More Human More Kind: Guidance for Parenting LGBTQ+ Teens & Growing Into a Courageous Ally

Heather Hester

Do you wish you could better support your LGBTQ child? To be an ally who shows up with courage, clarity, and compassion in your family, workplace, and community? You're not alone. More Human. More Kind. is a twice-weekly podcast supporting concerned parents and allies of LGBTQ+ kids who are ready to move from fear, grief, and confusion to healing, resilience, and empowered advocacy. Hosted by Heather Hester, author of Parenting with Pride and a fierce advocate for human rights and social justice, each episode blends grounded insights, personal stories, and practical guidance to help you protect what matters, raise brave kids, and spark collective change. * You'll learn to navigate mental health challenges, set loving boundaries, and find hope and support through the messiness of parenting, allyship, and becoming. * Whether you're wrestling with bigotry, searching for connection and community, or ready to shift your mindset toward kindness and open-minded action, this show offers the education and encouragement you need. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Friday, featuring expert interviews, vulnerable Listener Queer-ies, and timely solo episodes that foster growth, empathy, and activism. Start with fan-favorite Episode 3: Embrace the Messiness of Supporting Your LGBTQ Teen (With Resilience & Hope), an honest conversation that will help you exhale, reflect, and show up more fully and fiercely for the people you love. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy Blubrry - https://create.blubrry.com/resources/about-blubrry/privacy-policy

  1. Understanding the Masks LGBTQ+ Kids Wear for Survival

    16 小時前

    Understanding the Masks LGBTQ+ Kids Wear for Survival

    What do parents need to know about the masks LGBTQ+ kids wear for survival? For queer kids, and the parents, moms, and allies supporting them, masks (figurative and literal)can mean safety, expression, or survival. But not all masks are harmless. Some start to suffocate. In this episode, we explore what playful costumes and emotional disguises have in common and how to help our kids (and ourselves) know when it’s time to take the mask off. Learn how to tell when your child’s “mask” is joyful play or protective camouflage.Explore how figurative masking shows up in parenting and how to model authenticity.Walk away with practical tools to build trust, inclusion, and safety without forcing disclosure. Press play to uncover the power of masks, the risks of hiding, and what it really means to be seen, known, and safe. Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here! Become a private client Attend Friday Reflection LIVE on Substack - guided journaling and Q&A Invite me to speak at your workshop or event Receive a free excerpt and reflection guide from my book, Parenting with Pride. Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review! Connect heather@heatherhester.net Watch on YouTube Influence the Parenting with Pride companion journal content. Survey here. Find out what kind of ally you are! Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday! At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection. If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action. Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in—I see you. And I’m so glad you’re part of this journey. More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen is a safe and supportive space where a mom and mental health advocate offers guidance on parenting with empathy, inclusion, love, and open-minded allyship, fostering growth, healing, connection, and empowerment within the LGBTQ community while addressing grief, boundaries, education, diversity, human rights, social justice, and the power of human kindness through a lens of ally support and community engagement. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:...

    16 分鐘
  2. Parents, This Is Why Costumes Matter for LGBTQ+ Kids

    3 天前

    Parents, This Is Why Costumes Matter for LGBTQ+ Kids

    What if your child’s costume choice is Halloween fun AND a first, powerful glimpse into their identity exploration? For parents, allies, and advocates raising LGBTQ+ or “othered” kids, Halloween can bring joy and also fear. Costumes are often treated as trivial, but for many queer children, dress-up is a rare, safe opportunity to try on who they truly are. In this episode, you’ll learn how to meet those moments with empathy, curiosity, and love. Understand how dress-up is central to identity development, especially in queer and neurodivergent kids.Learn how to recognize your own fears and respond in ways that build trust and safety, not shame.Gain language, tools, and mindset shifts that empower you to be a grounded, inclusive parent or ally this Halloween and beyond. Press play to discover how one costume can become a turning point for connection, inclusion, and raising brave, joyful kids. Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here! Become a private client Attend Friday Reflection LIVE on Substack - guided journaling and Q&A Invite me to speak at your workshop or event Receive a free excerpt and reflection guide from my book, Parenting with Pride. Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review! Connect heather@heatherhester.net Watch on YouTube Influence the Parenting with Pride companion journal content. Survey here. Find out what kind of ally you are! Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday! At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection. If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action. Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in—I see you. And I’m so glad you’re part of this journey. More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen is a safe and supportive space where a mom and mental health advocate offers guidance on parenting with empathy, inclusion, love, and open-minded allyship, fostering growth, healing, connection, and empowerment within the LGBTQ community while addressing grief, boundaries, education, diversity, human rights, social justice, and the power of human kindness through a lens of ally support and community...

