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

Latest Episodes:

#48 | Why Maxxie LaWow Is the Queer Superhero We Need Now (Hope & Representation in LGBTQ Animation) Sep 28, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Heather interviews creator, producer, and director, Anthony Hand, who gives a sneak peek into his feature-length animated film (anticipated release Spring 2024) Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-Shero. Anthony's background in product design in Silicon Valley along with his love and appreciation for drag and childhood affinity for comic books melded together to create this never-told-before story!

Backed by both private investors and a fandom that meets at the intersection of LGBTQ+ culture, anime, and a comic book universe that other creators have yet to venture into, Maxxie LaWow first crowdsourced funding initiative just launched on September 15!

See the amazing 2-minute adventure reel and learn more about Maxxie HERE

Want to help fund this project? Learn more HERE!

As queer creators, Anthony and his team are creating a unique film that will appeal to:

*the queer community

*fans of animation

*fans of the superhero story

*fans of drag

Anthony is relatable and this unique and fun storyline is bound to leave you wanting to know more!

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

Feeling uncertain or overwhelmed? Stay informed - visit my website

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Read my book, Parenting with Pride.

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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.

#47 | 5 Ways Talking About Suicide Can Save LGBTQ Youth (Mental Health Guidance for Parents) Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Heather interviews Cara McNulty, DPA, President, Aetna Behavioral Health, a CVS Health Company. As a population health scientist, Cara is particularly passionate about our adolescents, teens, and young adults, supporting and advocating for them, and educating people of all ages on the importance of mental health well-being. Mental well-being is at the core of our health; separating physical from mental health only increases stigma.

Heather and Cara discuss:

* Suicide prevention and dispelling the myth that talking about suicide with your kids increases the risk. The reality is talking about suicide REDUCES the risk - having open conversations helps our adolescents/teens/young adults feel heard.

* Asking hard questions takes practice, but it doesn't need to be perfect. Remember to embrace the messiness!

* The importance of educating ourselves on mental health wellbeing.

"Without mental health well-being, physical health is impaired."

Resources from this episode:

* The Youth Risk Behavior Survey

* Mental Health Awareness Guide for Parents and Caregivers (Aetna/CVS Health)

* Suicide Prevention (CVS Health)

* Mental Health Awareness Guide for Young Adults (Aetna/CVS Health)

SPECIAL SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE: THERAPPY

Download and try it for free today! Using the Cognitive Behavioral approach, Therappy teaches healthy coping tools for anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and so much more. You learn to understand your behavioral patterns and change them in a healthier way!

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

Feeling uncertain or overwhelmed? 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.

#46 | How Peaceful Parenting Builds Resilience & Hope in LGBTQ Families Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Heather interviews Robbin McManne. Robbin is the author of The Yelling Cure, How to Stress Less and Get Your Kids to Cooperate without Threats and Punishments as well as the host of the award-winning podcast, Parenting our Future. In 2020 Robbin was named one of the top 50 moms in podcasting by Podcast Magazine!

Robbin understands the struggle of parenting. Like so many of us, she’s experienced the life of the overstressed and overwhelmed mom – until she found the world of Peaceful Parenting that she now lives and teaches. She loves to share how to get more cooperation and better listening all while building strong relationships and connection with our kids.

Heather and Robbin talk about listening to understand vs. listening to respond, affirmation vs. acceptance, and so much more!

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

Feeling uncertain or overwhelmed? 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.

#45 | Why “Abomination” Messaging Hurts Mental Health—and What Courageous Parents Can Do Instead Jul 30, 2021

Show notes

In this solo episode, Heather starts a new tradition - a quarterly Q & A episode! She starts with two questions and some profound thoughts shared by a listener.

What parenting skills will help us 1. navigate challenges and 2. Empower our children in their process?

"...I would like more on integrating true Christian beliefs. I was taught that it is an abomination & my theological world has been rocked."

Heather details six skills to answer the first question. She shares her thoughts and personal experiences to answer the second.

Do you have questions?? Email me and I will answer in a future show!

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

Feeling uncertain or overwhelmed? 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.

#44 | How LGBTQ Teens Are Coping with Anxiety & Depression—And What Parents Need to Know Jul 17, 2021

Show notes

In this solo episode, Heather discusses depression and anxiety in great detail. She answers questions like:

* What do we look for?

* How do we know the difference between typical teenage development and more serious issues?

* What coping tools will help my child manage depression or anxiety?

* What kind of professional support is available?

Here are a few of her favorite educational mental health websites:

National Alliance on Mental Illness

National Institute of Mental Health

The Trevor Project

Healthline - Mental Health Resources

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

Feeling uncertain or overwhelmed? 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.

#43 | Stop Saying “They/Them Is Confusing”—Why Pronouns Are About Respect, Not Grammar Jun 30, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Heather and her 15-year-old daughter Grace have a thoughtful and enlightening discussion about pronouns. Grace has wisdom far beyond her 15 years, and yet is acutely in touch with the teenage experience. If you are curious about how to use pronouns properly and what they mean, this is the episode for you!

