

Latter Day Struggles
Valerie Hamaker
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
Mentioned books

Dec 9, 2022 • 1h 6min
77: Answers to Tough Questions about Authentically Navigating LDS Membership w/ Carol Lynn Pearson
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Tribute to the Life & Poetry of Carol Lynn Pearson [Part VIII of VIII]In this Q&R episode Valerie asks CAROL LYNN PEARSON several tough questions from you listeners about how she has managed to navigate some of the thorniest topics in Mormondom. Perhaps the more challenging question she answers is how she navigates feeling congruent with herself as a contributing and lifelong member in a religious institution that struggles so much with issues of gender, patriarchy, control, and power. One of the MANY nuggets of wisdom that she shares is a plea for all of us to "BE BRAVE. AND BE KIND." She embodies both bravery and kindness in her entire life and legacy and invites us to do the same in our open, honest, struggle with the institution that is our home. She also says, "If there is trouble in the family, we have the right to talk about it. It is our home and our family." God bless Carol Lynn. Enjoy this episode!Here are some of the books that most influenced Carol Lynn throughout her life:The Chalice and the Blade, by Riane EislerThe Creation of Patriarchy, by Gerda LernerGoddesses: Mysteries of the Feminine Divine, by Joseph CampbellA New Earth: Awakening Your Life's Purpose, by Eckhart TolleA Course in Miracles: Combined Volume, by The Foundation for Inner PeacePodcasts mentioned and recommended in this episode: “In Her Image”“Marriage on a Tight Rope” To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.comSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Dec 8, 2022 • 8min
76: Two Images of the One God
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Tribute to the Life & Poetry of Carol Lynn Pearson [Part VII of VIII]For these mini-episodes I will be showcasing some of my favorite poems more deeply acquainting us with the feminine face of God. Please listen and listen again...these poems hold lost and forgotten truths that can recall to us our sometime distant relationship with our dear Mother God. To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.com.Support the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Dec 8, 2022 • 10min
75: Matriarchal Blessing
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Tribute to the Life & Poetry of Carol Lynn Pearson [Part VI of VIII]For these mini-episodes I will be showcasing some of my favorite poems more deeply acquainting us with the feminine face of God. Please listen and listen again...these poems hold lost and forgotten truths that can recall to us our sometime distant relationship with our dear Mother God.To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.com.Support the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Dec 7, 2022 • 11min
74: Jesus Remembered
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Tribute to the Life & Poetry of Carol Lynn Pearson [Part V of VIII]For these mini-episodes I will be showcasing some of my favorite poems more deeply acquainting us with the feminine face of God. Please listen and listen again...these poems hold lost and forgotten truths that can recall to us our sometime distant relationship with our dear Mother God.To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.com.Support the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Dec 7, 2022 • 6min
73: Growing up Godly
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Tribute to the Life & Poetry of Carol Lynn Pearson [Part IV of VIII]For these mini-episodes I will be showcasing some of my favorite poems more deeply acquainting us with the feminine face of God. Please listen and listen again...these poems hold lost and forgotten truths that can recall to us our sometime distant relationship with our dear Mother God.To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.com——————————————————————————————————————SUBSCRIBE: All Friday episodes of Latter Day Struggles can be accessed through a paid subscription ($9.99/month). Thank you for supporting Valerie’s professional commitment to your LDS Faith expansion journey! Click here to subscribe to all Friday Latter Day Struggles Episodes Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to support the podcast and subscribe——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT: Like what you’re hearing at Latter Day Struggles Podcast? You can support Valerie’s efforts by becoming a recurring donor on Patreon.com!——————————————————————————————————————SUPPORT GROUPS: You are invited to join one of Valerie’s space-limited Faith Crisis and Expansion Support and Processing Groups! As a trauma therapist, she continues to help our LDS faith expansion community become psychologically healthier and spiritually well in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Details about availability on latterdaystruggles.com. These groups ALWAYS FILL UP, so jump in asap! Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to join a support group——————————————————————————————————————COURSES: Now available! “Support the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Dec 6, 2022 • 9min
72: The Case of the Disappearance of our Mother God
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Tribute to the Life & Poetry of Carol Lynn Pearson [Part III of VIII]For these mini-episodes I will be showcasing some of my favorite poems more deeply acquainting us with the feminine face of God. Please listen and listen again...these poems hold lost and forgotten truths that can recall to us our sometime distant relationship with our dear Mother God. To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.comSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Dec 6, 2022 • 10min
71: I Live in a Motherless House
