Latter Day Struggles

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Join Valerie and Nathan as they address a podcast listener's question regarding "rules" about a variety of dress/grooming related issues that are given at church and seem random, unimportant, and even not appropriate to be dictating to a body of thoughtful, discerning human beings.  

In this episode they talk about the concept of the "inverted value system" where some churches involve themselves in the unimportant details of a clean-cut (and therefore "Christian-appearing" membership) while underemphasizing and under-supporting its members issues that can truly connect them with God. 

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Join Val and Nathan as they share some thoughts on why gender and sexuality is a topic that brings up strong feelings in just about everyone. And it should bring up strong feelings, because these are core parts of our individual identities.  

Each of us has a journey to discover the depths of ourselves---including who we are in the realms of sexuality and gender.  And when other people or institutions meddle in this sacred process, it hurts people.  Listen to their own process of how their theology and beliefs about gender, sexuality, and God's infinite love for his children has evolved. 

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Join Valerie and Nathan this week as they riff about obedience to rules as opposed to obedience to conscience and highlight how even those who are considered the most evolved are held hostage to their own culture's anxieties, fears, and quirks. The good news is that maybe we are all just beautifully messy and in need of self and other compassion and an increase in "chill". 

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Join Valerie and guest host Brannon as they talk about a struggle brought into Valerie's therapy practice where a bride and groom are working on making the hard choice to be true to themselves even if that means devastating extended family about their desire to not marry in the temple.  

Is it possible that their greatest act of integrity and growth is to do what feels right to them even in the face of massive social and spiritual pressures? 

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Series Title: The Sanctity of Dissent [Part V of V]

In this final episode on Valerie and Nathan's series on the sacred nature of dissent, they talk about how paradoxically, dissent is the foundation of true peace.  What?  Yes, it is.  True peace can only be attained through complex dialogue amongst parties whose ideas are all considered and welcomed.  

They also address how the ability to dissent safeguards all communities from eventual disintegration (walking away) and finally and most importantly how dissent is truly holy because it requires each of us to ultimately be accountable not to any earthly authority, but to our divine parents directly.  Don't miss this one!

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Join Brannon and Val in this comical and true-to-life (and perhaps familiar sounding) struggle between two spouses juggling the needs of their primary-aged children, less-active older children, and their own messy faith questions...all at the same time.  

How can couples authentically have their own very different journeys while also trying to cultivate faith in their kids?  And not have a nervous breakdown in the process?

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Join Valerie and Nathan as they talk about recent incidents related to their talking about dissent in the LDS faith.   

Their 5 Part "sacred nature of dissent" series (which is rudely interrupted by this episode...there IS one more episode left in this series) has brought up some angst in "concerned" listeners (because...dissent) and Valerie and Nathan share their experience processing through why they keep at this podcast, why you might be too anxious to share it but maybe still should :), and why we are all being extraordinarily brave in challenging the status quo by having these "taboo" kinds of sacred conversations.

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Series Title: The Sanctity of Dissent [Part IV of V]

Join therapist Valerie Hamaker and her husband Nathan as they tackle the tendency to shame dissent and worship consent in the LDS faith. In this episode it is all about dissent and its power to heal blindness.  

They start with how a "consent only" culture develops people who are not introspective, curious, or challenging to systems and programs that ought to be thought about, challenged, and innovated.…for the betterment of all. Then they move on to how institutions of ALL KINDS [all churches and all large organizations] are vulnerable to becoming blind to their weaknesses as they reward validation of the status quo and punish most different, complicating, or innovating ideas. 

They also delve into how large institutions of all kinds have a tendency to reinforce the values, ideas and opinions of those at the top by promoting lower level admins who look, act, and feel just like their superiors...thereby reinforcing systemic sickness and ongoing blindness. 

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Series Title: The Sanctity of Dissent [Part III of V]

In this episode Val and Nathan address the consent/dissent idea as core to developing our own powers of personal revelation and then go on to discuss how a "consent only" church is one that get lost in the weeds of irrelevancies and blind to true worship of God.  And when we are not worshipping God but are worshipping anything or anyone else...that's called idolatry.

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Series Title: The Sanctity of Dissent [Part II of V]

 In this episode they break how dissent is sacred as it is essential to our personal salvation projects and because it is the backbone of spiritual maturation and personal responsibility.  

They highlight the need for us to both notice and gain personal courage as we engage in dissent as a an essential part of our spiritual journey while sometimes pushing up against a system that discourages or even punishes this beautiful and sacred process.

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