{"podcast":{"title":"More Human. More Kind. | Parenting LGBTQ Kids, Unlearning Fear, Becoming More Human","slug":"more-human-more-kind-allyship-guidance-for-parents-of-lgbtq-teens-955717","podcast_index_feed_id":955717,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/more-human-more-kind/","website_url":"https://heatherhester.net/podcast","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/741094ec-1943-4614-9af5-11cdfec32910/x3jj435Mv_xWN4iW4xAmzm8T.jpg","author":"Heather Hester | Advocate for Parents of LGBTQ Teens","episode_count":299,"summary":"\"Mom, I think I might be_____.\" Whether that sentence ended in gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or something they're still figuring out — you're in the right place. Maybe you're scared. Maybe you're grieving something you can't quite name yet. Maybe you're desperate to get this right and terrified you already got it wrong. This show is for you, exactly where you are right now. More Human. More Kind. is hosted by Heather Hester, author of Parenting with Pride and a fierce advocate for LGBTQ kids and the parents who love them. Each week Heather brings lived experience, practical guidance, and the kind of honest conversation that helps you move from fear and confusion to grounded, loving action. Whether you're a parent in the early days of your child coming out, an ally deepening your understanding, or someone unlearning old beliefs to show up better for the people you love, this is your place. Every episode gives you something real: tools for navigating the hard moments, having difficult conversations, guidance on loving boundaries, and the steady reminder that you don't have to figure this out alone. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Start with fan-favorite Episode…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-14T18:23:33.277039+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/more-human-more-kind-allyship-guidance-for-parents-of-lgbtq-teens-955717"},"episode":{"title":"What Happens When an LGBTQ Child Gets No Support: Steph Vachon's Story of Survival and Reclamation","slug":"beyond-survival-queer-healing-fatherhood-and-reinvention","published_at":"2026-05-26T09:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/more-human-more-kind-allyship-guidance-for-parents-of-lgbtq-teens-955717/beyond-survival-queer-healing-fatherhood-and-reinvention","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/more-human-more-kind-allyship-guidance-for-parents-of-lgbtq-teens-955717","url":"https://more-human-more-kind.captivate.fm/episode/beyond-survival-queer-healing-fatherhood-and-reinvention","audio_url":"https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/27a876b1-dc60-49d5-8d58-30aac9e26615.mp3","summary":"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/toget…","meta_description":"What happens when someone spends decades surviving instead of truly living? In this deeply moving conversation, Heather sits down with queer figure skater…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2265,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/more-human-more-kind-allyship-guidance-for-parents-of-lgbtq-teens-955717/episodes/beyond-survival-queer-healing-fatherhood-and-reinvention/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/more-human-more-kind-allyship-guidance-for-parents-of-lgbtq-teens-955717/beyond-survival-queer-healing-fatherhood-and-reinvention.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}