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Tribute to the Life & Poetry of Carol Lynn Pearson [Part II of VIII]For these mini-episodes I will be showcasing some of my favorite poems more deeply acquainting us with the feminine face of God. Please listen and listen again...these poems hold lost and forgotten truths that can recall to us our sometime distant relationship with our dear Mother God. To purchase the entire autographed book, go to carollynnpearson.comSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Dec 5, 2022 • 1h 8min
70: An Hour with Mormonism’s Own Joan of Arc, Carol Lynn Pearson
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Tribute to the Life & Poetry of Carol Lynn Pearson [Part I of VIII]Carol Lynn Pearson said, "maybe the worst thing that could have happened for the Brethren of the Mormon church was the moment I was given the role to play "Joan of Arc" in a theatrical production at BYU 60+ years ago!" The rest was history. And luckily for us, our own Mormon "Joan of Arc" has not been burned at the stake (center) thus far!! And in this series, she does not disappoint.In this episode with Valerie, Carol Lynn opens up about her childhood, life with Gerald, her own process of becoming the beautiful combination of bravery, grace, and straight-talking badassery that defines her work to this day. She shares specific stories about her experiences writing and speaking about all of the toughest and touchiest of topics, all hovering around issues of gender, sexuality, and power.Carol Lynn concludes with a lovely teaser into her newest book that will give YOU a map for how to grow in the very flavor of love that empowers her to do the inspiring work that she does. Just in time for Christmas, buy "The Love Map" (and many other of her books) at carolynnpearson.com. PLEASE share this episode. Once you listen, you'll know why this one is a POWERFUL episode packed with bravery, wisdom, and truth. Support the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Dec 2, 2022 • 32min
69: BYU-Idaho Faculty Member & the Current University Climate
Send us a Positive Review!Following the recent Salt Lake Tribune article titled "BYU-I Instructors fired for failing 'ecclesiastical clearance.' They can't find out why", and on the heels of this podcast's last episode coincidentally on a similar topic, Valerie was connected with a BYU-I faculty member who was willing--anonymously--to share their experience as a current faculty member and one who clearly sees many deeply troubling dynamics surrounding culture, messaging, and practices at BYU-I, not the least of which is the very troubling issue around the recent confidentiality lost for new and adjunct faculty members.Other topics discussed in this episode:Initial benefits for working at this universityEvolving and heightened struggles with issues of professionalism due to changes of administration where it has become less and less acceptable to have open and honest conversations about legitimate concerns had among faculty members on their own and their students behalfA culture of silence around very relevant issues involving race, gender, sexuality, and mental health concerns within the university communityHeightened fear of the risk that some faculty members feel in simply being "themselves" in even benign ways while in connection with students and othersThe noticing that some hurting students have formed an "underground network" where they seek to find safe people with whom to talk about their struggles with issues deeply important to their spiritual and psychological development andA growing trend or "wave" of students leaving the church as soon as they graduate. This professor offers deep love for their students and fellow faculty members and expresses both grief and some frustration at the valuable losses they are seeing in the waves of wonderful and good students and other faculty leaving the university and church due to issues of fear, the mandate for silence, and the community's inability to hear the legitimate concerns of so many earnest people seeking a place, safety, and a voice in their home religion. This podcast is intended to help shine a light on issues that perhaps are invisible to those too close to the situation and offer a loving but direct first hand perspective that might be valuable in healing some of the wounds of the CES and the church that many of us care so much about.Support the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

Nov 28, 2022 • 1h 12min
68: Former BYU Professor's Arrival at Love over Loyalty
Send us a Positive Review!In this episode Valerie interviews former BYU professor and current lover of people, education, music, truth, and personal integrity. In this conversation, Jason shares his journey from his teen years as a convert to the LDS church, through years of rewarding orthodoxy (box checking like the best of them) that led him to a position at BYU. His faith expansion journey began during those tenuous weeks when the university temporarily allowed LGBTQ students protection for openly expressing themselves under the same standards as straight cis-gendered students and then reversed their decision. Other key moments of awakening occurred while confronting struggles with an on-campus speech referencing muskets [you probably know the one…] and dissonance related to the new policy related to BYU faculty’s lack of confidentiality in temple recommend interviewing protocols. While painful, this transformative journey led Jason to his present job, but more importantly, to a deepening ability to love, serve, and worship according to his clear conscience.Join Val and Jason as they explore his expanding faith in God and Christ and his new way of participating in the LDS church as a result of this intensely challenging and life expanding 4 year detour as a BYU faculty member. Support the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website


