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Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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

Send us a Positive Review! 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 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