
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.
Latest episodes

Jun 23, 2025 • 45min
341: Candid Conversation about Current LDS Patriarchal Structure & its Correlation to Child Abuse Risk
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy & its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part VIII of X]Join Val & Nathan as they respectfully lean into specific risk factors associated with formalized patriarchal religious institutions (including the LDS church) & how these vulnerabilities play out in very real ways. They also explore how our children can eventually become safer as their caregivers become educated & reach a critical mass of light & knowledge about the harmful (even if unintended) consequences to many children raised within patriarchal homes & churches. **Please note, Val & Nathan are not implying that child abuse & violence are *inevitable* when their families and churches are patriarchal. They are simply unpacking all of the heavily researched data pointing to heightened risk factors associated with patriarchy and violence/abuse. Please, let us learn from the ample data & protect our children.Referenced in this Episode: Associated Press: Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happenSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Donate: Venmo or Patreon Visit our Website

Jun 16, 2025 • 52min
339: Patriarchal Church Structures & Heightened Risk of Violence/Abuse in Marriage
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy & its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part VIIof X]In today's episode, Val & Nathan walk through the layered risk factors around spousal violence/abuse that married couples are exposed to when belonging to a formalized institutional patriarchal church. Reinforcement of male authority, inadequately trained clergy offering counseling services, isolation from external oversight/support, and tendencies to protect the male abusers (esp those with leadership callings) are all discussed. They also make recommendations for inviting a safer/healthier marriage theology and climate that will contribute to individual & marital flourishing. **Please note, Val & Nathan are not implying that abuse & violence are *inevitable* when couples hold a patriarchal worldview or belong to a formalized patriarchal religious institution--they are simply unpacking all of the heavily researched data pointing to heightened risk factors associated with patriarchy and violence/abuse.Referenced in this Episode: Associated Press - Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happenBell Hooks - The Will to Change; Men, Masculinity and Love Support the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Donate: Venmo or Patreon Visit our Website

Jun 9, 2025 • 48min
337: Patriarchy & its Connection to LGBTQ+ Violence and Abuse
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy & its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part V of X]In this episode Val & Nathan walk through a series of other very common communities where men-on-men violence is normalized--culminating in a discussion that shows clearly that it is not a coincidence that patriarchal structures enforce strict rules on both women & LGBTQ+ people for the same underlying reason. They will walk you through the "rules" and consequences imposed on sexual/gender non-conforming people and how deeply embedded systemic patriarchies use God to justify all kinds of violence & abuse directed at those not willing to acknowledge this man-made system of domination. Referenced in This Episode: Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion - Gregory BoylePodcast: Breaking Down Patriarchy- Episode 37: How to be an Anti-Patriarchist with Levi Murray Support the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Donate: Venmo or Patreon Visit our Website

Jun 2, 2025 • 45min
335: Patriarchy and the Deeply Embedded "Female Fear Factory"
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy & its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part III of X]In this jaw-dropping episode (at least it was jaw-dropping for Val & Nath to prepare and produce) Val & Nathan talk about the "Female Fear Factory" which is a phrase intended to communicate the implicit rules that girls and women worldwide are taught to follow in order to be safe in this world where patriarchy is treated as a "given" that must be managed and obeyed. If you care about the spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing of yourself, your loved ones (of all genders) and your community at large--this series is a crucial masterclass. Referenced in this Episode: The Female Fear Factory; Unravelling Patriarchy's Cultures of Violence - Pumla Dineo GqolaSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Donate: Venmo or Patreon Visit our Website

May 26, 2025 • 30min
333: Patriarchy & Harm: Proven Connections to Abuse & Violence
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy and its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part I of X]In this opening episode of this incredibly important series, Val & Nathan offer an overview of what is to come in the episodes that follow. This series has been a labor of love for this couple who care deeply about their Latter-day Saint and surrounding loved ones and want to spread the word far and wide that all patriarchy is harmful but we live in day and age where institutional patriarchy MUST be lovingly challenged for the welfare of every single human being. Patriarchy is tightly correlated to actual violence and abuse. If nothing else convinces you that reform is needed...maybe this will give you pause.Mentioned in this Episode: Podcast: Breaking Down Patriarchy- Episode 37: How to be an Anti-Patriarchist with Levi Murray Podcast: The Foyer- Season 3 Episode 3 Women's Equality: It Absolutely Matters Support the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Donate: Venmo or Patreon Visit our Website

