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.

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.