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

Latest Episodes:

First They Came: Are We Making Enough Noise Yet? For Parents and LGBTQ Allies Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

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 together thought-provoking poetry, real-time legal updates, and grassroots solutions, Heather challenges willful ignorance and offers a grounded path forward for allies, parents, and everyday people who know the stakes but may not know where to start.

In This Episode:

Learn what willful ignorance looks like in families, communities, and even well-meaning inboxes
Get a snapshot of current legal battles and wins affecting LGBTQ+ and especially trans youth
Discover how to turn your unique talents into meaningful advocacy even if you don’t work in politics or law
Walk away with one doable action to take this week that supports real, lasting change

Pick one small act of allyship that aligns with your strengths:

Are you a writer? Send a letter to your local officials or school board.
Are you a parent? Advocate for inclusive curriculum and bathroom access.
Are you on social media? Amplify trusted LGBTQ+ voices.
Are you overwhelmed? Start with a donation or a conversation. Just start.

Press play to move from passive to powerful, from informed to intentional and learn how to show up for trans youth before it’s too late.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Immerse yourself in Community - I Love My Gay Kid

Stay informed - visit my website

Join the Conversation on Substack

Read my book, Parenting with Pride.

Support the Show - Learn more here!

Watch on YouTube

Listen * Share * Review *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

This is a place to feel messy while you're figuring it out.

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.

How to Still Be an LGBTQ Ally When You’re Just So Exhausted Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

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 navigating the dual weight of advocacy and empathy in a world that feels increasingly cruel and chaotic.

Whether it’s the news, the attacks on trans rights, or the silent grief of watching people you love be misunderstood or legislated against, this conversation gives you permission to feel exactly what you’re feeling, without shame, while learning how to move through it with intention and care.

You’ll walk away with:

Validation that your emotional heaviness is real and rooted in both personal and collective trauma
Self-regulation practices to calm your nervous system in real time (yes, even mid-scroll or mid-spiral)
Tools for maintaining deep empathy and sustained action without sacrificing your well-being
A compassionate reminder that being sensitive isn’t a weakness, it’s a sign that you’re still connected to your values

Press play for the breath you didn’t know you needed.

Then share this episode with someone else who’s quietly carrying too much.

Because healing doesn’t come from pushing through, it comes from pausing, naming, and tending what hurts.

Links referenced in this episode:

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Immerse yourself in Community - I Love My Gay Kid

Stay informed - visit my website

Join the Conversation on Substack

Read my book, Parenting with Pride.

Support the Show - Learn more here!

Watch on YouTube

Listen * Share * Review *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

This is a place to feel messy while you're figuring it out.

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.

87% of LGBTQ Youth Struggle With Eating Disorders: What Parents Need to Know and Do Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

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 identity, trauma, and body image collide for LGBTQ+ youth.

They go beyond surface-level symptoms to unpack the real reasons queer teens and young adults are more vulnerable, and what parents, educators, and allies can do to help them feel seen, safe, and supported.

You’ll learn:

The difference between disordered eating and clinical eating disorders and why both matter
How body dysphoria, shame, and societal messaging contribute to eating struggles in queer and trans youth
What signs to look for if you're worried about your child, student, or loved one
How to talk about food, bodies, and identity without shame or triggering language
Why affirmation, safety, and inclusion are essential parts of recovery

This is not just a mental health issue, it’s a social justice issue rooted in the fight for belonging, dignity, and healing.

Press play to gain the tools, clarity, and compassion you need to show up in meaningful, informed ways for LGBTQ+ youth who are quietly struggling with food, body image, and identity.

You might just save a life.

Links referenced in this episode:

renfrewcenter.com

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Immerse yourself in Community - I Love My Gay Kid

Stay informed - visit my website

Join the Conversation on Substack

Read my book, Parenting with Pride.

Support the Show - Learn more here!

Watch on YouTube

Listen * Share * Review *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

This is a place to feel messy while you're figuring it out.

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.

What 2024 Taught Us About Boundaries, Grief, & Courage, and Moving Forward As LGBTQ Allies Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

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 gentle, grounding ritual for moving into 2025 without bypassing what’s been hard.

She speaks directly to parents of LGBTQ+ youth, allies, and emotionally exhausted changemakers who are wondering:

"How do I keep caring without falling apart?"

You’ll hear:

How Heather navigated a year of deep loss, political heaviness, and advocacy burnout
Why boundary-setting became both a survival strategy and a model for raising resilient LGBTQ+ kids
A simple 3-part year-end ritual you can use to reflect with compassion not criticism
A sneak peek into what’s coming in 2025: a new supportive community, deeper content, and more space for healing and action.

This episode is a soft landing and a loving nudge toward reflection, reimagining, and reclaiming your energy.

Press play to pause, breathe, and remember:

You don’t need to power through.

You need to feel, reflect, and realign with what truly matters.

This isn’t just a year-end wrap-up.

It’s an invitation to return to yourself — before you begin again.

