Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: A Two-Hundred Year Old Mirror: How the Faith Expansion Journey has Always Made Christian Leadership Sweat! [Episode I of II]In the next two Monday episodes you are going to LOVE this conversation between Valerie and her friend Casey McFarland (of @pioneerparadox) as they discuss a fascinating aspect of early Christian history that is sure to resonate with you on your own faith expansion journey. They delve into the world of early Christian Gnostics and their progressive beliefs that challenged the early church general leadership by claiming that while a church can be a useful resource in one's journey towards spiritual light and truth, God could be found within each of us and is not controlled by any other human person or institution. If you don't want to feel alone in your wrestles with institutional authority, these two episodes will hit home in every way. Also stay tuned for the end of the episode where Casey & Val make an exciting announcement that you will not want to miss! 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:11 Casey's Background and Interests03:26 Early Christian History and Book Discussion06:49 Comparing Early Christianity and Modern LDS Church11:48 The Role of Early Christian Leaders30:40 Valentina and Progressive Early Christians36:43 Ancient Philosophical Schools and Heresies37:32 The Threat of Competing Beliefs38:24 Valentina's Following and the Church's Response40:00 Gnostic Beliefs and Self-Discovery40:59 Quotes from Gnostic Texts43:13 Gnostic Christianity vs. Traditional Christianity48:23 The Concept of Maya and Moksha52:58 Stages of Faith and Compassion01:01:34 The Transforming Power of LoveSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
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373: What Caterpillars Can Teach us about Blind Conformity
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: An Exploration of ‘Fabricated Fellowship’ & ‘Harmful Religiosity’ on the Path Towards Healing Spiritual Community [Part IV of IV]Join Valerie and her special guests, Steve and Ginger Hitz, in the final episode of a profound four-part series focused on the crucial role that community can play in fostering environments of growth and spiritual flourishing. In this episode one focus is on the harms of blind conformity and the importance of learning to trust ourselves in the pursue light, truth, and love. Remember: spiritual community can be a helpful re-'source'. it is not the foundation of one's connection with THE Source.Tune in to hear practical advice on fostering meaningful connections within and beyond traditional church settings, and discover the power of embracing your spiritual journey with intent and authenticity.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:27 Overview of the Series and Book01:49 Barriers to Authentic Fellowship04:20 The Parable of the Caterpillars07:20 Breaking Free from Conformity09:35 Personal Stories and Reflections12:48 Creating Authentic Connections18:03 Managing Tension and Spiritual Growth25:54 Family Mantra and Community Support36:24 Closing Thoughts and EncouragementSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
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371: To Find Divinity, Look No Further than the Mirror
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: An Exploration of ‘Fabricated Fellowship’ & ‘Harmful Religiosity’ on the Path Towards Healing Spiritual Community [Part III of IV]In this thought-provoking episode, Valerie and guests Ginger and Steve continue to delve into discuss their book, 'Igniting the Holy Flame.' In this episode the topic turns to a core principle key community spiritual healing. Paradoxically, the more each individual in a community is trusted to find God within, the more they bring this True Self to their communities around them. Healthy souls create healthy communities. This episode delves deeply into the importance of finding one’s true inner self, the impact of meditation on spiritual growth, and how to navigate the tension between individual faith journeys and traditional religious expectations.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Series Overview00:30 Recap of Previous Episodes01:29 Today's Topic: The True Self02:12 Guest Introductions and Personal Reflections02:37 Challenges in Religious Communities03:38 Reading from 'Igniting the Holy Flame'05:08 Discussion on True Self and Spiritual Growth06:31 Meditation and Personal Practices15:47 The Role of Patriarchy in Religious Systems19:28 Managing Tensions and Personal Authority21:38 Celebrating Individual Faith Journeys37:09 Closing Thoughts and Summary39:15 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview40:49 Final Remarks and Listener SupportSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
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369: Drowning in the Shallows: Fabricated Fellowship Explored
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: An Exploration of ‘Fabricated Fellowship’ & ‘Harmful Religiosity’ on the Path Towards Healing Spiritual Community [Part II of IV]In this second episode (of a four-part Monday series), Valerie dives deeper with Steve and Ginger Hitz, authors of 'Igniting the Holy Flame.'The conversation centers on the barriers to spiritual thriving in church communities, specifically the concepts of 'fabricated fellowship' and 'harmful religiosity' complete with an exploration and examples of both concepts.The discussion underscores the importance of individual spiritual discernment and highlights the journey towards creating more inclusive and love-centered religious communities. As usual, Latter Day Struggles strives to invite candid conversations that have the power to bring growth, healing, and spiritual awakening to every listener as they move about in all of their communities, 'religious' and otherwise.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Series Overview01:17 Defining True Fellowship01:56 Personal Stories of Fellowship03:44 Challenges in Fellowship10:32 Fabricated Fellowship17:56 Harmful Religiosity20:35 Grace vs. Legalism36:47 Customs and Spiritual Growth44:38 Conclusion and Next StepsSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
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367: Faith on Fire: A Family’s Tragedy Becomes a Faith System’s Invitation to Awaken
Send us a Positive Review!Series Title: An Exploration of ‘Fabricated Fellowship’ & ‘Harmful Religiosity’ on the Path Towards Healing Spiritual Community [Part I of IV]As Richard Rohr has often said, "It is through great love and great suffering" that the soul grows the most rapidly and the most durably. In this four-part series (every MONDAY for the next four weeks!) fall in love with Steve and Ginger Hitz, co-authors of 'Igniting the Holy Flame: Building Communities of Love from the Ashes of Negative Religious Culture,' a book inspired by the tragic loss of their son, whose suffering was amplified by a church culture that could not meet him where he was.This book and this podcast series is a plea for further awakening around aspects of church communities that set about to help but instead inadvertently do harm through concepts like 'fabricated fellowship' and 'harmful religiosity'. In this series you will hear both candid conversation about the pain points of faith communities and how to heal, grow, and create peace both within ourselves and within our communities.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:22 Meet Steve and Ginger: A Journey of Love and Faith06:21 The Faith Journey and Spiritual Community09:37 Skyler's Story: A Catalyst for Change15:55 Interfaith Work and Universal Love18:01 Revelation and Healing After Loss25:08 Overview of 'Igniting the Holy Flame'31:58 Closing Thoughts and Future EpisodesSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website
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.
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