Latter Day Struggles

Send us a Positive Review! In this episode Valerie is joined by friend and colleague Dr. Julie Hanks, where they discuss the emotional and psychological complexities of stepping away from the LDS faith for those who feel called to do so.  They emphasize the importance of making this transition in a psychologically healthy manner, and how challenging this is to do in a climate where not a lot of re...

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: A Deeper Look at the Sacrament [Part III of IV] In this profound episode 3 [of a four-part series] Valerie and Nathan engage in a crucial discussion on the implications of withholding the sacrament for any reason within the LDS Church. They challenge the harmful practice of using the sacrament as a disciplinary measure, which can reinforce feelings of both...

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: A Deeper Look at the Sacrament [Part I of IV] In this thought-provoking opening of a new series, Val and Nathan engage in a deep exploration of the sacrament's significance in Christian practice and how it might sometimes diverge from the inclusive message of Jesus Christ.  They set this series up by comparing and contrasting the history and diverse pr...

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: Some Complexities of the BYU Experience in 2024 [Part I of II] In this episode Valerie welcomes special guest Brian Dille, a BYU alumnus and member of a professional organization responsible for accrediting institutions of higher learning in the USA. This series tackles the complex and pressing issue of academic freedom at Brigham Young University, especial...

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: The Impact of Gender Inequality in the LDS Faith [Part IV of IV] In this final episode of this 4-part series focused on issues of women and equality in the LDS church, Valerie and Nathan explore how healthy identity development is stifled for both men and women due to the patriarchal structure of the church. They discuss how a patriarchy cultivates a robust...

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: The Impact of Gender Inequality in the LDS Faith [Part III of IV] In this conversation Valerie and Nathan explore words—because words matter. They talk about the expanding use of the words "authority" and "power" connected to females and priesthood, thereby encouraging LDS women to understand their already-existing status in the church,...

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: The Impact of Gender Inequality in the LDS Faith [Part II of IV] In this episode Valerie and Nathan delve into the topic of organizational structures and how these structures powerful communicate their values to their constituents.  They break down many examples of how the value of each member of any organization is communicated through how the system is st...

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: The Impact of Gender Inequality in the LDS Faith [Part I of IV] Join Valerie as she explores a variety of topics connected to the 2024 rebirth of the Law of Common Consent demonstrated by LDS women throughout the world who recently voted "opposed" to claims that women in the LDS church have more authority than women of other church's worldwid...

Send us a Positive Review! Healing from LDS Faith Crisis: The Personal Journey of Nick [Part I of II] In this heartfelt episode, Valerie and special guest Nick take an intimate look into the personal journey his healing and self-discovery. They dive deep into Nick's past, discussing the challenges of reconciling his relationship with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while confr...

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: Expanding our Theology [Part I of II]  This week Valerie and Nathan tackle two fundamental aspects of LDS observance--scriptures and prayer--and walk you through ways in which each of these concepts can be either helpful to our spiritual journeys are harmful to our spiritual growth experiences.  Episode 207 reflects on the complexities of scripture, tacklin...

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: Exploring Family Challenges when LDS Young Adults Disaffiliate [Part III of IV] In this part three of this series, Valerie and her therapist colleague Liz Macdonald delve further into the complexities of navigating faith disaffiliation among young adults in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Their conversation today focuses on the unique chal...

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: Exploring Family Challenges when LDS Young Adults Disaffiliate [Part I of IV] In this episode one of a mind-expanding four-part series, Valerie and special guest and fellow therapist Liz Macdonald delve into the delicate nature of the relationship between a certain type of Latter-Day Saint parent and their young adult children who navigate different paths r...

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: Father Richard Rohr’s Influence on LDS Faith Crisis Healing [Part III of IV] In this part three of their series celebrating some of the most significant spiritual work of Father Richard Rohr, Valerie and Nathan dive deep into the sin of exclusion which, ironically, is a serious issue within most religious systems.  This episode highlights how religious syst...

Send us a Positive Review! 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 E...

Send us a Positive Review! 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...

Send us a Positive Review! 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...

Send us a Positive Review! 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, a...

Send us a Positive Review! 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 govern...

Send us a Positive Review! 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...

Send us a Positive Review! 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 sp...

Send us a Positive Review! 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...

Send us a Positive Review! 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 e...

Send us a Positive Review! 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 t...

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: A Sketch of the Life & Work of Mormon Feminist Maxine Hanks [Part III of IV] In this beautiful episode 3, Valerie continues the deep dive into the beautiful life story of special guest, Maxine Hanks. From exploring her theological journey into early Christian gnosticism, to her experiences in Christian liturgy, to her studies at Harvard, to her work as...

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: A Sketch of the Life & Work of Mormon Feminist Maxine Hanks [Part I of IV] In this first of a compelling four-part series, Valerie welcomes Maxine Hanks, editor of the groundbreaking feminist book "Women and Authority" which led to the infamous "September 6" purge of 1993, where many LDS feminists and scholars were disciplined by the...