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.
Episodes
478 episodes
468: Response to "Darth Vader Could Be Your Bishop" & You Still Should not Leave"
In this 2-part series Valerie offers two responses to Elder Larry Corbridge's recent "Scripture Central" You Tube presentation, where he responds to the book Torn: Why people are leaving the church and what we can learn from them ...
467: Carol Lynn Pearson: Icon of Mormon Feminism
In this priceless short series, Val & Carol Lynn delve into Carol Lynn's deepest passion: feminism. Listen is as she delights us with stories about her unforgettable one-woman play "Mother Wove the Morning" and even moves into her ama...
466: “Deeper States of Consciousness beyond Correlated Mormonism” Audiobook
Hey Friday Fellowship! Due to your many requests—we are now dropping each Friday Fellowship Latter Day Struggles 2.0 series in “audiobook” format after the final episode of the series drops. What does this mean for you? It means bef...
465: In Honor of Carol Lynn Pearson: Our Prophetess & Mystic
In honor of our very beloved Carol Lynn Pearson (a bold, sassy woman and the dearest of mentors to me) I wanted to share this beautiful two-part conversation that we had early in the podcast. Listen in and take in what true wit, wisdom, courage...
464: Exploring Mormonism’s Theological Commitment to the Eternal Individuality
Series Title: Deeper States of Consciousness beyond Correlated Mormonism [Part IV of IV]In this episode Val & Nathan slowly walk through some ways in which Mormon theology diverges dramatically from spiritual traditions the world ove...
463: Sunstone 2026: Cracking the Code of Mormon Polarization
Join Val as her audience while she does a final run through on a topic that has come to be a passion project for her on Latter Day Struggles. In short, what can we do as faith-expanding people in and around the LDS church to ease the pola...
462: Jesus Had a Big Ego & That’s a Good Thing
Series Title: Deeper States of Consciousness beyond Correlated Mormonism [Part III of IV]In this episode Nathan joins Val to dive into the outcomes of activating more and more spiritual frequencies. While you might imagine that those who...
461: Stories of Healing Live Event Musings (from Val!)
Have you ever done something for the first time and feel that pit in your stomach as it approaches? Well, here at Latter Day Struggles, pretty much EVERYTHING that we do is a first! And it always brings that insecure "what hav...
460: Learning to Slow Down & Trust Your Spiritual Self
Series Title: Deeper States of Consciousness beyond Correlated Mormonism [Part II of IV]In this episode Val walks you through the three spiritual frequencies that all humans are capable of accessing, emphasizing how 'fast and loose' God/...
459: Exploring Family Challenges when LDS Young Adults Disaffiliate w/ Liz Macdonald AUDIOBOOK
Lately there has been a lot of talk about the LDS disaffiliation crisis in the 21st century. Here at Latter Day Struggles we support open dialogue about what happening in our LDS homes and congregations. Please enjoy this special "...
458: Do you Believe in Spiritual Experiences Still?
Series Title: Deeper States of Consciousness Beyond Correlated Mormonism [Part I of IV]In this series, Val talks creates a simple map to understanding three types of altered state experiences (aka: spiritual experiences) that many spirit...
457: Prophet Worship Compassionately Explained
In this episode Val digs into the concept of prophet worship [or any time humans hand over their discerning power to a formal authority figure] from the context of psychology and the “shadow”. While we tend to talk about our “shadow...
456: OFFICE HOURS Recording: Q&A with Bestselling "Torn" author, Jeff Strong
There is a good reason why Jeff Strong's recent publication Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them has been flying off of the shelves since its recent publication. Why? Because the landsca...
455: How & Why the LDS Church is BOTH Booming & Bleeding out Members
In this episode Valerie tackles a seemingly contradictory pair of claims: The LDS church is experiencing record-breaking growth! The LDS church is experiencing record-breaking defection! Is one narrative simp...
454: From Believing to Becoming: 4 Faces of Spirituality Audiobook
Hey Friday Fellowship! Due to your many requests—we are now dropping each Friday Fellowship Latter Day Struggles 2.0 series in “audiobook” format after the final episode of the series drops. What does this mean for you? It means bef...
453: Listening & Learning: Why LDS Loved Ones Could Not Stay in the Church
Series Title: Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church & What We Can Learn from Them [Part III of III]In this final episode of this beautiful series featuring guest author Jeff Strong & his bestselling book Torn: Why P...
452: The Experience of God vs. Becoming LIKE God
Series Title: From Believing to Becoming: 4 Faces of Spirituality [Part III of III]In today’s final episode Val & Nathan conclude this conversation about the four faces of spiritual unfolding. Today they move beyond mere...
451: A Changing Society is Starving for Religious Systems to Meet them Where they Are
Series Title: Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church & What We Can Learn from Them [Part II of III]In this fascinating episode, guest author Jeff Strong & Valerie tackle several key points that Jeff courageously and gent...
450: What Happens when "True Belief" Loosens its Death Grip
Series Title: From Believing to Becoming: 4 Faces of Spirituality [Part II of III]In today’s episode Val & Nathan continue this conversation about the four faces of spiritual unfolding. At some point in time, something happens and ou...
449: Torn: A Book Written to Help Your Devout Loved One Understand You
Series Title: Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church & What We Can Learn from Them [Part 1 of 3]In this three part series, Valerie is joined by Jeff Strong- friend, colleague, and author of the best-selling book Torn: Wh...
448: How "True Belief" Fixation Hurts Us
Series Title: From Believing to Becoming: 4 Faces of Spirituality (Part I of III)In this series, Val & Nathan tackle four different ways that humans engage with their spirituality beginning with head knowledge (belief); then heart fe...
447: Why We Stay Small & Hide our Greatest Strengths from the World
In this episode, Valerie & colleague Jana Spangler are guests on Dan Wotherspoon's Latter Day Faith podcast where they talk about a little known version of the human shadow. Many of us know about the 'classic shadow'...you know...
446: Office Hours Q&A with Valerie!
Hey Friday Fellowship listeners! Join Val and a crowd of your fellow Latter Day Struggles 2.0 "Transcending & Including Mormonism" listeners for this fast-paced Q&A with Val! Questions range from how to heal relationships wi...
445: LDS Missionary Work and OCD Scrupulosity
Series Title: "Latter Day Missionaries": A Mental Health Resource for LDS Missionaries & their Families [Part II of II]In this episode Dr. Bryson Ensign joins Valerie again to unpack OCD & scrupulosity in the LDS mission field. T...
444: “A Path to Wholeness Beyond the Mormon Faith Crisis” Audiobook
Hey Friday Fellowship! Due to your many requests—we are now dropping each Friday Fellowship Latter Day Struggles 2.0 series in “audiobook” format after the final episode of the series drops. What does this mean for you? It means bef...