Latter-day Faith

Dan Wotherspoon
  • 4.7 (129)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

Latter-day Faith is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Wotherspoon, PhD, that explores faith and its realities for this time in human history. Although each discussion maintains awareness of its primarily Latter-day Saint audience, the conversations, sensibilities, and variety of guests featured are drawn from many religious traditions.

  1. 6d ago

    08-Women Outside the Garden: Quests Begin with Questions

    In this wonderful episode, the eighth in the LDF series, "Women Outside the Garden," host Terri Petersen interviews and converses with Kim Hamblin, the founder of "Seeds of Life" life coaching services, which specializes in Mormon faith transitions as well assisting people of all spiritual backgrounds in figuring out their faith and allowing it to lead them to where they should be. They talk extensively about Kim's spiritual journey and the kinds of work she does with folks seeking to negotiate their Mormon lives (whether they are current or former members). At some point in her own journey she noticed that the word "question" starts with "quest," a term featured in hero/heroine journeys toward wholeness found prominently in books and movies in which the protagonist endures many trials before finding what is really important to them and decide how they should show up in the world in new (or more open-hearted, enlightened) ways. Her substack is called, "Doubting My Way to Faith," which says much about how the difficult processes involved in faith transitions is very much worth it. Kim's journey is one of over-thinker learning to also trust (and more deeply) what her body is telling her. What is going on deep within all of our souls that might be keys to magnificent growth and greater peace? We think you will enjoy this delightful conversation! Tune in, and go to Latterdayfaith.org to find links to Kim's contact info, as well as her substack and coaching website.

  2. Aug 6

    233: A Wonderful and Very Interesting and Spiritual Journey

    In this episode, LDF host Dan Wotherspoon chats with William Evans, whose spiritual path is unusual for a Latter-day Saint but one that has led him to an expansive vision of life in general along with greater peace than he has ever had. Born and raised as a grandson of LDS apostle, Richard L. Evans, who is perhaps best known for his multi-decade tenure writing and voicing "Music and the Spoken Word" during the long-running Sunday morning show featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. William was a faithful, very involved Latter-day Saint, serving a mission to Germany, earning a bachelor's degree at BYU, which was followed by both a master's degree and doctorate from Creighton University. During these years, he remained faithful but haunted by the LDS Church's shift from a visionary, expansive one to today's version that eschews both things. Drawn to quiet reflection (but a failure at "meditation"--can some of you relate?) and also suffering from insomnia, he eventually discovered floatation therapy (a form of sensory deprivation), and then for the past five years has also been undertaking psilocybin ("magic mushroom") journeys as a spiritual practice (and overseen by trained and loving facilitators) that have led to deep inner healing that has helped him move past much of his inner turmoil related to his upbringing and membership in a church that fails to deliver what he has long craved. These therapies, along with additional reflective tools he has honed for his own needs (and discussed in the conversation) have allowed his deep, beautiful, expansive, loving soul to come alive. You will enjoy meeting him in this episode! Note: William is also a regular attendee of Latter-day Lunches, our weekly virtual group who gathers through Zoom on Mondays from noon to 1:30 pm Mountain).

  3. Jul 23

    232: Serving the Gods and Monsters We Ourselves Create: Thoughts on Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey

    NOTE: This episode features a discussion between Jody England Hansen and LDF host Dan Wotherspoon about deep themes in Christopher Nolan's newly released film, The Odyssey. It contains a few minor spoilers, so if you haven't yet seen the film, you may not want to listen right now. If you have already seen it, you will likely be delighted to hear new perspectives that will enhance your own processing of your watching experience. Jody and Dan also bring up a few things from Homer's epic poem that were not included or explored deeply in the film. _____  One of Western literature's formative texts is Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, which tells the story of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, and his trials during and following his participation the Trojan War. It is often cited as a quintessential example of what Joseph Campbell has named the "Hero's Journey," in which a protagonist learns to face her or his deepest fears, including the consequences of their actions and how they have affected their families, communities, and the world. They then, with the wisdom they gained through their trials, find their way to heal and bless others. In sharing their thoughts on the film, Jody and Dan often refer to this model, noting places where the hero's journey framing is helpful to us in understanding the nature of Odysseus's trials and why they are so important for him to face. One of these elements is the nature of the gods and monsters we must face in our healing processes—gods and monsters of our own creation that can lead us to do awful, even evil, things. As we descend into the innermost parts of our souls, is it possible we can then create something new and good? The poem and film play with universal archetypes and themes that are familiar to us even as they are presented in settings that are quite foreign to our time and way of seeing the world. By telling the specifics of one person's journey, we can better see how we, too, face similar dynamics and decisions that we, in the midst of our confusing walk through this world, might to be able to see in any other way. Listen in! Tough material but spectacular payouts if we pursue the path it points towards.

  4. Jun 26

    07-Women Outside the Garden: Uncovering Our Golden Selves

    This podcast episode, "Women Outside the Garden" number 7, features Terri Peterson sharing a story about a 13th century golden Buddha statue in Thailand that was covered in clay for 700 years to protect it, illustrating how people can cover their true worth with external layers. Terri explains how these protective layers, whether from well-meaning others or self-imposed doubts, can prevent people from seeing their inherent value and divinity. She discusses how breaking free from these layers requires experiencing and applying learning rather than just reading about it, comparing life to a classroom rather than a test.   Terri emphasizes the importance of trusting one's own experience and inner authority while being mindful not to act impulsively, encouraging listeners to question beliefs that don't align with their direct experience of their true souls and to recognize that flaws are temporary layers rather than permanent parts of their true selves. Listen in! It's wonderful!

