Latter Day Struggles

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

433: On Churches of Legitimacy & Churches of Transformation May 11, 2026

Show notes

Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part III of VII]

In this episode Val & Nathan go more "macro" and explain how churches (just like human beings and human civilizations) go through stages of development and that a church will choose its stances of "significant moral consequence" accordingly. In short, if a church is focused on earlier stage legitimacy--its all about preserving its favorite form(s) of dominator hierarchy. If the church has matured into a focus on personal transformation--it moves towards a stance of dismantling dominator hierarchies. And it is in moments of social unrest that one can see more clearly where a church is developmentally.

Listen in and keep in mind--both type of church are necessary and serve a role in the development of the human race. As these topics are explored, it is fundamental to the growth of our culture at large to recognize that later stages of development (in the human being and in the church) are built on earlier stages of development. So lean into this, even if it's uncomfortable!

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome and Series Setup

00:46 Recap Political Neutrality

02:35 Statement Versus Practice

06:42 Why the Silence Now

08:51 Faith Leaders Speaking Up

14:20 Solidarity Over Self Preservation

20:32 Legitimacy Seeking Religion

27:59 Transformation Seeking Religion

31:18 Jesus Versus Christian Nationalism

32:43 Personal Stakes and Closing

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

431: LDS Strategic Political Engagement & the Upholding of Traditional Male Power Structures May 04, 2026

Show notes

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 Setup

00:19 Recap Political Neutrality

02:42 Follow the Leader Tension

03:45 LA Churches Speak Out

05:26 Stated vs Observed Neutrality

06:31 High Engagement Moral Issues

11:40 Low Engagement Justice Issues

16:29 Matthew 25 Reality Check

19:47 2026 Silence and Current Events

23:16 Doctrine and Covenants 98

26:48 Silence as Endorsement

29:13 Next Episode Preview and Wrap

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 EPISODE: Tired of Feel Stuck, Angry & Alone? May 02, 2026

Show notes

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 Setup

01:45 Why Only One Group

02:48 Live Event Announcement

05:48 Book and 2026 Plans

07:25 Live Fellowship Explained

12:52 Who Joins the Groups

15:58 What Has Changed

21:45 Platform Difference and Curriculum

25:16 Why Mixed Gender Groups

29:54 Groups Versus Therapy

31:59 Am I a Good Fit

35:15 Closing and Next Steps

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

429: Is the Mormon Church Politically Neutral? Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

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 Intro

00:42 Why Church Silence Matters

03:32 Six Episode Roadmap

05:02 Personal Take on Neutrality

07:02 Prop 8 and Moral Exceptions

09:08 Isolationism and Autonomy

13:34 Reading the Official Statement

20:51 Initial Reactions and Agreement

23:33 Conscience vs Real Practice

27:44 Mitt Romney as Case Study

30:42 Obedience and Hierarchy Thread

35:12 Immigration Example and Wrap Up

39:21 Closing and Next Episode Tease

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

427: When Normal Growth Feels Like Rebellion Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

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 Setup

00:50 Guesting on Pioneer Paradox

02:17 Myth of Normal in Mormonism

03:07 Defining Normal

06:30 Defining Normative

09:09 When Normal Isn’t Healthy

11:52 LDS Culture of Conformity

13:42 Markers of Mormon Normal

19:08 Labels for Nonconformists

23:30 Faith Journey as Growth

26:08 Normative Developmental Shifts

31:05 Reconstruction and Inner Authority

34:04 Closing Encouragement

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

425: When LDS "Normal" isn't very Normal Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

Series Title: An Exploration of the Idea of "Normal" within the LDS Church [Part I of II]

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 Trip

03:14 Myth of Normal Setup

06:23 Nature and Feminine Flow

08:40 Scouting and Rites of Passage

13:29 Canoe Covenant Story

18:30 Rituals as Meaning

20:59 Finding Your Inner Voice

24:26 Normal vs Normative

28:32 Boundaries and Growth

32:15 Certainty Sets Up Doubt

35:29 Exclusivity Blocks Wisdom

39:54 Parenting Critical Awareness

44:52 Mixed Faith Family Pain

50:29 Tribal Narratives Outsiders

56:30 Choose People Over Church

01:00:34 Decouple God From Church

01:04:42 Closing Thanks And Farewell

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

423: If the Ensign Peak Fund isn't Your Donation Destination of Choice... Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

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

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 EPISODE: Community Healing: How our Greatest Wounds & our Greatest Healing Happens through Human Relationship Audiobook Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

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

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

421: Why No Mixed-Gender Sunday School Presidencies? A Gender Equality Slippery-Slope Speculation Mar 30, 2026

Show notes