Podcast
Latter Day Struggles
Hosted by Valerie Hamaker · EN
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.
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
431: LDS Strategic Political Engagement & the Upholding of Traditional Male Power Structures
2w ago00:33:58Tap to summarizeSend 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 Setup00:19 Recap Political Neutrality02:42 Follow the Leader Tension03:45 LA Churches Speak Out05:26 Stated vs Observed Neutrality06:31 High Engagement Moral Issues11:40 Low Engagement Justice Issues16:29 Matthew 25 Reality Check19:47 2026 Silence and Current Events23:16 Doctrine and Covenants 9826:48 Silence as Endorsement29:13 Next Episode Preview and WrapSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website
Transcribe →BONUS EPISODE: Tired of Feel Stuck, Angry & Alone?
2w ago00:38:40Tap to summarizeSend 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 Setup01:45 Why Only One Group02:48 Live Event Announcement05:48 Book and 2026 Plans07:25 Live Fellowship Explained12:52 Who Joins the Groups15:58 What Has Changed21:45 Platform Difference and Curriculum25:16 Why Mixed Gender Groups29:54 Groups Versus Therapy31:59 Am I a Good Fit35:15 Closing and Next StepsSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website
Transcribe →429: Is the Mormon Church Politically Neutral?
3w ago00:42:54Tap to summarizeSend 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 Intro00:42 Why Church Silence Matters03:32 Six Episode Roadmap05:02 Personal Take on Neutrality07:02 Prop 8 and Moral Exceptions09:08 Isolationism and Autonomy13:34 Reading the Official Statement20:51 Initial Reactions and Agreement23:33 Conscience vs Real Practice27:44 Mitt Romney as Case Study30:42 Obedience and Hierarchy Thread35:12 Immigration Example and Wrap Up39:21 Closing and Next Episode TeaseSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website
Transcribe →427: When Normal Growth Feels Like Rebellion
4w ago00:44:33Tap to summarizeSend 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 Setup00:50 Guesting on Pioneer Paradox02:17 Myth of Normal in Mormonism03:07 Defining Normal06:30 Defining Normative09:09 When Normal Isn’t Healthy11:52 LDS Culture of Conformity13:42 Markers of Mormon Normal19:08 Labels for Nonconformists23:30 Faith Journey as Growth26:08 Normative Developmental Shifts31:05 Reconstruction and Inner Authority34:04 Closing EncouragementSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website
Transcribe →425: When LDS "Normal" isn't very Normal
Apr 1301:08:14Tap to summarizeSend 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 Trip03:14 Myth of Normal Setup06:23 Nature and Feminine Flow08:40 Scouting and Rites of Passage13:29 Canoe Covenant Story18:30 Rituals as Meaning20:59 Finding Your Inner Voice24:26 Normal vs Normative28:32 Boundaries and Growth32:15 Certainty Sets Up Doubt35:29 Exclusivity Blocks Wisdom39:54 Parenting Critical Awareness44:52 Mixed Faith Family Pain50:29 Tribal Narratives Outsiders56:30 Choose People Over Church01:00:34 Decouple God From Church01:04:42 Closing Thanks And FarewellSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website
Transcribe →423: If the Ensign Peak Fund isn't Your Donation Destination of Choice...
Apr 600:49:03Tap to summarizeSend 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 Projects06:11 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 Struggles23:20 The Miracle of Finding Faith Journey Foundation26:52 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 Supports38:28 Valerie on Criticism of Paid Faith Work40:14 Compassion Doesn't Mean Free Labor44:14 Closing Invitation and Final ThoughtsSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website
Transcribe →BONUS EPISODE: Community Healing: How our Greatest Wounds & our Greatest Healing Happens through Human Relationship Audiobook
Apr 105:54:50Tap to summarizeSend 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 Ideas04:53:18 Final Invitation to HealSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website
Transcribe →421: Why No Mixed-Gender Sunday School Presidencies? A Gender Equality Slippery-Slope Speculation
Mar 3000:47:59Tap to summarizeSend 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 Exists08:21 Loyalist Perspective Brainstorm 09:32 Women Under Men in Leadership 11:09 Nathan's BYU Co-Mission Leader Experience13:33 Men Under Women and Shame 15:53 Two Existential Questions the Church Dodged17:14 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 Shifts29:47 Power and Control Creep 32:39 Family Proclamation Implications 35:23 Women Leading Faith Journeys at Home37:38 Joseph Smith Gave Women Blessings — Then They Were Taken Back39:25 What Reforms Might Come Next 44:21 Closing Thoughts and FarewellSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website
Transcribe →419: Formal Patriarchy & Inevitable Harm
Mar 2300:48:46Tap to summarizeSend 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 ChangeSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website
Transcribe →BONUS EPISODE: Women in Ward Sunday School Presidencies: Progress, Breadcrumbs, or the “Near Enemy”?”
Mar 2301:01:48Tap to summarizeSend 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 context01:21 Gratitude and reflection03:58 Reading the news release07:52 What we will cover09:04 Big picture framing11:43 Liminal perspective reactions16:59 Loyalist perspective reactions19:58 Faith development stages24:08 Leadership tension and paths27:01 Beyond black and white28:14 Real Reform Or Optics29:05 Why Change Is Slow31:10 Gradualism Explained32:55 Lincoln And Strategy37:37 Applying Gradualism Today39:36 Women Priesthood Forecast41:08 Near Enemy Concept45:43 Near Enemy In Practice48:41 Divine Authority Corner52:11 Continuing Revelation Tension56:17 Community And Next Steps58:25 Closing ReflectionsSupport the showSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODESFriday Episodes Annual Access $89Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10Valerie’s Support & Processing GroupsGift a ScholarshipDownload Free ResourcesVisit our Website
Transcribe →