Shows
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensWhy Pretending to Be Okay Is Hurting Parents and Allies of LGBTQ+ Kids More Than They RealizeAre you an overwhelmed mom of an LGBTQ+ teen who's feeling lost trying to navigate the coming out process, and wants to let go of shame and embarrassment, as well as build a deeper connection of trust within yourself and your teen? Click here to learn how to work with me 1-1.Are you smiling through meetings, school pick-ups, and family dinners while silently falling apart inside?You’re not alone and you’re not broken. Many parents of LGBTQ+ kids are living two parallel lives: the one everyone sees, and the one consumed by fear...
2026-01-0912 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensJanuary Recalibration: Reentry for Parents and Allies of LGBTQ+ FolksIf you’re starting the new year feeling emotionally scrambled, stretched thin, or just... not ready to jump into goals and plans then this episode is for you.January asks so much of us. But what if you didn’t need to fix, improve, or push? What if you just needed a way to come back to yourself, gently, honestly, and on your own time?In today’s episode, Heather Hester shares why this post-holiday “offness” is completely normal for LGBTQ+ parents and allies, especially those who’ve been holding emotional labor, navigating family dynamics, and trying t...
2026-01-0615 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensMicro Kindness, Major Impact: A Holiday Reframe for Parents and Allies of Queer KidsDAY 9MORE HUMAN MOMENTS FOR THE MOST WONDERFUL (AND COMPLICATED!) TIME OF THE YEAR12 TINY REBELLIONS TO COUNTER HOLIDAY CHAOSAre you finding it hard to celebrate the holidays when the world feels like it’s unraveling? If your heart is heavy with the weight of injustice, violence, and overwhelm, this episode is for you.In Day 9 of the More Human, More Kind holiday capsule, Heather Hester invites you to stop trying to hold the whole world and instead embrace the power of one kind thing. For parents and allies of LG...
2025-12-2506 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensLet Go of Traditions That No Longer Fit: A Holiday Guide for LGBTQ Allies (DAY 8)DAY 8MORE HUMAN MOMENTS FOR THE MOST WONDERFUL (AND COMPLICATED!) TIME OF THE YEAR12 TINY REBELLIONS TO COUNTER HOLIDAY CHAOSEver found yourself watching your LGBTQ+ child shrink at a family tradition that no longer feels right? You're not imagining it, and you're not alone.In Day 8 of the More Human, More Kind holiday capsule, Heather Hester explores why some holiday rituals, like gendered gift exchanges, no longer fit, and how that discomfort can be a powerful invitation to reimagine connection. Tradition should never come at the expense of belonging.
2025-12-2405 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensParents, Here's How to Escape the Holiday Comparison Trap [DAY 7]DAY 7MORE HUMAN MOMENTS FOR THE MOST WONDERFUL (AND COMPLICATED!) TIME OF THE YEAR!12 Tiny Rebellions to Counter Holiday ChaosScrolling social media this time of year and feeling like everyone else’s holiday is warmer, happier, or more “together” than yours? You’re not alone AND it’s not your fault.In Day 7 of the More Human, More Kind holiday capsule, Heather Hester walks you through the emotional and neurological roots of comparison, especially for parents and allies of LGBTQ+ kids, and gently guides you back to truth and authenticity.You’l...
2025-12-2305 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensGuilt Is a Signal, Not a Sentence: A Holiday Reframe for Parents of LGBTQ+ Kids [DAY 6]DAY 6MORE HUMAN MOMENTS FOR THE MOST WONDERFUL (AND COMPLICATED!) TIME OF THE YEAR!12 Tiny Rebellions to Counter Holiday ChaosDo you ever lie awake replaying moments you wish you could rewrite - things you didn’t know, didn’t say, or didn’t protect your LGBTQ+ child from? That quiet ache of guilt sneaks in, especially during the holidays.In Day 6 of More Human, More Kind's holiday capsule series, host Heather Hester helps you gently confront those feelings, not to punish yourself, but to transform guilt into wisdom. Whether you're a pare...