  5. Jun 26

    07-Women Outside the Garden: Uncovering Our Golden Selves

    This podcast episode, "Women Outside the Garden" number 7, features Terri Peterson sharing a story about a 13th century golden Buddha statue in Thailand that was covered in clay for 700 years to protect it, illustrating how people can cover their true worth with external layers. Terri explains how these protective layers, whether from well-meaning others or self-imposed doubts, can prevent people from seeing their inherent value and divinity. She discusses how breaking free from these layers requires experiencing and applying learning rather than just reading about it, comparing life to a classroom rather than a test.   Terri emphasizes the importance of trusting one's own experience and inner authority while being mindful not to act impulsively, encouraging listeners to question beliefs that don't align with their direct experience of their true souls and to recognize that flaws are temporary layers rather than permanent parts of their true selves. Listen in! It's wonderful!

  6. Jun 8

    231:Beautiful Insights from Mormon Metaphysics

    In many people's minds he word "metaphysics" immediately conjures up thoughts of "woo woo" ideas and "spacy" people those who teach them under the banner of "metaphysics." And much that we find in these spaces indeed seems to be way too far out for most of us. But metaphysics has a larger and longer history, and is, indeed, a long-established branch of philosophy. It is the philosophical quest to find and understand the basic nature of existence, including the question of "why is there something rather than nothing"? It involves thinking beyond what the scientific method alone can fully describe. But throughout history, as science continues to unfold new things, metaphysicians seek to understand the implications of these finding in wider and deeper ways. In this episode, LDF host Dan Wotherspoon shares what he believes are important insights that certainly would fall within the category of "Mormon metaphysics" which are laid out in places in the Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, the LDS temple ceremony, and other teachings of Joseph Smith, especially those in the King Follett Discourse. These suggest that everything that exists in uncreated and at least capable of some sort of "experience." If everything is eternal, everything has intrinsic value, and everything is interconnected with everything else. These insights provide a beautiful starting point for expanding our ethical concerns, reverence of other forms of life, and other spiritual sensibilities. Dan takes a pastoral turn with each, showing how Joseph's sensibilities about the foundational stuff of the universe are capable of changing us deeply once we learn to experience our own deep connection with what lies beneath what science can prove, but which in important ways seems to be lining up with many of its emerging discoveries. This still may sound "woo woo" to some, but hopefully it will be an episode that inspires new thinking and wider spiritual experiences. Listen in!

  7. May 22

    230: Discovering and Embracing Our "Golden Shadow"

    Most often when we talk about doing "shadow work," we usually focus on pains, wounds, and fears that we've tucked away (in our shadow). We don't see them until we do this kind of inner work but they affect our lives in harmful ways. Carl Jung opened up a new window by recognizing a "golden shadow" that also operates in the deepest, repressed part of our psyche.  A quick overview is that we have wonderful gifts that we don't put forward into the world. Sometimes our hesitation is the result of family dynamics, bad messaging, or even church-influenced taboos about staying in our place, yielding authority in our lives to leaders. Deep down we know we harbor many gifts, but we fear letting them step out of our shadow. In this episode, LDF host Dan Wotherspoon is joined by a brilliant therapist, Valerie Hamaker, and a certified life couch who has been working with clients for nine-plus years, Jana Spangler. Each of them adds much wisdom to the subject of the golden shadow, especially the dynamics of how it manifests or doesn't in our lives. We are all of us magnificent, light-filled, talented, whole beings. Why do we hesitate to own and project those parts of ourselves? Their conversation is brilliant. You must listen in!

  8. Apr 18

    06_Women Outside the Garden: When Sovereignty Becomes Holy Disruption

    Terri Petersen interviews Heather Pack for our series "women outside the Garden" discussing the concept of "holy disruptors" as those who challenge accepted norms to create long-term solutions.  They explore biblical examples of women who advocated for change against the system of their day, including the Canaanite woman who challenged Jesus' boundaries and the five fatherless daughters who approached Moses to change existing inheritance laws.  Heather emphasized that disruptors should focus on fixing systems rather than just creating chaos and highlighted how Jesus himself was a disruptor who encouraged others, particularly women to speak up and advocate for themselves. Terri and Heather discuss the concept of obedience and sovereignty in religious practice, particularly about President Nelsons quote  "exact obedience brings miracles".  They explore how Mormon women can navigate making independent decisions while seeking to live a life with God. This episode focuses on courages women in the Bible, willing to advocate for themselves, even if it means breaking the status quo Heather's Website: https://timesoffaith.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/times.of.faith/ Free newsletter signup: https://times-of-faith.kit.com/free-bible-guide

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4.7
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About

Latter-day Faith is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Wotherspoon, PhD, that explores faith and its realities for this time in human history. Although each discussion maintains awareness of its primarily Latter-day Saint audience, the conversations, sensibilities, and variety of guests featured are drawn from many religious traditions.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Wotherspoon
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    242
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019-2022 Faith Journey Foundation and Dan Wotherspoon - All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Latter-day Faith

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