#197 | Holding Hard Truths in the Wake of Charlie Kirk: Kindness, Free Speech, and the Cost of Dehumanization

How do we hold space for grief, truth, and humanity when someone who had polarizing views is taken by violence?

In moments like these, where headlines are loud and emotions run high, many of us are struggling with what it means to respond in a way that’s honest, compassionate, and grounded. Whether you're a parent, a leader, or simply a human trying to make sense of a complicated world, this episode offers a place to pause, reflect, and choose kindness without erasing truth.

• Understand why grief can feel especially complex when someone who caused harm dies tragically.
• Explore how to navigate the tension between grace, anger, and justice in a polarized world.
• Learn how to model grounded, honest responses for your kids and communities without losing your humanity.

Press play to explore the messy truth of holding space for both grief and accountability, and how choosing kindness in hard moments might be the most powerful thing we can do.

Full quote from Martin Luther King Jr.'s children

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.