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
453 episodes
443: Addressing Real Mental Health Needs for the Full-time LDS Missionary
Series Title: "Latter Day Missionaries": A Mental Health Resource for LDS Missionaries & their Families [Part I of II]Do you know anyone who experienced issues with anxiety, depression, homesickness, getting along with that annoying ...
442: Looking for a Spiritual Path? Here's a Map
Series Title: A Path to Wholeness Beyond the Mormon Faith Crisis [Part VIII of VIII]In this final episode of this beautiful series offering you a path towards personal wholeness, peace, & spiritual development, Val ties it all togeth...
441: The Politics of Jesus: Not Subtle, Not Silent, Not Neutral
Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part VII of VII]This final episode of this series is our response to the point of view that Jesus did not ‘get political’. Jesus (and each of us) cannot avoid being political. We state our “politics” ...
BONUS EPISODE: Do you Want to Make a Difference? Join us!
Hey listeners of the Latter Day Struggles podcast! Join Val in this bonus episode as she answers audience questions that will help you feel like you've come to the right place for psychologically sound resources and community on your LDS ...
440: Am I Just as Judgy as I Used to Be?
Series Title: A Path to Wholeness Beyond the Mormon Faith Crisis [Part VII of VIII]Take a listen to this episode further exploring the idea that we all truly contain multitudes! In their quest to help you achieve Radical Wholeness,...
439: Religious Silence is Complicity in Times of Social Unrest
Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part VI of VII]In this episode Val & Nathan break down what religious institutional silent is communicating in times of social unrest. Don't miss this episode or series if you want to more d...
438: Explaining the Brain Surgeon Who Still Believes in the Mythic God
Series Title: A Path to Wholeness Beyond the Mormon Faith Crisis [Part VI of VIII]Val & Nathan have been working through a map that you can use to guide you towards Radical Wholeness following your LDS faith crisis. This map co...
437: Whose Life is Worth Protecting? Politics & Religion Weight in 2026
Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part V of VII]In this episode exploring the intersection of religion and politics, Val & Nathan explore several specific areas where politics and religion are addressing the exact same fundamental...
436: Shadow Healing as Core to Personal Awakening
Series Title: A Path to Wholeness Beyond the Mormon Faith Crisis [Part V of VIII]In this episode Val & Nathan dig into tenet #4 in a map that promises to guide you to the most "Radical Wholeness" you have ever experienced. This tenet...
435: Why Some Religions Drag their Feet even when the Rest of Society is Ready to Embody More Love?
Series Title: Religion IS Political [Part IV of VII]In this episode Val & Nathan continue to build a case that it is impossible for religious systems to be "neutral" on political issues. They explore how society evolves as religions ...
434: When the Church MUST be "True”...all other Perspectives of Reality Suffer
Series Title: A Path to Wholeness Beyond the Mormon Faith Crisis [Part IV of VIII]In this episode Val & Nathan illustrate in a poignant case study, what happens when all four perspectives of reality are not regarded & honored equ...
433: On Churches of Legitimacy & Churches of Transformation
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 choos...
BONUS EPISODE: “Exploration of the ‘New’ Plan of Salvation” Audiobook
Hey Friday Fellowship! As an extra perk—we are now dropping each Monday 1.0 series in “audiobook” format after the final episode of the series drops for you. What does this mean for you? It means you can get ahead on the material Va...
BONUS EPISODE: “Religion IS Political” Audiobook
Hey Friday Fellowship! As an extra perk—we are now dropping each Monday 1.0 series in “audiobook” format after the final episode of the series drops EARLY for you. What does this mean for you? It means you can get ahead on the mater...
432: Learning to Read the Room (& Many other Perspectives too!)
Series Title: A Path to Wholeness Beyond the Mormon Faith Crisis [Part III of VIII]In this episode Val & Nathan expand on how YOU can achieve the kind of spiritual transformation that you didn't think possible when you stumbled out o...
431: LDS Strategic Political Engagement & the Upholding of Traditional Male Power Structures
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 signifi...
BONUS EPISODE: Tired of Feel Stuck, Angry & Alone?
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....
430: Was that Past Spiritual Experience a Hallucination?
Series Title: A Path to Wholeness Beyond the Mormon Faith Crisis [Part II of VIII]Have you ever noticed that some earlier stage spiritual communities have an uncomfortable relationship with modern psychology and even feel threatened by i...
429: Is the Mormon Church Politically Neutral?
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, exploi...
428: Craving Spiritual Direction Post Faith Crisis?
Series Title: A Path to Wholeness Beyond the Mormon Faith Crisis [Part I of VIII]Craving spiritual direction after the harrowing disorientation of the Mormon faith crisis but not sure where to go? Not wanting to throw God and...
427: When Normal Growth Feels Like Rebellion
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...
426: Dialogue Foundation Gospel Study: A Novel Approach to D&C 76 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...
425: When LDS "Normal" isn't very Normal
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 co...
424: Making Sense of Current Human Ascension & Human Atrocity 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...
423: If the Ensign Peak Fund isn't Your Donation Destination of Choice...
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 th...