faith After Doubt by Brian McLaren, Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell, Universal Christ by Richard Rohr, and episode 33 of Latter Day Struggles (for Valerie's Sunstone Symposium Lecture on Stages of Faith Development and Why we as a church are stuck). ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this
In this episode Val and Nathan review several common cognitive biases that many Christians worldwide struggle with due to their leadership’s tendency to constrict intellectualism [because broad and open inquiry may challenge their denomination’s particular ideologies]. When intellectualism is stifled, we do not become complex thinkers and we tend to overlook these biases and shortchange our own God-given abilities to grow in knowledge, truth, and wisdom. The biases are these: 1. Confirmation bias 2. Complexity bias 3. Community bias 4. Comfort and compancency bias 5. Confidence bias 6. Conspiracy bias 7. Catastrophe/normalcy bias 8. Cash bias. Books referenced in this episode: “Do I Stay Christian?” By Brian McLaren 2. Origins of Power by D. Michael Quinn. ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
In this episode Nathan and Val draw from the wisdom of Jungian scholar James Hollis and his insights about truly evolved parenting. Turns out that parenting is not about crafting perfect children. It is not about crafting compliant children. It is not even about protecting children from tough lessons. Nor is it about needing children to carry on their parents belief systems. While this may induce anxiety in many of us who have been taught that this is exactly what parenting is all about, this in fact is not the healthiest way to create a relationship truly based on unconditional love and connection with our kids. Val and Nathan talk about their own journey, the nuances, the differences that arise with children of different ages and even how this dance between parent and child carries on into older (and sometimes much older) adulthood. The bottom line? Our children are not here to validate our lives, our roles, or our beliefs. They are here to become beautifully themselves. And we do well to honor this process. And we can best honor this process when we are spiritually and psychologically healthy ourselves. Book referenced in this epode: Living an Examined Life by James Hollis (one of Valerie's top scholarly crushes). ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
In this Q&R episode Valerie asks CAROL LYNN PEARSON several tough questions from you listeners about how she has managed to navigate some of the thorniest topics in Mormondom. Perhaps the more challenging question she answers is how she navigates feeling congruent with herself as a contributing and lifelong member in a religious institution that struggles so much with issues of gender, patriarchy, control, and power. One of the MANY nuggets of wisdom that she sharesis a plea for all of us to "BE BRAVE. AND BE KIND." She embodies both bravery and kindness in her entire life and legacy and invites us to do the same in our open, honest, struggle with the institution that is our home. She also says, "If there is trouble in the family, we have the right to talk about it. It is our home and our family." God bless Carol Lynn. Enjoy this episode! Here are some of the books that most influenced Carol Lynn throughout her life: The Chalice and the Blade by Riane Eisler, The Creation of Patriarchy by Gerda Lerner, Goddesses: Mysteries of the Feminine Divine by Joseph Campbell, The New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, A Course in Miracles by The Foundation for Inner Peace. Podcasts mentioned and recommended in this episode: “In Her Image” & “Marriage on a Tight Rope” To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.com. ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
For these mini-episodes I will be showcasing some of my favorite poems more deeply acquainting us with the feminine face of God. Please listen and listen again...these poems hold lost and forgotten truths that can recall to us our sometime distant relationship with our dear Mother God. To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.com. ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
For these mini-episodes I will be showcasing some of my favorite poems more deeply acquainting us with the feminine face of God. Please listen and listen again...these poems hold lost and forgotten truths that can recall to us our sometime distant relationship with our dear Mother God. To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.com. ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
For these mini-episodes I will be showcasing some of my favorite poems more deeply acquainting us with the feminine face of God. Please listen and listen again...these poems hold lost and forgotten truths that can recall to us our sometime distant relationship with our dear Mother God. To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.com. ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
For these mini-episodes I will be showcasing some of my favorite poems more deeply acquainting us with the feminine face of God. Please listen and listen again...these poems hold lost and forgotten truths that can recall to us our sometime distant relationship with our dear Mother God. To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.com. ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
For these mini-episodes I will be showcasing some of my favorite poems more deeply acquainting us with the feminine face of God. Please listen and listen again...these poems hold lost and forgotten truths that can recall to us our sometime distant relationship with our dear Mother God. To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.com. ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
For these mini-episodes I will be showcasing some of my favorite poems more deeply acquainting us with the feminine face of God. Please listen and listen again...these poems hold lost and forgotten truths that can recall to us our sometime distant relationship with our dear Mother God. To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.com. ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
In this first of two delightful and powerful interviews about her extreme commitment to compassionate and Christlike advocacy for the marginalized, Carol Lynn Pearson said, "maybe the worst thing that could have happened for the Brethren of the Mormon church was the moment I was given the role to play "Joan of Arc" in a theatrical production at BYU 60+ years ago!" The rest was history. And luckily for us, our own Mormon "Joan of Arc" has not been burned at the stake (center) thus far!! And in this series, she does not disappoint. In this episode with Valerie, Carol Lynn opens up about her childhood, life with Gerald, her own process of becoming the beautiful combination of bravery, grace, and straight-talking badassery that defines her work to this day. She shares specific stories about her experiences writing and speaking about all of the toughest and touchiest of topics, all hovering around issues of gender, sexuality, and power. Carol Lynn concludes with a lovely teaser into her newest book that will give YOU a map for how to grow in the very flavor of love that empowers her to do the inspiring work that she does. Just in time for Christmas, buy "The Love Map" (and many other of her books) at carolynnpearson.com. PLEASE share this episode. Once you listen, you'll know why this one is a POWERFUL episode packed with bravery, wisdom, and truth. ******* Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
Following the recent Salt Lake Tribune article titled "BYU-I Instructors fired for failing 'ecclesiastical clearance.' They can't find out why", and on the heels of this podcast's last episode coincidentally on a similar topic, Valerie was connected with a BYU-I faculty member who was willing--anonymously--to share their experience as a current faculty member and one who clearly sees many deeply troubling dynamics surrounding culture, messaging, and practices at BYU-I, not the least of which is the very troubling issue around the recent confidentiality lost for new and adjunct faculty members. Other topics discussed in this episode--1. Initial benefits for working at this university 2. Evolving and heightened struggles with issues of professionalism due to changes of administration where it has become less and less acceptable to have open and honest conversations about legitimate concerns had among faculty members on their own and their students behalf. 3. A culture of silence around very relevant issues involving race, gender, sexuality, and mental health concerns within the university community 4. Heightened fear of the risk that some faculty members feel in simply being "themselves" in even benign ways while in connection with students and others. 5. The noticing that some hurting students have formed an "underground network" where they seek to find safe people with whom to talk about their struggles with issues deeply important to their spiritual and psychological development and 6. a growing trend or "wave" of students leaving the church as soon as they graduate. This professor offers deep love for their students and fellow faculty members and expresses both grief and some frustration at the valuable losses they are seeing in the waves of wonderful and good students and other faculty leaving the university and church due to issues of fear, the mandate for silence, and the community's inability to hear the legitimate concerns of so many earnest people seeking a place, safety, and a voice in their home religion. This podcast is intended to help shine a light on issues that perhaps are invisible to those too close to the situation and offer a loving but direct first hand perspective that might be valuable in healing some of the wounds of the CES and the church that many of us care so much about. ****** Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups. These are proving to be an amazing experience for those who join.