May 19, 2025 • 41min
331: Why Very Few Shout: "The Emperor Has No Clothes!"
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Living in a World of Hypernormalization [Part I of II]In this episode Val shares an update about how she is processing the recent events of her and Nathan's forced resignation in the face of excommunication by looking at this both as a personal issue for them but also plays with the idea that they are playing a symbolic role in a much larger narrative that is unfolding and colliding in both conservative Christian AND conservative political spaces and is gaining steam due to the concept of HYPERNORMALIZATION: a social phenomenon where cultural collectives know that things are very wrong but pretend that all is well. Friday's episode dives into how HYPERNORMALIZATION might explain much that is going on in our own heritage tradition and why those who do not participate in the "rules of hypernormalization" (by acknowledging issues exist) are punished. Support the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Donate: Venmo or Patreon Visit our Website

May 12, 2025 • 57min
329: The Official Faith Crisis Report: A Backstage Pass with Greg Prince
Join Greg Prince, a renowned historian and author on Mormon history, as he shares behind-the-scenes insights about 'The Official Faith Crisis Report.' He discusses the disconnect experienced by educated church members and the emerging faith crises within the LDS community. The importance of empathy from church leaders is emphasized, alongside the challenges in conveying grassroots ideas to top governance. Listeners will appreciate the exploration of personal experiences and the significance of community support in navigating faith transitions.

May 5, 2025 • 40min
327: Jesus Eats with "Outcasts" to Embody that HE Knows No Outcast
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Transcending Church Rules on the PathTowards Genuine Christlike Discipleship w/Russ Hinckley Part III of IVWhat do you think Jesus would desire that we focus on in our worship services and within our larger lives? In these last two episodes of this series Val invites Russ to share his thoughts on his "Christ Creed", or his "rewrite" of what he thinks Jesus would want his followers to focus on. In this episode they focus their conversation on Jesus using social gatherings and meals to push back against cultural outgroups. Among other topics, they dig into why and how Jesus' ministry tries to prove that society (not God) creates out groups. Jump into this one--so good!Beyond Belief - Russ HinckleyTattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion- Gregory BoyleSupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Donate: Venmo or Patreon Visit our Website

Apr 28, 2025 • 38min
325: Why Jesus Likely Couldn't Care Less about Church Handbooks & Creeds
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Transcending Church Rules on the Path Towards Genuine Christlike Discipleship w/Russ Hinckley Part I of IVWelcome to a beautiful series featuring guest author Russ Hinckley (who doesn't mind being referred to as Mr. Susan Hinckley of the "At Last She Said It" podcast) where Val and Russ explore his book "Beyond Belief" a radical reinterpretation of what Jesus likely would have those who gathered in his name focus on. In this episode Russ and Val riff a bit about early Christian history and why creeds (official belief statements) were made and why Jesus likely could not care less about what are in those creeds. The rest of the series tackles what Jesus would probably have us focus on as individuals, families, and congregations.Beyond Belief - Russ HinckleySupport the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Donate: Venmo or Patreon Visit our Website

Apr 21, 2025 • 58min
323: Sometimes Love Uses a Microphone
Send us a Positive Review!In this episode Valerie is invited to be a guest on "Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt," a podcast where she shares many experiences leading to her choice to commit her career to the psychological and spiritual healing of those connected to her own Latter-day Saint faith tradition.Val shares some personal experiences, some of her reasons for beginning and staying in this nerve wracking space, about the ups and downs of the work she does. Mostly she shares her conviction that what she is doing feels deeply "right" to her core... that when one knows they are in their integrity, other concerns fall away.Join Valerie and host Meagan Skidmore for a fresh, heartfelt look at faith journey—through the eyes of someone who’s walking the path right alongside you.Support the showListen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Subscription $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Subscription $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Donate: Venmo or Patreon Visit our Website