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Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy & its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part VIII of X]

Join Val & Nathan as they respectfully lean into specific risk factors associated with formalized patriarchal religious institutions (including the LDS church) & how these vulnerabilities play out in very real ways.  They also explore how our children can eventually become safer as their caregivers become educated & reach a critical mass of light & knowledge about the harmful (even if unintended) consequences to many children raised within patriarchal homes & churches. 

**Please note, Val & Nathan are not implying that child abuse & violence are *inevitable* when their families and churches are patriarchal. They are simply unpacking all of the heavily researched data pointing to heightened risk factors associated with patriarchy and violence/abuse. Please, let us learn from the ample data & protect our children.

Referenced in this Episode: 

Associated Press: Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happen

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Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy & its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part VIIof X]

In today's episode, Val & Nathan walk through the layered risk factors around spousal violence/abuse that married couples are exposed to when belonging to a formalized institutional patriarchal church. Reinforcement of male authority, inadequately trained clergy offering counseling services, isolation from external oversight/support, and tendencies to protect the male abusers (esp those with leadership callings) are all discussed. They also make recommendations for inviting a safer/healthier marriage theology and climate that will contribute to individual & marital flourishing. 

**Please note, Val & Nathan are not implying that abuse & violence are *inevitable* when couples hold a patriarchal worldview or belong to a formalized patriarchal religious institution--they are simply unpacking all of the heavily researched data pointing to heightened risk factors associated with patriarchy and violence/abuse.

Referenced in this Episode: 

Associated Press - Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happen

Bell Hooks - The Will to Change; Men, Masculinity and Love 

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Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy & its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part V of X]

In this episode Val & Nathan walk through a series of other very common communities where men-on-men violence is normalized--culminating in a discussion that shows clearly that it is not a coincidence that patriarchal structures enforce strict rules on both women & LGBTQ+ people for the same underlying reason. 

They will walk you through the "rules" and consequences imposed on sexual/gender non-conforming people and how deeply embedded systemic patriarchies use God to justify all kinds of violence & abuse directed at those not willing to acknowledge this man-made system of domination.  

Referenced in This Episode: 

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion - Gregory Boyle

Podcast: Breaking Down Patriarchy- Episode 37: How to be an Anti-Patriarchist with Levi Murray 

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Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy & its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part III of X]

In this jaw-dropping episode (at least it was jaw-dropping for Val & Nath to prepare and produce) Val & Nathan talk about the "Female Fear Factory" which is a phrase intended to communicate the implicit rules that girls and women worldwide are taught to follow in order to be safe in this world where patriarchy is treated as a "given" that must be managed and obeyed. 

If you care about the spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing of yourself, your loved ones (of all genders) and your community at large--this series is a crucial masterclass. 

Referenced in this Episode: 

The Female Fear Factory; Unravelling Patriarchy's Cultures of Violence -  Pumla Dineo Gqola

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Series Title: In-depth Exploration of Patriarchy and its Correlation to Violence & Abuse [Part I of X]

In this opening episode of this incredibly important series, Val & Nathan offer an overview of what is to come in the episodes that follow. This series has been a labor of love for this couple who care deeply about their Latter-day Saint and surrounding loved ones and want to spread the word far and wide that all patriarchy is harmful but we live in day and age where institutional patriarchy MUST be lovingly challenged for the welfare of every single human being. 

Patriarchy is tightly correlated to actual violence and abuse. If nothing else convinces you that reform is needed...maybe this will give you pause.

Mentioned in this Episode: 

Podcast: Breaking Down Patriarchy- Episode 37: How to be an Anti-Patriarchist with Levi Murray 

Podcast: The Foyer- Season 3 Episode 3 Women's Equality: It Absolutely Matters 

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Series Title: Living in a World of Hypernormalization [Part I of II]

In this episode Val shares an update about how she is processing the recent events of her and Nathan's forced resignation in the face of excommunication by looking at this both as a personal issue for them but also plays with the idea that they are playing a symbolic role in a much larger narrative that is unfolding and colliding in both conservative Christian AND conservative political spaces and is gaining steam due to the concept of HYPERNORMALIZATION: a social phenomenon where cultural collectives know that things are very wrong but pretend that all is well.  

Friday's episode dives into how HYPERNORMALIZATION might explain much that is going on in our own heritage tradition and why those who do not participate in the "rules of hypernormalization" (by acknowledging issues exist) are punished.  

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Series Title: The 21st Century LDS Church's Ongoing Struggle to Respond to the Realities of Faith & Trust Crisis [Part I of II]

Join Val and friend, colleague and returned guest, Dr. Greg Prince as they talk about Greg's involvement in the profoundly important document "The Official Faith Crisis Report". A document that was the first of its kind, it compiled data about struggles in faith and trust that was sweeping the LDS church just after the turn of the century. 

In this episode, you will learn backstage details that only someone involved in the actual process can tell you. Greg, as usual, adds his wit and wisdom to a fascinating story about the beginning of an era that we are all living through at this moment in the LDS faith expansion space. 

Next episode Val & Greg tackle several sections of the report itself and engage in some spicy banter about what can happen with people in different stages of faith during a typical LDS church meeting. Join in for a great conversation! 

The Official Faith Crisis Report

Books by Dr. Greg Prince

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Series Title:  Transcending Church Rules on the PathTowards Genuine Christlike Discipleship w/Russ Hinckley Part III of IV

What do you think Jesus would desire that we focus on in our worship services and within our larger lives? In these last two episodes of this series Val invites Russ to share his thoughts on his "Christ Creed", or his "rewrite" of what he thinks Jesus would want his followers to focus on. In this episode they focus their conversation on Jesus using social gatherings and meals to push back against cultural outgroups. Among other topics, they dig into why and how Jesus' ministry tries to prove that society (not God) creates out groups. Jump into this one--so good!

Beyond Belief - Russ Hinckley

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion- Gregory Boyle

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Series Title:  Transcending Church Rules on the Path Towards Genuine Christlike Discipleship w/Russ Hinckley Part II of IV

People are leaving religion in higher numbers than ever before, especially following the Covid pandemic. Although there are many factors involved in this phenomenon, Russ and Valerie explore the possibility that people are not feeling that church invites or encourages deep inner transformation--and this is what they want.  
This episode is a beautiful discussion validating the goodness of humans wanting places of worship that invite them to truly embody the actual message and teachings of Jesus Christ. The last two episodes of this series walk through several possible focuses that would likely bring droves of people back to church to find growth, peace, and transformation.

Beyond Belief - Russ Hinckley

https://valeriehamaker.com/one-one-consultations/

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Series Title:  Transcending Church Rules on the Path Towards Genuine Christlike Discipleship w/Russ Hinckley Part I of IV

Welcome to a beautiful series featuring guest author Russ Hinckley (who doesn't mind being referred to as Mr. Susan Hinckley of the "At Last She Said It" podcast) where Val and Russ explore his book "Beyond Belief" a radical reinterpretation of what Jesus likely would have those who gathered in his name focus on.  
In this episode Russ and Val riff a bit about early Christian history and why creeds (official belief statements) were made and why Jesus likely could not care less about what are in those creeds. The rest of the series tackles what Jesus would probably have us focus on as individuals, families, and congregations.

Beyond Belief - Russ Hinckley

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