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Missed the LIVE Q&A where Val recently answered the flood of questions that have come in on the heels of her & Nathan's brave series venturing into the realm of politics, polarization & human/cultural evolution of consciousness? 

In this Q&A Val takes some very challenging questions and walks you through ways in which politics & religion are reflections how people make sense of some of their ultimate concerns about themselves & others.  Don't miss this episode if you have been inhaling their current Friday series or if you are thinking about inhaling it very soon!  

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Live Session
03:32 The Impact of Current Events on Mental Health
04:02 Human Growth and Development in Political Context
05:32 Introducing Latter Day Struggles 2.0
06:00 Transcend and Include: A New Approach to Faith
07:35 Understanding Human and Societal Development
09:47 Integral Theory and Its Relevance Today
11:22 Stages of Consciousness and Societal Growth
14:18 The Role of Politics in Human Development
19:43 Addressing Listener Questions
20:41 The Importance of Dialogue and Understanding
27:07 Personal Reflections and Political Evolution
47:46 Red Flags in Spiritual and Political Leaders
55:00 Talking to Children About Current Events
01:01:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Series Title: Polarization, Trump Victories, & the Story of Human Progression (& Regression) [Part III of IV] 

In this episode Val & Nathan discuss how societies evolve upward in love, inclusion, & consciousness, unless something goes terribly wrong from those on the leading edge of consciousness. In short, if the leading edge does not both 'transcend' in consciousness but ALSO 'include' the value of the earlier stages, then evolution is prone to halt or even move into a regression of consciousness.  

Looking at our current climate of political polarization, Val & Nathan analyze how the woke movement's shortcomings and Trump's rise in power reflect deeper issues in how societies advance, or don't advance, when course correction is needed. The conversation centers on how the failure to love and include earlier developmental stages can regress societal progress.  This phenomenon is not so much about politics as it is about human (and society's) growth & development.   They will be going much deeper into this topic as it relates to religion and the LDS faith in later episodes.  

This series will be most effectively understood & integrated by those who are full access listeners and therefore will drop every Friday for the next four weeks. Thank you for your ongoing support!

**The ideas from this are drawn from the scholarship of Ken Wilber and his insightful book 'A Post-Truth World: Politics, Polarization, and a Vision for Transcending the Chaos,'

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In this episode Valerie is the guest on the thought-provoking Inside Out Podcast, one of the first podcasts to interview her following the dramatic events that led up to the Hamakers' decision to resign from the LDS church rather than collude in an excommunication process that they did not endorse as ethical, legitimate, or appropriate.  

This episode takes you through Val's early life and path leading to her current work and delves into the challenges she faced with church leadership due to her public mental health work on behalf of thousands of Latter-day Saints through her Latter Day Struggles Platform.

Among other things, Valerie discusses the critical tensions between church policies, doctrines, and personal mental health, while providing insights on how the LDS Church can evolve to better support its members.  

**In the next several Monday episodes documenting Valerie's and Nathan's experiences connected to their resignation from the LDS church in March of 2025, Valerie represents the couple as Nathan is currently working out of town and unavailable during traditional recording hours.  They apologize as so many of you so deeply benefit from his unique insights and perspectives!  

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Series Title: Polarization, Trump Victories, & the Story of Human Progression (& Regression) [Part II of IV] 

In this episode Val & Nathan hone in on the postmodern era: its highlights & valuable contributions along with its flaws, floundering, and eventual failure due to its eventual complete rejection of truth.  Rejection of truth led to the loss of shared cultural identity, meaning, influence, and most significantly nurtured the polarization that culminated in the rise of Donald Trump, who happened to be at the 'right place at the right time' to become the 'strongman' for millions who may have been voting more against a failed postmodern 'woke' world than for the candidate himself.  

This series will be most effectively understood & integrated by those who are full access listeners and therefore will drop every Friday for the next four weeks. Thank you for your ongoing support!  

**The ideas from this are drawn from the scholarship of Ken Wilber and his insightful book 'A Post-Truth World: Politics, Polarization, and a Vision for Transcending the Chaos,'

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In this episode Val is a guest on the wonderful In Her Image Podcast to discuss the complex emotional journey of awakening to the divine feminine. They explore common emotional responses to one's realization that s/he has been estranged from half of deity for one's whole life, awakening to the power that many of us give away in allowing others to define who the Divine is, and how this journey almost always leads to the need to redefine one's relationship with the LDS church in ways that are more differentiated, self advocating, and truly connecting with ones' Divine Source. 

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Series Title: Polarization, Trump Victories, & the Story of Human Progression (& Regression) [Episode I of IV]

Join Valerie and Nathan in this time-sensitive four-part series looking at our current hyperpolarized political climate through the lens of stages of human & societal consciousness evolution.

This episode sets the stage in building a case that following a strong start in the 1960's, our society's cohort at leading edge of consciousness failed & their lack of direction & failed leadership paved a path to two Trump presidencies. 

Wait, what? You ask? Your liberal worldview is partially responsible for the chaos that we are experiencing? If you want some food for thought on how religious systems, political systems, and societies at large advanced to their healthiest potential, this special series is for YOU. 

This series will be most effectively understood & integrated by those who are full access listeners and therefore will drop every Friday for the next four weeks. Thank you for your ongoing support!  

**The ideas from this are drawn from the scholarship of Ken Wilber and his insightful book 'A Post-Truth World: Politics, Polarization, and a Vision for Transcending the Chaos,'

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In this episode Valerie is interviewed by her good friends and fellow podcasters Susan Hinckley and Cynthia Wynward and the three talk about what it is like to be outspoken women in a 21st Century church that is not so sure what to do with this kind of woman. They are candid in their experiences, struggles, and insecurities as they figure out their own faith journeys somewhat in the public eye while walking with thousands of others through their own complex experiences.

Bottom Line: In a church that has chronically valued women for their ability to stand by in supporting roles, these women are showing this generation of people in and around the LDS church that 'fragile' has a whole new meaning nowadays!

Listen, become empowered, and share this episode! 

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

In this final episode of this must-listen series for anyone wanting a higher education on the multifaceted harms of gender inequality, Val & Nathan explore the connection between countries that mistreat their women & how these same countries (surprise, surprise) are also the most likely to use violence, force, and ultimately declare war on other countries. They end this series with an offering of hope in humanity's divine potential to continue to awaken to & resist all forms of human oppression. 

If you have benefitted from this series please share & support this platform through their many avenues! Thank you for trusting Val & Nathan on your faith expansion journey!

Referenced in this Episode: 

The Creation of Patriarchy - Gerta Lerner

A Brief History of Everything - Ken Wilber

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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 VIII of X]

In this episode join Val & Nathan as they talk about the heartbreaking (and heavily researched) reality that the patriarchal worldview makes children more likely to experience abuse and violence at the hands of their parents. This episode tackles how a patriarchal worldview creates more authoritarian parents of both genders & heightens the risk of abuse across generations of families when considered normal or even the most effective way to parent. 

Friday's episode respectfully leans into specific risk factors associated with formalized patriarchal religious institutions (including the LDS church) & how these vulnerabilities play out in very real ways and can be overcome by reaching 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: 

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

Gay Rights & the Mormon Church: Intended Actions, Unintended Consequences - Greg Prince

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