Latter Day Struggles

Valerie Hamaker
  • 4.3 (6)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED TWICE WEEKLY

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. 

  1. 1 HR AGO

    435: Why Some Religions Drag their Feet even when the Rest of Society is Ready to Embody More Love?

    Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show 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

    52 min

  2. 11 MAY

    433: On Churches of Legitimacy & Churches of Transformation

    Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show 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

    43 min

  3. 4 MAY

    431: LDS Strategic Political Engagement & the Upholding of Traditional Male Power Structures

    Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show 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

    34 min

  4. 2 MAY

    BONUS EPISODE: Tired of Feel Stuck, Angry & Alone?

    Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show 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

    39 min

  5. 27 APR

    429: Is the Mormon Church Politically Neutral?

    Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show 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

    43 min

  6. 20 APR

    427: When Normal Growth Feels Like Rebellion

    Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show 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

    44 min

  7. 13 APR

    425: When LDS "Normal" isn't very Normal

    Send us a Positive Review! Series Title:  An Exploration of the Idea of "Normal" within the LDS Church  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 Support the show 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

    1hr 8min

  8. 6 APR

    423: If the Ensign Peak Fund isn't Your Donation Destination of Choice...

    Send us a Positive Review! 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 Support the show 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

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    Valerie Hamaker
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    295
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Latter Day Struggles
  • Show Website
    Latter Day Struggles

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