    16 分鐘
  3. Generational Ghosts That Haunt Parents of LGBTQ Kids

    10月10日

    Generational Ghosts That Haunt Parents of LGBTQ Kids

    What if the ghosts haunting your parenting aren’t spooky but silent? And what if your child’s future depends on whether you face them? For parents and allies of LGBTQ+ kids, cycles of silence, shame, and inherited fear can sneak into how we parent, often without us realizing it. These “ghosts” may have protected us once, but now they risk being passed down unless we pause to acknowledge and unlearn them. This episode offers the guidance you need to parent more consciously, with empathy, safety, and healing at the center - and learn actionable ways to break the cycle now! Discover what “ghosts” really are in the context of parenting and how they show up in your daily life.Learn how to identify and release inherited fears, shame, and silence so you don’t pass them to your children.Walk away with practical steps to transform generational patterns into moments of healing, love, and resilience. Listen now to explore how facing your past creates space for inclusion, safety, and the fierce love your kids deserve. Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here! Become a private client Attend Friday Reflection LIVE on Substack - guided journaling and Q&A Invite me to speak at your workshop or event Receive a free excerpt and reflection guide from my book, Parenting with Pride. Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review! Connect heather@heatherhester.net Watch on YouTube Influence the Parenting with Pride companion journal content. Survey here. Find out what kind of ally you are! Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday! At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection. If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action. Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in—I see you. And I’m so glad you’re part of this journey. More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen is a safe and supportive space where a mom and mental health advocate offers guidance on parenting with empathy, inclusion, love, and open-minded allyship, fostering growth, healing, connection, and empowerment within the LGBTQ community while addressing grief, boundaries, education, diversity, human...

    18 分鐘
  4. What "Monsters" Can Teach Us About Empathy and Parenting LGBTQ Kids

    10月7日

    What "Monsters" Can Teach Us About Empathy and Parenting LGBTQ Kids

    What if the monsters you feared growing up were never the real threat but a reflection of the parts of yourself society told you to hide? For LGBTQ+ youth, and the parents, moms, and advocates walking alongside them, labels like “weird,” “freak,” and “monster” aren’t just childhood fears, they’re often used to dehumanize. In this episode, we explore how queer communities have reclaimed “monstrosity” as a symbol of resilience, and how parents can use that same insight to guide their kids with empathy, education, and fierce love. Discover how “monster” stories are rooted in fear of difference and how reclaiming them builds resilience and pride.Learn practical ways to shift your parenting from fear-based protection to inclusion-based empowerment.Hear how LGBTQ+ communities transform pain into creativity, and how that wisdom can help you raise brave, mentally healthy kids. Hit play to explore how reclaiming the monster myth can strengthen your parenting, deepen your allyship, and create more safety and love for the communities that need it most. Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here! Become a private client Attend Friday Reflection LIVE on Substack - guided journaling and Q&A Invite me to speak at your workshop or event Receive a free excerpt and reflection guide from my book, Parenting with Pride. Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review! Connect heather@heatherhester.net Watch on YouTube Influence the Parenting with Pride companion journal content. Survey here. Find out what kind of ally you are! Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday! At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection. If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action. Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in—I see you. And I’m so glad you’re part of this journey. More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen is a safe and supportive space where a mom and mental health advocate offers guidance on parenting with empathy, inclusion, love, and open-minded allyship, fostering growth, healing, connection, and empowerment within the LGBTQ community while addressing grief,...

