More Human More Kind: Guidance for Parenting LGBTQ+ Teens & Growing Into a Courageous Ally

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 f...

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...

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 pol...

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.

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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...

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.

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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 anyo...

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, conn...

Pride Month Series | More Human. More Kind. with Heather Hester

What 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 conn...

Pride Month Series | More Human. More Kind. with Heather Hester

In this episode of Five Lessons from Parenting with Pride, Heather explores the myth of “getting it right” in parenting and allyship and why perfection isn’t the goal. Instead, she reframes both as daily, intentional practices rooted in humility, presence, and love. If you’ve ever felt stuck in silence for fear of saying the wrong thing, this episode will leave you feel...

Pride Month Series | More Human. More Kind. with Heather Hester

Description:

In this first episode of our special Pride Month series, Heather Hester shares one of the most transformative lessons she’s learned while parenting and advocating for her LGBTQ+ children: choosing curiosity over judgment. With honesty, vulnerability, and actionable wisdom, Heather explores how our initial reactions shape everything—and how curiosity becomes ...

In this powerful and moving conversation, Heather sits down with Josh Nadler and Sam Wasserman, the creative minds behind the new web series What About Me?—a show that fearlessly explores the messy, raw, and very human experience of grief. Born out of Josh’s personal journey after the loss of his brother, this project weaves together grief, queer family dynamics, humor, and the unvarnished truth of what it means to keep going when ...

In the final chapter of our Friday reflection series, host Heather Hester delves into the concept of 'mothering the world,' a notion that encourages us to extend our caring instincts to a broader societal context. This episode posits that true mothering transcends familial boundaries, emphasizing the importance of offering compassion to the collective. She confronts the pressing issues of our time—rising injustices, systemic discri...

Episode Summary:

In this deeply insightful conversation, Heather Hester sits down with Ash Beckham—speaker, author, and advocate—to explore the powerful intersection of parenting, allyship, and radical self-compassion. From unlearning biases without shame to creating safe spaces for our kids to thrive, this episode is a rich tapestry of wisdom, humor, and real talk.

Ash shares her perspective on the importance of giving ourselves per...

In this podcast episode, host Heather Hester delves into the crucial concept of self-mothering, positing that before we can adequately nurture others—be it our children, our work, or our communities—we must first learn to care for ourselves. This notion is underscored by personal reflections on the exhaustion and boundarylessness that often accompany a life dedicated to others' needs, a state from which many may find it challenging...

In a profound exploration of religious trauma, this episode delves into the intricate dynamics between faith and LGBTQ identities. The insightful dialogue between the host Heather Hester and her guest, Ann Russo, unveils the complexities of navigating one’s beliefs in the aftermath of experiencing trauma rooted in high-control religious environments. They talk about the psychological ramifications of such experiences, particularly ...

In the second week of reflecting on mothering, the host, Heather Hester, effectively shifts the paradigm from traditional notions of motherhood to a broader understanding of nurturing as a vital component of creativity and enterprise. The episode discusses the concept of 'mothering' as a metaphor for the care we extend not only to children but also to our aspirations, projects, and the various visions we seek to manifest in the wor...

Heather Hester welcomes Brian Selznick, an esteemed author known for his innovative storytelling and impactful themes. They discuss Selznick's latest work, 'Run Away With Me', which not only captivates with its narrative but also resonates deeply with contemporary issues surrounding LGBTQ representation. Heather expresses her excitement and personal connection to Selznick's previous works, highlighting how they have been shared wit...

This episode intricately examines the nuanced dimensions of mothering, positioning it as a fundamental aspect of the human experience. Through a contemplative lens, I reflect on the lessons and emotions tied to the act of mothering, particularly as I celebrate my daughter Isabelle's graduation from college. The narrative traverses the landscape of memory, encapsulating moments of joy, challenge, and inevitable change. As I talk abo...