Latter Day Struggles

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Series Title: An Exploration of the Idea of "Normal" within the LDS Church [Part II of II] 
In this episode Val breaks down a couple of concepts that are NEVER talked about--the difference between "normal" in a family, church, or any collective and what is "normative" in that same group.  NORMAL = "what we do around here that keeps things stable", whereas NORMATIVE = what is developmentally on track to help a person thrive?
When these two concepts clash--yikes.  And when your "normative" growth isn't understood, you DO look very "abnormal"...and maybe even sinful, rebellious, prideful, and lost.  Listen in to have your mind blown a little today! 

Timestamps:
00:00 Unexpected Episode Setup
00:50 Guesting on Pioneer Paradox
02:17 Myth of Normal in Mormonism
03:07 Defining Normal
06:30 Defining Normative
09:09 When Normal Isn’t Healthy
11:52 LDS Culture of Conformity
13:42 Markers of Mormon Normal
19:08 Labels for Nonconformists
23:30 Faith Journey as Growth
26:08 Normative Developmental Shifts
31:05 Reconstruction and Inner Authority
34:04 Closing Encouragement
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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 within the LDS faith that seem normal until one squints and realizes that maybe they are common but definitely not 'normal'.  Listen in as they walk through four common phenomenon within Mormondom that may be common ways to view the world but are not necessarily 'normal'.  
Timestamps: 
00:00 Welcome and Italy Trip
03:14 Myth of Normal Setup
06:23 Nature and Feminine Flow
08:40 Scouting and Rites of Passage
13:29 Canoe Covenant Story
18:30 Rituals as Meaning
20:59 Finding Your Inner Voice
24:26 Normal vs Normative
28:32 Boundaries and Growth
32:15 Certainty Sets Up Doubt
35:29 Exclusivity Blocks Wisdom
39:54 Parenting Critical Awareness
44:52 Mixed Faith Family Pain
50:29 Tribal Narratives Outsiders
56:30 Choose People Over Church
01:00:34 Decouple God From Church
01:04:42 Closing Thanks And Farewell
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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 church get the resources they need.  In the episode Mark's passion to help others is fueled by the memory of being a young man with questions and nowhere to take them and no community to normalize (or even celebrate) his growth.  
Those who do not have resources or a supportive community while on the LDS faith journey often suffer from mental health issues, relationship distress, isolation, and shame.  Learn how to be a part of a movement that makes sure that NO ONE experiences their most vulnerable spiritual awakening moments alone and concurrently supports professionals who have devoted their careers to creating communities of healing for the Latter-day Saint seeker.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 
01:43 Mark’s Faith Journey Origins 
04:00 Why Faith Journey Foundation Exists 
05:22 Susan Hinkley and Related Projects
06:11 Valerie on Normalizing Faith Growth 
10:20 Finding Neutral Support Beyond Church Systems 
15:40 Faith Crisis as Identity Formation 
18:59 How Valerie and Mark Met 
19:18 Valerie's Origin Story with Latter Day Struggles
23:20 The Miracle of Finding Faith Journey Foundation
26:52 Scholarships and How to Get Help 
30:54 Funding Model and Supported Projects 
35:20 Sustainable Care and Paying Professionals 
37:01 Other Communities and Projects FJF Supports
38:28 Valerie on Criticism of Paid Faith Work
40:14 Compassion Doesn't Mean Free Labor
44:14 Closing Invitation and Final Thoughts
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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 things 'click' into place as you take in this 'audiobook'! Please let us know what is happening within you as you transcend and include Mormonism one series at a time! 
As a bonus drop, we have prepared one of our favorite series titled, "Community Healing: How our Greatest Wounds & our Greatest Healing Happens through Human Relationship" for you!  Enjoy this deep dive.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Reset 
10:32 Faith Crisis Isolation 
16:00 Shunning and Going Underground 
27:53 Finding Support Groups 
36:38 Quotes on Group Healing 
48:56 Trust the Healing Process 
56:17 Roadmap Out of Chaos 
01:01:19 Witnessed Healing in Relationship 
01:13:25 Beyond All In or Out 
01:21:22 Curriculum True Self to Rebirth 
01:27:37 Relationships and Patriarchy Work 
01:35:08 Hope Through Community 
01:42:07 Introducing the True Self 
01:59:37 Gnostics and Inner Authority 
02:16:18 Love Over Fear 
02:26:10 Sharing True Self Statements 
02:45:22 Grief and Identity Shift 
02:56:20 Writing the True Self Statement 
03:03:02 Love Based Spiritual Growth 
03:16:25 A Healthier Faith Relationship 
03:23:23 Men Patriarchy and Identity 
03:31:52 Reclaiming the Core Self 
03:39:51 True Self Statement Practice 
03:44:26 Welcome to Eden Poem 
03:54:16 Community Stories Begin 
 04:11:37 Community and Belonging 
04:46:17 Seeing Pain Not Ideas
04:53:18 Final Invitation to Heal
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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 share the outcome of their exploration of this odd move.  
Upon deeper reflection, the move seems less about worries about slippery slopes towards sexual iniquity and possibly more about preserving another kind of slippery slope--the one that disrupts what some feel is the "natural order of the universe".  If a female formally presides over a male in one realm of the LDS church, what could this possibly lead to?  
Listen in as we propose that moves of this nature is proof that ultimately an all male priesthood must be surrendered...even if excruciatingly slowly...if the LDS church is going to survive in the long run.  
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Context 
02:09 Reading the New Policy 
02:46 First Reactions and Jokes 
04:54 Why Mixed Gender Feels Weird 
5:51 Relief Society President and Bishop — Mixed Gender Already Exists
08:21 Loyalist Perspective Brainstorm 
09:32 Women Under Men in Leadership 
11:09 Nathan's BYU Co-Mission Leader Experience
13:33 Men Under Women and Shame 
15:53 Two Existential Questions the Church Dodged
17:14 Presiding and Priesthood Questions 
19:13 Can Women Practice Revelation Without Male Approval?
22:49 Priesthood as Human Construct — "All or None of Us Have It"
25:12 Keys vs Duties Explained 
28:12 Baptism Witnesses — A Case Study in Power Shifts
29:47 Power and Control Creep 
32:39 Family Proclamation Implications 
35:23 Women Leading Faith Journeys at Home
37:38 Joseph Smith Gave Women Blessings — Then They Were Taken Back
39:25 What Reforms Might Come Next 
44:21 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

Support the show
Support the show
Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES
Friday Episodes Annual Access $89
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Valerie’s Support & Processing Groups
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Visit our Website