Becoming More Human More Kind

The inaugural episode of More Human, More Kind serves as a poignant introduction to a transformative journey that seeks to cultivate deeper connections among individuals grappling with the complexities of their identities and relationships. The host, Heather Hester, eloquently reflects on the evolution of her podcast, originally conceived as Just Breathe, which provided a sanctuary for parents navigating the challenges faced by LGBTQ teens. This initial premise has blossomed into a broader exploration of human experience, emphasizing the necessity of compassion, courage, and authenticity in our daily lives. Hester articulates a profound understanding of the emotional trials faced by many, offering solace to those who feel isolated in their struggles. Through her narrative, she invites listeners to embrace their vulnerabilities, fostering a sense of community and shared humanity that transcends mere parenting advice.

As the episode unfolds, Hester articulates her vision for the future of the podcast, delineating its expanded focus on essential themes such as identity, mental health, and the dynamics of kindness versus niceness. She emphasizes the importance of showing up authentically and maintaining boundaries, all while navigating the turbulent landscape of contemporary society filled with divisiveness and hostility. The podcast promises to provide thoughtful interviews, insightful solo episodes, and practical tools for personal growth, encouraging listeners to engage with their emotions and foster more meaningful connections with themselves and others. Hester's commitment to advocating for marginalized communities remains unwavering, as she seeks to broaden the podcast's reach while maintaining its core values of empathy and understanding.

The episode culminates in Hester sharing three actionable practices designed to enhance personal connection and self-reflection. These practices, which include the pause, the mirror, and the reach out, serve as foundational tools for listeners aspiring to live with intention and kindness. By urging her audience to embrace these strategies, Hester reinforces the podcast's mission to not only inspire individual transformation but also to foster a collective movement toward greater human kindness. The emotional resonance of this episode lies in its ability to connect deeply with listeners, offering both comfort and guidance as they embark on their own journeys toward authenticity and compassion.

Takeaways:

• This podcast, More Human, More Kind, emphasizes the importance of connection and compassion in our daily lives.
• It serves as an invitation to embrace our shared humanity and to support one another amidst life's challenges.
• The journey of this podcast reflects a commitment to authenticity, kindness, and personal evolution over time.
• Listeners are encouraged to engage in three simple practices to foster deeper connections with themselves and others.
• The podcast aims to provide tools for healing, identity, and mental health while advocating for marginalized communities.
• Ultimately, this podcast seeks to create a movement that empowers individuals to feel less alone and more like themselves.

Connect with Heather:

Join the Kind Space on Patreon

Give a copy of Heather's book, Parenting with Pride.

Join Heather's

Episode Transcript

(01:23):
Welcome to the very firstepisode of More Human, More Kind.
I'm Heather Hester, and todaymarks a new beginning for this podcast.
I am so glad you are here.
This podcast actually beganfive and a half years ago as Just

(01:44):
Breathe, a show created forparents of LGBTQ teens navigating
love, identity, and the unknown.
It has been a space forlearning and unlearning, breathing
through big emotions and someof life's most tender moments.

(02:06):
And it has given comfort to somany, myself included.
I will forever be gratefulthat I followed my gut, my intuition,
and started this podcast.
Even though I had no idea whatI was doing and no idea what I was
in for.
I just knew that someinvisible guidance and pull led me

(02:30):
down what has ended up beingthe most magical, rewarding, connecting,
humbling, and evolving path.
I knew there were so many ofyou who had felt or who were feeling
the same things that I did,and I knew I needed to reach out

(02:51):
to you, to let you know thatyou aren't alone, that there are
so many of us on this path,that it is okay to feel all of the
emotions, to put one foot infront of the other each day, not
knowing all of the answers, toface the unknowns and embrace this

(03:15):
beautifully messy life that is yours.
And over the years, somethingexpanded for me and for you.
This space has grown beyond parenting.
Conversations have deepened,the community has widened, and I

(03:36):
realized that what we werereally doing here was learning how
to be more fully ourselves,more present, more real, more human,
and yes, more kind.
This is your invitation toslow down, to take a deep breath