2025-12-2205 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensHow to Respond When a Relative Misgenders Your LGBTQ+ Child at a Holiday Gathering[DAY 5]DAY 5MORE HUMAN MOMENTS FOR THE MOST WONDERFUL (AND COMPLICATED!) TIME OF THE YEAR!12 Tiny Rebellions to Counter Holiday ChaosYou're at the holiday table. Your child walks in. A relative misgenders them on purpose. The room freezes, your heart races, and you feel that internal tug between protecting your child and keeping the peace.In this holiday capsule episode, Heather Hester shares a grounded, loving framework to handle this common but painful moment with grace. You’ll learn how to regulate your nervous system, speak up with clarity, and model fi...
2025-12-1906 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensSimple Tools for Managing Holiday Conflict for LGBTQ+ Parents and Allies [DAY 4]DAY 4MORE HUMAN MONETS FOR THE MOST WONDERFUL (AND MOST COMPLICATED!) TIME OF THE YEAR!12 Rebellions Against Holiday ChaosIs your stomach in knots before a holiday gathering, already dreading that one comment you know is coming? You’re not alone. Conflict is hard enough. But when you're an LGBTQ+ parent or ally, it comes with an emotional cost most people don’t see.In this holiday capsule episode of More Human, More Kind, Heather Hester offers a calm, clear strategy to handle those moments when tension bubbles up without spiraling, free...
2025-12-1805 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensReframing Holiday Loneliness for LGBTQ+ Parents and Allies [DAY 3]DAY 3MORE HUMAN MOMENTS FOR THE MOST WONDERFUL (AND MOST COMPLICATED!) TIME OF THE YEAR12 Tiny Rebellions Against Holiday ChaosThe holiday lights are twinkling, the house is full, and yet, you feel... alone. If you're parenting or advocating for an LGBTQ+ child, this ache is more common than you think. You’re not imagining it. And you’re not alone.In today’s holiday capsule episode Heather Hester speaks directly to the invisible load carried by parents, caregivers, and allies during the holidays. Through gentle insight and a grounding ritual, she he...
2025-12-1706 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ Teens6 Years & 200 Episodes: A Parenting Story of Grace, Growth, and Getting It WrongSPECIAL EPISODE ALERT!!We are so happy to share this special episode that is a celebration of both 6 years AND 200 episodes for this podcast! It is honest and raw...and the sound may be a little off our usual high quality recording levels.In this heartfelt milestone episode, Heather Hester is joined in person by two of her children, Connor and Grace, to share the deeply personal and powerful story of how their family moved from silence and fear to connection, growth, and unconditional love. (Steve, Isabelle, and Rowan were there in spirit and idea...
2025-12-121h 04
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensStrength in Softness: Supporting Your LGBTQ Child With Love During the HolidaysAre you constantly bracing for impact this holiday season, snapping at your kids, holding your breath, pushing through?If you’re a parent of an LGBTQ+ child, an ally, or simply a human feeling stretched thin, this episode invites you to soften, not as a weakness, but as a radical act of strength, love, and nervous system regulation.In a world that rewards hard edges and overextension, Heather Hester offers a deeply human reframe: softness is how we stay connected to ourselves, to our children, and to what matters most.Backed by research fr...
2025-12-0916 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensKeeping the Peace: Boundaries for LGBTQ+ Holiday ParentingAre you feeling pulled between preserving family peace and protecting your mental health this holiday season?You're not alone AND you're not doing it wrong. The holidays are often an emotional minefield, especially for parents of LGBTQ+ kids navigating outdated traditions, family dynamics, and identity stress. This episode is your permission slip to pause, breathe, and make room for something more aligned.Heather Hester offers a powerful, practical conversation about what it means to evolve, not erase, traditions that no longer fit who you or your family are now.Whether you're a mom...
