Send us a Positive Review!Happy holidays Latter Day Struggles listeners!  For the next four episodes you will enjoy a few "Classic" episodes that have received some of the highest number of downloads and waves of feedback that these are among some of the most impactful episodes for many listeners.Also, as a way to share my love and gratitude for all of you during this holiday season, the classic episodes dropped on Fridays 12/27/24 and  1/3/25 will be open to ALL listeners!  Thank you for your support as your subscriptions make this podcast possible and sustainable in the long run.  Today’s “Classic” is episode 125: Show notes: Join Valerie and guest Fiona Givens as together they discuss a true prophetess and mystic, Julian of Norwich.Father Richard Rohr has often called Julian his "favorite mystic" and Fiona attributes this woman as one of the most personally influential to her in the development of her own whole and holy theology of the divine.  If these two recommendations aren't enough for you...then I don't know what to say!A few highlights of this episode:**Julian's “showings” really shine a light on God’s inability to be angry with us for our humanness**Our current struggles with the nature of God in some brings up pain, anxiety, religious scrupulosity, and defection from the church**Our misunderstandings of the nature of God brings up generational trauma to the extent that we perpetuate a God concept that estranges us from Julian's God of infinite love**According to Julian's visions, sin is “no thing” in God’s eyes.  Our missteps are the education that endears us to God**As a committed Catholic, Julian too struggles with heavenly visions that did not align with the teachings of her “holy church” and she [as do we] does the work of differentiating her church’s imperfections with her personal revelations, choosing to align with the truth that was revealed to her directly from it’s sourceBook referenced in this episode:Julian of Norwich: The Showings: Uncovering the Face of the Feminine in Revelations of Divine Love, by Mirabai StarrThe God Who Weeps: How Mormonism Makes Sense of Life, by Terry and Fiona GivensSupport the showWant to support Valerie & Nathan?Share this episode Become a Monday & Friday Listener: Limited-time Sale on Annual Subscription $69: app.helloaudio.fm/feed/455929cb-0267-4c17-aa18-9469c4003feb/signup Monthly Subscription: $9.99. app.helloaudio.fm/feed/45de445a-7109-4ad4-a670-231a20dc02d9/signup Make a donation: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Join a group: https://valeriehamaker.com/support-groups/ Visit our website: https://valeriehamaker.com/

Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!Series Title: The Shocking Correlation Between Men Socialized in Patriarchies & Emotional Underdevelopment [Part VI of VI]In this final episode of this incredibly important six-part series, Valerie and Nathan focus on why an education on patriarchy's impact on the spiritual and psychological souls of boys and men can be a catalyst for individual, family, and systemic healing in our faith tradition. If we as a spiritual community do not see systemic harm, we cannot confront it and heal it. Val and Nathan advocate for these changes in an effort to help all humans (at all ages connected in any way to the Latter-day Saint tradition) thrive in every area of spiritual and psychological development. Please share this series with those who may benefit! ------------------------------Breaking Down Patriarchy Podcast- Amy McPhie Allebest- "How to be an Anti-PatriarchistLDSS Patriarchy Series: Episodes 212, 213,Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People- Lindsey C. Gibson PsyDThe Will to Change- Bell HooksWant to support Valerie & Nathan?Share this episode Become a Monday & Friday Listener: Limited-time Sale on Annual Subscription $69: app.helloaudio.fm/feed/455929cb-0267-4c17-aa18-9469c4003feb/signup Monthly Subscription: $9.99. app.helloaudio.fm/feed/45de445a-7109-4ad4-a670-231a20dc02d9/signup Make a donation: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Join a group: https://valeriehamaker.com/support-groups/ Visit our website: https://valeriehamaker.com/

