Latter Day Struggles

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Series Title: Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church & What We Can Learn from Them [Part II of III]
In this fascinating episode, guest author Jeff Strong & Valerie tackle several key points that Jeff courageously and gently addresses in his bestselling book Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church & What We can Learn from Them.
Today, Jeff & Val lay out several culture issues that are pressuring the need for churches to adapt-not because people are becoming less and less "spiritual"...but because evolution is an upward spiral and human beings entering new stages of faith development have different needs. If these needs are not acknowledged; or if they are vilified, shamed, or pathologized- they will go away. We are seeing this at record rates in the LDS church. 
Listen in as Jeff and Valerie clarify not only why so many lifelong multi-generational Latter Day Saints are leaving--but also share how spiritual growth/ differientiation & community belonging need not be mutually exclusive.
Jeff's book Torn linked HERE
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Book Setup
01:38 Recap and Survey Numbers
03:13 Seeing and Humility
10:12 Culture as Soil Metaphor
15:44 Acceptance and Faith Stages
25:19 Fear to Hope and Growth
29:18 Four Storms Shaping Belief
37:19 Culture Change and Margins
45:44 Diversity and Balanced Energy
51:05 Next Episode Preview and Closing
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Series Title: Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church & What We Can Learn from Them [Part 1 of 3]
In this three part series, Valerie is joined by Jeff Strong- friend, colleague, and author of the best-selling book Torn: Why People We Love are Leaving the Church & What We Can Learn from Them. In this opening episode, Jeff shares his personal experience as an LDS bishop and father at a crisis point in time when his missionary son disclosed that he was coming home and leaving the LDS church. 
In this moment, Jeff felt that everything was falling apart & in his own valley of the shadow, he could not meet his son where he was in his own valley of the shadow. The following 13 years comprising hundreds of interviews with disaffiliating Latter-day Saints & heartfelt soul-searching about the true meaning of faith culminates in this book: a Love Letter to the Devout Latter-day Saint who has a loved one who has left the faith. 
Please listen to this series & consider reading than then gifting Jeff's book to one of your loved ones who does not understand your spiritual journey. Together we can heal our community and build bridges of understanding & belonging. no matter where we are on the spectrum of faith.
Jeff's book Torn linked HERE.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
02:07 Why Jeff Wrote Torn
02:56 Faith Crisis Sparks Research
06:16 Years of Writing and Rewrites
07:32 Who the Book Is For
11:07 Upstream vs Downstream Trauma
13:48 A Devout Reader’s Reaction
17:06 Mixed Faith Marriage Pain Point
20:24 Disaffiliation Numbers and Studies
28:36 Counter Narratives on Growth
29:52 Growth vs Activity Metrics
32:07 Convert Baptisms and Disaffiliation
33:04 Two Truths in Church Life
35:59 Four Waves Overview
38:11 Why Waves Feel Sequential
40:50 Upstream vs Downstream Pushback
43:54 Stages of Faith Transition
47:37 Belonging Over Belief
51:31 Success Stories of Inclusion
55:58 Bar Mitzvah Closing Story
58:27 Wrap Up and Next Episode
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In this episode, Valerie & colleague Jana Spangler are guests on Dan Wotherspoon's Latter Day Faith podcast where they talk about a little known version of the human shadow.  
Many of us know about the 'classic shadow'...you know...parts of ourselves that we are ashamed of and seek to hide.  What about parts of ourselves that we also hide...even though they are our our strengths, our superpowers and even manifestations of our unique spiritual gifts & attributes?  
Listen in as Dan, Jana, and Valerie discuss why people in general tend to have and hide  "golden shadows" and as they explore some reasons why the LDS population might manifest unique "golden shadows" as a consequence of LDS theology and tradition.