    24 分鐘
  5. "Different" Isn’t Broken: Supporting LGBTQ+ Kids with Confidence

    10月3日

    "Different" Isn’t Broken: Supporting LGBTQ+ Kids with Confidence

    What if your child’s “difference” isn’t a problem to fix, but a story we’ve been taught to fear? In this raw and compassionate episode, Heather Hester opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of parenting LGBTQ+ kids - really any kid that we have labeled as "different" and how to shift from grief and fear to love and clarity. Whether you’re facing the first waves of realization or years into the journey, this episode invites you to let go of outdated scripts and fully see your child as they are. Learn how your expectations may be unintentionally shaping your fears and how to let them goDiscover how to move from the grief of "what you imagined" to the beauty of "what is"Hear why “normal” is a myth and how honoring difference builds deeper trust, resilience, and connection Press play to reframe your perspective and discover the radical power of honoring your child exactly as they are. Resource Spotlight Parenting with Pride (Heather’s book!) — A heartfelt guide for parents navigating bias, expectations, and the journey of loving LGBTQ+ kids fully and freely.Understood.org — An incredible resource for parents raising children with learning and thinking differences, reminding us that “different” can mean thriving.The Mighty — A storytelling platform where people share lived experiences of difference, resilience, and what it means to be fully human.Child Mind Institute — Trusted guidance on supporting kids with emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges, framed with compassion and clarity. Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here! Become a private client Attend Friday Reflection LIVE on Substack - guided journaling and Q&A Invite me to speak at your workshop or event Receive a free excerpt and reflection guide from my book, Parenting with Pride. Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review! Connect heather@heatherhester.net Watch on YouTube Influence the Parenting with Pride companion journal content. Survey here. Find out what kind of ally you are! Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday! At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection. If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories,

    20 分鐘
  6. Protect or Prepare? How to Help Kids Face Hard Moments

    9月30日

    Protect or Prepare? How to Help Kids Face Hard Moments

    Should you shield your child from life's hardest moments or teach them how to face and carry them? In this honest and heart-opening episode, Heather Hester explores one of the most misunderstood parts of parenting: how to share hard truths without overwhelming your child. From navigating her own cancer diagnosis to supporting a child through crisis, Heather reveals what it really means to protect and prepare our kids for life’s hardest moments. (Parenting Trust, Resilience, and Emotional Guidance) Learn how to share difficult news in age-appropriate ways that build trust and emotional safetyHear how silence and secrecy create fear and what honesty can do insteadDiscover why vulnerability is a strength your kids need to see, not something to hide Press play now to learn how honesty, vulnerability, and trust can transform your parenting and strengthen your connection with your child. Resource Spotlight Raising Good Humans (Dr. Aliza Pressman podcast) — Honest, practical conversations about how to raise resilient kids by being honest about life’s struggles.Common Sense Media — Tools and language for helping parents decide what’s age-appropriate, especially when introducing kids to tough topics.American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — Guidance from pediatricians on talking with kids about illness, family stress, or other hard realities.NPR Life Kit (Parenting episodes) — Accessible, short conversations about parenting through challenges—offering bite-sized wisdom when you need it most. Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here! Become a private client Attend Friday Reflection LIVE on Substack - guided journaling and Q&A Invite me to speak at your workshop or event Receive a free excerpt and reflection guide from my book, Parenting with Pride. Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review! Connect heather@heatherhester.net Watch on YouTube Influence the Parenting with Pride companion journal content. Survey here. Find out what kind of ally you are! Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday! At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection. If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools,...

