More Human More Kind: Allyship Guidance for Parents of LGBTQ Teens

Join me on Substack for more tools to stay human in a complicated world.
What if the exhaustion you feel has less to do with who you are and more to do with how long you’ve been pretending?
In this Friday Reset: The Butterfly Effect, Heather reflects on her powerful conversation with Stef Vachon and explores what happens when survival mode slowly disconnects us from our authentic selves.
So many people learn early that being fully themselves feels unsafe.
We shape-shift.
We perform.
We shrink.
We prioritize belonging over authenticity.
And eventually, we lose touch with who we really are.
In this deeply reflective episode, Heather explores:
The difference between surviving and truly living
How shame disconnects us from ourselves
Why authenticity can feel unsafe
The grief of abandoning parts of ourselves to fit in
Reconnecting with joy, creativity, identity, and truth
Why healing is often less about becoming and more about remembering

This episode is for anyone who:
Feels disconnected from themselves
Is tired of performing for acceptance
Wants to feel more grounded, authentic, and alive
Is healing from shame, people-pleasing, or hiding
Needs permission to take up space exactly as they are

You are not broken.
You adapted.
And maybe now you get to come home to yourself.
Press play to listen now and If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who may need the reminder that they do not have to earn the right to be themselves.
Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!
Are you ready to take action? Let's connect and create a personalized plan!
Join a private community with other parents and allies just like you!
Stay informed - receive my newsletter
Invite me to speak at your workshop or event
Read my book, Parenting with Pride.
Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review!
Connect [email protected]
Buy Me A Coffee
Watch on YouTube
Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!
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 grow their capacity for courageous, compassionate connection.
For parents, allies, and those 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 is a safe and supportive podcast in a heartfelt and empowering space where a mom and advocate offers practical guidance and education to parents and allies, fostering empathy, kindness, love, and strong boundaries while supporting LGBTQ teens and the diverse LGBTQ community—including gay, lesiban, bisexual, trans, transgender, and queer individuals—through conversations about mental health, grief, gender identity, sexual orientation, human rights, social justice, parenting, parent support, and meaningful LGBTQ allyship and allyship in action.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy

Learn about The Kindred Collective
Before you hang the Pride flag or post your support online, have you asked your LGBTQ teen what actually feels supportive to them?
Many loving parents and allies want to celebrate their LGBTQ child openly during Pride Month, but visible support can feel empowering for some LGBTQ teens and overwhelming for others. In this episode, Heather explores the importance of emotional attunement, collaborative conversations, and respecting a child’s comfort level around visibility, identity, and Pride celebrations.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
Support LGBTQ teens in ways that feel emotionally safe, affirming, and empowering to them
Practice thoughtful LGBTQ allyship by listening instead of assuming what support should look like
Create stronger trust and connection through curiosity, communication, and collaborative parenting

Press play to learn how parents and allies can celebrate Pride with more compassion, emotional awareness, and meaningful support for LGBTQ teens and their unique experiences.
Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!
Are you ready to take action? Let's connect and create a personalized plan!
Join a private community with other parents and allies just like you!
Stay informed - receive my newsletter
Invite me to speak at your workshop or event
Read my book, Parenting with Pride.
Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review!
Connect [email protected]
Buy Me A Coffee
Watch on YouTube
Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!
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 grow their capacity for courageous, compassionate connection.
For parents, allies, and those 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 is a safe and supportive podcast in a heartfelt and empowering space where a mom and advocate offers practical guidance and education to parents and allies, fostering empathy, kindness, love, and strong boundaries while supporting LGBTQ teens and the diverse LGBTQ community—including gay, lesiban, bisexual, trans, transgender, and queer individuals—through conversations about mental health, grief, gender identity, sexual orientation, human rights, social justice, parenting, parent support, and meaningful LGBTQ allyship and allyship in action.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy

What happens when someone spends decades surviving instead of truly living?
In this deeply moving conversation, Heather sits down with queer figure skater, advocate, father, and podcast host Stef Vachon to talk about shame, bullying, identity, healing, and what it means to finally come home to yourself.
Growing up in a small French Canadian town in the 1970s and 80s, Stef endured relentless homophobia, isolation, and abuse while pursuing competitive figure skating. By 17, after reaching Nationals in Canada, the weight of shame forced him to walk away from the sport he loved.
But this episode is not about defeat.
It’s about reclamation.
Stef shares:
How internalized shame shaped his identity and relationships
The anxiety and breaking point that changed everything
The therapist who helped save his life
Why becoming a father transformed his healing journey
The power of LGBTQ representation and community
What it means to stop surviving and finally start living

This conversation is for:
LGBTQ adults still healing from shame or rejection
Parents wanting to better support queer kids
Anyone navigating reinvention, self-worth, or a second chance at life
People learning that healing, joy, and authenticity are still possible, no matter how long it takes

