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Latter Day Struggles

Valerie Hamaker
LDS Church
Mental Health
Patriarchy
LDS Faith
Faith Crisis
Spiritual Growth
Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints
Faith Journey
Latter Day Saints
Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints
Family Dynamics
Psychological Maturity
LDS Community
Feminine Divine
Spirituality
Anxiety
Mormonism
Sacrament
Love
Plato's Allegory Of the Cave

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes330Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthHealth & FitnessReligion & SpiritualitySpirituality

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Artwork for Latter Day Struggles

Latest Episodes

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In this priceless short series, Val & Carol Lynn delve into Carol Lynn's deepest passion: feminism.  Listen is as she delights us with stories about her unforgettable one-woman play "Mother Wove the Morning" and even moves... more

Send us a Positive Review!

In honor of our very beloved Carol Lynn Pearson (a bold, sassy woman and the dearest of mentors to me) I wanted to share this beautiful two-part conversation that we had early in the podcast. Listen in and take in what tru... more

Send us a Positive Review!

Join Val as her audience while she does a final run through on a topic that has come to be a passion project for her on Latter Day Struggles.  In short, what can we do as faith-expanding people in and around the LDS church... more

Send us a Positive Review!

Have you ever done something for the first time and feel that pit in your stomach as it approaches?  Well, here at Latter Day Struggles, pretty much EVERYTHING  that we do is a first!  And it always brings that insecure "w... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Valerie Hemmaker
Therapist/coach focusing on faith transition and relationships
Symmetry Counseling
Episode: 447: Why We Stay Small & Hide our Greatest Strengths from the World
Bryson Ensign
Psychiatrist with focus on missionary mental health
Latter Day Missionaries / Mental Health Training Center
Episode: 443: Addressing Real Mental Health Needs for the Full-time LDS Missionary
Nathan Hammacher
Guest discussing theological development and transformation in Christianity
Episode: 441: The Politics of Jesus: Not Subtle, Not Silent, Not Neutral
Will Navigate
Founder of an all-male book club; guest on the episode
Unspecified
Episode: 425: When LDS "Normal" isn't very Normal
Mark Crego
Founder of Faith Journey Foundation and guest on the show
Faith Journey Foundation
Episode: 423: If the Ensign Peak Fund isn't Your Donation Destination of Choice...
Heather Sundahl
Clinical mental health worker and therapist featured on the show, previously discussed Exponent 2 and Mormon feminism
Independent therapist; formerly Exponent 2 contributor
Episode: 415: Presenting our Utah-Based Latter Day Struggles Faith Expansion Specialist
Jana Riess
Researcher on LDS demographics and religion in media
Researcher / Author
Episode: 413: Complexity of Clark Gilbert Call to the Q12
Jason Bergman
Former BYU faculty member
Academia / Education
Episode: 413: Complexity of Clark Gilbert Call to the Q12
Jeff Strong
A researcher focused on understanding the experiences of members in the LDS faith
Episode: 395: We Need to Stop Calling Growth a Sin in the LDS Church

Hosts

Valerie Hamaker
Host of the show, introduces guests and guides discussion; focuses on faith transitions, psychological safety, and spiritual growth within LDS contexts.
Nathan Hammacher
Co-host contributing theological and transformational perspectives; specializes in faith development and critique of institutional power structures.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Can’t recommend this enough!!

    So needed today in life in general and especially in our faith. So glad I started poking around and found you!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    94nole…somewhere in Middle TN
    United States2 months ago
  • I can’t recommend this podcast enough to anyone in or around the LDS church

    I haven’t found another podcast that is so respectful and loving toward devoted members while also being willing to have the hard conversations and challenge black and white thinking. It creates space for nuance and growth, and it has strengthened my marriage by giving my husband and me so much to think about and discuss each week.

    Valerie and Nathan are thoughtful, compassionate, and incredibly genuine. They never claim to have all the answers, but they’re willing to learn, grow, and invite us... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cardell-fam
    United States2 months ago
  • Protein for My Soul

    I love this podcast so much, I backed up to episode 1 and am listening to them in order. I’ve been listening everyday for the past month. I feel that my spiritual health and strength is increasing due in large part to the thoughts and principles I’m hearing and then processing, and incorporating into my life.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    agos9707
    United States9 months ago
  • Great place to feel not alone!

