Latter Day Struggles

Valerie Hamaker
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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. 5 GG FA

    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

  2. 1 APR

    BONUS EPISODE: Community Healing: How our Greatest Wounds & our Greatest Healing Happens through Human Relationship Audiobook

    Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

    5 h 55 min

  3. 30 MAR

    421: Why No Mixed-Gender Sunday School Presidencies? A Gender Equality Slippery-Slope Speculation

    Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

    48 min

  4. 23 MAR

    419: Formal Patriarchy & Inevitable Harm

    Send us a Positive Review! 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, s*xual abuse & s*xual 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 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

  5. 23 MAR

    BONUS EPISODE: Women in Ward Sunday School Presidencies: Progress, Breadcrumbs, or the “Near Enemy”?”

    Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

    1h 2m

  6. 16 MAR

    417: Confronting Men's Violence Against Women & Girls in the LDS Church

    Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

    58 min

  7. 9 MAR

    415: Presenting our Utah-Based Latter Day Struggles Faith Expansion Specialist

    Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

    57 min

  8. 4 MAR

    BONUS: How the World ACTUALLY Changes

    Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

    1h 3m
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Descrizione

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. 

Informazioni

  • Creatore
    Valerie Hamaker
  • Anni di attività
    2022 - 2026
  • Puntate
    286
  • Classificazione
    Contenuti adatti a tutti
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Latter Day Struggles
  • Sito web del podcast
    Latter Day Struggles

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