Do you think you're doing the right thing for your LGBTQ+ child, but still feel like you're fumbling through it alone?

In this deeply honest and empowering episode, Heather Hester is joined by author Anna MacArthur to explore what happens when your child comes out before you’re ready and how to grow into the fierce, loving, and informed parent they need. Together, they unpack the emotional rollercoaster of learning, unlearning, and becoming an LGBTQ+ ally in real time.

• Hear the real story behind Anna’s unexpected journey from confusion to courage after her son’s coming out
• Learn how to handle grief, guilt, and vulnerability without letting fear take the lead
• Discover what LGBTQ+ youth actually need from their parents and how to be that person, even when you don’t have all the answers

Press play to feel seen, supported, and inspired as a parent, and walk away with new clarity, compassion, and courage on your LGBTQ+ parenting journey.

Anna's book: Hope for Moms

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Receive a free excerpt and reflection guide from my book, Parenting with Pride.

Influence the Parenting with Pride companion journal content. Survey here.

Find out what kind of ally you are!

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Connect heather@heatherhester.net

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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 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...

Is your school community confusing “nice” with “kind” and leaving LGBTQ+ students unsupported in the process?

As a new school year begins, many of us want to build more inclusive classrooms and communities, but surface-level politeness won’t get us there. This episode challenges parents, educators, and allies to embrace kindness as a courageous, everyday act that builds true safety and connection.

• Learn the key difference between being “nice” and practicing real kindness in school settings
• Get ready-to-use scripts for handling misgendering, exclusion, and passive comments with compassion and clarity
• Discover simple ways to raise children who lead with empathy and protect their peers with quiet courage

Press play to learn how kindness can become a bold tool for change—and how you can model and teach it this school year.

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

Resource: Welcoming Schools – Back-to-School Kindness Resources

Why it matters: This toolkit includes class posters, conversation starters, book lists, and sample lessons to help schools and families build inclusive environments from day one.

Other resources to explore:

• Teaching Tolerance (Learning for Justice) – Culturally responsive lesson plans and conversation starters
• Kindness.org – Research-backed kindness practices for schools and communities
• StoryCorps’ “Listen Closely” LGBTQ Archive – Stories that inspire empathy, connection, and action

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Receive a free excerpt and reflection guide from my book, Parenting with Pride.

Influence the Parenting with Pride companion journal content. Survey here.

Find out what kind of ally you are!

Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Connect heather@heatherhester.net

Join the Kind Space on Patreon

Leave a message or voicemail

Book a call!

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

Is your LGBTQ teen heading to college and you’re wondering how to support them without smothering their independence?

The transition to college is a huge milestone. For LGBTQ+ students, it can bring both liberation and new layers of fear, risk, and identity exploration. This episode offers the tools and guidance parents and allies need to empower their teen while staying emotionally connected.

• Help your LGBTQ+ teen prepare for affirming housing, healthcare, and mental health resources
• Learn how to support their safety and autonomy with practical strategies
• Discover how to stay lovingly connected without hovering and build trust in a new phase of parenting

Press play to learn how courage, communication, and allyship can transform your LGBTQ teen’s college experience for both of you.

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

Resource: Campus Pride Index

Why it matters: A searchable database of U.S. colleges rated on their LGBTQ+ friendliness, including housing, policies, and student life. Perfect for researching before and after enrollment.

Other helpful resources:

• OutCare Health – LGBTQ-affirming health providers nationwide
• Trevor Project’s Coming Out Guide for College
• Trans Lifeline – Especially helpful for students navigating gender identity support
• The Jed Foundation – Mental health resources tailored for college students

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Receive a free excerpt and reflection guide from my book, Parenting with Pride.

Influence the Parenting with Pride companion journal content. Survey here.

Find out what kind of ally you are!

Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Connect heather@heatherhester.net

Join the Kind Space on Patreon

Leave a message or voicemail

Book a call!

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