Stef’s story is a reminder that you are not broken, you are not alone, and it is never too late to reclaim yourself.
If this episode moved you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs hope today.
And for more conversations about belonging, healing, parenting, advocacy, boundaries, and becoming more human and more kind, join Heather on Substack and follow the podcast for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Connect with Stef!
Podcast: Together Moving Forward
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/togethermovingforwardpodcast/
Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!
Are you ready to take action? Let's connect and create a personalized plan!
Join a private community with other parents and allies just like you!
Stay informed - receive my newsletter
Invite me to speak at your workshop or event
Read my book, Parenting with Pride.
Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review!
Connect [email protected]
Buy Me A Coffee
Watch on YouTube
Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!
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 grow their capacity for courageous, compassionate connection.
For parents, allies, and those 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 is a safe and supportive podcast in a heartfelt and empowering space where a mom and advocate offers practical guidance and education to parents and allies, fostering empathy, kindness, love, and strong boundaries while supporting LGBTQ teens and the diverse LGBTQ community—including gay, lesiban, bisexual, trans, transgender, and queer individuals—through conversations about mental health, grief, gender identity, sexual orientation, human rights, social justice, parenting, parent support, and meaningful LGBTQ allyship and allyship in action.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy

Download Panic to Plan Here
What if you already got it wrong with your child… or you’re terrified you’ll say the wrong thing next?
In this episode of More Human. More Kind., Heather Hester explores two of the biggest fears parents face when supporting LGBTQ+ or questioning teens:
“I think I already messed this up.”
“What if I say the wrong thing?”

You’ll learn why fear often creates distance in parent-child relationships, how repair rebuilds trust, and why connection matters more than perfect parenting.
This episode offers grounded support for parents navigating hard conversations with LGBTQ+ teens, including:
how to repair after a parenting mistake
what to say when your mind goes blank
why emotional safety matters
how to stay connected during identity conversations
practical phrases that build trust instead of fear

If you’re parenting through uncertainty, anxiety, or fear of getting it wrong, this episode will help you feel steadier, calmer, and less alone.
Listen to the episode now and download Heather’s free companion guide:
Panic to Plan — a grounding resource for parents navigating difficult conversations with LGBTQ+ or questioning teens.
Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!
Are you ready to take action? Let's connect and create a personalized plan!
Join a private community with other parents and allies just like you!
Stay informed - receive my newsletter
Invite me to speak at your workshop or event
Read my book, Parenting with Pride.
Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review!
Connect [email protected]
Buy Me A Coffee
Watch on YouTube
Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!
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 grow their capacity for courageous, compassionate connection.
For parents, allies, and those 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 is a safe and supportive podcast in a heartfelt and empowering space where a mom and advocate offers practical guidance and education to parents and allies, fostering empathy, kindness, love, and strong boundaries while supporting LGBTQ teens and the diverse LGBTQ community—including gay, lesiban, bisexual, trans, transgender, and queer individuals—through conversations about mental health, grief, gender identity, sexual orientation, human rights, social justice, parenting, parent support, and meaningful LGBTQ allyship and allyship in action.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy

Download Panic to Plan Here
What if you already got it wrong with your child or you’re terrified you’ll say the wrong thing?
In this episode of More Human. More Kind., Heather Hester explores two of the biggest fears parents face when supporting LGBTQ+ or questioning teens:
“I think I already messed this up.”
“What if I say the wrong thing?”

You’ll learn why fear often creates distance in parent-child relationships, how repair rebuilds trust, and why connection matters more than perfect parenting.
This episode offers grounded support for parents navigating hard conversations with LGBTQ+ teens, including:
how to repair after a parenting mistake
what to say when your mind goes blank
why emotional safety matters
how to stay connected during identity conversations
practical phrases that build trust instead of fear

If you’re parenting through uncertainty, anxiety, or fear of getting it wrong, this episode will help you feel steadier, calmer, and less alone.
Listen now to discover what to do or say if you don't know what to say or are afraid you've already gotten it wrong with your LGBTQ+ or questioning teens.
Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!
Are you ready to take action? Let's connect and create a personalized plan!
Join a private community with other parents and allies just like you!
Stay informed - receive my newsletter
Invite me to speak at your workshop or event
Read my book, Parenting with Pride.
Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review!
Connect [email protected]
Buy Me A Coffee
Watch on YouTube
Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!
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 grow their capacity for courageous, compassionate connection.
For parents, allies, and those 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 is a safe and supportive podcast in a heartfelt and empowering space where a mom and advocate offers practical guidance and education to parents and allies, fostering empathy, kindness, love, and strong boundaries while supporting LGBTQ teens and the diverse LGBTQ community—including gay, lesiban, bisexual, trans, transgender, and queer individuals—through conversations about mental health, grief, gender identity, sexual orientation, human rights, social justice, parenting, parent support, and meaningful LGBTQ allyship and allyship in action.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy