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PODCAST

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

Heather Hester | Advocate for Parents of LGBTQ Teens

"Mom, I think I might be_____." Whether that sentence ended in gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or something they"re still figuring out — you are in the right place. Maybe you"re scared. Maybe you"re grieving something you can"t quite name yet. Maybe you"re desperate to get this right and terrified that you"ve already gotten it wrong. This show is for you, exactly where you are right now. More Human. More Kind. is hosted by Heather Hester, author of Parenting with Pride and a fierce

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

14:32

#189 | From Packing to Pronouns: What Real Allyship...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/08/19

Is your LGBTQ teen heading to college and you’re wondering how to support them without smothering their independence?The transition to college is a huge milestone. For LGBTQ+ students, it can bring both liberation and new layers of fear, risk, and identity exploration. This episode offers the tools and guidance parents and allies need to empower their teen while staying emotionally connected.Help your LGBTQ+ teen prepare for affirming housing, healthcare, and mental health resourcesLearn how to

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15:04

#188 | Five (5) Ways to Support LGBTQ Teens During...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/08/15

Is your LGBTQ teen heading back to high school, but quietly bracing for judgment, isolation, or burnout?For LGBTQ+ teens, high school is often a complex dance between self-expression and self-protection. This episode explores how parents and allies can become the steady, empowering force teens need during this crucial time without trying to control their journey.Discover practical ways to support your teen emotionally at home and at schoolLearn how to communicate with teachers and advocate for

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16:16

#187 | Back-to-School as an Ally: Simple Steps to...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/08/12

Is your LGBTQ child heading back to school feeling supported or silently dreading the year ahead?While a new school year can be exciting, for many LGBTQ+ kids it also brings fear of being misgendered, misunderstood, or left out. In this episode, Heather shares actionable guidance for parents, caregivers, and allies who want to make the back-to-school transition safer, more affirming, and rooted in compassion.Learn age-appropriate strategies to support LGBTQ+ kids in both elementary and middle

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19:04

#186 | Why “Just Relax, It’s Vacation” Doesn’t Work...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/08/08

Is your LGBTQ child carrying invisible emotional baggage every time you travel?For many LGBTQ+ youth, what should be a fun vacation can trigger stress, dysphoria, and emotional shutdown. This episode explores how parents and allies can spot the signs, ease the mental load, and create more affirming travel experiences.Learn how to identify hidden mental health struggles in LGBTQ+ kids while travelingDiscover grounding tools and affirming travel routines that build connection and safetyExplore simple

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18:31

#185 | Why “Just Booking It” Is Dangerous When...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/08/05

Would your next family vacation make your LGBTQ+ child feel affirmed or anxious?Whether you're planning a road trip or flying internationally, traveling with an LGBTQ+ child brings unique emotional and safety needs. This episode explores how to turn travel into a safe, empowering experience for your entire family.Learn what to pack so your LGBTQ+ child feels seen, grounded, and supportedGet expert tips on researching inclusive destinations, events, and accommodationsDiscover tools and apps that help

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22:11

#184 | How the Healthy Families Bright Futures...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/08/01

Are 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

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14:44

#183 | Mental Health Is Safety: A New Way to Protect...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/07/29

What 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

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12:50

#182 | Is Your Child’s School Safe for LGBTQ+...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/07/25

Is your child’s school truly safe for all students? For LGBTQ+ youth, safety can’t be assumed; it must be advocated for.In this powerful and practical episode, Heather breaks down what school safety really looks like for LGBTQ+ students, and what happens when it's missing. From book bans to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation to silenced teachers, the current climate is putting queer students at risk. But it’s not hopeless. Parents, educators, and allies can make a difference with presence, persistence, and a

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15:52

#181 | Affirmation Is Safety: A Relationship Roadmap...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/07/22

What does it really mean to affirm an LGBTQ+ child - and why does it matter so much more than just saying “I love you no matter what”?In today’s powerful and practical episode, Heather explores how safety for LGBTQ+ youth begins not just in policy or protection, but in the everyday relationships that hold them. From correcting a pronoun without guilt, to celebrating milestones with joy, to staying curious instead of controlling, this episode offers a blueprint for parents, educators, and allies to

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16:57

#180 | Guidance and Guts: The Ally’s Role in a World...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/07/18

Are you watching headlines and wondering, “How is this even possible?” You’re not alone. What’s happening is no longer theoretical, it's personal.In this urgent and grounding episode, Heather takes us beyond the headlines into the real-world consequences of anti-LGBTQ+ laws, court rulings, and systemic rollbacks of civil rights. Humanity is being politicized. This moment isn’t just about policies, it’s about people, especially LGBTQ+ youth who are being stripped of protections, care, and safety. If

