More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids, Unlearning Fear, Becoming More Human

Are you confusing being “nice” with being kind and unintentionally avoiding the hard conversations that true LGBTQ allyship demands? In this eye-opening solo episode of More Human, More Kind , host Heather Hester explores a subtle but crucial distinction: the difference between niceness and kindness , especially when it comes to showing up as an LGBTQ ally, parent, or advocate for social justice....

Are you reacting or are you responding with wisdom? What if the difference between judgment and discernment could change everything from how you parent your LGBTQ child to how you engage in difficult conversations around identity, inclusion, and justice? In this transformative solo episode of More Human, More Kind , Heather Hester explores one of the most important mindset shifts we can make as pa...

Is your teen overwhelmed by college applications and feeling the pressure to be perfect? In this honest and eye-opening episode of More Human, More Kind , Heather Hester is joined by Dylan Nellis , Stanford graduate and founder of NextGen Admit , for a refreshing look at the college admissions process. Together, they unpack the emotional, mental health, and identity challenges teens face and what...

Have we forgotten how to hold people, especially those in power , accountable? In this heartfelt and timely episode of More Human, More Kind , host Heather Hester reflects on why accountability is one of the most radical, necessary acts of love in parenting, relationships, and our collective life. Through her own stories and real-world examples, she invites listeners to explore why the absence of...

Can a fictional speech and a state address both expose the same creeping threat to democracy, and what does that mean for us as parents, allies, and citizens? In this timely and emotionally charged episode of More Human, More Kind , Heather Hester reads and reflects on two powerful speeches: one from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s recent State of the State address, and the other from a 10-year-ol...

Are you hoping your love is enough, or are you actually showing up for the trans people in your life in ways that heal, protect, and affirm? In this vital, eye-opening episode of More Human, More Kind , Heather Hester sits down with licensed therapist, speaker, and trans man Alexander Stefanini for a deep and courageous conversation about what true support looks like for trans teens, adults, and t...

Are you waiting for the “right time” to speak up while LGBTQ+ rights disappear in real time? This week’s episode is a call to rise above overwhelm and inaction . With heartfelt urgency, Heather Hester addresses the systemic rollbacks of LGBTQ+ rights , especially those targeting trans youth , and how our silence, even when rooted in fear or fatigue, feeds the systems we wish to dismantle . Weaving...

Are you carrying a heaviness you can’t quite name: a fog of anxiety, heartbreak, or helplessness that won’t lift, no matter how much you care or try to stay positive? You're not broken. You're human and you're paying attention. In this gentle, grounded episode, Heather Hester speaks directly to the emotional overwhelm so many are experiencing, especially parents and allies of LGBTQ+ youth who are...

Did you know over 80% of LGBTQ+ youth experience disordered eating? This issue is deep, complex, and urgent, and yet it's rarely discussed with the compassion and nuance it deserves. In this powerful and timely conversation, Heather Hester is joined by Kristin Szostak , Regional AVP at The Renfrew Centers , one of the nation’s leading eating disorder treatment programs, to shine a light on how ide...

Feeling emotionally wrung out after 2024, but not sure how to reset for the year ahead? You’re not imagining it. This year asked a lot of all of us, especially those parenting, advocating, or simply trying to show up with empathy in an overwhelming world. In this tender and honest solo episode, Heather Hester reflects on a year marked by grief, hard boundaries, and fierce love , and offers a gentl...

Are you constantly showing up for others while quietly falling apart inside? You’re not alone, and you’re not failing. In this honest and healing episode, Heather sits down with Aransas Savas to unpack what real self-care looks like when life is heavy and how high-capacity women, mothers, and allies can reclaim their energy without guilt. Through deeply personal stories, including the terrifying m...

Feeling overwhelmed by political chaos, fear-based headlines, or growing attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, and unsure how to stay grounded as a parent? You're not alone, and you're not powerless. In this heartfelt episode, Heather Hester shares how parents and allies can become a source of calm, clarity, and connection for LGBTQ+ youth during even the most uncertain times. Heather speaks directly to the e...

