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
484 episodes
473: The Emotional Rollercoaster of General Conference Weekend
In this special Office Hours recording, a couple dozen people joined Valerie to talk about the emotional experience that only the former devout Mormon will understand. Why does this weekend bring up so much? Listen to Val &am...
472: Sacred Clothing is Not a "Mormon Only" Thing
Series Title: Is it Possible to 'Transcend & Include' the Mormon Temple Garment? [Part I of VI]The Mormon temple garment is heavy & loaded for many people on the Mormon faith crisis and expansion space, especially women. Can the ...
BONUS EPISODE! Lowering Time & Financial Barriers to Mormon Faith Crisis Healing
Just a quick announcement to start a process of changing my philosophy here on Latter Day Struggles. I care deeply about two things: YOU... And offering psychologically healing content for your Mormon faith expansion journey. If time or resourc...
471: What Would You Say to Your Polygamous Great Grandmother?
Very few of us doubt that we have been profoundly impacted by the imprints of patriarchy in our early personality development. What most do not know is that this is not a 'life sentence'. In this episode Val walks through her passio...
470: The Agony of Learning to See Through Another's Eyes
In this episode Valerie takes the following comment from Elder Corbridge's to practice strengthening her capacity to transcend and include Mormonism. Here is the statement: “Darth Vader could be your bishop. The culture co...
469: Five Truths About Love & Goodness that all Queer Mormons (Past & Present) Need to Know
Patriarchy impacts people at a soul-wrenching level, and perhaps no other group is more stricken than our LGBTQ+ community. Please join us for a re-drop of a beautiful episode looking at Carol Lynn Pearson's breathtaking book, Goodbye, I Lo...
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...