(03:59):
and begin or continue thejourney of showing up with more compassion,
courage, and curiosity.
So today we begin the next chapter.
More Human.
More Kind is a podcast foranyone who's ever felt overwhelmed
by the noise and longed fordeeper connection with others and

(04:24):
with yourself.
Something that will helpcombat the anger, the bitterness,
and the divisiveness thatseems to be swirling all around us
these days.
You'll still hear intimatesolo episodes, thoughtful interviews,
and episodes that offer toolsfor healing, identity, parenting,

(04:46):
and mental health.
We'll talk about boundaries,about showing up authentically, about
being kind versus being nice,about the meaning of allyship, about
what it means to live withcompassion without losing ourselves,
and about ways you can workdirectly with me.

(05:08):
And we'll probably talk alittle bit about politics and truth
and critical thinking, too.
I want to be clear that I willalways deeply connect with and advocate
for the LGBTQ community andtheir families.
This new chapter just broadensthat support and connection from

(05:30):
for all marginalized communities.
So you may be wondering whyMore Human, more Kind?
Well, because these two truthsare at the heart of everything.
I believe that we're all humanand that we're all worthy of kindness,

(05:53):
and that the more that weembrace our shared humanity, the
more impact we can create inour families, our communities, and
in our world.
This isn't about perfection.
It's about presence.
It's about courage.
It's about the small, radicalchoice to meet each moment with just

(06:15):
a little more love.
It's about honoring truth.
Remember, kindness is not thesame as niceness.
More kind doesn't mean more nice.
More kind is real, rooted incompassion toward yourself and others.

(06:37):
The butterfly has been my logoand a symbolic part of the foundational
beliefs of this podcast and ofmy greater mission and vision.
It is a symbol fortransformation, evolution, surrender,
trust, and the beauty of expression.

(06:57):
What I've realized over thepast 12 months, specifically, is
that like the butterfly, I am evolving.
Transforming.
Chrysalis Mama was actuallythe perfect name for my website and
Persona, because that is whereI was for a long time, in my cocoon,

(07:18):
doing the work of unlearningand learning, of surrendering, of
healing.
And now I'm emerging from thatwork, shedding layers of old beliefs
and inherited ideologies.
I'm ready to fly, to spreadtruth and beauty and to be When I

(07:42):
was brainstorming the newname, I landed on More Human, More
Kind because it felt like itencapsulated where we have been and
where we are going, both on anintimately personal level and as
a collective human race.
It is a mindset and a mantra,a way to rewire how we interact in

(08:06):
the world with integrity,inclusion, love, and curiosity.
So today, as I launch MoreHuman, More Kind into the world,
I want to offer you threesimple practices that you can return
to anytime.

(08:28):
First, my favorite, the pausethat one breath before you react,
close your eyes, and recenter,it's essentially a pattern interrupt
and a way to come back to yourself.
It's a great way to reconnectand then to be able to speak with

(08:50):
clarity.
The second is the mirror.
Ask yourself daily Am Ishowing up aligned with my values?
How can I connect with oneperson today?
Not in a transactional lost inmy thoughts about something else
way, but in a deeplyhumanizing way.

(09:13):
And three, the Reach out.
Think of someone who needs tobe seen today.
Send them a text or call them,or write them a note.
Leave them a note.
Let them know that they matter.
It's so simple and it's sodeeply meaningful.

(09:37):
I am so excited to walk withyou into this new season.
This is more than a podcast,it's a movement and I am so happy
that you are here for it.
My hope is that this podcasthelps you to feel less alone and
more like yourself.
If this episode resonated withyou, I'd love for you to do a couple

(10:01):
of things.
First, listen to, subscribeto, and follow more human, more kind
anywhere that you get yourpodcasts, with new episodes coming
every week.
To subscribe to my newsletterthe Midweek Breath, which which is
just a moment of calm andreflection delivered right into your

(10:23):
inbox.
The signup link is in the shownotes and 3 join the Patreon community,
support the show and unlockexclusive content.
Until next time.