In this episode Valerie interviews former BYU professor and current lover of people, education, music, truth, and personal integrity. In this conversation, Jason shares his journey from his teen years as a convert to the LDS church, through years of rewarding orthodoxy (box checking like the best of them) that led him to a position at BYU. His faith expansion journey began during those tenuous weeks when the university temporarily allowed LGBTQ students protection for openly expressing themselves under the same standards as straight cis-gendered students and then reversed their decision. Other key moments of awakening occurred while confronting struggles with an on-campus speech referencing muskets [you probably know the one…] and dissonance related to the new policy related to BYU faculty’s lack of confidentiality in temple recommend interviewing protocols. While painful, this transformative journey led Jason to his present job, but more importantly, to a deepening ability to love, serve, and worship according to his clear conscience. Join Val and Jason as they explore his expanding faith in God and Christ and his new way of participating in the LDS church as a result of this intensely challenging and life expanding 4 year detour as a BYU faculty member. ****** Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
This episode rounds out the complete analysis of the 2022 Strength of Youth Pamphlet AND explores the wisdom of the great thinker and theologian Francis Menlove's writings, proposing that unity of doctrine is greatly overrated in this [and every] church and that the idea of needing to have a set standard of beliefs [aka: documents such as the For the Strength of the Youth Pamphlet] represents a departure from Christ’s vision and slowly evolved but not until over 200 years after the death of Jesus Christ. Menlove proposes that humans have always been drawn to want to gather, worship, love, and support each other [independent of what each person 'believes'] and due to their combination of humanity, fear, ego, and desires to help and/or control others, power figures [in all churches] have been inclined to warp “church" into a place that dictates and then disciplines believe rather than allowing "church" to be a place to gather, share, explore, love, nurture, and be seen, known, and loved. She proposes that we awaken to this reality and each learn to allow church to be what Jesus intended. Book referenced: The Challenge of Honesty by Francis Menlove❤️❤️ *********Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
Join Val and Nathan in this deep dive into the Church's current positions on the human body, sexual thought, speech, expression, and relationship, the Word of Wisdom, tattoos, piercings, grooming issues, and a word to those who have been abused in any way. Main points discussed include conversations about the following 1) Our bodies are created in "their" image, male and female 2) How our body's as temples has much deeper meaning than often understood 3) the prescriptive nature of the word of wisdom and its meandering origins 4) a more healthy way to talk about addiction that addresses the pain that is being medicated rather than forbidding the use (or overuse) of any particular substance 5) a more healthy way to talk about sexual maturation that encourages youth to better integrate their emerging sexuality rather than forbidding or discouraging them from contact with these parts of themselves 6) and more! Please SHARE this episode with anyone who has influence over the youth of our church!
In this episode Val and Nathan break down the section "Walk in God's Light", a section of the manual used to offer direction on issues such as media use, word of wisdom, and issues around the use of pornography. They love the guidance to cultivate our own offspring-of-God abilities to discern what brings us closer to our potential and what gets in the way and a focus on how the spirit is available to each of us to help us. They dig deeper into ways that this section seems to overgeneralize the many reasons why people have a complex array of strong feelings (which are not always connected to having the spirit) and also how important it is that we learn to navigate the complexity of social media, variously rated movies, and other technology. Val and Nathan also begin to talk about pornography and more and less helpful and healthy ways to address this issue with our youth (this conversation will continue in the next episode fully committed to the theology of the body). **Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
In this episode Valerie and Nathan tackle the "For the Strength of Youth" section titled "Love God, Love Your Neighbor". This section starts off strong reminding us of love as the power that evokes more love and the most important force for growth and change. Another "win" is the reassurance that God's love is always available. It also invites us to love of all the world: a beautiful global neighborhood. What's not to support here! Then this document moves into transactional invitations that (unfortunately) encourage our youth to prove their love by right action, rather than expressing a life committed to goodness as the natural outcome of love of self, others, and God. Val and Nathan also discuss the following: 1. The power of prayer and communion emphasized 2. Encouragement to self-advocate in situations that are not safe 3. Openness and inclusion for all people no matter their race or religion (specific mention of gender/sexuality omitted in this clause sadly) 4. Prescriptions around opposite sex early benign interaction 5. Ways to handle complex home life situations 6. Questions at the end implying more transition-based relationship with God. This section offers a lot of beautiful counsel. Nathan and Val express some concern that the counsel does not necessarily align with current theology and policy around real-time issues of inclusion and safety. It does however invite healthy advocacy towards these Christ-like values. **Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
In this follow up episode, Valerie conceptualizes the recent formal criticism of activism/advocacy against the LDS church from the psychological framework called Internal Family Systems [IFS]. She begins by explaining how within each individual is a “true self” who is whole, complete, wise, and infinitely capable and powerful…[exactly what might be expected of offspring of divine parents!] As mortality wears on we each collect experiences and relationships that inevitably hurt and overwhelm and through these experiences our true selves fade into the background while two other self states emerge: the “wounded child” part [representing deep fear and helplessness] and an aggressive, hostile, bullying “protector” part, who takes charge to protect the “wounded child” part, and generally makes things much worse even while intending to make things better. Healing comes when the “true self” steps in and begins to reclaim their power through [atonement-activated] love, compassion, and self acceptance. In this episode Valerie proposes this exact dynamic playing out in “real time” in our very institution. She further proposes that we activists begin to see our role as essential in the growing body of the church’s “true self” potential. * Book referenced in this episode: No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz. ****Contact Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com to get on a waitlist for one of her space limited processing/support groups mentioned in detail in this episode.