2025-12-0517 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensWhat Your Body Is Telling You: Holiday Care for LGBTQ+ Parents and AlliesAre you an LGBTQ+ parent, ally, or advocate feeling exhausted by the emotional and logistical weight of the holiday season?You’re not alone. Many parents and caregivers, especially those supporting LGBTQ youth, enter this time of year overwhelmed, overextended, and overstimulated, unsure how to protect their own peace while showing up for others.In this powerful solo reflection, Heather Hester invites you to rethink everything you’ve been told about self-care.Forget the candles and curated routines. This episode explores what your nervous system actually needs to feel safe, grounded, and connected, espe...
2025-12-0223 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensParents, Fixing Is Hurting Your Relationships! This Is What To Do Instead.Are you constantly jumping in with advice only to feel more disconnected from the people you love?Whether you're navigating hard conversations with your LGBTQ+ teen or sitting down at a tense holiday dinner, the urge to "fix" is often fear in disguise. In this calming and powerful solo episode, Heather Hester unpacks why real connection doesn’t come from solving but from seeing.✔️ Learn a simple, science-backed practice to shift from reactivity to presence✔️ Discover how to listen without rushing, rescuing, or retreating✔️ Use Heather’s LISTEN method to guide any difficult co...
2025-11-2115 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ Teens"I Believe You" - The Most Important Thing You Can Say to Your LGBTQ+ ChildWhen your child comes out or shares something vulnerable do you freeze, fumble, or fear saying the wrong thing?Whether it’s about gender, sexuality, faith, or mental health, what your child is really asking in that moment is, “Can I trust you?” In this essential episode, Heather Hester shares the neuroscience, parenting wisdom, and personal stories behind why believing your child, even without full understanding, can literally save lives.✔️ Learn 8 powerful tools to communicate belief, safety, and love even when you’re still learning✔️ Discover how trauma-informed parenting strengthens your child's mental health and self...
2025-11-1819 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensHow to Lead, Parent, and Live with More Humanity and More KindnessWhat if the most radical thing we can be right now is fully, imperfectly human and deeply, fiercely kind?In this foundational episode of More Human, More Kind, host Heather Hester pulls back the curtain on the heart of the podcast and the movement behind it. Born out of advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth and expanded into a space for universal healing, this episode outlines the four pillars that guide every conversation: curiosity, compassion, courage, and connection.Whether you're a parent raising brave kids, an LGBTQ+ ally, or simply someone navigating life in a divided, demanding...
2025-11-1117 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensParents, Relearning Love is a Gift for the Soul - Yours and Your LGBTQ Teen'sWhat if love was never meant to be earned, just allowed?In this powerful and tender episode of More Human, More Kind, Heather Hester invites you to examine the stories you carry about love, especially the ones you learned before you even had the words to question them. Through science, psychology, and personal reflection, she explores how childhood attachment patterns shape our adult definitions of love and how to rewrite those stories with compassion, curiosity, and conscious parenting.Whether you're an LGBTQ+ ally, a parent trying to raise emotionally healthy kids, or someone healing from...
2025-11-0714 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensDe-Weaponizing Love During the Holidays (Important Info for Parents of LGBTQ Kids)What if the thing that hurt you most was disguised as love?In this emotionally honest and deeply necessary episode of More Human, More Kind, Heather Hester invites you to explore one of the most painful and liberating truths: that not all love is safe, and some of it was never love to begin with.As parents, LGBTQ allies, and humans trying to live with more empathy and intention, we often confuse care with control, especially if we were taught that love must hurt to mean something. But when affection becomes a means of compliance...
2025-11-0424 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensHistory Repeats Unless We Interrupt It: LGBTQ+ Rights, Allyship, and ActionLGBTQ+ History Month isn’t just a celebration of the past,it’s a warning about the present. With over 600 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in play, what will you do to protect what truly matters?In this powerful episode, Heather Hester walks you through key moments in LGBTQ+ history, from Stonewall to marriage equality, and connects them to the rising threats queer youth face today. You’ll gain tools, context, and confidence to speak up when it matters most.Learn how to help your kids connect past and present, recognize the patterns of oppression, and feel empowered to res...