    24 分鐘
  7. Why Free Speech is Personal for Parents and LGBTQ Allies

    9月26日

    Why Free Speech is Personal for Parents and LGBTQ Allies

    Is free speech really free anymore, or are we watching the First Amendment unravel in real time? Whether you're raising LGBTQ+ kids, working to become a more informed ally, or just trying to make sense of the noise, this episode breaks down the five essential freedoms that shape our democracy and why they’re all in danger right now. From the weaponization of media to the rise of disinformation, understanding the First Amendment is no longer optional. Learn what free speech actually protects and where the legal and moral lines are drawn.Discover how government overreach, misinformation, and media attacks are weakening core freedoms.Get practical insight into how you can protect your rights and model civic courage for your kids. Hit play to get clear on what the First Amendment protects, how it's being undermined, and why your voice and vigilance matter more than ever. Resource Spotlight ACLU’s Protester’s Rights Guide, PEN America’s Media Literacy Toolkit, Independent outlets that keep truth alive such as Crooked Media, the AP, ProPublica, BBC, and The Guardian. Master Bibliography: First Amendment Further Reading1. Free Speech: Powerful, but Not AbsoluteThe Guardian – US free-speech rights shredded despite Trump vow to be First Amendment champion → linkThe Guardian – US Supreme Court tells lower courts to reconsider two free speech cases → linkThe Atlantic – Why America Protects Hate Speech → linkForbes – Your Free Speech Rights (Mostly) Don’t Apply At Work → linkPolitico – Trump: ‘It’s no longer free speech’ → link 2. A Free Press: Democracy’s WatchdogThe Guardian – Global press freedom suffers sharpest fall in 50 years, report finds → linkThe Guardian – The US used to be the gold standard for press freedom. Not any more → linkThe Atlantic – The press is not the enemy → linkAP News – West Point is violating the First Amendment with a crackdown on professors → linkPolitico – First Amendment advocates decry settlement in ‘60 Minutes’ lawsuit → link 3. Separation of Church and State Protects EveryoneThe Guardian – Project Blitz: the legislative assault by Christian nationalists to reshape America →a...

    28 分鐘
  8. Why LGBTQ+ Kids Wait Until College to Come Out

    9月23日

    Why LGBTQ+ Kids Wait Until College to Come Out

    Why do so many LGBTQ+ kids wait until college to come out, and what does that mean for the families they leave behind? In this insightful and compassionate episode, Heather Hester explores why college becomes a powerful turning point for many LGBTQ+ young people and what parents and allies need to understand. From the need for distance and safety to the importance of chosen community, you'll learn how to support your child without making it about you (no judgement or shame on you, we promise!) Understand why coming out often begins with identity ownership not rejection of familyLearn how to respond with curiosity and trust, even when you feel left outDiscover the most meaningful things you can say and do to support your child from afar Press play and walk away with the insight, grace, and grounded tools to support your LGBTQ+ child whether they’re just beginning to open up, or finding themselves far from home. Resource Spotlight Stages of Coming Out EpisodeThe Trevor Project — A lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth, offering 24/7 crisis support, peer connection, and resources to navigate coming out safely.Campus Pride — A national nonprofit that helps students find LGBTQ+-friendly colleges and universities, and works to make campuses safer and more inclusive.GLAAD Coming Out Guide — A practical, affirming guide with language, ideas, and steps for young people deciding when and how to come out.PFLAG National — The largest organization for parents and families of LGBTQ+ people, with chapters nationwide offering support and education. Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here! Become a private client Attend Friday Reflection LIVE on Substack - guided journaling and Q&A Invite me to speak at your workshop or event Receive a free excerpt and reflection guide from my book, Parenting with Pride. Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review! Connect heather@heatherhester.net Watch on YouTube Influence the Parenting with Pride companion journal content. Survey here. Find out what kind of ally you are! Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday! At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster...

    20 分鐘

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4.6
(滿分 5 顆星)
108 則評分

簡介

Do you wish you could better support your LGBTQ child? To be an ally who shows up with courage, clarity, and compassion in your family, workplace, and community? You're not alone. More Human. More Kind. is a twice-weekly podcast supporting concerned parents and allies of LGBTQ+ kids who are ready to move from fear, grief, and confusion to healing, resilience, and empowered advocacy. Hosted by Heather Hester, author of Parenting with Pride and a fierce advocate for human rights and social justice, each episode blends grounded insights, personal stories, and practical guidance to help you protect what matters, raise brave kids, and spark collective change. * You'll learn to navigate mental health challenges, set loving boundaries, and find hope and support through the messiness of parenting, allyship, and becoming. * Whether you're wrestling with bigotry, searching for connection and community, or ready to shift your mindset toward kindness and open-minded action, this show offers the education and encouragement you need. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Friday, featuring expert interviews, vulnerable Listener Queer-ies, and timely solo episodes that foster growth, empathy, and activism. Start with fan-favorite Episode 3: Embrace the Messiness of Supporting Your LGBTQ Teen (With Resilience & Hope), an honest conversation that will help you exhale, reflect, and show up more fully and fiercely for the people you love. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podder - https://www.podderapp.com/privacy-policy Blubrry - https://create.blubrry.com/resources/about-blubrry/privacy-policy

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