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Latter Day Struggles

Valerie Hamaker
Mental Health
LDS Church
LDS Temple Recommend
Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints
Social Justice
Faith Crisis
LDS Faith
Spiritual Growth
Mormon Fundamentalism
LDS Faith Crisis
Spiritual Healing
Religion and Spirituality
Temple Recommend Interview
LGBTQ Issues
Belief Policing
Polygamy
Purity Testing
Temple Recommend
Oath-Bound Organizations
Love and Welcoming

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes330Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthReligion & SpiritualityHealth & FitnessSpirituality

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Artwork for Latter Day Struggles

Latest Episodes

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Series Title:  An Exploration of the Idea of "Normal" within the LDS Church 

In this fun collaboration with Casey & Will of the Pioneer Paradox Podcast, Val comes on wearing her "psychologist's hat" to talk about concepts... more

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In this episode Valerie introduces you to Mark Crego, fellow Latter-day Saint seeker, whose own many-decades-long faith journey led him to create a not-for-profit organization to help those in faith crisis in the LDS churc... more

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Hey Latter Day Struggles! 

Due to your many requests—we are dropping a Latter Day Struggles series in “audiobook” format. You can enjoy the entire narrative arc in a single, uninterrupted format! Enjoy the experience as t... more

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In this follow up episode on recent LDS news that women are now allowed to serve in Sunday School presidencies, Val & Nathan pivot to the peculiar part of the announcement prohibiting no "mixed-gender" presidencies and sha... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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...
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
Former mission president and researcher
Episode: 393: Quiet Conflict: What the Research Reveals About Active LDS Members
Steve Hitz
Co-author of 'Igniting the Holy Flame' and advocate for authentic relationships in spiritual communities.
Episode: 369: Drowning in the Shallows: Fabricated Fellowship Explored
Ginger Hitz
Co-author of 'Igniting the Holy Flame', focusing on building communities of love.
Episode: 369: Drowning in the Shallows: Fabricated Fellowship Explored
Valerie Hamaker
Marriage and family counselor, host of Latter Day Struggles Podcast, and advocate for mental health in the LDS community.
Episode: 347: Public Voices: Navigating an LDS Culture of Quiet Dissent
Russ Hinkley
Husband of Susan Hinkley from At Last She Said It, and author interested in early Christian history.
Episode: 325: Why Jesus Likely Couldn't Care Less about Church Handbooks & Creeds
Kathryn Sonntag
Author of 'The Mother Tree', focusing on the Divine Feminine and personal transformation through the Tree of Life.
Episode: 321: The Feminine Divine in the Mormon Cosmos with Kathryn Sonntag & Taylor Petrey

Host

Valerie Hammaker
Host of the show coordinating with guests and leadership on faith-journey discussions.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • 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 States4 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 States8 months 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 States8 months ago
  • Talk abt talking

    Used to enjoy this podcast until

    I joined a “faith expansion group”. Now I see that her podcast and group are just a lot of platitudes talking about talking about the subject at hand. Wasted time with meditation that could’ve been had in one’s own time rather than what members paid for. Supplemental group was shaming, unguided and bashing. Valerie is aloof and doesn’t stay connected with group happenings on Marco Polo. Her group was her agenda and not client centered. Very $$$ oriented inst... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Somebody u never knew
    United States9 months ago
  • Priestcraft

    When half the episodes are hidden behind a paywall, it’s apparent what the real goal of this podcast has become.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    AGuyNamedEddie
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners value the show's compassionate, non-judgmental approach to faith crises.
The format is appreciated for frank conversations that still feel safe and inclusive.
Guests are often expert voices who illuminate psychology, theology, and personal faith journeys.

Top Mental Health Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

423: If the Ensign Peak Fund isn't Your Donation Destination of Choice...
Q: Why is it important to have scholarships and neutral professional support for people in faith crises?
Valerie and Mark discuss the need for neutral, professional help outside ecclesiastical channels, noting that such support is essential as people's spiritual journeys evolve and that scholarships remove financial barriers to access.
423: If the Ensign Peak Fund isn't Your Donation Destination of Choice...
Q: Mark, could you introduce yourself and explain what the Faith Journey Foundation is about?
Mark describes his long faith journey, explains that the Faith Journey Foundation was created to fund projects aiding people in faith development, and clarifies that the foundation acts as a funding organization supporting various initiatives rather than being tied to a single church program.
415: Presenting our Utah-Based Latter Day Struggles Faith Expansion Specialist
Q: Talk to us about your passion for creating spaces where people can make meaning of their faith journey.
Heather describes how she helps clients craft personal narratives that allow for authentic growth within Mormonism, using storytelling as a therapeutic tool to reconcile faith with individual identity and relationships.
413: Complexity of Clark Gilbert Call to the Q12
Q: Define the term culture warrior?
Culture warrior refers to someone who seeks to defend traditional doctrines and social norms, particularly in areas like gender roles, sexuality, and education, often resisting broader cultural changes.
396: UNLOCKED for All Listeners: Shifting the Focus from Abortion to Preventing Unwanted Pregnancy!
Q: What do you recommend as a solution to address the issues around unwanted pregnancies?
We need to move the conversation towards accountability for men and focus on preventing unwanted pregnancies upstream.

Audience Metrics

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

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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?

This program centers on navigating faith, psychology, and community within the LDS world, often hosting therapists, theologians, and researchers who illuminate belief systems, personal identity, and religious transition. Episodes frequently explore how to reconcile spiritual doubt with mental well-being, challenge traditional norms with empathy, and discuss church history, doctrine, and culture through a compassionate, evidence-informed lens. A notable pattern is the blend of personal storytelling with scholarly or clinical perspectives, yielding practical guidance for believers undergoing faith crises or seeking healthier relationships with themselves and their communities. The show stands out for its dual focus on deep, sometimes provocat... 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. Mormon Stories Podcast
5. Mormon.ish

How many episodes of Latter Day Struggles are there?

Latter Day Struggles launched 4 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.

How do I contact Latter Day Struggles?

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What guests have appeared on Latter Day Struggles?

Recent guests on Latter Day Struggles include:

1. Mark Crego
2. Jana Riess
3. Jason Bergman
4. Jeff Strong
5. Steve Hitz
6. Ginger Hitz
7. Valerie Hamaker
8. Russ Hinkley

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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