2025-10-2819 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensReclaiming the Witch: How Power, Queerness & Rebellion Got Branded EvilWhat if the witches we grew up fearing weren’t villains, but visionaries, healers, or queer-coded rebels whose power threatened the status quo?In today’s rich and revolutionary episode of More Human, More Kind, Heather Hester uncovers the truth behind witch hunts, both historical and modern. From midwives to queer teens, anyone who dared to live outside the norms has been branded dangerous. But when we revisit who the “witch” really was, we open a portal to connection, empathy, and courage.If your child is drawn to witches, monsters, or magic, this episode will show you...
2025-10-2422 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ Teens"Different" Isn’t Broken: Supporting LGBTQ+ Kids with ConfidenceWhat 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...
2025-10-0319 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensParents, Should You Protect or Prepare Your Kids to 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 an...
2025-09-3023 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensWhy LGBTQ+ Kids Wait Until College to Come OutWhy 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...
2025-09-2319 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensThe Parenting Shift That Builds Trust With Your LGBTQ+ ChildDo you ever feel like the harder you try to guide your LGBTQ+ child, the more they pull away?You’re not alone. In this deeply personal episode, Heather Hester explores the emotional weight of control, how it shows up in families, and why learning to lead with influence, not force, can transform your relationship with your child. Whether you’re parenting a queer or trans teen or simply navigating a tense family dynamic, this episode offers a compassionate reframe grounded in real-life stories and tools.Understand why control breeds resistance and how influence fosters lasting trus...
2025-09-1915 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensGen Z, AI, and Mental Health: What Parents Should KnowIs your teen turning to an AI chatbot when they’re in crisis? Would you even know if they were?In this eye-opening episode, Heather Hester explores the booming use of AI mental health apps like Woebot and Replika, especially among Gen Z and LGBTQ+ youth. Why are young people choosing bots over therapists or parents? What do these tools offer and what are they missing? This conversation pulls back the curtain on a growing mental health trend and offers actionable guidance for parents, educators, and allies navigating this new reality.Understand why Gen Z is tu...
2025-09-1218 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensStop Blaming Identity: The Dangerous Myth Affecting LGBTQ+ Mental HealthHave you ever heard someone say LGBTQ+ kids struggle with mental health because of who they are?In this urgent episode, Heather Hester dismantles one of the most dangerous myths surrounding LGBTQ+ youth: that their mental health struggles are inherent. With clarity and compassion, she explores the real causes like rejection, stigma, and lack of affirming care, and shares what parents, allies, and advocates can do to protect the lives and dignity of LGBTQ+ youth today.Learn why identity isn’t the problem, rejection is, and how that impacts LGBTQ+ mental healthDiscover the daily actions parents an...
2025-09-0523 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensWhat If One Conversation Could Save a Life? Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ YouthWhat if the most life-saving thing you do this week isn’t a therapy appointment or medication, but a single, courageous conversation?For LGBTQ+ youth, suicide risk remains heartbreakingly high — not because of who they are, but because of the rejection, fear, and silence they too often face. In this vital episode, Heather Hester cuts through the discomfort to teach parents and allies how to break that silence with compassion, clarity, and life-affirming guidance.Learn the real reasons behind the suicide risk facing LGBTQ+ youth and what the data actually saysRecognize critical warning signs and how to r...
2025-09-0226 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensWhat LGBTQ+ Kids Really Need from Their ParentsDo you think you're doing the right thing for your LGBTQ+ child, but still feel like you're fumbling through it alone?In this deeply honest and empowering episode, Heather Hester is joined by author Anna MacArthur to explore what happens when your child comes out before you’re ready and how to grow into the fierce, loving, and informed parent they need. Together, they unpack the emotional rollercoaster of learning, unlearning, and becoming an LGBTQ+ ally in real time.Hear the real story behind Anna’s unexpected journey from confusion to courage after her son’s coming...
