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
470 episodes
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...
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...