A Parent's Paradise Charities founder Doree Handford is a mother of six, childbirth educator, doula, speaker, and passionate advocate for families who believes parents were never meant to do this alone. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood — while also raising four children on the autism spectrum — she has dedicated her life to creating spaces where parents feel seen, supported, and empowered. Through her nonprofit work, public speaking, and community events like Mom Prom, Doree is leading a movement to break generational cycles of isolation and overwhelm by building stronger communities around parents. Her vision is not only to provide practical resources and respite care, but to help create a cultural shift where asking for support is normalized and families can truly thrive.

Russell C. Gaede, PsyD, is a consultant, mediator, and therapist with over two decades of experience specializing in trauma and complex human behavior. Holding degrees in Administration of Justice, business, and Clinical Psychology, Dr. Russ blends academic rigor with practical, boots-on-the-ground experience. Having overcome significant personal hurdles—including a high school departure and a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome—he offers a unique perspective on human potential, rehabilitation, and what it means to walk with others. He is author of "Playing 20 Questions with your Fiancé".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmjjdzck6y8&t=1s

https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/profile/23392/russell-gaede

Today we welcome Josh Taylor as our guest.

We met Josh over 17 years ago when our family was involved with Christian Youth Theater Spokane. Josh was an immediate light in all of our lives, greeting us with warm open arms and a big heart as soon as he met us. Among others at CYT, he welcomed us and made CYT feel like home. We were always so impressed by how outgoing and charismatic Josh was, but mostly by how well and how deeply he loved others. Josh is truly one of the kindest people that we have the privilege of knowing. 

In our years with CYT, we once asked Beth, Josh’s wonderful mother, why and how Josh was the way that he was. She told us that it was a choice that he made, to be like Jesus. The way he welcomed everyone into his heart is proof of that conviction that he had from the time he was just a boy. 

In his adult years, Josh has worked in ministry at Eastern Washington University in Cheney Washington working to fellowship and support young adults through the transformative time of their college years. His inspiration for this work came through his devotion to Jesus Christ, as well as his own experience as a young adult having similar support through those that came before him in this form of ministry. While he loves his work, he has found that his true overarching calling is to create gathering spaces for God’s children to come together in love and support. 

In his work, he has shared the walk with many people of all different perspectives, and he feels that through these other perspectives, he now is able to see life through a variety of lenses, deepening faith, understanding, compassion, and appreciation for all people. 

Josh is married to his sweetheart, Petra, and together, they are doing what they can to share the light of God, and be his hands whenever and wherever they are able. Josh believes that we are all able to do this work regardless of our career choices, occupation, or life path. 

Josh continues to be a beautiful inspiration to us and others through how he chooses to live, and we are so excited for you to meet him through this episode. 

Hey friends! Welcome to I’ll Walk with You, this is Rhonda Monson, one of your hosts.
To introduce you to our next guest I want to tell you about an experience I had.
I had heard from several different people about a restaurant here in Spokane
Washington called Feast World Kitchen, a restaurant that helps local refugees and
immigrants which definitely speaks to my heart. So, my husband and I, and a dear
friend decided to go have lunch there.
The food was great and the service was fantastic, but little did I know how much this lunch date would touch my heart. I loved seeing the diversity and hearing about the good that this restaurant does to help others. And we had the opportunity of meeting our guest for this episode of I’ll Walk with You, Ross Carper, one of the Co-Founders of Feast World Kitchen. When I asked Ross if he would be willing to be a guest on our podcast, he graciously accepted my invitation.
In this episode you will hear about all the good work that Ross and others are doing to bless the lives of others here in Spokane. We also talk about scriptures that teach us to love one another and much more.
Feast World Kitchen is a non-profit organization and restaurant that empowers refugee and immigrant community members through a variety of programs. Ross currently serves as Feast’s Director of Development and Community Care. Ross is a social entrepreneur who is always involved in a variety of community building initiatives in Spokane’s lower south hill neighborhood. Ross and his wife Autumn are also busy raising their three beautiful daughters: Caroline, Iris, and Mira.
It was an absolute joy talking with Ross and getting to hear more of his story and the work he is doing to bless the lives of others. Thank you again Ross for being our guest and thank you listeners for joining us. We think you are going to love this episode.

