#159 | How Losing My Sister, My Ally, Transformed My Understanding of Grief and Courage

What if grief wasn’t something to hide, fix, or move past — but something to live through, honor, and let change you completely?

In this raw, courageous, and beautifully human episode, Heather Hester opens the door to her heart — reflecting on the one-year anniversary of her sister Corinne’s death, the collapse of a long-anticipated book launch, and the broader grief gripping our country. She invites listeners into an intimate conversation on personal grief, political grief, and how both have shaped her transformation — including the relaunch of this very podcast. If you’ve ever felt undone by loss or paralyzed by the state of the world, this episode is for you.

• Hear how grief shows up in both quiet heartbreak and righteous rage — and why all of it is valid
• Learn how personal loss and societal injustice intersect — and how to respond with action instead of shutdown
• Discover how grief can lead to clarity, purpose, and a deep reimagining of who we are and what we fight for

Press play to witness a journey of love, rage, transformation, and renewal — and be reminded that grief, when honored, can lead us to a more human, more kind world.

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 foster courageous, compassionate connection.

If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming 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 part of this journey.

More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen explores connection, courage, and community for every concerned parent, mom, or ally navigating fear, grief, and bigotry with hope, resilience, and empathy. Through open-minded education, inclusive parenting guidance, and advocacy for mental health, safety, and a human first approach, we support LGBTQ youth and stand for human rights and social justice. More Human. More Kind. empowers listeners to shift their mindset, embrace activism and allyship, and lead with kindness, healing, and purpose.