2025-08-2636 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensA 7-Week Program That’s Changing LGBTQ+ Family DynamicsAre you raising or supporting an LGBTQ+ teen and wondering how to truly show up for them, especially in today’s climate?In this episode, psychologist and researcher Dr. Heather Littleton joins host Heather Hester to share how the Healthy Families Bright Futures program is equipping LGBTQ+ teens and their caregivers with real-world tools for connection, communication, and confidence. Whether you’re new to this journey or further along, this conversation offers hope, guidance, and practical support. AND, this is a paid study looking for participants!Discover how this unique 7-week online program empowers LGBTQ+ teens and...
2025-08-0122 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensProtecting LGBTQ+ Youth Starts with Mental HealthWhat if the most important way to protect LGBTQ+ youth isn’t legislation or policies, but how we care for their mental health?In the final episode of July’s “Safety” series, Heather Hester gets to the emotional core of LGBTQ+ protection: supporting what’s happening inside our kids. Backed by powerful data and grounded in lived experience, this conversation unpacks what mental health safety really means, and why your presence, listening, and affirmation matter more than ever.Understand the life-saving impact of being one accepting adult in an LGBTQ+ young person’s lifeLearn how to create emoti...
2025-07-2914 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensSay This, Not That: Language That Builds Trust With Your LGBTQ TeenPride Month Series | More Human. More Kind. with Heather HesterWhat if the words you say in a single moment could shape your child’s inner voice for a lifetime?Whether you're a parent, ally, or someone striving to lead with compassion in a polarized world, understanding how language—spoken and unspoken—impacts our LGBTQ+ loved ones is crucial. This episode explores how your reactions, tone, and body language can either nurture connection or deepen divides.In this episode you will:Discover how to transform missteps into deeper trust and healing with your c...
2025-06-1319 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensLetting Go of Perfect: The Real Work of LGBTQ+ AllyshipPride Month Series | More Human. More Kind. with Heather HesterAre you worried about saying the wrong thing to your LGBTQ child or holding back your support until you “get it right”?In this deeply honest episode, Heather Hester explores one of the biggest blocks parents and allies face: perfectionism. She shares her own journey of fumbling, learning, and ultimately showing up imperfectly but wholeheartedly for her LGBTQ kids. If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by the fear of messing up, this episode offers both comfort and guidance.Discover why perfectionism is a barrier to tru...
2025-06-1011 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensCuriosity Over Judgment: The First Step in LGBTQ+ AllyshipPride Month SeriesAre you parenting an LGBTQ child or striving to be a better ally, but worried you’re unintentionally doing more harm than good?In today’s episode, Heather Hester shares the first of five transformative lessons from her own journey of parenting with pride. As she reflects on her son's coming out, she opens up about the surprising power of choosing curiosity over judgment and why even well-meaning reactions can create distance instead of connection. If you’ve ever wondered how to truly show up for your LGBTQ child, this is a must-l...
2025-06-0613 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensQueer Grief and the Power of Storytelling: The Story of "What About Me?"Have you ever felt like no one talks about what it really means to grieve as a queer person or as someone who loves one?In today’s heartfelt episode, Heather Hester sits down with Josh Nagler and Sam Wasserman, the creative minds behind What About Me, a new series born from the raw, unfiltered experience of sibling grief and queer identity. Whether you're a parent, ally, or part of the LGBTQ+ community, their story sheds light on what it means to hold space for both loss and visibility, especially when the world wants things tidy.He...
2025-06-0339 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensHow Allies Can Lead with Love in a World on FireAre you feeling the emotional weight of injustice, rising hate, and systemic collapse AND still want to lead with love?In this final reflection of the More Human, More Kind series on mothering, Heather Hester invites listeners to consider what it means to “mother the world.” This powerful episode is for those holding grief and hope at the same time, navigating fear and fatigue in a chaotic world, and still choosing compassion, clarity, and courage.Discover how to care deeply for the world without abandoning yourselfLearn why tending with love, not fixing everything, is the most powe...