Hello, this is Dakota from I’ll Walk With You. It is my honor to introduce to you our guests for this episode, Colleen and Gregory Butler. We have known the Butlers for over 15 years now, and we have always been impressed by them and their beautiful family. 

Colleen and Greg are an interracial couple, married for 46 years, parents to 4 beautiful children, and grandparents to 11 grandchildren with one on the way and 3 great grand also with one on the way.  

Retired social workers, both Colleen and Greg have a vibrant passion for helping others, and making a change wherever they find themselves. They both have incredible stories about the impact that their work has had on their own lives as well as the lives of others. 

Their story together is one of great love, mutual respect, compassion, and incredible resilience. It is beautiful to hear their perspective on what is truly important in life, and to see their view and love of people, and how they have learned to accept others and to not live in fear, but in love. 

I found their story inspiring in many ways, but one of the greatest impressions left on me was how they have faced some great trials, yet when asked about them, they are talked about nearly as non-issues, a clear indicator to me that they have individually and as companions chosen to rise above those challenges and to not dwell upon them.

Colleen and Greg are beautiful people, and I am so incredibly pleased to have had them on the podcast as guests, and I am even more delighted to have them as members of my community. Speaking with them has strengthened my hope for a better future , and has displayed a wonderful example of how we can be more unified in a world where division happens so easily. 

I know that you will love them as much as we do. Thank you so much for joining us today. 

Hello listeners! Welcome back to I’ll Walk with You. This is Rhonda Monson and I have the privilege of introducing our guest for this episode, someone I have admired and looked up to my entire life, my oldest brother, Mike Merchant.

Mike has done and continues to do so many incredible things, he is the Senior Vice
President for The Arbinger Institute (Arbinger.com). The Board Chair for Anasazi
Foundation (Anasazi.org), a non-profit and nationally accredited behavioral health care provider for youth, young adults and their families.

Since 1993, Mike has consulted and facilitated internationally with senior leaders of corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies on the topics of leadership
development and influence, change management, conflict resolution, and improving personal and organization performance. He has chaired numerous councils and committees on best practices for the treatment of adolescents in the care of behavioral healthcare providers. Mike is an expert in strategic communications, and in 2004 developed the communication component at the heart of the Emmy-nominated “Take Time to Talk” substance abuse awareness and prevention campaign currently used by the Partnership for Drug Free America. He is the founder of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council, the past president of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (natsap.org), and recipient of the 2017 NATSAP Leadership Award. Mike coaches NGO leaders worldwide on measuring, improving, and reporting social impact and facilitated the Forever Young Foundation Nonprofit Institute (foreveryoung.org). 

He is also a former bishop for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Mike is a graduate of Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management where he was named the 2016 Outstanding Professional. He and his wife Gaylene are the
proud parents of seven red headed amazingly talented children and 16 beautiful
grandchildren. As I said before I have admired Mike all my life. He is 8 years older than me and moved out to go to school and serve a mission for our church when I was just 8 years old. I have always wished that we were closer as he is so busy doing all he can to make a difference in this world. 

I greatly enjoyed having this conversation with him.

My greatest take away from this conversation was the question, “What would love have me do?” A great question to ask ourselves when faced with possibly difficult situations.

Thank you for listening to this episode of I’ll Walk with You with our guest, my big
brother, Mike Merchant.

Hello, this is Dakota from I’ll Walk With You. I am honored to introduce you to my dear auntie, Diane Moses. 

Diane is an inspiration. She is truly a light, and a living example of how we can overcome obstacles and choose love. 

In this conversation, she shares some of her life experiences from growing up in town and on the reservation, overcoming alcohol and getting sober, leaving the gang life to raise her child in a better way, and fostering many children along the way, at one point having 16 people in the house. She says she was always seen driving 20 kids in a van. 

She talks some about her personal relationship with God and how her parents helped her through every phase of life, and how caring for others has been an integral part of her life and identity. 