In this special episode, Nathan and Val respond to the recent address given by B Corbitt claiming that all activism against the church is sinful, wrong, and motivated by evil intention. This could not be further from the truth. Val and Nathan address the following issues looking at the psychology of how to heal fractured relationship and the many ways healthy healing principles were not only not practiced, but (sadly) completely contradicted. Here is a rundown of what they addressed: 1) A general misunderstanding of the nature of the suffering, hurt, betrayal, hopelessness, and pain that brings about activism [relational protest] of all sorts. 2) A list of "what not to say" to someone who has experienced legitimate pain at the hands of an authority figure if healing is desired by both parties 3) An explanation of how pain and suffering can be healed through legitimate acknowledgment of its reality (rather than a diminishing of its existence). 4) The claim that activism is ALWAYS wrong in the context of religion. 5) Several misinterpretations of scripture including the claim that prophets are 'made perfect in Christ' 6) The claim that sustaining means exact alignment with prophets all of the time 7) The claim that activism is a blanket rejection of Jesus Christ and the entire leadership and church 8) The claim that activism does not bring about change in the church (because change sufficiently happens on its own) while also claiming that if activism is needed, it can be solved at the ward level 9) The claim that activists are judgmental, narrow minded, and an echo-chamber of their own beliefs [wow]. 10) The idea that disagreement in any way causes contention and contention is always wrong. Val and Nathan also walk through multiple ways one might "check themselves" to see if they have caught what Elder Corbitt calls "ATC" and Valerie and Nathan take the test to see where they stand and how it feels. PS: They feel fine. Take the test for yourselves and evaluate your own endeavors to align with love and goodness! Please SHARE this episode to help others make sense of this recent address and news article. Articles of this nature further divide rather than heal. As Christ-Centered Activists, we seek to be acknowledged, seen, and understood. This is how reconciliation happens. ***** Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 25 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com. Link to the full E Corbitt address: https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24159863/Brother_Corbitt_Chaplain_seminar.pdf. Book referenced by Valerie: Do I stay Christian by Brian McLaren
In this episode Valerie walks you through her own experience with many, many of her own clients who tenaciously refuse to believe that the atonement is actually infinite and eternal for them. In the LDS faith (and other conservative Christian faiths) sexual addiction seems to hold an elevated place of shame, judgment, and condemnation. Many people communicate and truly believe that this struggle is too "bad" to be consumed in the atonement of Jesus Christ...until the wounded does something to earn it first. Once again. This belief harms everyone. And it paralyzes the one desperately in need of that Love that heals ALL wounds and changes all natures. Follow Valerie through her own experiences working with individuals who need more than anything, a reason to believe that they are worthy of the love that activates their own healing journey. ***** Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 25 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com.
In this episode Val and Nathan focus on the section in the pamphlet that outlines the LDS church’s teachings on the atonement of Jesus Christ and riff about some positives in this section as well as what they feel might be a generalized misunderstanding about the nature of Christ’s truly infinite power to heal us through love. They start with Val breaking down 3 atonement theories: 1) Ransom Theory 2) Satisfaction Theory 3) Penal Substitution Theory, and talk about which of these theories seem to be most generally accepted in LDS thought… and why this is problematic. They then address several questions, including: Must we do something to activate the healing power of the atonement? Does God really demand justice of their children and does Jesus Christ really intervene to protect us from our own justice-demanding parents [and why would we worship that kind of God?] Is this stance possibly a product of centuries of patriarchy? Why would “sin/repentance” language be better replaced with “wounded/healing” language to connect us with Christ? Who truly demands justice and struggles the most receiving Christ’s mercy [hint: look in the mirror]? What keeps people from sinning their lives away if they aren’t motivated by fear, punishment, or disappointment from God and Christ? The essence of this episode is that the atonement is founded in love, was performed through love and heals us through love even before we have a chance to mess up. Buckle up and maybe catch this episode twice because it’s likely atonement ideas you never heard in church. Brilliant books referenced: The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr, All Things New by Terryl and Fiona Givens, and Dialogues with Myself by Eugene England. ***** Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 25 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com.
Due to the large number of enquiries I have received about joining a space-limited support group, this short episode will answer some of the common questions that many of you have about what to expect in a Latter Day Struggles Support Group. I address and give examples of kinds of conversations we have, kinds of content I bring, what type of participation you might expect to have, and how well you will get to know yourself and each other. I divide my focus between immediate skills training content and practices (such as--ideas about how to have a challenging conversation with someone who does not understand your current journey) and more long term identity development, consciousness raising, soul-growth type of conversations (you'll need to listen to the episode to get the explanation on this one!). I also share several ways that we are connecting between session and a new closed Facebook group that I am soon opening for all members of all groups where I will be hosting periodic Q&Rs. Listen in and let me know if I have not answered your questions by emailing me at info@valeriehamaker.com.
In this episode tackling the fresh new For the Strength of the Youth Pamphlet, Val and Nathan cover the first several sections of this pamphlet and on the bright side are encouraged by opening words about the lovability of our youth and how normal it is to struggle in life. They also notice the first presidency's pointing our youth to our Savior in times of struggle and stress. On the more concerning side, they notice yet another reference around our youth's extra super special [superior] status in the eyes of God (yikes) and that therefore the youth have special work to do to save those less fortunate than themselves (yikes again). Val and Nathan also break down why language and ideas that divides our youth from "the world" is not a healthy paradigm spiritually or relationally. Finally, Valerie discusses a portion of this document and its possible connection to our church's collective vulnerability with religious scrupulosity. ***** Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 25 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com.
Join Nathan and Val in this walk down "For the Strength of the Youth" memory lane. Beginning with the first rendition in the 60's and its humorous fixation on proper fashion to the focus on measuring up to God of the 1990's pamphlet and anxiety inducing do's and don'ts lists of the 2011 pamphlet...there is plenty to compare and contrast about how this official position statement has change and changed and changed. This episode is first in a few that will analyze first these older documents and then dive into the new document and look at what is helpful in strengthening our relationship with God and what is not. Articles referenced in this episode: https://www.ldsliving.com/whats-new-in-the-for-the-strength-of-youth-booklet/s/11043 https://utahvalley360.com/2015/01/26/strength-youth-1965-today/***** Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 25 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com
Join Valerie and Nathan as they break down the Young Women's and Young Men's Themes from the perspective of healthy identity development as children of divine parents, each with a unique identity and purpose in this life. Val and Nathan celebrate the 'wins' in each document and then describe why certain elements of each document might be problematic for the healthy development of youth of both genders and for different reasons. Sometimes documents of this nature that designate specific roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments as measures of progress or worthiness [to others and/or God] evoke unintended problems in the youth's ability to ultimately accept themselves as infinitely worthy of love and capable of crafting a life using their own inner compass. ** Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 25 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com.