2025-05-3005 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensEvolving Out Loud: Parenting, Allyship, and Letting Go of GuiltHave you ever worried that you're not doing enough - or doing it all wrong - as the parent of an LGBTQ+ child?In this honest and empowering conversation, Heather Hester is joined by Ash Beckham to break down what it really means to evolve as a parent and an ally. Together, they unpack the myths of perfection, the paralyzing weight of guilt, and the liberating power of curiosity, compassion, and healthy boundaries.Learn how to unlearn ingrained biases without getting stuck in shame or self-judgmentDiscover what true allyship looks like in parenting, especially when you...
2025-05-2750 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensExhausted, Guilty, and Overgiving? Why Parents Must Relearn Self-CareDo you feel guilty for resting or like your needs are always last on the list?In this deeply personal solo episode, Heather Hester reflects on what it truly means to mother yourself and why so many of us have been conditioned to believe that self-care is selfish. She speaks directly to the exhausted, over-functioning, and emotionally depleted listener who’s ready for a more compassionate way forward.Learn how to recognize the signs that your “cup” is empty and what to do about itDiscover how to speak to yourself with more grace, kindness, and curiosityGain permis...
2025-05-2307 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensReligious Trauma Is Real: Here's How LGBTQ+ People HealHave you ever questioned your faith or your worth because of what you were taught about being LGBTQ+?In this transformative episode, Heather Hester is joined by therapist and theologian Ann Russo to unpack the rarely discussed but deeply felt wounds of religious trauma, especially among LGBTQ+ individuals. From purity culture and existential fear to parental shame and spiritual disconnection, they explore how healing can begin without abandoning your faith, identity, or dignity.Learn how to recognize the signs of religious trauma and how they may still be showing up in your lifeUnderstand why you don’t...
2025-05-2035 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensNot Just Hustle: How to Lead with Heart in Parenting, Work, and LifeEver feel like your project, business, or mission is asking more of your heart than your hustle?In this reflective solo episode, Heather Hester reframes mothering as a creative, courageous act — not just for parenting, but for anything we’re building or nurturing in the world. Whether you're launching a business, leading a classroom, writing a book, or quietly tending to a dream no one else can see yet, this episode offers soul-level encouragement for those showing up with love, even in the face of fear, burnout, and uncertainty.Learn why your work matters even when it’s...
2025-05-1706 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensYou Don’t Have to Be a Parent to Mother: A Reflection on Love & Letting GoWhat if mothering had nothing to do with being a mom and everything to do with how we show up for others with love, empathy, and presence?In this tender solo reflection, Heather Hester shares the emotional layers behind her daughter’s college graduation not just as a parent but as a human navigating grief, transition, and healing. This milestone becomes a mirror for a deeper truth: that mothering is not a role reserved for women or parents it's a universal practice of care, practiced by anyone who holds space, offers comfort, and chooses presence in a wo...
2025-05-0908 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensWhen Grief Undoes You: What My Sister’s Death and a Broken Launch Taught MeWhat if grief wasn’t something to fix or silence but a truth to live through, honor, and let change you?In this vulnerable, deeply human episode, Heather Hester reflects on the one-year anniversary of her sister Corinne’s death and the emotional unraveling that followed from the collapse of her book launch to the heaviness of a nation in crisis. With honesty, grace, and fierce love, she invites you into a conversation that holds personal grief and political grief side by side without minimizing either.You’ll learn how grief intersects with parenting, allyship, and id...
2025-04-2935 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensIs Peaceful Protest Disappearing? What Every Ally Needs to KnowIs your right to protest quietly disappearing while most people don’t even notice?In the final episode of the Foundations of Freedom series, Heather Hester shines a light on one of the most misunderstood rights in the U.S. Constitution: the right to peaceably assemble. From the Boston Tea Party and the Civil Rights Movement to Stonewall, Standing Rock, and modern LGBTQ+ activism, peaceful protest has been essential to progress. But today, new laws, intimidation tactics, and surveillance are threatening this right especially for queer youth, parents, and allies who are trying to show up with co...