She talks about the importance of learning healthy boundaries and learning how to say no, and take care of herself, while caring for others. 

Near the end of the conversation, she talks about holding her grandbaby. She says that while she looked at him in her arms, she thought, “If you can be born in such a volatile, crazy time, and be so pure and so innocent, and strive to live, then I can too.”

Her example of love, of care, and of genuine concern for her fellow man is so honorable and admirable. 

I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to welcome her onto the show, and I am excited for you to have the opportunity to listen in. Thank you for joining us!

Hello, this is Rhonda from I’ll Walk with You. I am excited to introduce to you my friend Dina Kieffer.
Dina and I first met several years ago as a mutual friend invited her to a women’s retreat that I was facilitating. I instantly felt a connection to Dina as she is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, has a career in helping others, and is married to a member of the Spokane Tribe of Indians. I am also an active member of the LDS church, a licensed mental health counselor and life coach, and My ex-husband as well as my kids are members of the Spokane Tribe of Indians.
Dina and her High School sweetheart have been together for 40 years and married for 36. They have 5 beautiful adult daughters and 11 grandchildren. She is also one of 11 children. Dina has a great love for her family and others. She was the 1st certified foot zoner and instructor in the state of Washington and has been
practicing for 24 years. Dina is also a certified spinal flow practitioner. Her passion truly is serving and helping others.
Just last week, Dakota, myself, and our spouses had the opportunity to visit Dina and have her work on each of us. It was such a beautiful healing experience that this weekend I will be taking other family members to see her who are experiencing a lot of grief at this time due to a recent loss in our family.
Dina shines light. Her loving heart comes through in all she does. During our conversation she talks about some of the hurt she has experienced due to the
judgement from members of her church congregation. She also talks about what it is like being white and living on the reservation. And she talks about choosing love even in the midst of the hurt. Her message is beautiful and we were honored to have her as a guest.
Thank you for Joining us for this Episode of I’ll Walk with You.

What a joy it is to introduce you to our next guest, Patrick Risk.

Patrick is the Author of One Day at a Time: Daily hope for those navigating their own path of healing. He endeavors each day to live and breathe HOPE in all that he does—from managing his Facebook communities "Brightness of Hope” and “Worldwide Unified,” to sharing daily messages of inspiration that are followed and shared by hundreds of thousands each week, including myself.

Patrick also volunteers in various capacities as a Chaplain and Spiritual Care Advisor. He has a great passion for improving the world around him and strives one day at a time to live the mantra of “being the change you wish to see in the world.” Patrick’s advocacy for hope was born out of his experiences in facing and overcoming great adversity in his life. Surviving years of sexual abuse as a child, overcoming a near-fatal eating disorder, and battling suicidal ideation from identity issues have all prepared him to be the fighter for hope that he is today.

Never giving up, always fighting forward, Patrick was just 20 years old when he received his undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Colorado. At the age of 24, he received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Utah. At the age of 25, he was certified as a Chaplain from the World Spiritual Health Organization.

I first started seeing his posts on Worldwide Unified on Facebook and was moved by his vulnerability and positivity that I started following him. I wasn’t sure if he would even see my message, but I loved his posts so much that I thought it would be worth the effort to ask him if he would be willing to be a guest on our podcast.
He responded with a yes within the hour.

It was a true honor to talk with him and hear a part of his tremendous story of hope, faith, and love.
Thank you again for joining us, Patrick, and thank you for being such a beautiful light in this world.

