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Series Title:  Conversations with Mormon Mystics & Graduates of Fr. Richard Rohr’s ‘Living School’ [Part IV of IV] 


In this profound episode Valerie Hamaker is interviewed by friend and colleague Dan Wotherspoon where they delve into the complex terrain of her own faith development journey: from her early days in orthodox practice to her expansive understanding of spirituality encompassing Jungian psychoanalysis and a blend of Eastern and Western philosophy. 

Dan and Valerie explore themes of orthodoxy, patriarchy, authentic worship, and healthy psychology and theology, drawing on her professional background in marriage and family counseling and trauma healing. 

If you want a peek behind the curtains of Valerie's unfolding faith journey, this episode is for you. 

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Series Title:  Conversations with Mormon Mystics & Graduates of Fr. Richard Rohr’s ‘Living School’ [Part III of IV] 

In this episode, Valerie is joined by Dan Wotherspoon, a beloved voice in our Latter-day Saint progressive community, who shares his poignant personal history, detailing a journey from early rebellion, through an LDS mission, a higher-education-induced faith crisis, and finally a profound spiritual awakening that led to his enduring realization that love is the most real force in the universe. 

Both Valerie and Dan speak to the importance of individual discernment in worship and connection with the divine, the importance of transitioning from passive to active engagement in one's faith development, and Dan shares some insights from his experience as a student under Father Richard Rohr at his "Living School". 

Friday's episode is a special recording where Valerie changes roles and is interviewed by Dan Wotherspoon. In this tender episode she shares some of her most poignant realizations and experiences associated to her own faith journey from orthodoxy her stepping into the role as advocate and voice for health and healing within the Latter-day Saint community.

Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

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Series Title:  Conversations with Mormon Mystics & Graduates of Fr. Richard Rohr’s ‘Living School’ [Part II of IV] 

In this depth-packed second half of their conversation, Jana walks us all through her learnings at the feet of Father Richard Rohr and other contemporary spiritual giants while attending The Living School sponsored by the Center for Action and Contemplation. 

Among other topics, Jana expands on the following: 

**Honoring the sacred in the profane

**Non-duality 

**Reclaiming the shadow 

**How Christianity leads to social justice concerns 

**Transformational faith over transactional faith 

Don't miss this episode if you're hungry for an expansive way to experience spirituality from some of our times' greatest thinkers! 

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Series Title:  Conversations with Mormon Mystics & Graduates of Fr. Richard Rohr’s ‘Living School’ [Part I of IV] 

In today's opening episode of a beautiful new series exploring Mormonism's own modern mystics, Valerie sits down with the insightful Jana Spangler to chat about her first-hand spiritual growth as a student of Father Richard Rohr. 

Jana walks us through the overarching teachings of the Living School's teachers, especially what she learned personally from Father Richard Rohr and the other interdenominational leaders at his “Living School”, a program sponsored by Rohr’s Center of Action and Contemplation. They dive deep into the Mormon experience also, envisioning a shift toward more meaningful, mystical connection.

In Friday's episode Jana shares specifics about her depth experience at The Living School, including what she learned about finding the sacred in the profane, the importance of becoming non-dualistic, and embracing a Christianity that is embodied in advocacy and social justice. Don't miss her wisdom! It is beautiful and thought provoking!

Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

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Today Valerie dives deep into four common psychological strains experienced by most people with whom she has worked experiencing an LDS faith crisis as well as how she is learning how to address each of these strains as she personally grows and walks alongside those of you on this path with her. 

She delves into critical issues such as fractured ego structures, a deficit of complex thinking skills, the problems that come from inhabiting a single-pillar spiritual worldview, and the importance of unlearning unhealthy coping patterns adopted in our early development. 

Most importantly, she talks about the healing of each of these psychological strains. Healing is possible! And likely actually! We just need a good map and some companionship. Thanks for being here! 

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In today's episode, Valerie and her friend and colleague Dr. Julie Hanks delve into the complex emotional landscape of staying somehow connected to the LDS Church. 