2025-04-2528 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensSetting Boundaries Without Guilt: A Love Letter to Your PeaceWhat if the most powerful act of love you can offer, to yourself, your child, or your community, is a boundary?In this episode of More Human, More Kind, Heather Hester dismantles the cultural myth that boundaries are selfish, cold, or unkind. Instead, she invites us to see them as sacred, necessary acts of inclusion, empathy, and healing, especially for parents of LGBTQ+ kids, overwhelmed allies, and anyone doing emotional labor at home, work, or in advocacy spaces.You’ll learn how boundaries actually create safety, clarity, and deeper connection, and why saying "no" can so...
2025-04-2309 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensFrom Just Breathe to More Human, More Kind: A New BeginningWhat if the antidote to burnout, division, and fear isn’t more perfection, but more humanity and more kindness?In this inaugural episode of More Human, More Kind, Heather Hester opens her heart and shares the deeply personal journey from her first podcast, Just Breathe, a lifeline for parents of LGBTQ+ teens, to this wider, more expansive space for healing, allyship, identity, and inclusion. It’s a conversation about change, the kind that’s messy, honest, and necessary.Whether you're a parent, educator, or ally feeling overwhelmed in a world full of noise and expectations, this e...
2025-04-2211 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensMore Human. More Kind. TrailerMore Human. More Kind. is a space for real conversations about what it means to show up in the world with compassion, clarity, and courage. Hosted by Heather Hester—coach, speaker, and advocate for radical kindness—this podcast explores the messy, beautiful journey of being human.With warmth and wisdom, Heather dives into topics like:Setting boundaries with people you loveBeing kind vs. being niceCreating space for healing in strained relationshipsParenting with clarity and compassionNavigating identity, growth, and authenticityRooted in lived experience and deep empathy, each episode offers insight, reflection, and a gentle remi...
2025-04-2202 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensFaith, Freedom, and the First Amendment: What’s at Risk NowWhat happens when the line between church and state begins to blur, and most people don't even notice?In this urgent episode of More Human, More Kind, Heather Hester continues the Foundations of Freedom series by unpacking the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, the often-overlooked protection against government-imposed religion. From Thomas Jefferson's letter on the “wall of separation” to the Supreme Court’s shift toward tradition-based rulings, Heather guides listeners through the legal, cultural, and political shifts threatening true religious freedom in the U.S.This episode is especially critical for parents, LGBTQ+ families, educat...
2025-04-1926 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensKneeling, Book Bans, and Cancel Culture: Free Speech Under FireCan you really say anything you want under the First Amendment, and what happens when you do?In this eye-opening episode of More Human, More Kind, Heather Hester continues the Foundations of Freedom series by breaking down one of the most misunderstood rights in American life: freedom of speech. From symbolic protest (like kneeling during the national anthem) to book bans, social media censorship, and anti-protest laws, Heather guides parents, allies, and advocates through what free speech actually protects and what it doesn’t.Whether you're parenting an LGBTQ+ teen, navigating tough conversations at work, or...
2025-04-1124 min
More Human More Kind: Practical Guidance for Allyship and Parenting LGBTQ TeensFreedom of the Press: Why Truth Is a Cornerstone of DemocracyCan democracy survive if journalism disappears?In this powerful first episode of the Foundations of Freedom series, Heather Hester dives into one of the most critical and most under threat freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment: freedom of the press. From local reporters to national watchdogs, a free and independent press has always been a cornerstone of democracy, social justice, and LGBTQ+ visibility.Whether you’re a parent navigating what your kids are learning in school, an LGBTQ+ ally speaking up against injustice, or someone deeply concerned about truth, trust, and mental health in a po...
2025-04-0533 min