In this episode Valerie validates those who are struggling with some current policies that are wounding our sexual and gender minority friends and loved ones and invites a deeper understanding of both the hurt and our potential to heal this hurt by looking at Carol Lynn Pearson's book "No More Goodbyes". In this episode Val breaks down what she considers to be five foundational healthy psychological relationship paradigms and contrasts these with five unhealthy paradigms that are the current lived experience of so many who suffer in our circles. These paradigms include: 1: HEALTHY--We are all innately worthy of love just as we are. 1: UNHEALTHY--A false belief that some humans are born with something innately 'wrong' with them. 2: HEALTHY-- Parent/child relationships encompass deep unconditional love that helps a parent learn the depth of God's love for them as they learn how to love their unique children, 2 UNHEALTHY--Parents sometimes feel compelled to choose loyalty to an institution over unconditional love for their child. This choice may be expressed through subtle disappointment/distancing or through explicit rejection. 3: HEALTHY--The family is the basic unit of society that enables people to learn how to bond, love, and serve one another through lived experiences and stages 3: UNHEALTHY--Only a certain prescribed type of family is considered acceptable and families that do not follow the prescribed model will not be seen as acceptable 4: HEALTHY--People gain healthy ego structures by being in relationship with influential caregivers who are consistent, loving, and make repairs when inevitable struggles happen. These relationships are called 'secure attachment relationships'. 4: UNHEALTHY--People's brains become traumatized when the influential caregiver acts like they love the person sometimes but also abuse the same person at other times. This is disorienting and deeply painful to the person on the receiving end of this acceptance/rejection dynamic. This is called a 'disorganized attachment relationship'. 5: HEALTHY--Love heals. 5: UNHEALTHY—Hate destroys. Valerie infuses stories from "No More GoodByes" to illustrate powerfully each of these psychological principles. PLEASE SHARE THIS EPISODE! *Trigger Warning*This episode discusses incidents of attempted suicide. ** Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 25 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com.
In this episode Valerie talks to those of you out there whose faith and trust crises are at least in part due to issues around the LDS church's doctrine, policies, and consequent treatment towards our sexual and gender minority friends and family members. This episode focuses especially on scientific findings that clearly explain that sexual orientation is not a choice and therefore cannot be condemned or changed. Valerie analyses Gregory Prince's info-packed lecture titled "Science Vs. Dogma: Biology Challenges the LDS Paradigm of Homosexuality." This episode covers: 1. The prevalence of homosexuality both in humans and other animals 2. Lack of scientific understanding around the origins of homosexuality until relatively recently 3. Preliminary research findings in the fields of genetics and epigenetic that prove that gayness is in-born. 4. The LDS church's historic attempts at encouraging "cures" for homosexuality and its consequent damage. 5. 2 reasons why the church may be compelled eventually to change its doctrine and policy 6. What we at the grassroots can and must do to love, protect, and champion this change to protect our gay loved ones as respectful but courageous reformers. Books mentioned and recommended: Gay Latter-day Saint Crossroads by Evan Smith, Tabernacles of Clay by Taylor Petrey. Facebook Support Group: I'll Walk with You. ** Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 25 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com.
In this episode Valerie is interviewed by Kate Gregory, host of the growing podcast "In Her Image". The main subjects addressed is the strange but undeniable fear that many in the orthodoxy seem to experience in the very idea of a living real-time relationship with a feminine divine. Questions addressed include the following: 1. Why is fear associated with a feminine divine? 2. Why is there a connection between people seeking a feminine divine and their sometimes distancing themselves from the church? 3. Why MUST it be okay to "claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our conscience" and why MUST it be okay to "worship how, where, and what [we] may?" (sound familiar anyone? Yeah...this is our own article of faith, people!!) 4. What is the possible correlation between a fear of the feminine divine and the formal patriarchal structures of much of conservative Christianity? 5. How do I address others who try to impose structure on my personal patterns of worship? Valerie placed this episode here specifically because issues of gender, power, and patriarchy are also highly correlated with LDS Faith Crisis. Please jump over to "In Her Image" for a lot of wonderful insight and scholarship on Heavenly Mother. ** Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 20 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com.
In this closing episode of this information-packed series, Valerie and Nathan walk through the final portion of the LDS Faith Crisis Report and share the research team's formal insights, their recommended strategies, and specific tactics to help heal our suffering members in crisis. These findings fall into five categories as follows: 1. Close the history gap. 2. Console Individuals in faith crisis 3. Support families in faith crisis 4. Provide pastoral counsel to those suffering 5. Offer outward facing compassionate service organized by the church. This series is some of the most important content so far on desperately needs to be shared far and wide. Please send on to your own friends and family. Too many people are suffering and deserve love, compassion, and validation. **Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 20 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com. The report referenced in this and the four following episodes is linked here: https://faenrandir.github.io/a_careful_examination/documents/faith_crisis_study/Faith_Crisis_R28e.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0HEjV8dDVB9J1__x6ISIgHBRFw5TL06l-mr38edrjdAqbVZbp7Ox2ZvuU&fs=e&s=cl&fs=e&s=cl
In this fourth episode of this 5 part analysis of the LDS Faith Crisis Report, Nathan and Valerie break down what the researchers call the “Perpetual Cycle of Disaffection”, the typical and predictable emotional experience of one who experiences the LDS faith crisis. The 8 stages are as follows: 1. Initiation 2. Search 3. Troubling Discovery 4. Betrayal 5. Harsh Treatment 6. Distancing 7. Anger Magnification 8. Disaffection. Val and Nathan highlight how this painful experience is tragic in part because those in faith crisis are already experiencing massive anguish due to what feels like the crumbling of their very foundation and really want, need, and deserve compassion, love, and support. But often they are shamed, shunned, or avoided. They are hoping that shining a spotlight on this phenomenon will help more people become educated and eventually ease the grief and isolation of those who suffer. PLEASE SHARE THIS SERIES. **Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 20 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com. The report referenced in this episode is linked here: https://faenrandir.github.io/a_careful_examination/documents/faith_crisis_study/Faith_Crisis_R28e.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0HEjV8dDVB9J1__x6ISIgHBRFw5TL06l-mr38edrjdAqbVZbp7Ox2ZvuU&fs=e&s=cl&fs=e&s=cl
Join Valerie and Nathan in this part 3 (of a 5 part series) breaking down the fascinating research done by a team of experts who wanted to help the general authorities of the LDS church better understand what is REALLY going on amongst thousands of people in faith and trust crises in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In this episode Valerie and Nathan break down what this research team found to be the typical trajectory of the crisis that so many of us experience. Here are the following stages, which Val and Nathan review and analyze: Stage 1: True Believing phase Stage 2: Catalyst Experience phase Stage 3: Traumatized believer phase Stage 4: Traumatized disbeliever OR Less-literal believer phase Stage 5: Secular participant OR ex/post Mormon phase. This analysis highlights no path to healthy activity in the church when one goes through our unique LDS version of Faith Crisis. Val and Nathan highlight the need for this painful issue to be addressed both from the leadership perspective and by helping those who suffer to better understand their own suffering and come to know how to navigate this issue with more psychological and spiritual agency. **Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 20 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@valeriehamaker.com. The report referenced in this and the four following episodes is linked here: https://faenrandir.github.io/a_careful_examination/documents/faith_crisis_study/Faith_Crisis_R28e.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0HEjV8dDVB9J1__x6ISIgHBRFw5TL06l-mr38edrjdAqbVZbp7Ox2ZvuU&fs=e&s=cl&fs=e&s=cl
