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Latter Day Struggles

Valerie Hamaker

The Latter Day Struggles Podcast addresses beliefs and issues within the LDS faith that are challenging to talk about but vital to discuss for those trying to navigate their relationship in or around the church. Valerie and her guests invite psychological maturity, theological health, and institutional integrity.

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Thursday · 19 min
BONUS EPISODE! Lowering Time & Financial Barriers to Mormon Faith Crisis Healing
Send us a Positive Review! Just a quick announcement to start a process of changing my philosophy here on Latter Day Struggles. I care deeply about two things: YOU... And offering psychologically healing content for your Mormon faith expansion journey. If time or resources have ever been a barrier in joining one of my deeply healing groups--this upcoming pilot experiment group is for YOU. To all of you licensed and graduate level mental health workers out there who so loyally support me, please listen to this episode as well. I want to support each of you who do clinical mental health work with those in Mormon faith crisis. Listen here as I share a special gift to you as part of your tuition when you join this group. Finally, thank you all for your trust and support. I feel fortunate every day that I get to be in connection with such amazing humans. Please share this announcement with anyone in your circles who might benefit. I expect this group to fill quickly so don't hesitate if this work calls to you! Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome And Update 00:49 The Access Conundrum 02:55 No Quick Fixes 04:45 New Pilot Format 05:39 Curriculum Upfront 06:55 Ten Live Sessions 09:02 Affordability And Irony 11:13 Experiment And Invitation 12:25 Support For Clinicians 15:29 Scholarships And Gratitude 16:57 How To Join And Goodbye Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
September 21 · 49 min
471: What Would You Say to Your Polygamous Great Grandmother?
Send us a Positive Review! Very few of us doubt that we have been profoundly impacted by the imprints of patriarchy in our early personality development. What most do not know is that this is not a 'life sentence'. In this episode Val walks through her passion, approach, and even a few specific activities built into her updated Healing from Patriarchy group curriculum. If you are not sure if this experience if for you, this episode is for you. If you are worried about sharing vulnerable things in a group, listen in and rest assured that all group members can participate as little or as much in the group processing activities. And most of all, if you are tired of doing faith crisis thing alone or only with angry people who offer no path to healing, this episode is your invitation to find your people and your peace. ** If you believe in Valerie's work and would like to contribute to a scholarship fund that helps others afford group healing work, please reach out at admin@latterdaystruggles.com to make a tax-deductible donation. ** If you need assistance to join a group, scholarships are sometimes available, pending donation participation from our listening community. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Overview 01:21 Why Groups Feel Risky 02:38 Patriarchy Group Opens Up 06:33 True Self Narratives 13:21 Who This Is For 21:41 What We Will Cover 27:04 New Exercises Preview 31:16 Polygamy Letter Healing 41:45 Logistics and Community 45:18 Final Invitation and Goodbye Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
September 14 · 1 hr 55 min
469: Five Truths About Love & Goodness that all Queer Mormons (Past & Present) Need to Know
Send us a Positive Review! Patriarchy impacts people at a soul-wrenching level, and perhaps no other group is more stricken than our LGBTQ+ community. Please join us for a re-drop of a beautiful episode looking at Carol Lynn Pearson's breathtaking book, Goodbye, I Love You, which Valerie references to describe a 5 messages internalized by LDS queer people AND 5 healing counterpoints- deep truths about the divine identities of our queer loved ones and selves. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Redrop Plan 06:20 Why Patriarchy Needs Context 10:49 Origins Jesus and Mormonism 15:45 Awakening and Upcoming Episodes 32:20 Re-drop Begins No More Goodbyes 38:25 Book Premise and Audience 41:27 Paradigm One Innate Worth 51:30 Paradigm Two Unconditional Love 01:03:25 A Father’s Blessing 01:11:15 Microaggressions and Doctrine 01:22:33 Attachment Theory Explained 01:29:44 Brad’s Heartbreaking Story 01:40:53 Raising Consciousness Hope 01:48:27 Final Review and Farewell Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
September 7 · 1 hr 56 min
467: Carol Lynn Pearson: Icon of Mormon Feminism
Send us a Positive Review! In this priceless short series, Val & Carol Lynn delve into Carol Lynn's deepest passion: feminism. Listen is as she delights us with stories about her unforgettable one-woman play "Mother Wove the Morning" and even moves into her amazing actress role and performs 2 of her characters! Then join Val & CLP as they talk about another version of 'baptisms for the dead'...the feminist version. You'll love these episodes and likely want to listen many times...they are vintage CLP! Timestamps: 00:00 Series Preview 10:53 Creating the Characters 17:57 Bravery and Backlash 28:40 Audience Impact 37:55 A Timely Renaissance 47:42 Notable Venues 56:43 Myths Rewrite the Feminine 01:05:46 War Erases the Feminine 01:13:24 Rachel and the Teraphim 01:22:41 Elizabeth Cady Stanton Speaks 01:35:45 Work for the Dead Reframed 01:43:51 From Patriarchy to Partnership 01:48:11 Where to Watch and Final Goodbye Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
