Latter Day Struggles

Send us a Positive Review!Join Valerie and fellow podcaster Aubrey Chaves of the Faith Matters podcast as together they discuss the vision and purpose of the Restore Conference. A common belief among these two brave and compassionate women? True growth and connection is about being welcome and accepted wherever you are on your faith journey.  No fine print. In their unique ways each are involved in efforts for their LDS and surrounding fellow travelers. Listen in to hear why they are so committed to this work! 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

Send us a Positive Review! Series Title: Plato's Allegory of the Cave & the LDS Faith Expansion Journey [Part III of IV]In this episode, Valerie and Nathan delve into how faith journeys can be compared to the transformative experience of seeing the sun for the first time and the internal and external struggle that comes with returning to the cave. How does the hero of Plato’s story reconcile his new perspective in his old surroundings? Val and Nathan discuss how enlightenment changes our perspective and ignites a desire to share new insights with others. While this desire may be well intentioned, it creates conflict and resistance when it is forced upon others.In Friday’s episode, Val and Nathan talk specifically about how this allegory relates to the LDS faith journey and open up about some of the complexities that have come with their own spiritual awakenings. 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

Explore the fascinating links between Plato's 'Allegory of the Cave' and modern pop culture, including 'The Matrix.' Delve into the challenges of transitioning from ignorance to enlightenment. Discover the universal themes of growth and knowledge in both philosophical and biblical narratives. Unpack how filmmakers reflect these profound concepts, drawing parallels to our own faith journeys. This thought-provoking discussion sets the stage for deeper insights into personal struggles and the pursuit of truth.

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Vertical Development & the LDS Faith Journey with Ryan Gottfredson [Part III of IV]In this episode, Valerie and Ryan expand on the characteristics of a vertically developing mind. This episode highlights the characteristics of the most psychologically developed mind--characteristics that embody only 1% of the population!  This "mind 3.0" values contributing to the world in meaningful ways, interdependent thinking, embracing vulnerability, and holding loving space for experiences and perspectives that vary (even in Sunday school!!).  Val and Ryan also explore how and why trauma [individually, generationally, and systemically] stagnates vertical development.  This series wraps up on Friday with an inspiring final episode that you don’t want to miss. Valerie and Ryan integrate these "big ideas" about vertical development into the Latter-day Saint setting and explore how a vertically developing membership and leadership could contribute to unprecedented relational and spiritual expansion and satisfaction in our faith community.  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

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Vertical Development & the LDS Faith Journey with Ryan Gottfredson [Part I of IV]In this opening episode [of a four-part series], Valerie welcomes organizational psychologist Ryan Gottfredson for a fascinating study of how our level of psychological development impacts how we (our loved ones, our friends, and our church!) navigate religion and spirituality.  This episode is a broad overview of Ryan's scholarship, found in his book "The Elevated Leader" and sets the stage for their in-depth conversation in the following three episodes tackling each stage of vertical development and why so many don't reach their developmental potential. Throughout this series, Valerie and Ryan discuss the intersection of leadership, organizational behavior, and faith systems, highlighting the significance of holistic development in personal, family, and faith systems.  The final episode integrates the concept of vertical development into specifics of the LDS church, offering insights into how a better understanding of human development might help our system support the growth and thriving of all connected to the church.  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

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Redefining Spiritual Experiences [Part I of II]In this episode of Latter Day Struggles, Valerie and Nathan respond to a very common question that people in early faith crisis often ask:  "What do I make of my former spiritual experiences?"  This two part series tackles many aspects of this perplexing aspect of faith expansion.  Val and Nathan talk about the feelings of confusion that many feel about early faith defining experiences.  They talk about other feelings that come including mistrust in oneself, one's feelings, one's former answers, one's capacity to get guidance, and sometimes mistrust in God. They offer thoughts around how many of us were taught to discern truth and how the spiritual journey is all about working through past experiences, emotions, and interpretations of our experiences as necessary for our growth into spiritually complex beings.  You definitely won't want to miss Part II in this Friday’s subscriber-exclusive episode either, where Valerie and Nathan delve deeper into how to move from a transactional relationship with God that was often connected to former spiritual experiences and how the faith journey is about expanding one's capacity to embody spiritual experiences rather than just having them.  They also touch on how to navigate relationship impasses with others who cannot understand our journeys due to their own spiritual experiences.  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