In this content-packed episode, Val and Nathan go deeper into the LDS Faith Crisis Report, breaking down and analyzing a LOT of information discovered by the team of researchers trying to help the brethren at church headquarters better understand the nature of the problems we as a church are having. Covered in this episode: 1. The Researcher's objectives 2. Faith crisis defined 3. Researchers analysis around why a focus on faith crisis is crucial for the survival of the church 4. The need for new metrics to truly understand the state of health/sickness within the membership of the church 5. The need for disruptive innovation (as opposed to sustainable innovation) 6. Discovery of factors that drive faith crisis 7. Demographics of those who suffer most frequently from faith crisis 8. Reasons why faith crisis happens 9. Repercussions of those who experience faith crisis 10. Overview of survey findings **Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 20 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at infoValeriehamaker.com. The report referenced in this and the four following episodes is linked here: https://faenrandir.github.io/a_careful_examination/documents/faith_crisis_study/Faith_Crisis_R28e.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0HEjV8dDVB9J1__x6ISIgHBRFw5TL06l-mr38edrjdAqbVZbp7Ox2ZvuU&fs=e&s=cl&fs=e&s=cl
In this episode Valerie sets the stage for a detailed analysis of a report compiled by a team of highly talented Latter Day Saint scholars in various professional fields endeavoring to help the General Authorities of the Church better understand the nature of the current suffering of so many multi-generational LDS church members in faith and trust crises. This episode is the first of a five part series that will go deeply into all key aspects of this study and serves as a general overview covering why the study was performed, who performed it, a timeline of the development of this report, what they desired to communicate, how they tried to communicate it with church headquarters, and the reception this report received from the general leadership of the LDS church. This episode also breaks down what each of the following four episodes in the series will cover. Buckle up...this report is both fascinating and tragic in its ability to articulate the depth of the problem we as a church are facing. It also offers brilliant solutions. Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 20 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@Valeriehamaker.com. Facilitated by Valerie. Space is limited. The report referenced in this and the four following episodes is linked here: https://faenrandir.github.io/a_careful_examination/documents/faith_crisis_study/Faith_Crisis_R28e.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0HEjV8dDVB9J1__x6ISIgHBRFw5TL06l-mr38edrjdAqbVZbp7Ox2ZvuU&fs=e&s=cl&fs=e&s=cl
In this episode Valerie addresses a listener's request to address her faith crisis grief from a psychological perspective. Valerie uses this episode as an opportunity to talk about her own grief process both preceding her decision to start this podcast as well as her ongoing experience working through the grief that comes when our worlds are turned upside-down by faith and trust crisis. She shares 10 specific points regarding your grief as you valiantly struggle with your own personal experience. The ten points that she discusses are as follows: 1. Your extreme emotions are completely valid under the circumstances. Our variation of faith crisis holds many classic components of "discovery trauma". 2. Pay attention to your "window of tolerance" and practice self care using Dan Siegel's 4 pillars of emotional health. 3. Process your grief in connection with safe others, even one person. Do not grieve in isolation. 4. Use your growing catalog of resources to find understanding about the nature of the crisis. Seek sources that encourage your unique experience and are neither apologetics oriented or inflammatory. 5. Realize that your experience is far from unique. The church is going through a major shift and there are more than you think worldwide who are with you. 6. Reflect on other brave reformers who can give you strength and courage 7. Recognize how the church has instrumental in the creation of your character and identity in ways that have actually propelled you in this direction of growth 8. Recognize with self compassion the many ways in which your experience in the church has handicapped your ability to tolerate the struggles of faith crisis 9. Look for the tender mercies of God in upholding you through these struggles 10. When the time is right, notice that love has the power to heal while anger and hate has only the power to destroy, ourselves and others. This episode is in preparation for a special 5 part series where Valerie and Nathan are going to break down the GROUND-BREAKING LDS Faith Crisis Report that was presented to top LDS church officials in 2013. Please SHARE this podcast. Help educate others about struggles and possible solutions of our faith. Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 20 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@Valeriehamaker.com. tated by Valerie. Space is limited
Join Nathan and Valerie as they tackle another listener question. In this episode they address that haunting and refusing-to-die statement about how the prophet will never lead the church astray. Many of us in our orthodox days took this as a given and simply applied the blinders when something didn't feel congruent with this. Now its time to take a look at where that statement came from, some context about why it was said, and some thoughts regarding "prophethood" as being more "state" oriented than "trait" oriented [jump into the episode and Val will explain more about this!], and finally how paradoxical but possible it is for the mis-direction of leaders to actually help us hone in on our own God-Given discernment skills. Are you SHARING this podcast far and wide?? THANK YOU!! ** Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 20 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@Valeriehamaker.com.
In this episode Valerie and guest co-host and fellow relationship therapist Brannon Patrick talk about the goodness and badness that happens at the hands of well-meaning but not-professionally trained bishops in a system where they are often expected [and endeavor] to run a three ring circus in their office consisting of marriage counseling, trauma recovery, addiction counseling, grief work, and complex mental health issues. And mind you these bishops are often your average accountants, mechanics, or farmers. Why does the church put people in these precarious positions? And what harm is done as members expect this and as bishops earnestly try to provide this flavor of the modern-day miracle? Val and Brannon break down the problems and walk through some simple solutions that require emotional intelligence and humility and both sides of the desk. This episode does not address issues of bishops and the reporting of abuse. Please see episode #36 for more on this. Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 20 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@Valeriehamaker.com. tated by Valerie. Space is limited.
In this episode Valerie and Nathan tackle an excellent and challenging question from one of you listeners regarding how to handle their child's upcoming 8th birthday and eligibility to be baptized into the LDS church. Many parents feel positively confused...wanting to integrate the "good stuff" of this faith tradition into their homes and family life while also wanting to be cautious about how, what, and when to teach their children in ways that reflect their own newly developing (and more complicated) understanding of the church. In short--none of us wants to set our children up for a faith and trust crisis down the road. Val and Nathan break down several thoughts about this topic and offer advice that they wished someone had shared with them when their kids were younger!
Please rate and review this podcast and SHARE it with the Mormon world!! ** Due to the rapid growth of this podcast and the obviously huge need for members of our faith to have more support in our faith-expansion experience, Valerie is currently piloting a few 3 month long weekly online support groups to help you connect with her and others who are in a similar place in your faith experience. Space is limited and first come first served. 20 people per group. For more information e-mail Valerie at info@Valeriehamaker.com.