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Immerse yourself in Community - I Love My Gay Kid

Stay informed - visit my website

Join the Conversation on Substack

Read my book, Parenting with Pride.

Support the Show - Learn more here!

Watch on YouTube

Listen * Share * Review *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

This is a place to feel messy while you're figuring it out.

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.

My Daughter Knew She Could Come to Me: Aransas Savas on Trust, Grooming, and Raising Kids Who Tell You Things Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

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 moment she had to fight for her daughter’s safety, Aransas offers practical tools and radical wisdom for navigating leadership, parenting, and advocacy with more intention and trust.

You’ll hear why safety and vulnerability are non-negotiable in parenting LGBTQ+ youth, and how reclaiming your Meaning, Energy, and Time (MET) can change everything from how you show up at work to how you show up for yourself.

You’ll learn:

The MET Framework and how to use it daily not just in crisis
What “real” self-care looks like for overwhelmed, high-achieving women
How to parent from a place of trust and safety, especially in a world that doesn’t always feel safe
Why restoring your energy is the most courageous act of allyship and leadership you can take

This is more than self-help; it’s a masterclass in living well while carrying a lot.

Press play to release the pressure, feel seen, and take one small step toward a more aligned, compassionate version of you.

Because parenting, leading, and loving others shouldn’t cost you your own well-being.

Connect with Aransas Savas: https://www.aransassavas.com/

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Immerse yourself in Community - I Love My Gay Kid

Stay informed - visit my website

Join the Conversation on Substack

Read my book, Parenting with Pride.

Support the Show - Learn more here!

Watch on YouTube

Listen * Share * Review *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

This is a place to feel messy while you're figuring it out.

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.

Parenting Through Chaos: How to Support Your LGBTQ Child Now Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

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 emotional exhaustion so many parents are feeling, and offers a new path forward, one rooted in self-regulation, intentional learning, and deepening your relationship with your child.

You’ll learn:

Why emotional regulation is the first step to supporting your child
How to filter media noise without becoming disengaged
Why building an affirming, inclusive home is more critical than ever
How to hold space for both grief and resilience in real time

You’ll also hear about Heather’s Learning to Parent With Pride course: a step-by-step program designed to help parents move from fear and confusion to confidence, compassion, and powerful allyship.

Whether you’re new to this journey or feeling stuck, this episode offers both comfort and concrete tools to help you keep showing up.

Press play to discover how to steady your nervous system, build stronger family connections, and become the trusted anchor your LGBTQ+ child needs most.

You don’t need to have all the answers, just a willingness to lead with love, empathy, and resilience.

Independent news sources mentioned in this episode:

The Guardian
ProPublica
The Atlantic
Politics Girl
Pod Save America
No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Immerse yourself in Community - I Love My Gay Kid

Stay informed - visit my website

Join the Conversation on Substack

Read my book, Parenting with Pride.

Support the Show - Learn more here!

Watch on YouTube

Listen * Share * Review *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

This is a place to feel messy while you're figuring it out.

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.

Married, Christian, and Coming Out at 32: Britt Sandoval on Discovering Who They Were All Along Nov 05, 2024

Show notes

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 complexities of gender identity, parenting, and faith with depth, humor, and radical honesty. Heather and Britt cover:

How Britt’s journey of self-discovery impacted their marriage, family, and faith
The process of rebuilding a relationship through truth, trust, and deep emotional labor
How to talk to children about identity, inclusion, and authenticity from a young age
What it means to be a present, emotionally intelligent parent while navigating personal transformation
The role of deconstruction and healing in finding wholeness

This episode is for every parent, ally, LGBTQ+ person, and human seeking to live with more courage, love, and integrity, even when it breaks the rules you were raised with.

You’ll walk away with a renewed belief in the power of honest parenting, queer joy, and the importance of healing the parts of us we were taught to hide.

Press play to hear a transformative story about what it means to become your truest self and raise children who know how to do the same.

Because living fully and loving honestly is the most radical kind of parenting there is.

Links referenced in this episode:

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Immerse yourself in Community - I Love My Gay Kid

Stay informed - visit my website

Join the Conversation on Substack

Read my book, Parenting with Pride.

Support the Show - Learn more here!

Watch on YouTube

Listen * Share * Review *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

This is a place to feel messy while you're figuring it out.

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.

Bio:

Britt Sandoval is an inspiring keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and thought leader with a unique blend of experience in authentic leadership, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. As the founder of Your Feeding Friend LLC, Britt has empowered countless families while building a thriving business. With a background as a registered nurse and expertise in inclusive leadership, Britt brings valuable insights into effective leadership and inclusive work environments.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittsandoval-speaker/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittsandovalspeaks/

10 Ways Parents and Allies Stay Sane in the Final Weeks Before an Election Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

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 a deeply personal reflection on what it means to stay grounded while the world feels like it's unraveling and offers 10 powerful strategies to protect your nervous system, preserve your energy, and parent from a place of love, not fear.