Today I am excited to introduce to you dear friends of mine, Becky and Scott
Mackintosh and their son Xian.
Becky and I became friends through social media many years ago as she shared her
vulnerable story of being an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints and her response to Xian coming out as gay to her and Scott. I was moved by
her deep love and compassion that I read most everything she would post after that.
Becky has a huge heart and a love for others which explains why she is also so
passionate about humanitarian work.
In 2023 my husband and I had the opportunity of finally meeting Becky and Scott face to
face as we joined them in a humanitarian trip to Kenya. This trip changed our lives in
many ways and lead to Doug and I in serving a full-time mission for our church in Kenya
the following year.
Becky is the author of the book Love Boldly: Embracing Your LGBTQ Loved One and
Your Faith. She is also a popular speaker known for her honest approach and open
heart. She is dedicated to her family, faith, and inspiring others.
Scott is also an author of the super cute children’s book Silly Willy, a public speaker, and
a lover of the outdoors and hunting. He also has a great sense of humor.
Xian earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from BYU Hawaii and a master’s
degree in mental health social work from the University of Hawaii. He is the 3 rd of Scott
and Becky’s 7 children.
Xian values strong family connections and has played a key role in promoting
understanding and unity with his family, following his coming out journey. He is the
founder of High Mountain Frenchies, LLC, and is an experienced beekeeper with a
deep love for anything outdoors.
It was such a joy to finally meet Xian while recording this podcast. His wisdom, love,
and insights are so powerful.
Their family’s story, featured in a video produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, has reached over 1.5 million viewers.
We are honored that they so willingly agreed to be our guests.
We thank you, our listeners, for being here and we hope you enjoy this episode of I’ll
Walk with You as much as we did when we recorded it.

Eva and I met in New York City when I lived there for a season, and we connected right away, becoming fast friends. Eva is an Episcopal Priest, a hospital chaplain working in mental health, and a person who loves people! Eva is living in New York City currently, and was raised in the  Washington DC area. 

In our conversation, we discuss the significance of curiosity in human connection and getting to better know and understand others who may be different from us. We talk about her experience of growing up in DC being surrounded by people of all different faiths, cultures, and political stances, and how that has made an impact on her life, particularly in her work as a chaplain. We discuss her experience being female clergy, and some of her upbringing that brought her to where she is today. 

Eva is truly a beautiful person, and a wonderful example of how we can really get along regardless of difference. 

I hope that you enjoy this episode of I’ll Walk With You.

Our guest for this episode is Dr. Ben Schilaty. 

Ben is a social work professor at Utah Valley University. He also works part
time as a therapist specializing in working with LBGTQ Latter-Day Saints and their
families. He holds 3 degrees from Brigham Young University and earned a PhD from the University of Arizona. He is an award-winning author of "A Walk In My Shoes: Questions I am Often Asked as a Gay Latter Day Saint," and co-hosted the podcast “All Out in the Open.”

I had the opportunity to hear Ben speak at a fireside in the fall of 2024 and instantly felt of his goodness. Later that fall, Dakota and I had the opportunity to hear him speak at the Gather Conference in Provo Utah.

We were honored when Ben agreed to be a guest on our podcast and we absolutely enjoyed our conversation with him. He has such a beautiful outlook on life, and truly makes this world a better place.

Thank you again Ben for being our guest and thank you to all our listeners. We truly
believe you will enjoy this episode.

https://www.gather-conference.com/

https://www.benschilaty.com/

In this episode, we have a great conversation with Julie DeJesus, founder of I See You Living. Julie is a keynote speaker, podcast host, author, and mental health advocate who has made her brand and centered her work and much of her life on the belief that human connection restores mental health and resilience. 

In this conversation, we discuss the importance of believing in something bigger than ourselves, and the importance of authenticity. Julie shares a raw story of her own mental breakdown at the age of 21, how that led to questions of faith, the existence of a God, and how the connection that she experienced with others who were willing to sit with her and hold space for her to safely question these doubts and fears provided the environment necessary for healing to occur. 

We talked about the importance of showing up for others in their hour of need, and not trying to fix them in that moment, but instead allow them to feel safe, feel seen, and feel validated in order for true healing and processing to happen. Julie pointed out the importance of making big life changing choices not from a place of fear, but from a place of peace and tranquility. We discuss the importance of being aware of the emptiness that often comes in liminal spaces, the in between we experience in life transitions, and extending grace to others in this time, and also allowing grace for ourselves.

In this episode, Julie refers to the experience she had in meeting with and interviewing Kevin Franke after the release of the Hulu documentary about his family, A Devil In The Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, and the powerful conversation that the two of them had about the beauty and the humanity that he experienced after his world came crashing down in such an unfathomable way. 