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: The Shocking Correlation Between Men Socialized in Patriarchies & Psychological/Spiritual Underdevelopment [Part V of VI] In this episode, Valerie and Nathan continue to discuss how being spiritually formed in a patriarchy negatively affects men. This episode highlights how being raised in this "power-over model" hampers male emotional maturity, leading to issues like lack of empathy, rigid black-and-white thinking, and minimal self-reflection, making it tough for men to admit mistakes or be accountable to those around them both personally and institutionally. Valerie and Nathan emphasize their desire to highlight this topic, hoping that more knowledge will bring a greater capacity for individual, family, and institutional growth and healing.Breaking Down Patriarchy Podcast- Amy McPhie Allebest- "How to be an Anti-PatriarchistDisentangling from Emotionally Immature People- Lindsey C. Gibson PsyDThe Creation of Patriarchy- Greda LernerSapiens: A Brief History of Human Kind- Yuval Noah Harari The Weaker Sex? Science That Shows Women are Stronger Than Men- The GuardianSupport the showWant to support Valerie & Nathan?Share this episode Become a Monday & Friday Listener: Limited-time Sale on Annual Subscription $69: app.helloaudio.fm/feed/455929cb-0267-4c17-aa18-9469c4003feb/signup Monthly Subscription: $9.99. app.helloaudio.fm/feed/45de445a-7109-4ad4-a670-231a20dc02d9/signup Make a donation: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Join a group: https://valeriehamaker.com/support-groups/ Visit our website: https://valeriehamaker.com/

Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!Series Title: The Shocking Correlation Between Men Socialized in Patriarchies & Psychological/Spiritual Underdevelopment [Part IV of VI]In this episode, Valerie and Nathan continue their exploration of how patriarchy harms men by discussing the overlap between emotional underdevelopment and patriarchal socialization. They highlight how deeply socialized masculine norms restrict male emotional development beginning in boyhood, leading boys and men to have difficulties giving and receiving love in every relationship of their lives. They also discuss Jesus Christ as a model of healthy masculinity and femininity, advocating for a shift away from rigid gender roles as a path towards emotional and spiritual maturity for both women and men.Breaking Down Patriarchy Podcast- Amy McPhie Allebest- "How to be an Anti-PatriarchistDisentangling from Emotionally Immature People- Lindsey C. Gibson PsyDAdult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents- Lindsay C. Gibson PsyDWant to support Valerie & Nathan?Share this episode Become a Monday & Friday Listener: Limited-time Sale on Annual Subscription $69: app.helloaudio.fm/feed/455929cb-0267-4c17-aa18-9469c4003feb/signup Monthly Subscription: $9.99. app.helloaudio.fm/feed/45de445a-7109-4ad4-a670-231a20dc02d9/signup Make a donation: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Join a group: https://valeriehamaker.com/support-groups/ Visit our website: https://valeriehamaker.com/

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: The Shocking Correlation Between Men Socialized in Patriarchies & Psychological/Spiritual Underdevelopment  [Part III of VI]In this episode Valerie and Nathan continue to explore how patriarchal systems can negatively impact the spiritual and psychological development of men. They discuss why patriarchal men learn to see the world transactionally, why they might struggle with listening skills, and how this all impacts their capacity to find connection with their higher selves, others, and God. Nathan shares his personal journey of moving away from these norms, emphasizing the need for men to embrace a more emotionally aware and connected way of living. Join us as we dive deep into these critical issues and offer insights for creating healthier relationships.Breaking Down Patriarchy Podcast- Amy McPhie Allebest- "How to be an Anti-PatriarchistDisentangling from Emotionally Immature People- Lindsey C. Gibson PsyDAdult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents- Lindsay C. Gibson PsyDSupport the showWant to support Valerie & Nathan?Share this episode Become a Monday & Friday Listener: Limited-time Sale on Annual Subscription $69: app.helloaudio.fm/feed/455929cb-0267-4c17-aa18-9469c4003feb/signup Monthly Subscription: $9.99. app.helloaudio.fm/feed/45de445a-7109-4ad4-a670-231a20dc02d9/signup Make a donation: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Join a group: https://valeriehamaker.com/support-groups/ Visit our website: https://valeriehamaker.com/

Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!Series Title:  The Shocking Correlation Between Men Socialized in Patriarchies & Psychological/Spiritual Underdevelopment [Part II of VI] In this episode, Valerie and Nathan delve deeper into the effects of patriarchy on men, making sense of why some of our men struggle to look squarely at historical realities and struggle with seeing another’s viewpoint or self-reflection.  In this series Nathan is incredibly vulnerable, sharing how he has spent most of his life unknowingly stagnated in his psychological [and  therefore, spiritual] development by being raised in a patriarchal world and religious system as a cishet, white, Southern, American man. This beautifully candid conversation reveals the challenges of unlearning patriarchal conditioning and embracing a fuller, more authentic self.  Tough? Yes.  Possible?  Absolutely.  Want to support Valerie & Nathan?Share this episode Become a Monday & Friday Listener: Limited-time Sale on Annual Subscription $69: app.helloaudio.fm/feed/455929cb-0267-4c17-aa18-9469c4003feb/signup Monthly Subscription: $9.99. app.helloaudio.fm/feed/45de445a-7109-4ad4-a670-231a20dc02d9/signup Make a donation: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Join a group: https://valeriehamaker.com/support-groups/ Visit our website: https://valeriehamaker.com/

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title:  The Shocking Correlation Between Men Socialized in Patriarchies & Psychological/Spiritual Underdevelopment [Part I of VI] Join Valerie and Nathan as they kick off a new DEEP DIVE series exploring how patriarchy affects men in the LDS Church. This series compares the attributes that emotionally underdeveloped people have in common with men socialized in an institutional patriarchy.  In each episode Nathan candidly shares how he is slowly healing from the wounds that patriarchal teachings imposed upon his mind and heart.  Tune in to understand with even more clarity how patriarchal structures negatively impact the growth and development of everyone, not just women, and why addressing this topic is crucial for a healthier LDS church. Don't miss this eye-opening six-part conversation!Breaking Down Patriarchy Podcast- Amy McPhie Allebest: "How to be an Anti-PatriarchistAdult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents- Lindsay C. Gibson PsyDLDSS Patriarchy Series: Episodes 212, 213, 214LDSS Blog: Patriarchy's Effect on Men's Mental HealthSupport the showWant to support Valerie & Nathan?Share this episode Become a Monday & Friday Listener: Limited-time Sale on Annual Subscription $69: app.helloaudio.fm/feed/455929cb-0267-4c17-aa18-9469c4003feb/signup Monthly Subscription: $9.99. app.helloaudio.fm/feed/45de445a-7109-4ad4-a670-231a20dc02d9/signup Make a donation: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Join a group: https://valeriehamaker.com/support-groups/ Visit our website: https://valeriehamaker.com/

Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!Series Title: Celebrating 50 Years Exponent II & Mormon Feminist Voices [Part II of II]In this episode Valerie continues to visit with Heather Sundahl and Katie Rich about how the Exponent II community provided the LDS patriarchal structure with a model of how organizations look when run by women and for women and gender minorities. What does this look like? • Rotating leadership structure that allows many voices, ideas, and opinions • The privileging of community over ideological purity• An interest in many voices and diverse experiences • More listening, curiosity, and empathy• A focus on providing safe space to experience connection all of the way along the Mormon heritage spectrum Listen to this incredible episode honoring not only the Exponent II organization itself but also a recent book published to capture its history and vision. Please support Exponent II by purchasing the book “ 50 Years  of Exponent II” https://www.amazon.com/dp/1560854774/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_P68B2S5G0PJ8SSB93JZM?linkCode=ml2&tag=valeriehamaker-20Charitable donations always welcome to help them build an endowment. Go to https://exponentii.org/support-mormon-feminism/donation/Want to support Valerie & Nathan?Share this episode Become a Monday & Friday Listener: Limited-time Sale on Annual Subscription $69: app.helloaudio.fm/feed/455929cb-0267-4c17-aa18-9469c4003feb/signup Monthly Subscription: $9.99. app.helloaudio.fm/feed/45de445a-7109-4ad4-a670-231a20dc02d9/signup Make a donation: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Join a group: https://valeriehamaker.com/support-groups/ Visit our website: https://valeriehamaker.com/