Here are four tips from linguistics specialist, Dr. Kirby Conrad:

1. Slow down! Plan your speech. Meeting another’s need sometimes means talking carefully and thoughtfully.

2. If you’re correct, LISTEN! Do not talk over someone if they are correcting you. Be humble and cultivate awareness.

3. Don’t make excuses. Period.

4. If you mess up, correct yourself briefly and don’t make a big deal out of it. You are human, it’s going to happen.

You can listen to his podcast episode HERE

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

Feeling uncertain or overwhelmed? 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.

#42 | What a Trans Dad Can Teach Us About Allyship, Family, and Mental Health Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Heather interviews Trystan Reese, author of the brand-new memoir, How We Do Family.Trystan is redefining the idea of family. His memoir covers so many important issues, from trans pregnancy to adoption to LGBTQ parenting. More, it does so in such an inspiring—yet relatable—tone. Trystan’s voice shines through in the best way as he shares his story and lessons applicable to every family.

Trystan and Heather discuss the value of "doing the work." Using Brene Brown's wisdom, "If my healing is dependent on your response to my story, I'm not ready to tell my story," Trystan shares the difference between doing work from a scar or from a wound. Simple yet profound.

He has beautiful thoughts on allyship: "What allyship encourages us to do is to broaden the lens, is to use the power of empathy to see the world through other peoples' eyes and to be open and to be curious and to be humble; to hopefully move into seeing that we are all so deeply and profoundly interconnected to each other.

Trystan's book, How We Do Family, is truly a must-read! Written in such a relatable way, you will finish it with a deeper understanding of the trans experience specifically as well as a greater empathy for all who are in the LGBTQ community in general.

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

Feeling uncertain or overwhelmed? 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.

#41 | Why Understanding LGBTQ History Builds Allyship & Courage for the Next Generation Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Heather shares an overview of Pride history, including the Stonewall Riots, why the pink triangle is a global symbol, and how the rainbow flag became the symbol for LGBTQ+ pride. She begins with the following anonymous quote:

"LGBTQ pride was not born of a need to celebrate being LGBTQ, but our right to exist without persecution. So instead of wondering why there isn't a straight pride, be thankful you don't need one."

If this episode piques your curiosity about the history of Pride, check out some of Heather's favorite resources:

Websites

* them.

* The History Channel

* Britannica

Books

Gay & Lesbian History for Kids: The Century-Long Struggle for LGBT Rights

Pride: The Story of the LGBTQ Equality Movement

What was Stonewall? (One of the "What was? Who was? books)

Stonewall: The Definitive Story of the LGBTQ Rights Uprising That Changed America

We Are Everywhere

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

Feeling uncertain or overwhelmed? 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.

#40 | Is Your Sex Talk Missing the LGBTQ Perspective? Here’s How Courageous Guidance Fixes That May 19, 2021

Show notes

This episode is a fascinating, eye-opening, and much-needed educational interview with Dr. David Huebner. Dr. Huebner is a clinical psychologist by training, and currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Prevention and Community Health at George Washington University (GWU), as well as the Co-Director of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Core at the Washington, DC Center for AIDS Research. His research examines how discrimination from families, schools, and communities impacts HIV risk and other health outcomes among sexual minority adolescents and young adults. Recently he has been working to design and evaluate interventions to support parents of LGBT youth, with the goal of helping parents improve their children’s health and well-being. Dr. Huebner is also committed to supporting community organizations’ efforts to engage in evidence-based practices – he has served on several local and regional HIV prevention community planning groups and was the Chair of the National Board of Directors for the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN.)

"They are learning about sex every day. Do you want to be one of the voices in that conversation?" This is just one of the powerful questions Heather and Dr. Huebner discuss. He also shares:

* An in-depth education about HIV and how to prevent it.

* The four "buckets" of sexual information parents should discuss with all of their kids regardless of sexual orientation.

* What we need to share with our gay and bisexual boys specifically.

* Why we need to strike "THE TALK" from our parenting repertoire.

This interview is a very open discussion with LOTS of details! In fact, a portion was so detailed that Heather and Dr. Huebner decided to save it for bonus education. Stay tuned for how you can access it!

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

Feeling uncertain or overwhelmed? 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.

#39 | 5 Harmful LGBTQ Myths Parents Still Believe & Courageous Ways to Respond May 02, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Heather discusses biphobia and the five most common LGBTQ+ myths. Like transphobia, biphobia is common in both the heterosexual community and the LGBTQ+ community, making it exponentially more isolating and difficult to combat. Heather shares facts and ways that we all can be good allies and advocates.

She also shares the five most common LGBTQ+ myths and easy responses when you are faced with these myths.

1. Being LGBTQ+ is a choice.

2. Being LGBTQ+ can be "cured."

3. The parents did something wrong.

4. The Bible condemns being LGBTQ+.

5. Being LGBTQ+ is contagious.

Here are the links she talks about in this episode:

Trevor Project

Detailed definition of Biphobia

Robin Ochs website

Bisexual Index - Biphobia

Bisexual Index - Bisexuality