Guidance for parenting LGBTQ+ teens and growing into a courageous ally

I’m Heather Hester—author of Parenting with Pride, host of the More Human. More Kind. podcast, and visionary entrepreneur. I’m a coach, speaker, and advocate with lived experience parenting gay children, years of allyship work, and a deep commitment to helping others show up with compassion, clarity, and courage. Through storytelling, education, and practical tools, I guide parents and allies to become powerful forces for connection and change. I believe honest conversations, education, and lived experience empower parents and allies to become informed, intentional advocates—ready to show up with courage, speak out with clarity, and take meaningful action in support of LGBTQ+ youth and marginalized communities.

More Human. More Kind. is a podcast for parents, allies, and compassionate changemakers who want to show up for LGBTQ+ youth—and for humanity—with greater courage, clarity, and heart. Hosted by Heather Hester, author of Parenting with Pride and founder of Chrysalis Mama, this twice-weekly show offers a grounded, real-world path from fear to fierce allyship.

Through unfiltered solo episodes, meaningful interviews, and the listener-favorite segment Listener Queer-ies, Heather answers vulnerable questions, shares personal stories, and delivers tools you can actually use—in your home, your community, and your everyday life.

Whether you're parenting an LGBTQ+ child, advocating for human rights, or simply trying to lead with more kindness and authenticity, this show helps you feel seen, supported, and strengthened. You'll learn how to set loving boundaries, navigate hard conversations, and embrace the beauty in the messiness of parenting, allyship, and becoming.

With over six years of experience guiding thousands of families and advocates, Heather brings deep wisdom, lived experience, and unwavering hope to every episode.
 

When I launched the first episode of this podcast in October 2019, I was just a casual podcast listener. Over the past 5 1/2 years I have become a voracious listener, with my podcast listening minutes coming close to surpassing my music listening minutes according to Spotify Wrapped!

In August 2019 I was sitting on a beach in Hawaii reading an article about one of my favorite mindfulness coaches and they were talking about their podcast. At that moment I realized a podcast would be a fantastic way to reach more people, more parents and allies, to let them know they are not alone on this journey of parenting an LGBTQ+ child. I attended a few workshops, bought all the basic stuff and launched Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen 2 1/2 months later!

My only goals in those first few years was to share stories and tools and strategies we had learned along the way. Parenting, especially parenting an LGBTQ kid can be very lonely. I just wanted parents, family members, caregivers, and allies of all kinds to know they aren't alone!

As I've gained life experience and personal growth and as the world around us has changed, my topics and audience have grown as well. In March 2025 I began my rebranding process by renaming this podcast to More Human. More Kind.
 

For the first 5 years of this podcast I consistently released episodes every other Tuesday. Early in 2025 I added a Friday show to talk about current events, and in May I began constantly releasing shows every week on Tuesday and Friday.

I do roughly a quarter interview shows and the other three quarters are solo episodes. I currently do everything to produce this show - research, writing, editing, producing, and promoting which takes approximately 5 hours depending on the type of show.

The podcast is part of my business and I block time for it every week. Currently it is 100% funded by me.
 

While I was hesitant at the beginning, I am now completely open to sponsorships and welcome conversations with interested companies, organizations, and collaborators.

I love podcasting. It is an integral part of my business. I also view it as my calling card for potential clients and a gift to those who need to know that they are not alone.

I have met so many interesting humans, and made really lovely connections and friendships through this work for which I will forever be grateful!
 

I use Riverside, Zoom, and Descript for recording and editing.

Because my show is a pretty specific niche, I have a steady influx of guest requests. Occasionally I will reach out for a specific topic, but otherwise I'm lucky to have people reaching out to me. Interviews are 100% virtual.

I prep each episode with lots of research. I have guests fill out a detailed questionnaire. Solo episodes require a good deal of research, fact checking, and writing.
 

My show is on all podcast platforms. My current listener acquisition is: 49% Apple Podcasts, 27% Chrome, 9% Spotify, and the remaining 14% multiple miscellaneous platforms.

The marketing channels I find most effective are email, my website, Substack, and then social media, in that order.
 

1. Don't overthink it. You'll never start your podcast if you stay locked in planning mode in your head.

2. If you're working with a budget, splurge on a mic, everything else can be done on a shoestring until you get going.

3. Listen to your favorite podcasts for technique as well as content! I learned so many great interviewing styles and tips that way.
 

Podcast/blog website - www.morehumanmorekind.com
Rebranded website coming soon - www.heatherhester.net (formerly www.chrysalismama.com)
email - heather@heatherhester.net or hh@chrysalismama.com
Patreon - https://patreon.com/TheKindSpace?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
IG - @chrysalismama
Bluesky - ‪@heatherhester.bsky.socia
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/hhchrysalismama
PayPal Donate Link - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GZRDG94HXYNBY