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for faith expansion in and around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints


Latter Day Struggles Podcast
The Latter Day Struggles Podcast addresses beliefs and issues within the LDS faith that are challenging to talk about but vital to discuss for those trying to navigate their relationship in or around the church. Valerie and her guests invite psychological maturity, theological health, and institutional integrity.
Patriarchy
LGBTQ+
Parenting
Psych. Growth
Podcast Testimonials
Support Groups
Introducing our six-month support group classes, designed to provide a safe and nurturing environment for individuals seeking connection and understanding as they navigate their faith journeys. These classes foster open dialogue, encouraging participants to share their experiences, challenges, and insights in a supportive community.

Support Group Testimonials

Hi! We’re so glad you’re here! Welcome to the world of Latter Day Struggles! I am Valerie, your podcast host, licensed relationship therapist, lover of trauma healing, and passionate about helping you (no matter where you are on the Latter-day Saint faith spectrum) heal from anything related to faith crisis.
I am here to help you find words for the things you’ve been going through, to create safe, healthy, community spaces so that you don’t ever need to feel alone, shameful, sinful, bad, or less-than again due to your faith journey, and I am here to offer lots of other kinds of support on this website so that you can realize that what is happening to you means you’re “on schedule”– growing into your amazing potential.
One of my favorite parts of this podcast gig is that my amazing husband Nathan Hamaker has turned out to be the perfect co-host! We have never felt closer to one another in the twenty seven years of our marriage than we are now, studying, planning, and offering you our joint labor of love here on this growth promoting podcast.
When we are not dismantling patriarchy or blowing your mind with a hundred new ways to think about spiritual concepts that bind you to your higher self and your higher powers…we can be found on the lake behind our house (skiing, kneeboarding, surfing, wakeboarding) on a river (white water rafting) on a mountain (snow skiing or crashing on a snowboard if you’re Valerie) or on a road bike (road biking :).
We love our four kids and consider them our greatest gifts and our greatest teachers of spiritual wisdom. Thanks for being here. We cherish your trust every single day.
Books I Am Reading

Gender Equality and Reconciliation: Thirty Years of Healing the Most Ancient Wound in the Human Family
William Keepin Ph.D. & Rev. Cynthia Brix Ph.D.

Christianity and the Making of the Modern Family Ruling Ideologies, Diverse Realities
Rosemary Radford Ruether

A Course in Miracles
Foundation for Inner Peace