In this episode Valerie walks you through a historic tragedy to demonstrate what happens when a community is trained to obey authority over honoring common sense, conscience, and sound judgment. Valerie takes you back to the 1970s and recounts LDS church headquarter's handling of the national Equal Rights Amendment [ERA] and how large numbers of church members gladly relinquished their own wisdom and judgement in the service of loyalty to the institution. After tracing these fascinating events, Valerie shares several thoughts about what this cautionary tale can teach us about the dangers of a society that struggles cultivating in its membership spiritual discernment, psychological freedom, and agency to act according to conscience. Even when earnest authority figures sincerely feel that they are protecting us by assuming the role of collective conscience governing personal, spiritual, and political choices, it is always our divine right and responsibility to own our own sacred consciences and act accordingly. The book referenced in this episode is titled "The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power" by D. Michael Quinn Please SHARE this episode!
In this episode Nathan and Valerie break down some research called the "Systems Justification Theory" that shines a light on why most people choose the status quo over the hard work of challenging the systems we know need reformation. The theory highlights four key reasons why we cling to status quo: 1. We feel reassured by the familiarity of our own institutional mess and will suffer in silence before deciding to manage the discomfort of pushing back 2. In the face of outside threat, we salute. Institutions sometimes heighten a sense of outside threat to engender loyalty. 3. We are wired to find safety in belonging to a tribe 4. We hope and wish for better days ahead. We try to believe that this problem is just temporary.
Research referenced in this episode comes from the book titled "The Art of Insubordination" by Todd B. Kashdan, PhD.
In this last episode of this 3 part series, Nathan and Valerie break down 3 more indicators of a system (church or family) that is struggling on some level with spiritual abuse. The scholarship used in this episode comes from non-Latter-Day Saint researchers looking at religious systems in general and pointing out specific features of the churches that tend to perpetuate the most unrighteous dominion. The 3 points that they cover in this episode are as follows: 1. A culture of paranoia: Where doctrine and practice focuses on how others do not understand and will not understand until they become part of the group. This also includes a culture referring to "the world" as dangerous and something to be feared. 2. Misplaced loyalty: A hyper-focus on loyalty to the institution and its leaders instead of the true focus being on Jesus Christ and his atonement. 3. Secretiveness: A culture that is very concerned with managing its image and therefore has many layers of security to protect it from "the world". These secrets are often justified by leadership who holds a condescending view of the laity, feeling that they wouldn't understand. Val and Nathan do not view systems struggling with spiritual abuse as intentionally malicious, but rather they see these struggles typical of systems that operate under some level of fear. As we each better understand what spiritual abuse looks like, we can shine a light on these struggles and encourage our system to overcome these tendencies. Please share this episode! Article/Book referenced: 14 SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL ABUSE: https://markdejesus.com/14-signs-spiritual-abuse/ THE Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen
In this 3 part series, Nathan and Valerie break down 3 more indicators of a system (church or family) that is struggling on some level with spiritual abuse. The scholarship used in this episode comes from non-Latter-Day Saint researchers looking at religious systems in general and pointing out specific features of the churches that tend to perpetuate the most unrighteous dominion. The 3 points that they cover in this episode are as follows: 1. Tendency for the institution to hover over personal decisions in the lives of the membership 2. Heavy financial expectations with minimal transparency or accountability about funds received 3. A general culture perpetuating the institution holding the "exclusive truth" from and about God. Please share this episode! Article/Book referenced: 14 SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL ABUSE: https://markdejesus.com/14-signs-spiritual-abuse/ THE Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen
In this 3 part series, Nathan and Valerie break down 9 consistent markers of spiritually abusive systems [family or churches]. The scholarship used in this episode comes from non-Latter-Day- Saint researchers looking at religious systems in general and pointing out the specific features of the churches that tend to perpetuate the most unrighteous dominion. The 3 points that they cover in this episode are as follows: 1. Heavy emphasis on charismatic leader who becomes the ultimate spokesperson on all spiritual issues. This includes tactics that minimize the humanity of the leadership body and maximize of focus on the humanity of the membership, with little to no checks and balances amongst the leadership, and a leadership that is not representative of a cross-section of the membership. 2. Legalistic beliefs and accompanying focus on PERFORMANCE: right performance, enough performance, and the adequate measurement of performance. 3. A system of unspoken rules that no compliant member articulates [due to fear of punishment], but everyone knows.
Articles/Book referenced: 14 SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL ABUSE: https://markdejesus.com/14-signs-spiritual-abuse/ THE Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse by David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen
In this episode Valerie honors feminist writer Kynthia Taylor and unpacks an excerpt from her essay called "The Trouble with Chicken Patriarchy". She follows up with thoughts on how as a therapist she sees the damage done to both men and women in the prescribed and deeply embedded gender roles that the church inherited in its 19th century inception and has in many ways expanded upon as the world has evolved in the opposite direction. Val breaks down how the roles of provider, protector, and presider creates guilt and shame in some men whose lives do not unfold according this "check list" and how the mixed messages of the church (becoming more flexible in some ways with women's roles but not actually changing anything in the power structure of the church) creates confusion, frustration, and struggle in spiritually developing and socially conscious individuals of both genders.
Join Valerie and Nathan as they break down a variety of missionary-service related topics, including the following: 1. What's with the hyper focus on missionary service of late? 2. misdiagnosis of the problem. 3. Unrighteous dominion 4. Thoughts on mission reform...offering those who serve more personal ownership of their mission experience as a place to grow psychologically and spiritually. 5. Thoughts on reform...realizing that the mission field is a major training ground for institutional and family-unit patriarchy where micro-aggressions are rampant, unacknowledged, and often defended.
In this episode, Valerie free-associates about her weekend spent reading, studying and thinking about the recent AP article regarding allegations that the LDS church is under-reporting sex abuse shared with ecclesiastical leader--protecting the predators at the expense of the victims. While this is a complex issue and Valerie does not pretend to know many answers, as a trauma therapist and a mandated reporter herself, she poses many questions that she would love for "the church" to answer, to help her and others concerned better understand and feel that the church is not only explaining themselves, but more importantly, considering a change of policy to protect the vulnerable.
Did you miss the AMAZING Sunstone Symposium 2022? No worries! In this episode you'll catch at least one lecture! Join Valerie as she shares her session formally called "The Jungian Shadow and Mormon History" where she will cover:
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The meaning of the Jungian Shadow
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How we all try to DENY our personal shadows in creative ways that estrange us from owning and integrating our shadow parts
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A case study in shadow integration: King David self confronts with the help of the prophet Nathan
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A case study in shadow non-integration: Joseph Smith Jr. does not self confront (in spite of Oliver's attempts to be his "Nathan")
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How this unresolved shadow continues to haunt us as an institution today in the form of deep struggles around the issues of sexuality, patriarchy, and hard power
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What we can do to help our institution heal from this collective shadow
Imagine attending an LDS meeting where people from the extremes of belief and practice come together and enjoy one another's company, share their stories, experiences, thoughts, opinions, and struggles, and are met with openness, curiosity, compassion, and non-judgment? This was our experience at our very first Sunstone Symposium--an annual gathering we just attended with a little bit of anxiety and a lot of curiosity. In this episode Nathan and Val share more about specific moments that they enjoyed, some very unique kinds of people they met, and why they will not only be back, but why this un-official "General Conference" gave them hope that we as a church are capable of true community.