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Moving Beyond the Transactional Gospel [Part I of II]Is it time to graduate from your "Pee Wee" (aka "beginner level" for all of you non-football players) level of discipleship?  If you're listening to this podcast, we are pretty sure the answer is a resounding YES!  Bring on the Pro-Level! In this enlightening episode of Latter Day Struggles, Valerie welcomes special guest Steve Young to delve into the transformative power of love within the context of faith expansion in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together they explore ideas from Steve's book, "The Law of Love," highlighting the journey from transaction towards an upward leaning desire towards selfless love as the foundation of all belief and relationship.  Together, they address the inevitable anxieties surrounding non-transactional relationships with God and challenge listeners to embrace a higher, more intimate relationship with the divine, moving away from prescriptive (transactional) guidelines towards personal, holistic engagement with self, faith, others, and ultimately with God. This episode offers a profound perspective on love's capacity to evoke authenticity and divine potential in ourselves and others.  Friday's episode is a tender conversation between Steve and Val where they share how their own strivings to embody the Law of Love has changed them and enriched their relationships.   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

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: A Study of Loyalty [Part I of II]In this episode Valerie and Nathan delve into the delicate relationship between love, loyalty, and integrity. They discuss how loyalty, when prioritized over love, can lead to moral conflicts, confusion and systemic issues. The conversation centers around recognizing loyalty as a near enemy to love, particularly within political, religious, and social contexts. With their usual compassion and candor, Valerie and Nathan advocate for genuine love over superficial loyalty. Tune in to explore how loyalty can overshadow true virtues and how embracing love as the true virtue can foster healthy connection and growth.Friday’s powerful advanced content exclusive episode will delve deeper into how unquestioned loyalty is both damaging and dangerous, particularly within a religious system. Valerie and Nathan examine the proper place that loyalty should hold within relationships, and how Christlike love, compassion and one’s own integrity should always come first. Don’t miss this compelling and thought provoking episode of Latter Day Struggles!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

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Atonement & the American Criminal Justice System [Part III of IV]Welcome to this episode where Valerie and special guest Fiona Givens dive deep into each of their favorite topics:  neuroscience & trauma (looking at you Valerie!) & healthy atonement theology (now looking at you Fiona!). A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the impact of trauma on individuals, especially those within the criminal justice system. Fiona brings insights from scholars and trauma experts, emphasizing that what is often perceived as deviant behavior is deeply rooted in trauma and human woundedness. Fiona and Valerie advocate for a theological vision committed to healing and redemption, affirming that a compassionate approach can lead to true transformation and restoration.   This one is a must-listen and quite possibly will have you pondering things you haven't ever connected before!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

Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: Atonement & the American Criminal Justice System [Part I of IV]Welcome to a podcast series that has been months in the making and one that you will NOT want to miss if you desire to find health and healing in your relationship with God, atonement, hope, and healing.  In this four part series, Valerie welcomes return guest and gifted LDS theologian Fiona Givens. Together they delve deeply into the development of various atonement theologies and their impact on both the average Christian "sinner" as well as the "criminal", especially and how each "deserves" to be punished.  This series explores roots of atonement theology; how, why, where, and when it changed, and how the atonement theology that came to North America eventually impacted the criminal justice system.  They further explore how modern neuroscience has become an unexpected partner in revealing the infinite goodness and inevitable woundedness of all human kind and how our understanding the nature of the brain can bring about lasting reform of our atonement theology and our criminal justice system.  Don't miss this entire series packed with cutting edge scholarship and a windfall of hope and healing on our ongoing reimagining of God's infinite love for all of their children.  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