Julie is truly an inspiration, and it was an honor to have her as a guest on I’ll Walk With You. 

I recently appeared in an episode of the I See You Podcast, the link to that as well as other links regarding Julie will be provided below. 

Thank you for joining us on this walk! 

https://www.iseeyouliving.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jWb7lurqR8

On this episode, we are honored to be joined by Richard Ostler. Richard is from Salt Lake City, Utah, and is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is the author of three books, and is the host of the podcast, “Listen, Learn, and Love.” As an LGBTQIA ally, Richard has dedicated much of his life's work to the advocacy of greater love and acceptance of queer individuals, particularly within the LDS community. 

In this episode, Richard shares some of his life story and personal growth journey from viewing queerness as something that could be corrected to the broader acceptance of all people exactly as they were created, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. He shares some of his experience of challenge and growth from his former church service as a Young Single Adults bishop. 

In this honest conversation, we discuss the importance of self acceptance, personal revelation and relationship with God, as well as how we can all love one another more fully. We hope that you enjoy this conversation as much as we did. 

My mom and I were also recently guests on “Listen, Learn and Love.” The link to that episode as well as links to more about Richard are listed below. 

https://soundcloud.com/user-818501778/episode-857-rhonda-monson-and-her-gay-son-dakota-moses

https://www.papaostler.com/

https://www.listenlearnandlove.org/

Thank you for joining us.  

Ganel-Lyn is a popular speaker, host, and author. She is a mental health advocate, social commentator and faith warrior.

Several years ago, my husband, Doug, and I wanted to find a podcast that followed along with our church’s come follow me program.

There were, and are many wonderful podcasts out there, but the one that spoke to our hearts was the Talk of Him podcast which Ganel-Lyn co-hosted.

Her authenticity, vulnerability, and love for the Savior made it feel like I was listening to a dear friend.

Doug, Dakota, and I had the privilege of meeting Ganel-Lyn in September of 2025 at the Fortified in Christ conference where she was presenting.

She was and is everything I felt while watching her podcast. She truly is pure beautiful light!

She quickly said yes with a huge smile on her face when we asked her to be a guest on our podcast.

It was such a joy talking with her and we think that you will be lifted and inspired by the things that she shares. Thank you for joining us.

Hello, and welcome to I'll Walk With You, a new podcast where we have conversations about how we can all be more unified on our walk through life together. Our names are Dakota Moses, and Rhonda Monson. We are a mother/son duo who are passionate about bringing people together, spreading love, and lessening division in this world that is full of it. 

This past year, we have individually come to the realization that we stand in a unique position that is asking, even demanding us, to use our voices, speak up and speak out, and help foster greater unity through sharing our own experiences, as well as learning from other people's stories. We have come together to create this project, and we hope that you, our listeners, will learn and grow with us as you follow along. 

Rhonda is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and Dakota while raised in the church, is now less religious and more spiritual, prioritizing his personal relationship with God and his own spirit. Rhonda was married to Dakota's dad, Barry, for 24 years before divorcing. She is now married to her sweetheart, Doug Monson. Dakota is married to his husband of 8 years, Tyree. 

In this episode, Dakota and Rhonda share some of their story highlighting key points of their life as mother and son that has led them to where they are now.

Our guest for this episode has been a dear friend of ours for over 20 years. Kirstin Johnson.

Kirstin has worked in the medical field her entire adult life as a nurse, advanced registered nurse, and certified nurse midwife.

When I first asked Kirstin to be a guest on our podcast, she was a little hesitant, but I insisted as I have watched her grow in her profession over the years.

And her love and compassion for those she serves of all different walks of life is a perfect example of what we hope to share here on the I'll Walk with You podcast.

Kirstin is an active member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church here in Spokane Washington. I have admired her commitment to and faith in God for a long time.

I am so glad you said yes, my beautiful friend!

I am excited for you, our listeners, to be able to hear some of Kirstin’s wisdom and insight. Thank you for joining us.