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18:23

#179 | Why Saying “LGBTQ Isn’t for Kids” Is...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/07/15

Ever heard someone say “LGBTQ isn’t for kids”? Whether in a school board meeting or family gathering, that phrase may sound protective, but it’s doing real harm.In this bold and heartfelt episode, Heather breaks down one of the most dangerous narratives affecting LGBTQ+ youth today. You’ll learn how the idea that queer identities are “inappropriate” or “too adult” for kids not only erases real children, it creates lasting harm. And you’ll get tools to replace shame with truth, silence with

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16:48

#178 | Facing Fear as an LGBTQ+ Ally: A Guide for...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/07/11

Are you afraid of “getting it wrong” when it comes to supporting your LGBTQ+ child or navigating today’s climate as an ally? You're not alone.In this tender and truth-telling episode, Heather explores the quiet fears that often go unspoken in LGBTQ+ families: the parent’s fear of the unknown, the child’s fear of rejection, and the shared fear of being misunderstood. But instead of pushing fear away, she shows us how to make space for it and how that space can become a bridge toward safety, courage,

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43:09

#177 | Why Misinformation About Trans and Non-Binary...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/07/08

What do you do when your child starts exploring gender and the world is telling you to panic instead of listen?In this urgent and compassionate episode, Heather sits down with non-binary speaker and educator Rex Wilde to address the questions parents are asking most, especially in a time of rising fear, misinformation, and political attacks. With stories from their own journey, practical guidance, and data-backed truths, Rex brings clarity, courage, and warmth to one of the most misunderstood topics

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20:00

#176 | Broken and Brave: What It Means to Be an Ally...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/07/04

What happens when crisis support is stripped away—but the danger remains? And what do we do with the heartbreak, anger, and fear that follow?In this timely episode, Heather unpacks the quiet, unannounced removal of the LGBTQ+ support option from the national 988 crisis line—and what that loss means for queer youth, for families, and for every ally committed to creating a safer, more just world. But this conversation goes beyond policy. It dives into the emotional tension we’re all holding right now:

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20:37

#175 | 5 Powerful Ways Families Can Protect Their...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/07/01

Are you truly protecting your LGBTQ+ child—or just hoping love will be enough?In a world where safety for LGBTQ+ youth is under attack, many parents and allies feel overwhelmed, unsure how to provide real protection at home. This episode tackles the urgent need for emotional, psychological, and identity-based safety—and offers a powerful framework to help families create affirming environments that truly protect.Learn 5 simple yet transformative ways to make your home safer and more affirming for

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16:01

#174 | Why Niceness Isn’t Enough: Choosing Kindness,...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/06/27

Can kindness be disruptive—and even radical? What if being “nice” is quietly doing harm?In today’s episode of More Human. More Kind., we explore the transformative power of kindness—not the performative kind that avoids discomfort, but the kind rooted in courage, truth, and fierce allyship. As parents and allies of LGBTQ+ youth, it can feel safer to choose politeness or neutrality, but true allyship demands something deeper. You’ll learn why kindness isn’t about staying quiet or keeping peace—it’s

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39:38

#173 | How Tiny Mindset Shifts Help Parents of LGBTQ+...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/06/24

What if one small question could completely change how you experience your life—starting today?Most of us have been conditioned to seek answers, direction, and validation outside ourselves. But what if the real breakthroughs come from within? In this powerful episode, Heather McGuire shares how she transformed anxiety, self-doubt, and burnout into peace, purpose, and connection—through tiny, intentional shifts in perspective.Discover the “magic wand” mindset questions that instantly create space and

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12:48

#172 | 5 Truths LGBTQ Allies Need to Know About...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/06/20

What if being seen—truly seen—was both the most courageous and most healing thing you could do?In this episode, we dive into the layered journey of visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. Whether you're navigating your own experience or standing beside someone you love, you'll hear honest reflections on grief, pride, advocacy, and the transformative power of being fully present in who you are. This episode is for anyone who's ever felt both the fear and the freedom of being

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13:25

#171 | 3 Signs You’re Struggling as an LGBTQ Ally...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/06/17

What if affirming your child isn’t the final step, but the first in a much deeper journey?In this heartfelt episode, we explore the often unseen difference between accepting your LGBTQ+ child and fully unlearning the beliefs that shaped your understanding of love, identity, and parenting. If you've ever wrestled with reconciling your values with the legacy of what you were taught, this conversation is a path to deeper clarity, connection, and authenticity.Understand the emotional and spiritual

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19:11

#170 | 5 Ways Parents and Allies Fail LGBTQ Kids...

More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids,... ·

2025/06/13

Pride 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

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