Show notes
What if LGBTQ+ youth could see themselves in stories that weren’t defined by fear, shame, or tragedy, but by curiosity, love, and joy?
In this luminous episode, Heather Hester welcomes award-winning author and illustrator Brian Selznick (The Invention of Hugo Cabret) to discuss his latest YA novel, Run Away With Me, a tender, illustrated queer love story that unfolds across a ghostly Rome, blending historical fiction, LGBTQ+ identity, and emotional truth. Together, they explore how stories can offer healing, visibility, and hope for queer youth without erasing struggle, but without being defined by it.
You’ll hear Brian’s powerful reflections on growing up gay, writing without fear, and choosing love over pain in storytelling. You’ll also explore how illustrated novels can act as emotional mirrors, offering guidance, empathy, and a sense of inclusion for readers navigating identity, grief, or first love. This conversation is a heartfelt invitation for parents, educators, and allies to expand what queer stories look and feel like, especially for kids who deserve to see themselves in pages not marked only by suffering.
Press play to rediscover the magic of storytelling through the lens of LGBTQ+ love, radical compassion, and artistic courage and walk away inspired to affirm, protect, and celebrate the full spectrum of queer joy in your family, bookshelf, and life.
Brian Selznick’s books have sold millions of copies, garnered countless awards worldwide, and
have been translated into more than 35 languages. He broke open the novel form with his
genre-breaking thematic trilogy, beginning with the Caldecott Medal-winning #1 New York
Times bestseller, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, adapted into Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning
movie Hugo. He followed that with the #1 New York Times bestseller, Wonderstruck, adapted
by celebrated filmmaker Todd Haynes, with a screenplay by Selznick, and then the New York
Times bestseller, The Marvels. In praising his body of work, The Washington Post said, “Brian
Selznick proves to be that rare creator capable of following one masterpiece with another.” The
Associated Press called Selznick “one of publishing’s most imaginative storytellers.” Selznick’s
most recent novels, Big Tree (inspired by an idea from Steven Spielberg) and Kaleidoscope,
were both national bestsellers and were named New York Times Notable Children’s Books. He
also illustrated the 20th anniversary edition covers of the #1 globally bestselling Harry Potter
series. Selznick has appeared on Good Morning America, NBC’s Today Show, CBS Sunday
Morning, and has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, The
Guardian, Le Monde, la Repubblica, among many other renowned publications worldwide. He
and his husband Dr. David Serlin divide their time between Brooklyn, New York and La Jolla,
California.
https://brianselznick.com
https://instagram.com/thebrianselznick
Buy Run Away With Me Now!
Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!
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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 grow their capacity for courageous connection.
For parents, allies, and those pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heartwarming 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 on this journey with me.
More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen is a safe and supportive podcast in a heartfelt and empowering space where a mom and advocate offers the wisdom of lived experience and practical guidance and education to parents and allies, teaching empathy, kindness, love, and strong boundaries while supporting LGBTQ teens and the diverse LGBTQ community, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, transgender, and queer individuals, through conversations about mental health, grief, gender identity, sexual orientation, human rights, social justice, parenting, parent support, and meaningful LGBTQ allyship and allyship in action.
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