Can't make it to the Sunstone Symposium 2022? Join Valerie on this episode as she walks you through one of her Sunstone Presentations breaking down the following: 1) Scott Peck's Stages of Faith Development 2) Characteristics of institutions in lower stages of faith development 3) Valerie's theories on why we as an institution are stuck 4) Actual comments from podcast listeners about their faith deconstruction and how this is often faith progression (not regression) 5) Why those in the orthodoxy and those in skepticism struggle with each other 6) How to become a truly open community where all stages of faith are welcomed
Join Val as she breaks down one gay man's reasons for staying in the LDS church. This episode highlights the reality that every person must search for and choose for themselves their own authentic reason for staying (or not staying) in the church and that this decision is deeply and profoundly personal.
Book Referenced in this episode: "Why I Stay 2" Edited by Robert Rees
Join Valerie in her analysis of Zina Petersen's progressively new lyrics to the classic primary hymn "I Am a Child of God", written to emphasize the importance of moving beyond childish simplicity, black and white thinking, right and wrong belief structures, and a covert belief in the prosperity gospel. In this episode Valerie walks through the power and pain of becoming a true "Adult of God" and how faith deconstruction is an invaluable part of your personal maturation and growing relationship with your divine parents and Savior.
Join Val and Nathan as they break down the research findings regarding why people finally overcome their tribal desire to “fit in” and and “not make waves” and move into a place of courage, self validation, and even heroism. One's process of growing brave enough to speak truth to power and against the majority narrative involves 1) heightening ones attention and realizing there is a problem 2) realizing the urgency of the problem 3) feeling a sense of personal responsibility 4) believing that one has the skills to help 5) reaching a conscious decision to help. Listen as they break down how each element was a part of their personal journey towards speaking up. The book referenced in the podcast is "The Art of Insubordination" by Todd B. Kashdan
Join Valerie as she shares some words of wisdom straight from one of her spiritual heroes, father Richard Rohr. In this episode she shares highlights from one of the most influential thought-provoking and growth-inducing books she has ever read: Falling Upward. Discover for yourself whether you are in the "first half of life" or the "second half of life" and how we each move towards true adulthood.
In this episode, Valerie pushes back on the common belief in the LDS church that the "a la carte" approach to gospel belief is evidence of lack of faith, trust, and commitment to one's spiritual growth. She builds a case for the "a la carte" approach to building one's beliefs as more risky in the short term (yes, our own agency means we might botch things from time to time) but also as more rewarding for those who take their discipleship seriously and learn to truly apply the atonement of Jesus Christ when necessary. This approach insulates the institution from making promises it cannot keep as it hands power to its constituents and it insulates the church's constituents from the inevitable disillusionment that always follows when an institution over-promises. Finally, Val talks about the difference between the stances of the "preacher", the "prosecutor", and the "politician" and how each of these styles of relating to one's beliefs are problematic, and how alternatively, the truth-seeking approach of the "scientist" may lead us most accurately to God.
In this episode, Val and Nathan share how in the church we sometimes use the transitive property of logic to draw sweeping conclusions to issues that merit individual study and personal discernment. No matter what they told you to teach in the MTC, If one thing is true (or false), then everything else is not necessarily true (or false).
Join Val in a brief follow up to her last episode discussing the negative psychological, emotional, and relational, and spiritual impact that women often experience due to the LDS church's historical hyper-focus on marriage and childrearing as a woman's primary role in life. This episode focuses on how the men in these women's lives both impact and are impacted by this phenomenon.
Join Valerie in this episode as she breaks down a typical client that comes into her private counseling practice...the numb, exhausted, dutiful, mom. Our work together is to learn more about how she got here and how its possible that she can feel so crappy after having done all of the right things.
Join Valerie and Nathan as they address a podcast listener's question regarding "rules" about a variety of dress/grooming related issues that are given at church and seem random, unimportant, and even not appropriate to be dictating to a body of thoughtful, discerning human beings. In this episode they talk about the concept of the "inverted value system" where some churches involve themselves in the unimportant details of a clean-cut (and therefore "Christian-appearing" membership) while underemphasizing and under-supporting its members issues that can truly connect them with God.
Join Val and Nathan as they share some thoughts on why gender and sexuality is a topic that brings up strong feelings in just about everyone. And it should bring up strong feelings, because these are core parts of our individual identities. Each of us has a journey to discover the depths of ourselves---including who we are in the realms of sexuality and gender. And when other people or institutions meddle in this sacred process, it hurts people. Listen to their own process of how their theology and beliefs about gender, sexuality, and God's infinite love for his children has evolved.
Join Valerie and Nathan this week as they riff about obedience to rules as opposed to obedience to conscience and highlight how even those who are considered the most evolved are held hostage to their own culture's anxieties, fears, and quirks. The good news is that maybe we are all just beautifully messy and in need of self and other compassion and an increase in "chill".
Join Valerie and guest host Brannon as they talk about a struggle brought into Valerie's therapy practice where a bride and groom are working on making the hard choice to be true to themselves even if that means devastating extended family about their desire to not marry in the temple. Is it possible that their greatest act of integrity and growth is to do what feels right to them even in the face of massive social and spiritual pressures?
In this final episode on Valerie and Nathan's series on the sacred nature of dissent, they talk about how paradoxically, dissent is the foundation of true peace. What? Yes, it is. True peace can only be attained through complex dialogue amongst parties who's ideas are all considered and welcomed. They also address how the ability to dissent safeguards all communities from eventual disintegration (walking away) and finally and most importantly how dissent is truly holy because it requires each of us to ultimately be accountable not to any earthly authority, but to our divine parents directly. Don't miss this one!
Join Brannon and Val in this comical and true-to-life (and perhaps familiar sounding) struggle between two spouses juggling the needs of their primary-aged children, less-active older children, and their own messy faith questions...all at the same time. How can couples authentically have their own very different journeys while also trying to cultivate faith in their kids? And not have a nervous breakdown in the process?
