Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!In this final episode of a four-part series, Val and Nathan focus on how embracing AMBIVALENCE is evidence of radical, spiritual growth. In the context of this conversation, ambivalence is less about indecision and more about embracing paradox--the dark and the light-- within each soul, each idea, each collective. As we embrace our spiritual journey more and more deeply, we see that "wholeness" is more noble than "goodness" and a more noble goa...
Send us a Positive Review!Remember when things were so simple? Back in the day when we were experts on pretty much everything related to life and eternity? Well, if you’re listening to Latter Day Struggles, you’ve likely let that go and are learning to embrace ambiguity. This episode [part three of a four-part series] tackles why certainty is so compelling but actually an illusion. The good news? Our growth turns mystery from terrifying to a beautiful adventure. Listen in and ...
Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!In this episode Val and Nathan unpack the difference between the anxiety that makes us sick and the anxiety that comes as we move deeper into our faith journeys. They explore how detecting and letting go of fear-oriented theology, practicing mindfulness, and personally differentiating, helps us manage that super scary experience of becoming who we are here to become--deeply spiritual, unique selves--sometimes pushing up against ideas and p...
Send us a Positive Review!Join Val and Nathan in this fast-paced 4-part conversation walking you through some hard evidence that you ARE, in fact, growing up! This series tackles why humans long for certainty, and how early life is mainly focused on avoiding anxiety. It goes on to help you see that the faith journey offers you all of the ingredients for growth in ways that you could not have imagined possible. If you LOVE the psychology of the faith journey explained—here’s ...
Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!Hey, amazing Friday subscribers! You have questions? Val has responses! For the next few Fridays (and other Fridays in the future) she’ll be answering YOUR questions. This episode’s questions and discussion points:- What is the hardest part of your work?- I'm about to file for divorce and I am so scared of all the unknowns.- What podcasts do you love?**More sensitive or more psychologically advanced themes are saved for paid Friday episode...
Send us a Positive Review!Join Val and colleague Dr. Julie Hanks as they dive into the topic of differentiation and how being differentiated is the key to our making healthy choices related to our relationship with the church. This episode is a wonderful “teaser” for those who want to jump into their FINAL 4-week Q&A session, focused on supporting those people perplexed about how to relate to the LDS Church. This session will not only include a Q&A but also include instructi...
Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!Hey, amazing Friday subscribers! You have questions? Val has responses! For the next few Fridays (and other Fridays in the future) she’ll be answering YOUR questions. This episode's questions: - How do I support a full-time missionary child when I'm struggling with some of the church's teachings? - How do I talk to my heartbroken father about my faith journey?- What is your exact education and background?**More sensitive or more ...
Send us a Positive Review!A couple of months ago Valerie was invited by the Faith Matters Podcast to speak about one of the toughest topics they’ve ever covered—how to navigate the faith journey of a loved one when that faith journey seems to be costing a marriage or family eternal life together with that loved one. When that episode dropped, both the Latter Day Struggles and the Faith Matters platforms were flooded with messages of gratitude from people grateful that important conversat...
Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!Hey, amazing Friday subscribers! You have questions? Val has responses! For the next few Fridays (and other Fridays in the future) she’ll be answering YOUR questions. This episode’s questions:- What are your thoughts about Gods controlling things and letting bad things happen to us? - How can I best support my significant other who feels he has lost all footing in or with the church? - What are the most life changing books you ha...
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 w...
Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!In this final, exclusive episode of a four-part series on Plato's “Allegory of the Cave”, Val and Nathan get more personal about how this allegory resonates with their own experiences. They share their thoughts on how spiritual development rooted in fear can hinder us from reaching true selfhood. They talk about some of the catalysts and “small fires” that ignited their own journeys toward enlightenment, and the complex, sacred, and sometimes l...
Send us a Positive Review!In this third installment of a four-part series on Plato's “Allegory of the Cave”, 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...
Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!In part two (of this four part series), Valerie and Nathan continue to explore Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” and the gradual steps in moving from distortion and darkness to enlightenment. They break down the individual elements described in the allegory, what they symbolize , and how these elements distort reality and hold us back from finding truth. They talk about why this process must be self driven, and while it may be terrifying, it...
Send us a Positive Review!What could Plato and "The Matrix" possibly have in common??In episode one (of this four part series), Val and Nathan discuss themes that echo throughout ancient philosophy and modern day society. They begin this series by introducing Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” and the symbolism throughout one man’s journey from darkness to light. Drawing parallels between Plato’s allegory and pop culture, (including movies and TV shows), Valerie and Nathan discuss universal truth...
Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!In this Advanced Content *Exclusive* and final episode of this series focused on better understanding the crucial importance of psychological (vertical) development within the context of the LDS church, Valerie and colleague Ryan Gottfredson apply all of the concepts tackled thus far in the the series to the potential of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were vertical development valued at every level of the church. Ryan emp...
Send us a Positive Review!In part three [of a four-part series] 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 s...
Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!Welcome to part II (of a four-part series) where Valerie and guest author and scholar Ryan Gottfredson dive deeper into how a focus on human psychological development can help individuals and organizations thrive. They discuss the progression of mind development from hyper-dependence (mind 1.0) to hyper-independence (mind 2.0), emphasizing the need for a healthier balance and the importance of reaching mind 3.0 (interdependence). A k...
Send us a Positive Review!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 tacklin...
Subscriber-only episodeSend us a Positive Review!In this episode, Valerie and Nathan continue making sense of the struggle that many faith-expanding LDS (and surrounding) people have regarding past and present spiritual experiences. Sharing personal experiences of their own faith journeys, they open up about how their relationship to spiritual impressions, prayer, and personal revelation has moved from isolated experiences to more of an acknowledgement of ongoing divine connection. The episod...
Send us a Positive Review!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 ...
Bonnie Morey
Episode 203-206 = Our lived experience as parents! We're so glad you have illuminated this subject. Although my husband and I have moved out of orthodoxy, it has taken years to heal relationships with our children who disaffiliated as teens and young adults. Thank you for sharing these insights. I hope many more parents will listen to these very valuable episodes!
Bonnie Morey
Episode 203-206 = Our lived experience as parents! We're so glad you have illuminated this subject. Although my husband and I have moved out of orthodoxy, it has taken years to heal relationships with our children who disaffiliated as teens and young adults. Thank you for sharing these insights. I hope many more parents will listen to these very valuable episodes!
Bonnie Morey
Really awesome episode! Exactly what I needed this week. ❤️ Love the subscription podcast, too, which includes episode 200, the next in this series. Thank you both so much!
Bonnie Morey
Really awesome episode! Exactly what I needed this week. ❤️
Bonnie Morey
Very helpful episode to help highlight the disturbing harms of patriarchy.