351: Mormon Momma Turned Maverick

In this episode Val is a guest on the Join Latter Day Digest podcast & what unfolds is the very unlikely story that led to Val's and Nathan's eventual 'outlaw' status within the LDS church.  Why is this so odd?  Because this couple could not have been more traditionally believing for the majority of their lives--including spending most of their marriage following all of the traditional scripts of Mormonism...which in some ways worked and in other ways didn't work that well at all.  

Then something happened within Val & Nathan (different life-shifting changes/crises) and their paradigms changed...radically.  From living traditional roles prescribed by outside 'experts' on their lives to becoming passionate advocates of finding courage, truth, and God-connection within, Val shares a journey that might offer hope to anyone out there who thinks transformation isn't possible.  

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:22 Valerie's Early Life and Background

02:04 Young Women's Experience in the Church

04:33 Struggles with Traditional Gender Roles

10:06 Mission and College Years

16:25 Meeting Her Future Husband

18:53 Professional Aspirations and Challenges

22:01 Empathy and Helping Others

24:50 The Cost of Doing the Right Thing

25:22 Balancing Family and Career

25:48 Struggles of a Stay-at-Home Mom

27:44 Finding Joy and Autonomy

29:46 Guilt and Cognitive Dissonance

33:15 Pursuing a Career in Mental Health

36:43 Starting a Private Practice

41:10 The Birth of Latter Day Struggles Podcast

43:58 Helping Others Through Faith Expansion

47:05 Commitment to a Higher Calling

50:43 Conclusion and Future Plans