Join Valerie and Nathan as they talk about recent incidents related to their talking about dissent in the LDS faith. Their 5 Part "sacred nature of dissent" series (which is rudely interrupted by this episode...there IS one more episode left in this series) has brought up some angst in "concerned" listeners (because...dissent) and Valerie and Nathan share their experience processing through why they keep at this podcast, why you might be too anxious to share it but maybe still should :), and why we are all being extraordinarily brave in challenging the status quo by having these "taboo" kinds of sacred conversations.
Join therapist Valerie Hamaker and her husband Nathan as they tackle McMormonism's tendency to shame dissent and worship consent in the LDS faith. In this episode it is all about dissent and its power to heal blindness. They start with how a "consent only" culture develops people who are not introspective, curious, or challenging to systems and programs that ought to be thought about, challenged, and innovated.…for the betterment of all. Then they move on to how institutions of ALL KINDS [all churches and all large organizations] are vulnerable to becoming blind to their weaknesses as they reward validation of the status quo and punish most different, complicating, or innovating ideas. They also delve into how large institutions of all kinds have a tendency to reinforce the values, ideas and opinions of those at the top by promoting lower level admins who look, act, and feel just like their superiors...thereby reinforcing systemic sickness and ongoing blindness.
Join therapist Valerie Hamaker and her husband Nathan as they tackle McMormonism's tendency to shame dissent and worship consent in the LDS faith. In this episode they address the consent/dissent idea as core to developing our own powers of personal revelation and then go on to discuss how a "consent only" church is one that get lost in the weeds of irrelevancies and blind to true worship of God. And when we are not worshipping God but are worshipping anything or anyone else...that's called idolatry.
Join Valerie and special guest (and her spouse) Nathan as they tackle McMormonism's tendency to shame dissent and worship consent. In this episode they break how dissent is sacred as it is essential to our personal salvation projects and because it is the backbone of spiritual maturation and personal responsibility. They highlight the need for us to both notice and gain personal courage as we engage in dissent as a an essential part of our spiritual journey while sometimes pushing up against a system that discourages or even punishes this beautiful and sacred process.
Are you a McMormon? Do you want fast-food-like religion, quick, simple, uncomplicated, black-and-white, and complete with all of the thinking and revelation done elsewhere? In this series Valerie will explore the temptation to worship the idea of consent and demonize the idea of dissent. Valerie will use the beautiful book titled "The Sanctity of Dissent" to argue that only through the ability to dissent can an individual or a faith community truly come closer to God.
Join Val and Brannon this week as they talk about the gift of agency and how in principle it is taught as a concept fundamental to our faith tradition but how in actuality it is often not overly encouraged. They share personal examples of growing in their own capacities to practice agency and how when practiced it can become a principle that really moves us from fearful to fearless in our life's choices, relationships, and in coming closer to our divine heritage.
In this episode, join Brannon and Valerie as they answer this question with an emphatic "NO" and develop this complex topic about staying and going. They talk about those who doubt quietly [and often judiciously] and finally need to step away, those who speak out, those who leave as an act of integrity, and those who might dissent and yet choose to stay as an act of integrity. And then there are those who are shown the door. Each of these reasons are unique, as deep as the ocean, and rarely if ever involve a person "spiritually dying".
In this episode Valerie looks at an idea of organizational psychologist Adam Grant regarding 4 choices people make when confronted with challenging feelings in an institution that they care about (work place, church, etc). We either speak up, walk away, silently persist, or check out. Valerie breaks these down and talks a little about the impact that each choice has on us as individuals, on the institution, and on our ever-changing relationship with the divine. The bottom line? Institutions are messy and we all have our reasons for doing what is right for us. Maybe this conversation will help you see what choice you are making and assist you becoming the true authority in your own spiritual journey!
In this episode Val and Brannon look at the example of Winston Churchill and talk about what made him a truly great leader. The bottom line? He was interested in the ideas, thoughts, feelings, and experiences of the people he led. And even allowed himself to be persuaded by them. How much do we feel heard as "normal people" sitting in the pews at church? How much do our experiences, beliefs, and struggles impact those leading us at headquarters? Are we allowed to feel that a collaborative relationship going both from the top to the bottom and from the bottom to the top is allowed? Acceptable? Welcome? Buckle up for this conversation as these therapists tackle a question that hits at the heart of the organizational structure that they both care deeply about and see as problematic to the health of any organization.
Join Brannon and Val as they look at how history has been trying to demonize and then erase the feminine divine for thousands of years and how the divine stature of women has morphed from holy and revered to marginalized and subservient. The bottom line: It hasn't always been this way. Our LDS culture's current interest in this topic may just be part of the restoration of lost truths.
Join Valerie and Brannon this week as General Conference weekend approaches and they riff about the nostalgia of General Conference in years gone by with all of the accompanying orthodox "warm fuzzies" and how much more complex but also soul-stretching it is for them to watch, listen, and use our own God-Given discernment during these world-wide meetings as they discover sometimes differing truths--sometimes coming from those in the red satin chairs, but also from their own couches in their pajamas.
In this episode, Valerie and Brannon break down the "subtle mandate" of church callings. They talk about how prioritizing callings over family can be problematic. They discuss the importance of being able to say no, to disern for oneself if a calling is really what God wants them to do. To find more information visit Valerie's website at www.valeriehamaker.com or Brannon at www.brannonpatrick.com.
Episode #4: Is doubt a sin part II. In this episode Brannon and Valerie talk about the importance of doubt. They break down faith and why doubt is crucial to spiritual development. They also discuss why we are taught to not doubt but to "doubt our doubts" and why that can be problematic. To get more information about Valerie go to www.valeriehamaker.com and find Brannon at www.brannonpatrick.com.
Episode #3 Is doubt a Sin? In this episode Brannon and Valerie talk about the importance of doubt. They break down faith and why doubt is crucial to spiritual development. They also discuss why we are taught to not doubt but to "doubt our doubts" and why that can be problematic. To get more information about Valerie go to www.valeriehamaker.com and find Brannon at www.brannonpatrick.com.
In this episode Valerie and Brannon dig into the recent incident regarding LDS Young Men's General Leader Brad Wilcox's awkward kerfuffle with the media and offer thoughts on tangled webs, evasion of uncomfortable truths, personal and institutional accountability, and the much simpler path of telling even unpleasant facts or owning our mistakes when we haven't been forthright in the past. Listen, subscribe, share!
Episode #2 What are bad thoughts? In this episode Brannon and Valerie discuss "bad thoughts". They talk about how trying to control bad thoughts lead to shame and self rejection. They break down the notion that all sexual thoughts are "bad". For more information find Valerie at www.valeriehamaker.com and Brannon at www.brannonpatrick.com.
In this episode of Latter Day Struggles Valerie and Brannon talk about the guilt and shame that comes with believing that God's love is transactional. You can find Brannon at www.brannonpatrick.com and Valerie at www.valeriehamaker.com.