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Celebrating 50 Years Exponent II & Mormon Feminist Voices [Part I of II]In this episode, Valerie speaks with Katie Ludlow Rich and Heather Sundahl, the co-authors of newly  published book '50 Years of Exponent II'. They discuss the fascinating history of the original “Woman's Exponent” magazine in the late 1800s and its  revival magazine  “Exponent II”, both offering a place for Mormon feminists to gather, write, and share their experiences as  women of different eras wrestling with issues crucial to their time and their identity as women. The conversation in this and  Friday’s episode explores the impact of polygamy on Mormon feminism, the importance of women's independent voices, and how Exponent II's existence provided a crucial platform for Mormon women's stories and experiences.Trying to make sense of how feminism exists in an institutional patriarchy? Wanting to find others who value their heritage but feel passion for women’s and  gender minority issues? You’ve found your place! Please support Exponent II by purchasing the book “ 50 Years  of Exponent II” https://www.amazon.com/dp/1560854774/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_P68B2S5G0PJ8SSB93JZM?linkCode=ml2&tag=valeriehamaker-20Charitable donations always welcome to help them build an endowment. Go to https://exponentii.org/support-mormon-feminism/donation/Support the showWant to support Valerie & Nathan?Share this episode Become a Monday & Friday Listener: Limited-time Sale on Annual Subscription $69: app.helloaudio.fm/feed/455929cb-0267-4c17-aa18-9469c4003feb/signup Monthly Subscription: $9.99. app.helloaudio.fm/feed/45de445a-7109-4ad4-a670-231a20dc02d9/signup Make a donation: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Join a group: https://valeriehamaker.com/support-groups/ Visit our website: https://valeriehamaker.com/

Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!In this first “Office Hours” virtual meet-up, Valerie processes General Conference with Latter Day Struggles podcast subscribers.  If you’re a subscriber and you couldn’t make it, no worries: here is the recording! Some of the topics covered include: Emotions felt by many people in early, mid, and later LDS faith expansion journey Managing feelings of internal conflict …wanting to support more traditionally believing family during this weekend while also feeling very uncomfortable watching/engaging in the meetings…Temple Recommend Series: Episode 189: Latter-Day Challenges-Anxiety, Autonomy, & the Temple Recommend Interview Dilemma (Part I of IV)Episode 190: The Evolution of the LDS Temple Recommend Interview: A Historical Perspective on Shifting Standards (Part II of IV)Episode 191: Questioning the Questions-The Evolution of LDS Temple Admission Process(Part III of IVEpisode 192: Temple Recommend Historical Exploration: Purity Testing, Competing Oath-Bound Organizations, and Reimagining a Process Based on Love and Welcoming (Part IV of IV)And so much more! Want to jump into the next “Office Hours” processing LDS faith journey and holiday family and friendship gatherings? Information on how to subscribe directly below! Don’t miss a single life-enriching episode or gathering!!Want to support Valerie & Nathan?Share this episode Become a Monday & Friday Listener: Limited-time Sale on Annual Subscription $69: app.helloaudio.fm/feed/455929cb-0267-4c17-aa18-9469c4003feb/signup Monthly Subscription: $9.99. app.helloaudio.fm/feed/45de445a-7109-4ad4-a670-231a20dc02d9/signup Make a donation: ⁠Venmo or Patreon⁠ Join a group: https://valeriehamaker.com/support-groups/ Visit our website: https://valeriehamaker.com/