They explore the importance of self-definition and psychological health, advocating for boundary-setting and personal spiritual responsibility and reflect on the intricate dynamics of faith, community, and individual well-being in the context of the LDS faith. 

Because they have found THIS TOPIC to be so heavy on the minds of so many of their mutual listeners, they have decided to host a four-evening Question and Response (Q&R) series in February of 2024 to extend a lifeline to those wrestling with these challenges and offer resources for navigating faith and personal growth. Link to enroll directly below!

Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

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Series Title: Historical Exploration of LDS Temple Admission Process [Part IV of IV]

In this thought-provoking final episode of this series, Valerie and Nathan do a final delve into the history and accompanying complexities of the temple admission process, exploring the ever-evolving criteria and the psychological impact that this process has on faith expanding members. 

This episode addresses the sensitive topics of sexual ethics, the intersection of religion, fear, and sexual intimacy, and the influence of patriarchal structures on individual sexual agency and spiritual development.  

They also offer a concise historical overview of items in the interview that have become more strict and those that have become more lax or have disappeared altogether. Subscribe to this episode for a candid discussion about LDS teachings, community belonging, and the pursuit of personal integrity in matters of faith, worship, and embodied spirituality.  

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Series Title: Historical Exploration of LDS Temple Admission Process [Part III of IV]

Welcome to episode three in this four-part series on the history of the LDS temple recommend interview!  Today, Valerie and Nathan continue this conversation by focusing on the evolution of temple admission from no process at all, to a vague, self-reflective process, to a process governed by adherence of specific theological beliefs and practices which changed depending a variety of factors discussed in this episode.

 One example they that explore is the shift in the demand for support of the practice of plural marriage to excommunication for the practice plural marriage--both connected to temple eligibility. 

They talk about how the temple recommend has become a forum for assessing and withholding worship privileges connected to issues such as loyalty, tithing, and LGBTQ identities, intellectualism, and feminism. 

As they unwrap the layers of historical context their hope is to demystify both the content and the process of the temple recommend interview, in hopes that you will feel less anxious and more empowered to connect with God through the temple if you feel that this will authentically enhance your spiritual journey. 

Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

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Series Title: Historical Exploration of LDS Temple Admission Process [Part II of IV]

In this thought-provoking episode Valerie and Nathan delve into the complex history of the temple recommend interview, shedding light on its evolution, from admission based on personal acquaintance with Joseph Smith to the structured questionnaire used today. 

They explore the impact of historical attitudes and shifting criteria on the current practices, including the influence of culture on religious processes. Touching on the symbolic weight of Christ's sacrifice and the tearing of the temple veil, Val and Nathan discuss the psychological and spiritual ramifications of being judged for worthiness. If you are trying to have a healthier relationship with all things related to the LDS temple, join them in this education on the comings and goings of what it means to be temple-worthy in Latter-day Saint history.

Referenced in this episode: The History of Temple Admission Standards: ⁠Journal of Mormon History Vol. 24, No. 1, 1998 (usu.edu)⁠⁠Temple Recommend Evolution – Wheat & Tares (wheatandtares.org)⁠

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Series Title:  Historical Exploration of LDS Temple Admission Process [Part I of IV]

In this profoundly enlightening four-part series, Valerie and Nathan explore the complex issues surrounding worthiness and temple recommend interviews within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

They delve into the hurtful misinterpretations of unworthiness, the struggle for direct spirituality versus patriarchal intermediaries, and they make sense of the discomfort and anxiety that many people feel due to the temple recommend interview process as members spiritually evolve. 

Their conversation also touches on the broader landscape of temple observance across various religious traditions as a way to see that temple worship is common and life-giving to many amongst spiritual traditions worldwide.Friday's episode begins the historical analysis of the changes in the interview, exploring such topics as word of wisdom, chastity, cursing, and plural marriage...just to name a few!  See you there! 


Referenced in this episode: The History of Temple Admission Standards: Journal of Mormon History Vol. 24, No. 1, 1998 (usu.edu)Temple Recommend Evolution – Wheat & Tares (wheatandtares.org)Info on how to subscribe to listen to Friday’s episode is directly below. See you there!

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