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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:

25: Why Moms Might Feel Numb Jun 28, 2022

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Series Title: When Mom Feels Like a Robot [Part I of II]
Join Valerie in this episode as she breaks down a typical client that comes into her private counseling practice...the numb, exhausted, dutiful, mom. Our work together is to learn more about how she got here and how its possible that she can feel so crappy after having done all of the right things.

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24: On Inverted Spiritual Value Systems: Facial Hair, Piercings, etc. Jun 24, 2022

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Join Valerie and Nathan as they address a podcast listener's question regarding "rules" about a variety of dress/grooming related issues that are given at church and seem random, unimportant, and even not appropriate to be dictating to a body of thoughtful, discerning human beings.
In this episode they talk about the concept of the "inverted value system" where some churches involve themselves in the unimportant details of a clean-cut (and therefore "Christian-appearing" membership) while underemphasizing and under-supporting its members issues that can truly connect them with God.

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23: PRIDE: On Honoring or Interfering with Another's Essential Identity Jun 22, 2022

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Join Val and Nathan as they share some thoughts on why gender and sexuality is a topic that brings up strong feelings in just about everyone. And it should bring up strong feelings, because these are core parts of our individual identities.
Each of us has a journey to discover the depths of ourselves---including who we are in the realms of sexuality and gender. And when other people or institutions meddle in this sacred process, it hurts people. Listen to their own process of how their theology and beliefs about gender, sexuality, and God's infinite love for his children has evolved.

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22: On Spiritual Rigidity, Word of Wisdom, & Gandhi as a Work in Progress Jun 17, 2022

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Join Valerie and Nathan this week as they riff about obedience to rules as opposed to obedience to conscience and highlight how even those who are considered the most evolved are held hostage to their own culture's anxieties, fears, and quirks. The good news is that maybe we are all just beautifully messy and in need of self and other compassion and an increase in "chill".

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21: On Temple Marriage & the Weight of Family Tradition Jun 13, 2022

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Join Valerie and guest host Brannon as they talk about a struggle brought into Valerie's therapy practice where a bride and groom are working on making the hard choice to be true to themselves even if that means devastating extended family about their desire to not marry in the temple.
Is it possible that their greatest act of integrity and growth is to do what feels right to them even in the face of massive social and spiritual pressures?

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20: Dissent as the Greatest Catalyst of Systemic Integrity Jun 10, 2022

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Series Title: The Sanctity of Dissent [Part V of V]
In this final episode on Valerie and Nathan's series on the sacred nature of dissent, they talk about how paradoxically, dissent is the foundation of true peace. What? Yes, it is. True peace can only be attained through complex dialogue amongst parties whose ideas are all considered and welcomed.
They also address how the ability to dissent safeguards all communities from eventual disintegration (walking away) and finally and most importantly how dissent is truly holy because it requires each of us to ultimately be accountable not to any earthly authority, but to our divine parents directly. Don't miss this one!

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10: On Normalizing & Honoring Separate Faith Journeys in LDS Marriage Jun 06, 2022

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Join Brannon and Val in this comical and true-to-life (and perhaps familiar sounding) struggle between two spouses juggling the needs of their primary-aged children, less-active older children, and their own messy faith questions...all at the same time.
How can couples authentically have their own very different journeys while also trying to cultivate faith in their kids? And not have a nervous breakdown in the process?

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19: On Speaking the Truth, Even When My Voice Shakes Jun 05, 2022

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Join Valerie and Nathan as they talk about recent incidents related to their talking about dissent in the LDS faith.
Their 5 Part "sacred nature of dissent" series (which is rudely interrupted by this episode...there IS one more episode left in this series) has brought up some angst in "concerned" listeners (because...dissent) and Valerie and Nathan share their experience processing through why they keep at this podcast, why you might be too anxious to share it but maybe still should :), and why we are all being extraordinarily brave in challenging the status quo by having these "taboo" kinds of sacred conversations.

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18: Why Consent-Only Cultures Do Not Thrive Jun 03, 2022

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Series Title: The Sanctity of Dissent [Part IV of V]
Join therapist Valerie Hamaker and her husband Nathan as they tackle the tendency to shame dissent and worship consent in the LDS faith. In this episode it is all about dissent and its power to heal blindness.
They start with how a "consent only" culture develops people who are not introspective, curious, or challenging to systems and programs that ought to be thought about, challenged, and innovated.…for the betterment of all. Then they move on to how institutions of ALL KINDS [all churches and all large organizations] are vulnerable to becoming blind to their weaknesses as they reward validation of the status quo and punish most different, complicating, or innovating ideas.
They also delve into how large institutions of all kinds have a tendency to reinforce the values, ideas and opinions of those at the top by promoting lower level admins who look, act, and feel just like their superiors...thereby reinforcing systemic sickness and ongoing blindness.

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Join Our Healing From Patriarchy Support Group

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Friday Episodes Annual Access $89

Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10

Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups

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17: Dissent as Core to Personal Revelation May 27, 2022

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Series Title: The Sanctity of Dissent [Part III of V]
In this episode Val and Nathan address the consent/dissent idea as core to developing our own powers of personal revelation and then go on to discuss how a "consent only" church is one that get lost in the weeds of irrelevancies and blind to true worship of God. And when we are not worshipping God but are worshipping anything or anyone else...that's called idolatry.

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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