More Human More Kind: Guidance for Parenting LGBTQ+ Teens & Growing Into a Courageous Ally
Do you wish you could better support your LGBTQ child? To be an ally who shows up with courage, clarity, and compassion in your family, workplace, and community?
You're not alone. More Human. More Kind. is a twice-weekly podcast supporting concerned parents and allies of LGBTQ+ kids who are ready to move from fear, grief, and confusion to healing, resilience, and empowered advocacy.
Hosted by Heather Hester, author of Parenting with Pride and a fierce advocate for human rights and social justice, each episode blends grounded insights, personal stories, and practical guidance to help you protect what matters, raise brave kids, and spark collective change.
* You'll learn to navigate mental health challenges, set loving boundaries, and find hope and support through the messiness of parenting, allyship, and becoming.
* Whether you're wrestling with bigotry, searching for connection and community, or ready to shift your mindset toward kindness and open-minded action, this show offers the education and encouragement you need.
New episodes drop every Tuesday and Friday, featuring expert interviews, vulnerable Listener Queer-ies, and timely solo episodes that foster growth, empathy, and activism.
Start with fan-favorite Episode 3: Embrace the Messiness of Supporting Your LGBTQ Teen (With Resilience & Hope), an honest conversation that will help you exhale, reflect, and show up more fully and fiercely for the people you love.
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Blubrry - https://create.blubrry.com/resources/about-blubrry/privacy-policy
- Update frequency
- every 8 days
- Average duration
- 35 minutes
- Episodes
- 198
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
#57 | The Power of Being Present: Parenting with Courage and LGBTQ Ally Guidance
As a parent, and especially if you're a mom, you know the importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment for your children. But do you do it for yourself as well? Mia Moran of Plan Simple i…
#56 | The Tao Te Ching Path to Self-Discovery: Courage and Guidance for LGBTQ Allies
Not many have the privilege of knowing who they are from the start. For most of us, life is a journey of reflection and self-discovery. Jessie Kanzer, actress and reporter turned author, joins us t…
#55 | Why Courageous Conversations Can Save LGBTQ Teens — 4 Questions Every Parent & Ally Should Know
Jackie Simmons, the Director of the Teen Suicide Prevention Society, joins Heather in this week’s episode. Jackie shares her story that drives her passion to make teen suicide a thing of the past. …
#54 | The Importance of Inclusive Literature: LGBTQ Representation & Empathy Guidance for Parents
Heather is joined by Greg Howard, an author that writes novels aimed at middle-grade students. What is fantastic about Greg’s books is that he taps into stories about marginalized youth, specificall…
#53 | 3 Key Strategies for LGBTQ-Aligned Parenting: Reducing Stress & Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids
During a recent event, Podapalooza, I was fortunate to connect with two people that right away I knew I had to get them on the show.
The first guest is Amy Zwaigenbaum, and she is a transformational…
#52 | Holiday Survival Tips for LGBTQ Families and Their Allies: Finding Courage & Calm
December 2021 - I thought it might be helpful to repost this episode (originally posted 12/2019). This time of year can bring out the best...and the worst...in all of us. What do you need to stay con…
#51 | 5 Ways Gratitude Strengthens LGBTQ Families & Builds Connection
To celebrate two years of podcasting, Heather shares a few brief thoughts on gratitude and the importance of a gratitude practice as well as a few of her personal examples.
Heather also teases what is…
#50 | Why Embracing Imperfection Matters for LGBTQ Parents (Courage & Hope for Allies)
To celebrate her 50th episode, Heather talks about the biggest "aha" moments she has had personally and that she and Steve have had as a couple over the past five years.
This personal and lively recol…
#49 | Why Understanding LGBTQ History Is Essential for Parents & Allies (Mental Health & Resilience Edition)
October is LGBTQ History Month. This interview not only honors history, but also teaches little-known facts and pieces of the time before Stonewall. In this episode, Heather interviews author, broadc…
#48 | Why Maxxie LaWow Is the Queer Superhero We Need Now (Hope & Representation in LGBTQ Animation)
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 Su…
#47 | 5 Ways Talking About Suicide Can Save LGBTQ Youth (Mental Health Guidance for Parents)
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 adolescent…
#46 | How Peaceful Parenting Builds Resilience & Hope in LGBTQ Families
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…
#45 | Why “Abomination” Messaging Hurts Mental Health—and What Courageous Parents Can Do Instead
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. …
#44 | How LGBTQ Teens Are Coping with Anxiety & Depression—And What Parents Need to Know
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 an…
#43 | Stop Saying “They/Them Is Confusing”—Why Pronouns Are About Respect, Not Grammar
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 th…
#42 | What a Trans Dad Can Teach Us About Allyship, Family, and Mental Health
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 p…
#41 | Why Understanding LGBTQ History Builds Allyship & Courage for the Next Generation
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…
#40 | Is Your Sex Talk Missing the LGBTQ Perspective? Here’s How Courageous Guidance Fixes That
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 t…
#39 | 5 Harmful LGBTQ Myths Parents Still Believe & Courageous Ways to Respond
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 exponent…
#38 | Cultivating Mindful Resilience: Guidance for Parents & LGBTQ Teens
In this episode, Heather interviews Andrew Jordan Nance, founder of Mindful Arts San Francisco whose mission is to provide literary and arts-based mindfulness instruction to youth at underserved San …