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Latter Day Struggles — Health & Fitness
Latter Day Struggles

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.

Copyright: © 2025 Latter Day Struggles

Latest Episodes:

199: Redefining God as Fundamental to Healing LDS Faith Crisis Feb 12, 2024

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Series Title: Father Richard Rohr’s Influence on LDS Faith Crisis Healing [Part I of IV]
In this profound four-part series, Nathan and Valerie delve into some of the most formative ideas that they have learned on their faith reconstruction journey with the help of Father Richard Rohr.

In this episode they talk about the nature of God and how this basic concept impacts EVERYTHING else in one's spiritual journey.

They riff on ideas from Julian of Norwich, Richard Rohr, John Calvin, and current LDS scholars and theologians Fiona and Terryl Givens as formative in their reconfiguration of a compassionate and universalist God, challenging traditional perspectives of a conditionally-loving God demanding performance and repentance to achieve "worthiness" and present or eternal blessings.

This conversation also paves the way for upcoming discussions on the prophetic wisdom of Richard Rohr which includes topics around why patriarchy is so harmful, the excavation of the True Self, and the importance of honoring brave voices of dissent.

Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

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Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group

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197: A Story of Humanity, Reconciliation, & Spiritual Empowerment w/ Dan Wotherspoon Feb 05, 2024

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Series Title: Conversations with Mormon Mystics & Graduates of Fr. Richard Rohr’s ‘Living School’ [Part III of IV]
In this episode, Valerie is joined by Dan Wotherspoon, a beloved voice in our Latter-day Saint progressive community, who shares his poignant personal history, detailing a journey from early rebellion, through an LDS mission, a higher-education-induced faith crisis, and finally a profound spiritual awakening that led to his enduring realization that love is the most real force in the universe.
Both Valerie and Dan speak to the importance of individual discernment in worship and connection with the divine, the importance of transitioning from passive to active engagement in one's faith development, and Dan shares some insights from his experience as a student under Father Richard Rohr at his "Living School".
Friday's episode is a special recording where Valerie changes roles and is interviewed by Dan Wotherspoon. In this tender episode she shares some of her most poignant realizations and experiences associated to her own faith journey from orthodoxy her stepping into the role as advocate and voice for health and healing within the Latter-day Saint community.

Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

Support the show

Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group

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Friday Episodes Annual Access $89

Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10

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195: Expanding Truths Through Interfaith Learning w/ Jana Spangler Jan 29, 2024

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Series Title: Conversations with Mormon Mystics & Graduates of Fr. Richard Rohr’s ‘Living School’ [Part I of IV]
In today's opening episode of a beautiful new series exploring Mormonism's own modern mystics, Valerie sits down with the insightful Jana Spangler to chat about her first-hand spiritual growth as a student of Father Richard Rohr.
Jana walks us through the overarching teachings of the Living School's teachers, especially what she learned personally from Father Richard Rohr and the other interdenominational leaders at his “Living School”, a program sponsored by Rohr’s Center of Action and Contemplation. They dive deep into the Mormon experience also, envisioning a shift toward more meaningful, mystical connection.

In Friday's episode Jana shares specifics about her depth experience at The Living School, including what she learned about finding the sacred in the profane, the importance of becoming non-dualistic, and embracing a Christianity that is embodied in advocacy and social justice. Don't miss her wisdom! It is beautiful and thought provoking!

Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

Support the show

Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group

Support the show

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Friday Episodes Annual Access $89

Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10

Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups

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193: Navigating LDS Activity, Differentiation, & Healthy Boundaries w/ Dr. Julie Hanks Jan 22, 2024

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In today's episode, Valerie and her friend and colleague Dr. Julie Hanks delve into the complex emotional landscape of staying somehow connected to the LDS Church.

They explore the importance of self-definition and psychological health, advocating for boundary-setting and personal spiritual responsibility and reflect on the intricate dynamics of faith, community, and individual well-being in the context of the LDS faith.

Because they have found THIS TOPIC to be so heavy on the minds of so many of their mutual listeners, they have decided to host a four-evening Question and Response (Q&R) series in February of 2024 to extend a lifeline to those wrestling with these challenges and offer resources for navigating faith and personal growth. Link to enroll directly below!

Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

Support the show

Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group

Support the show

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Friday Episodes Annual Access $89

Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10

Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups

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191: Temple Recommend Process as a Forum to Grant/Withhold Spiritual Privileges Jan 15, 2024

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Series Title: Historical Exploration of LDS Temple Admission Process [Part III of IV]
Welcome to episode three in this four-part series on the history of the LDS temple recommend interview! Today, Valerie and Nathan continue this conversation by focusing on the evolution of temple admission from no process at all, to a vague, self-reflective process, to a process governed by adherence of specific theological beliefs and practices which changed depending a variety of factors discussed in this episode.

One example they that explore is the shift in the demand for support of the practice of plural marriage to excommunication for the practice plural marriage--both connected to temple eligibility.

They talk about how the temple recommend has become a forum for assessing and withholding worship privileges connected to issues such as loyalty, tithing, and LGBTQ identities, intellectualism, and feminism.

As they unwrap the layers of historical context their hope is to demystify both the content and the process of the temple recommend interview, in hopes that you will feel less anxious and more empowered to connect with God through the temple if you feel that this will authentically enhance your spiritual journey.

Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

Support the show

Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group

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

189: Temple Worship Throughout the World & in Many Faith Traditions Worldwide Jan 08, 2024

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Series Title: Historical Exploration of LDS Temple Admission Process [Part I of IV]
In this profoundly enlightening four-part series, Valerie and Nathan explore the complex issues surrounding worthiness and temple recommend interviews within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
They delve into the hurtful misinterpretations of unworthiness, the struggle for direct spirituality versus patriarchal intermediaries, and they make sense of the discomfort and anxiety that many people feel due to the temple recommend interview process as members spiritually evolve.
Their conversation also touches on the broader landscape of temple observance across various religious traditions as a way to see that temple worship is common and life-giving to many amongst spiritual traditions worldwide.Friday's episode begins the historical analysis of the changes in the interview, exploring such topics as word of wisdom, chastity, cursing, and plural marriage...just to name a few! See you there!
Referenced in this episode: The History of Temple Admission Standards: Journal of Mormon History Vol. 24, No. 1, 1998 (usu.edu)Temple Recommend Evolution – Wheat & Tares (wheatandtares.org)Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

Support the show

Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group

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

187: Demystifying LDS Hierarchy & Corporate Politics w/ Greg Prince Jan 01, 2024

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Series Title: A Sweeping Conversation on the New Mormon History, Hierarchy, & Social Justice [Part III of IV]
In today's part III of Valerie's series with Greg Prince they delve into an era that Greg claims we should all better understand as we navigate our 21st century LDS faith. This episode casts a spotlight on the leadership of David O. McKay, with a special focus on his complex relationship to the eventual lifting of the temple/priesthood ban, his handling of Ezra Taft Benson's anti-communist obsession, and his questionable handling of McConkie's infamous "Mormon Doctrine."
This conversation illustrate the intricate interplay between policy, revelation, and societal readiness that shaped church decisions during McKay’s presidency.
Valerie and Greg also navigate through challenging themes, such as the potential for power to corrupt, the church's structural comparisons to a corporation, and the high expectations placed upon church leaders. The discussion also delves into the personal impact of church policies on its members and the importance of actively owning one's faith.
FRIDAY'S episode is a seamless continuation of this conversation with a special focus on some scientific findings (researched by himself and Lester Bush) around leadership vulnerabilities of any kind of formalized genontracry. Please subscribe to listen! Info below! Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

Support the show

Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group

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

BONUS: Navigating Mixed-Faith Parenting, Isolation in Faith Crisis, and Decisions to Stay or Go Dec 31, 2023

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Hello Latter Day Struggles friends! In this bonus episode, I share the details of many of the ways that I am supporting your LDS (and surrounding) faith expansion journeys. As a psychotherapist trained in intimate and family relationships, trauma, and group-work, I could never have guessed that my specific course-work would lead me to LDS faith crisis because when I was in this intensive training process, I didn't even know what faith crisis was and had not experienced anything of the sort in my own life. YET. Well, God works in mysterious ways, right? When life happened and my eyes began to be opened to spiritual growth that I didn't even know was possible (for both me and thousands having similar experiences), I was ready *enough* to step into this space due to the preparation that I didn't even know was happening. So take a listen to this quick informational episode and join me for whatever portion of my offerings work for you. I love you all! Here's to a happy and thriving 2024 in our faith expansion journey together! ————————————————————To enroll in Val’s webinars and new group go to latterdaystruggles.com. ————————————————————To enroll in the first session of Val and Dr. Julie Hanks’ “Do I Stay or Do I Go” Q&R series go to drjuliehanks.ask.me.

Support the show

Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group

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

185: On Science/Faith, Prop 8, LGBTQ+ w/ Greg Prince Dec 25, 2023

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Series Title: A Sweeping Conversation on the New Mormon History, Hierarchy, & Social Justice [Part I of IV]
Welcome back to "Latter Day Struggles," for another not-to-be-missed four-part series with distinguished guest, Greg Prince—an influential voice in progressive Mormon circles and a man of diverse expertise and deep compassion.
In today’s episode, we explore Greg's seven generations of Latter-Day Saint heritage and his application of scientific principles to the study of Mormon history and theology. As a devoted researcher and advocate, Greg delves into the LDS Church's engagement with LGBTQ issues in general and their many-decades-long involvement fighting gay marriage, as detailed in Greg's excellent book "Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions: Unintended Consequences".
FRIDAY'S episode II of this series will focus on Greg's experience writing "Leonard Arrington and the Writing of Mormon History" and a fascinating conversation about this era from a man who can offer some first-hand wisdom.
Please subscribe to listen! Info below!Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!
Gay Rights and the Mormon Church: Intended Actions—Unintended Consequences: https://amzn.to/47f5Sez

Support the show

Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group

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

183: Progress, Pretense & the Gender Politics of the LDS Chapel Seating Chart Dec 18, 2023

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In this thought-provoking episode Valerie delves into the topic of women and church hierarchy, focusing on the symbolic and practical implications of women seated at the stand in church leadership.
Valerie shares her personal connections to the San Francisco Bay Area (where the recent "seating chart" debacle took place) with her experience as a missionary in that area. She contrasts gender policies within the LDS framework to those of other denominations and unpacks some of the complexities of gender dynamics, the influence of historical and transgenerational trauma, and suggests reimagining stewardship beyond traditional hierarchies.
Tune in for an insightful dialogue and be sure to catch Friday's episode reading and analyzing Amy McPhie Allebest’s influential essay "Dear Mormon Man, Tell Me What Would You Do?"
Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!—————————————————————————————————————

Support the show

Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group

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

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