    I stumbled over one of Valerie’s classes through another therapist, and I was hooked. So many of the things Valerie said in that class, spoke to my soul. Somewhere during that class, I heard she had a podcast and I knew I needed to find it. I have been binging ever since! Thank you to the Hamaker’s for the work they do and being so inclusive. Thank you for putting words to our feelings that we don’t know how to explain. We are forever grateful!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mama BD4
    United Statesa year ago
  • You have an ageism problem

    Do you really have to mention “Steve” with his white hair and his being the “Grandpa” of the group? On what day in all of our short lives are we suddenly part of the “older crowd” that you’re amazed are capable of thinking in a way that you consider “amazingly young-thinking”? In the overall scheme of things, we’re all very close to the same age. Yes, I suddenly find myself, a mother of six, a 74-year-old woman whose children are all grown and I’m eligible for Medicare and social security. So wh... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    kathysuperwoman
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Provides a trusted space for spiritual and psychological exploration.
Life-changing for many navigating faith crises.
Brave, honest critique of church dynamics with practical guidance.
Thoughtful, compassionate, and challenging—great for growth.
Honest, nuanced discussions that respect faith while asking hard questions.

Top Mental Health Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

447: Why We Stay Small & Hide our Greatest Strengths from the World
Q: Is there anything you'd like to say about, well, Val, how can everybody find you and then Jana, you as well if they want to? Why don't you go ahead and do it right now?
They discuss how to connect through Symmetry Counseling and the Latter Day Struggles channels, including their website and social handles.
445: LDS Missionary Work and OCD Scrupulosity
Q: Is OCD and scrupulosity something missionaries can address before and after their mission, or is it mainly a pre-mission training topic?
It can be addressed both before and after the mission; the Mental Health Training Center exposes missionaries to the material early, with ongoing access during the mission to reinforce recognition and management of symptoms.
BONUS EPISODE: Do you Want to Make a Difference? Join us!
Q: What is the Live Fellowship and how is it structured?
It is an open-ended, evergreen group that meets twice a month, using the podcast as a springboard for inquiry, where everyone belongs and participates in deep, philosophical conversations.
BONUS EPISODE: Tired of Feel Stuck, Angry & Alone?
Q: Am I a good fit for the groups?
If you want to reconcile your relationship with the LDS Church while processing beliefs and maintaining a personal identity, or you want to understand how you became entrenched in Mormon theology and seek a non-agenda environment, the groups are a good fit.
BONUS EPISODE: Tired of Feel Stuck, Angry & Alone?
Q: Who joins your groups?
People seeking a healthy relationship with themselves and the Church, spanning a wide range of backgrounds from devout to non-affiliated, join the groups to find peace, clarity, and ongoing community.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Latter Day Struggles

What is Latter Day Struggles about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, listener-supported show focused on Mormonism, faith transitions, mental health, and the ethics of church leadership. Discussions frequently center on shadow work, healthy doubt, differentiation from conformity, and how faith communities can grow with psychological maturity and institutional integrity. Guests range from clinicians to faith leaders, contributing practical tools for navigating spiritual crises, family dynamics, and missionary culture while advocating for empathy, critical thinking, and inclusive dialogue. The show often challenges traditional norms and emphasizes personal growth within or beyond LDS contexts, making it a potential fit for listeners seeking nuanced discussion and actionable strategies for faith jo... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Latter Day Struggles?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Latter Day Struggles:

1. At Last She Said It
2. Mormon Land
3. Faith Matters
4. Listen, Learn & Love Hosted by Richard Ostler
5. Conversations with Dr. Jennifer

How many episodes of Latter Day Struggles are there?

Latter Day Struggles launched 5 years ago and published 330 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Latter Day Struggles?

Recent guests on Latter Day Struggles include:

1. Valerie Hemmaker
2. Bryson Ensign
3. Nathan Hammacher
4. Will Navigate
5. Mark Crego
6. Heather Sundahl
7. Jana Riess
8. Jason Bergman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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