What happens when you discover your true gender identity in your 30s while married, raising four kids, and living in the religious heart of America? In this profoundly moving episode, Britt Sandoval shares their powerful story of coming out as nonbinary , navigating spiritual deconstruction, and radically redefining parenting, love, and selfhood all in real time. This conversation explores the com...

Exhausted by this election cycle? Feeling like the weight of the world is sitting on your chest, especially as a parent or ally of LGBTQ loved ones ? You're not imagining it. You're not overreacting. And you're definitely not alone. If the nonstop news, toxic division, and rising threats to LGBTQ+ rights have you feeling depleted and panicked, this episode is your calm in the storm. Heather shares...

Are you overwhelmed by the weight of the political moment, anxious about what it means for your LGBTQ+ child, and wondering how to stay emotionally steady without shutting down? You’re not alone, and your nervous system isn’t broken. It’s just trying to protect you. In this powerful and timely conversation , Heather Hester welcomes back nervous system specialist Kelly Lubeck to unpack why so many...

Feeling overwhelmed by the rising hostility toward trans and LGBTQ+ youth and unsure what real support looks like in 2024? You’re not imagining it. Rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ teens have surged alongside political attacks and cultural backlash. But here’s the truth: your love, words, and action can save lives. In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month , He...

What does real allyship for transgender youth look like in a year marked by fear, legislation, and rising hate? With nearly 600 anti-trans bills introduced in 2024 alone and an increase in hate crimes targeting the LGBTQ+ community, we are living in a moment where silence is harm . The time to show up isn’t next year. It’s now. In this deeply honest and inspiring episode, Heather is joined by thre...

Are you raising an LGBTQ+ teen and wondering how to prepare them for a world that feels increasingly polarized, uncertain, and overwhelming, especially with a critical election approaching? In this unfiltered, honest, and energizing conversation, Heather sits down with three college students, Luke, Lars, and Grace, to talk about the 2025 election, media literacy, political fear tactics, and the fu...

Ever felt completely lost trying to help your child through a mental health, educational, or identity-related crisis, and unsure where to turn? In this candid and compassionate episode, educational consultant Jodi Liston shares her personal journey as a parent of children with severe mental health needs, and how it led her to become a trusted guide for families navigating complex school and clinic...

Did you assume college would be the safest place for your LGBTQ+ child, only to feel shaken by rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, even on progressive campuses? As Pride centers are defunded, book bans expand, and anti-trans legislation spreads, college is no longer the automatic safe space many parents hope for . In this urgent episode, Jorge Valencia shares his journey and the powerful work of the Poi...

What if your coming-out story sparked a legacy of activism? In this powerful episode, Eric Marcus, acclaimed author, LGBTQ+ historian, and host of the Making Gay History podcast, joins us to share his deeply personal story, the roots of queer advocacy, and how the past can shape a more inclusive future. Eric’s journey from a young man coming out to his Jewish mother in Queens to becoming a key voi...

Do you ever feel overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally exhausted and wonder why? It might be your nervous system trying to tell you something. In this powerful episode, I sit down with nervous system expert and healer Kelly Lubeck to explore how our bodies are wired for safety, and what we can do to support true healing and balance. Kelly brings decades of experience in coaching, shamanic healing,...

Are you wondering how to truly support LGBTQ teens beyond simply saying “I’m an ally”? For many parents, allyship can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re afraid of saying the wrong thing or unsure how to advocate for your LGBTQ child in everyday life. In this episode, Heather shares practical, compassionate guidance to help parents move from good intentions to meaningful LGBTQ allyship that...

Do you know the real history behind Pride Month and why it still matters for LGBTQ teens and families today? Many parents and allies celebrate Pride without fully understanding the history, activism, and courage that shaped the LGBTQ rights movement. In this encore episode, Heather walks listeners through the origins of Pride, the Stonewall Riots, the meaning behind LGBTQ symbols like the rainbow...

What happens when LGBTQ teens are given a safe space to fully express who they are? Many LGBTQ youth struggle to find environments where they feel truly seen, heard, and celebrated. In this inspiring episode, Heather sits down with Celeste Lecesne of The Future Perfect Project and Lily & Eric from the I’m Feeling Queer Today podcast to explore how creativity, storytelling, and supportive commu...