In this episode, you’ll:

✔️ Learn why obsessively checking polls can harm your mental health and what to focus on instead

✔️ Discover 10 real-world self-care practices that actually work when you're in advocacy mode

✔️ Explore simple, grounding techniques to regulate your nervous system and reclaim your clarity

✔️ Hear how Heather’s own experiences as a parent, ally, and advocate are shaping her 2024 game plan (and beyond!)

✔️ Celebrate the podcast's 5th birthday and her recent Women in Podcasting award win!

Whether you’re navigating fear, fatigue, or a fierce desire to fight for justice, this episode gives you permission to pause and the tools to rise again.

Listen now to learn how to stay strong, steady, and centered in the chaos so you can continue showing up for yourself, your LGBTQ+ child, and the future we’re all fighting for.

Bonus: You’ll also get a step-by-step breakdown of how to make a voting plan that fits you.

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Immerse yourself in Community - I Love My Gay Kid

Stay informed - visit my website

Join the Conversation on Substack

Read my book, Parenting with Pride.

Support the Show - Learn more here!

Watch on YouTube

Listen * Share * Review *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

This is a place to feel messy while you're figuring it out.

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.

Your Body Knows You're Scared: Kelly Lubeck's Nervous System Tools for Parents Right Now Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

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 of us are feeling stuck in a fog of overwhelm, shutdown, or reactivity and what to do about it.

With the 2025 election season stirring anxiety, division, and dread (especially for LGBTQ+ families and allies), this episode offers the science, empathy, and guidance you need to shift from fear to presence.

You’ll walk away with:

✔️ A deeper understanding of what “functional freeze” is and how it silently drives burnout and detachment

✔️ A simple nervous system exercise to use anytime you feel overwhelmed or ungrounded

✔️ Tools to reconnect with your body, breath, and surroundings with no complicated routines or hours of meditation required

✔️ Insight into how healing your nervous system creates safer spaces for your LGBTQ+ child and helps you parent with more clarity, empathy, and strength

Listen now to learn how to shake off stress, reclaim calm, and lead from grounded, loving power in your home, your community, and this critical election season.

You don't need to do more; you just need to come home to your body.

Key Takeaways

Stress is biological, not a personal failure your body is doing its best to protect you.
“Functional freeze” is a common nervous system response that feels like apathy, numbness, or quiet burnout.
Movement, breathwork, visualization, and connection to nature can help regulate your nervous system in real time.
Nervous system regulation is not just self-care it’s how we parent, advocate, and lead with integrity.
When adults stay regulated, children feel safe. It’s not about perfection it’s about presence.

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Immerse yourself in Community - I Love My Gay Kid

Stay informed - visit my website

Join the Conversation on Substack

Read my book, Parenting with Pride.

Support the Show - Learn more here!

Watch on YouTube

Listen * Share * Review *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

This is a place to feel messy while you're figuring it out.

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.

Talking About Suicide Doesn't Cause It. Silence Does. Five Experts on What Parents Need to Know Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

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, Heather brings together an extraordinary group of voices:

a mother of a trans teen, a fierce LGBTQ+ ally, and a trans author and advocate, alongside insights from Kevin Wong of The Trevor Project and Ann Moss Rogers, a nationally recognized mental health activist.

Together, they unpack how parents, allies, and educators can show up with courage and compassion amid the chaos. Through personal stories and practical strategies, they illuminate how connection not perfection creates safety and belonging.

In this deeply moving and resource-filled episode, you’ll learn how to:

✔️ Recognize the early signs of emotional distress and respond with empathy, not panic

✔️ Support LGBTQ+ youth beyond words from affirming language to advocacy at school and home

✔️ Understand how family acceptance reduces suicide risk by up to 40%

✔️ Build resilience in yourself and your kids through curiosity, connection, and courage

✔️ Take small, meaningful actions before the 2024 election to defend equality and safety for trans youth

You’ll also hear about critical resources, including The Trevor Project, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and peer support networks designed specifically for LGBTQ+ young people.

Listen now to hear three powerful voices break down fear, amplify love, and offer you clear, doable actions that can change lives including your own.

If you or someone you love is struggling, reach out now:

Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)

Text START to 678-678 to reach The Trevor Project

Visit thetrevorproject.org for 24/7 LGBTQ+ crisis support

Together, we can transform awareness into action, and fear into fierce love.

Key Takeaways

Suicide prevention begins with open, shame-free conversations.
Family acceptance is one of the strongest protective factors for LGBTQ+ youth.
Connection through empathy, eye contact, or listening can interrupt a suicidal thought.
Political attacks on trans and queer youth are mental health issues; allyship is suicide prevention.
You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to stay present.

AnneMoss Rogers

Kevin Wong, The Trevor Project

Jackie Simmons

Cara McNulty

Jay Reid

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Immerse yourself in Community - I Love My Gay Kid

Stay informed - visit my website

Join the Conversation on Substack

Read my book, Parenting with Pride.

Support the Show - Learn more here!

Watch on YouTube