August 31 · 2 hr 20 min
465: In Honor of Carol Lynn Pearson: Our Prophetess & Mystic
Send us a Positive Review! In honor of our very beloved Carol Lynn Pearson (a bold, sassy woman and the dearest of mentors to me) I wanted to share this beautiful two-part conversation that we had early in the podcast. Listen in and take in what true wit, wisdom, courage, healthy personal authority and value of one's community looks like all wrapped up in one glorious woman. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and Re-Release 03:29 Meet Carolyn Pearson 10:38 Writing as Calling 15:37 Goodbye I Love You Impact 23:08 No More Goodbyes and Facing East 42:18 Speaking Truth in the Church 48:46 Chakras Into Kingdoms 56:07 Repentance And Forgiveness 01:04:20 Guts Plus Heart Courage 01:11:37 Staying In The Church 01:21:56 Policy Pain And Testimony 01:31:44 Heavenly Mother And Creation 01:41:34 Paradigm Shift to Partnership 01:47:50 Men Dismantling Patriarchy 01:55:57 Writing and Creative Process 02:01:10 Kind and Brave in Marriage 02:11:14 The Love Map and Farewell Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
August 24 · 1 hr 4 min
463: Sunstone 2026: Cracking the Code of Mormon Polarization
Send us a Positive Review! Join Val as her audience while she does a final run through on a topic that has come to be a passion project for her on Latter Day Struggles. In short, what can we do as faith-expanding people in and around the LDS church to ease the polarization between the fiery fundamentalist Mormon and the fiery Ex-Mormon? Oddly enough, these two "poles" exist as counterpoints to one another on the opposite extreme. If one pole chooses a "third way" balance is disrupted, and growth becomes more likely. We on the Mormon faith journey may not be able to impact all aspects on the extreme side of Mormon fundamentalism/ orthodoxy...but how we handle our own growth journeys CAN change a LOT. Listen in and let us know what you think! Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Sunstone Preview 01:26 Why Polarization Matters 05:20 The Growth Ladder Model 11:05 Healthy Mormon Fusion 14:55 Differentiation and Faith Crisis 19:55 Integration and Inclusion 26:54 When Growth Gets Stuck 27:56 Fixation in Orthodoxy 33:53 Chronic Differentiation Trap 45:58 Breaking the Polarization Dance 48:47 Processing Wisely in Crisis 58:57 Third Way Closing Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
August 17 · 36 min
461: Stories of Healing Live Event Musings (from Val!)
Send us a Positive Review! Have you ever done something for the first time and feel that pit in your stomach as it approaches? Well, here at Latter Day Struggles, pretty much EVERYTHING that we do is a first! And it always brings that insecure "what have I gotten myself into?" sensation! This episode is Val's candid reflections about an evening shared with over a hundred "in person" and "streaming" loved ones who have experienced growth and healing with her. A bottom line? You might be experiencing growth and healing in some way through this podcast and platform. But you are also giving this gift of healing to Val and Nathan Hamaker. They thank you and love you. Hoping you enjoy Val's thoughts on the gift that this healing community is to her. Because of you. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Event Recap 01:06 Why Stories of Healing 04:25 Origin Story Artwork 06:08 Sharing Beyond the Room 08:19 Event Day Emotions 08:37 Three Audience Groups 13:04 Grief and Perspective Shift 16:56 Program Highlights and Readings 25:40 What It Meant to Me 29:24 Q&A Next Steps 34:24 Closing Gratitude Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
August 10 · 3 hr 44 min
459: Exploring Family Challenges when LDS Young Adults Disaffiliate w/ Liz Macdonald AUDIOBOOK
Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
August 3 · 43 min
457: Prophet Worship Compassionately Explained
Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
July 27 · 49 min
455: How & Why the LDS Church is BOTH Booming & Bleeding out Members
Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
July 20 · 1 hr 13 min
453: Listening & Learning: Why LDS Loved Ones Could Not Stay in the Church
Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
July 13 · 59 min
451: A Changing Society is Starving for Religious Systems to Meet them Where they Are
Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
July 6 · 1 hr 3 min
449: Torn: A Book Written to Help Your Devout Loved One Understand You
Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
June 29 · 1 hr 8 min
447: Why We Stay Small & Hide our Greatest Strengths from the World
Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
June 22 · 1 hr 14 min
445: LDS Missionary Work and OCD Scrupulosity
Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
June 15 · 1 hr 4 min
443: Addressing Real Mental Health Needs for the Full-time LDS Missionary
Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
June 8 · 51 min
441: The Politics of Jesus: Not Subtle, Not Silent, Not Neutral
Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
June 5 · 56 min
BONUS EPISODE: Do you Want to Make a Difference? Join us!
Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
June 1 · 35 min
439: Religious Silence is Complicity in Times of Social Unrest
Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
May 25 · 1 hr
437: Whose Life is Worth Protecting? Politics & Religion Weight in 2026
Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group Support the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

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