Timestamps:
00:00 Meet the Hosts
00:48 Where to Find Val
01:24 Jana’s Coaching Work
02:18 Shadow Work Basics
03:44 What Is Golden Shadow
04:58 Projection and Admiration
07:15 Fear of Your Light
10:09 Sacred Examples of Calling
13:12 Spotting Golden Shadow
18:43 Therapy Approach and Safety
21:41 Patriarchy and Buried Identity
29:25 Grief Forgiveness and Family
31:56 Grieving Without Confronting
32:51 Shame and the Not Me Boundary
35:50 Holding Complexity With Kids
37:07 Critical Thinking Both And
38:33 Mormon Theology and Sin Scripts
46:55 Inner Work and Quiet Practices
52:55 Golden Shadow and Authority
59:33 Reclaiming Discernment and Closing
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Stories of Healing: Live Event July 30th in SLC
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Series Title: "Latter Day Missionaries": A Mental Health Resource for LDS Missionaries & their Families [Part II of II]
In this episode Dr. Bryson Ensign joins Valerie again to unpack OCD & scrupulosity in the LDS mission field. This episode first explores how Dr. Bryson covers OCD/scrupulosity in his "Mental Health Training Center". It also explores how this resource could be lifesaving tool for the missionary as well as a crucial resource for the parents of full-time missionaries concerned about their child's wellbeing and not knowing how to help when their child is far away and struggling with various mental healthy issues.
Find additional information on Dr. Ensign's program HERE.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome Back Intro
00:44 Why Missions Get Complicated
03:11 Mental Health Training Center Overview
07:00 Why Missionaries Are Vulnerable
10:15 Parents Need Support Too
15:52 Steady Parenting Skills
20:39 Pivot to OCD Scrupulosity
23:42 How Each Lesson Works
30:32 Bryson Mission Story
35:04 When Scrupulosity Gets Reinforced
38:21 Healthy vs Unhealthy Faith
39:52 Parents Spot the Signs
42:43 Accountability Partner Plan
44:32 Lesson Flow Overview
45:38 OCD Basics Explained
49:16 Scrupulosity on a Mission
55:23 Why Missions Trigger It
58:51 Three Practical Tools
01:04:30 Where to Get Help
01:07:38 Specialized OCD Treatment
01:09:51 Final Thanks and Wrap
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Stories of Healing: Live Event July 30th in SLC
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Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES
Friday Episodes Annual Access $89
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Series Title: "Latter Day Missionaries": A Mental Health Resource for LDS Missionaries & their Families [Part I of II]
Do you know anyone who experienced issues with anxiety, depression, homesickness, getting along with that annoying companion, or struggles with shame and perfectionism on their LDS mission? Was that you? Your child? If you have been touched in any way with the LDS mission experience and would like a resource that is worth its weight in gold, this series is for you. 
In today's episode you will meet Dr. Bryson Ensign, a former LDS missionary and psychiatrist in training who has dedicated countless hours creating a resource that he wishes he had on his own mission. As a devoted listener to the Latter Day Struggles podcast, Bryson shares a passion with Valerie to help those in and around the LDS faith with issues of mental well being that are often not understood (and therefore not addressed ) at the institutional level. 
This episode shares his vision, sense of call, and an overview of his program. The next episode walks you through an entire segment of his curriculum (dealing with scrupulosity on the LDS mission). Enjoy!
Find additional information on Dr. Ensign's program HERE.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 
02:48 Bryson's Background and Faith 
07:24 Why Mission Mental Health 
10:56 Program Overview: Latter Day Missionaries 
16:01 Mental Health Training Center 
20:36 Lesson Topics and Tools 
28:19 Designed for Every Faith Stage 
33:13 Holding Complexity: Obedience, Shame, and Mental Health 
36:13 Systemic Challenges and Early Returns 
40:30 Real Stories: Missionaries Suffering in Silence 
46:10 The Church, Mental Health, and Cultural Change 
51:16 Personal Call and Inspiration 
57:52 Next Episode: Scrupulosity Preview 
01:00:00 Closing and Resources
Support the show
Stories of Healing: Live Event July 30th in SLC
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