Latter Day Struggles

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Series Title: Straight Talk on Patriarchy and Harm [Part II of II]
In this episode Val & Nathan lay out a several reasons why they feel that the LDS church is not able to address the strong correlation between its patriarchal structure, s*xual abuse & s*xual abuse under-reporting. The foundation of this struggle is a refusal to question the divinity of patriarchy...which leads to the patterns outlined in this episode. 
Please note--episodes of this nature are intended to be "hard on system, soft on people." Val & Nathan maintain that no person is actively trying to harm others--but harm is the inevitable outcome of structures that will not confront their own shadows.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome 
00:16 Recap of Previous Episode 
01:00 Nathan's Faith Journey and Institutional Critique 
02:43 The Harm of Institutional Patriarchy 
05:11 Centralized Authority and Its Consequences 
07:38 Theological Justifications and Their Flaws 
11:45 The "Ship vs. People" Metaphor 
15:20 Patriarchy in the Book of Jacob 
17:38 Patterns of Abuse and Institutional Response 
21:15 Science vs. Religion: Reconciling Evidence 
25:30 Handling Abuse Internally 
30:41 Legal Counsel and Institutional Protection 
35:32 Credibility Issues and Reporting Abuse 
38:45 Women Reporting to Women: Limitations 
41:24 Conclusion and Call for Change
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In this episode I respond to your requests to explore the March 2026 Church news release announcing that women can now serve in ward Sunday School presidencies, and how this is linked to stages of psychological/faith development.
Please share this episode if it resonates! Link to the church's announcement can be found HERE.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and context
01:21 Gratitude and reflection
03:58 Reading the news release
07:52 What we will cover
09:04 Big picture framing
11:43 Liminal perspective reactions
16:59 Loyalist perspective reactions
19:58 Faith development stages
24:08 Leadership tension and paths
27:01 Beyond black and white
28:14 Real Reform Or Optics
29:05 Why Change Is Slow
31:10 Gradualism Explained
32:55 Lincoln And Strategy
37:37 Applying Gradualism Today
39:36 Women Priesthood Forecast
41:08 Near Enemy Concept
45:43 Near Enemy In Practice
48:41 Divine Authority Corner
52:11 Continuing Revelation Tension
56:17 Community And Next Steps
58:25 Closing Reflections
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Series Title: Straight Talk on Patriarchy and Harm [Part I of II] 
In this episode I read to you a shocking and brilliant article that I wish every Latter-day Saint can hear. This is a tough topic but one where reform will not touch until we start looking it in the eye. Please listen and share this article. Thank you to the Dialogue Foundation and to the author Suzanne E. Greco, whose trailblazing work may eventually be instrumental in preventing countless LDS women and girls from future harm. 
She wrote the article. I read the article. Please do your part and share the article (via the podcast or linked HERE!)
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Context
00:26 Upcoming Episode Preview 
03:31 Reading the Article: Confronting Men's Violence 
05:26 Author's Background and Article Introduction 
06:26 Article Reading: Violence Against Women in LDS Church 
11:11 Personal Story of Abuse 
14:56 Credibility Issues and External Validation 
19:59 Global Perspective on Violence Against Women 
25:38 Utah Statistics and Under-Reporting 
28:38 Male Ecclesiastical Leaders as First Responders 
32:38 Challenges and Solutions 
33:18 Solution One: Legal Changes and Clergy-Penitent Laws 
38:31 High-Profile Cases and Institutional Betrayal 
42:58 Solution Two: Women's Ministry and Male Protection Racket 
46:23 Solution Three: Training and Education 
48:23 DARVO Tactics and Victim-Perpetrator Dynamics 
52:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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One thing that Val is always juggling is how to do it all and maintain her sense of humor, high commitment to play, and overall sanity.  She loves running the podcast, the groups, and squeezes work with amazing LDS faith-journeying individuals and couples between the cracks (which is a highlight of her week!) 

Fitting it all in can become tricky, which is why she has been looking for the 'just right' person to help with individuals & couples in Utah looking for a mental health worker with the stamp of approval from Val at Latter Day Struggles. 
In today's episode you will meet Heather Sundahl, the newest member of Valerie's Latter Day Struggles team.  Heather is a licensed mental health worker, a resident of Utah and strongly endorsed by Valerie as someone you can trust on your faith expansion journey.   If you loved their laughter, tears (mostly Val!) and banter, you'll love knowing that Heather plans to come on a few times a year to tackle tough topics with Val relevant to your healing and growth.  Jump over to latterdaystruggles.com if you're from Utah and want to work with Heather.  
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome And Guest Intro
01:01 Heather Background And Mentors
04:07 Early LDS Gender Messages
07:03 BYU Awakening Moment
09:58 Storytelling And Exponent Two
12:27 Becoming A Therapist
14:23 Healing Through Narrative
17:42 Owning Faith Narratives
19:18 Eve And Going Off Script
21:35 Life Beyond The Script
25:47 Navigating Church Tensions
26:57 Community Over Purity
28:05 Permission to Be Honest
29:05 Jesus as the Anchor
29:23 Self Care for LDS Women
31:24 Beyond Constant Sacrifice
33:51 Therapy Approach and Boundaries
35:33 Staying or Leaving the Church
39:02 Trusting Your Inner Compass
43:43 Faith Journeys and Belonging
49:08 Honoring Mormon Identity
51:14 Closing Vision and Next Steps
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We've heard it a thousand times...and probably have said it a few times ourselves.  "The ________will never change."  You fill in the blank..."The world will never change" or "the church will never change"...and yet they do.  
How does evolution actually happen?  This "bonus episode" is a download that Val had over the weekend after asking herself why she was doing this platform.  The answer to her question is what you will hear in this episode.  In short, the only way anything ever changes is when a small group of people gather and use their synergy to productively heal themselves and thoughtfully agitate for change in their worlds.  Its how it has always been and always will be.  
Listen in and decide if you are someone who wants to be a part of the change that is already underway in our world right now.  
"We Shall Be Known" by MaMuse
Timestamps:
00:00 Bonus Episode Check In
00:32 Existential Questions
02:01 Live Fellowship Vision
03:56 Awakening Or Breakdown
05:54 Labor Pains of New Consciousness
07:05 Thesis Antithesis Synthesis
09:51 Seekers As Change Agents
11:19 Why Side Communities Matter
12:48 Community for Healing and Growth
14:53 Early Church Example
20:02 Feminine Divine and Equality
21:35 Institutions Retrench
26:08 Laboratories of Expanding Consciousness
30:07 Transformation In Groups
34:51 Who This Is For
36:16 Needs The Fellowship Meets
42:45 How Live Fellowship Works
48:40 Founding Group Details
53:36 Song And Great Turning
58:07 Enrollment And Scholarships
01:00:14 Closing Thanks

Support the show
Support 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