The first thing you say after someone comes out can either open a door for the rest of their life or quietly slam it shut.

We sit down with Heather Hester, host of More Human, More Kind and author of Parenting with Pride, to talk about what real LGBTQ allyship looks like inside a family. Heather shares the moment her oldest son came out and how fear, relief, and love collided at once, then walks us through the long stretch afterward: supporting an LGBTQ teen, parenting other kids at the same time, and learning how to communicate when you realize your “normal” way of talking isn’t working anymore.

We get specific about the phrases people blurt out when they’re caught off guard. Heather breaks down why “Are you sure?” is one of the worst questions you can ask, why “I’m worried about your future” can translate as “something is wrong with you,” and how to repair when you’ve already said the wrong thing. You’ll also hear simple, practical alternatives you can use immediately, including a go-to response that keeps the moment loving while you catch your breath: “Thank you for telling me.”

Because silence sends a message too, we also talk about Pride Month, Christian allyship, and how to have age-appropriate conversations with kids without making it weird, scary, or overly detailed. If you want your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or friend to feel safe with you, this conversation gives you language, mindset shifts, and next steps that actually work.

Connect with Heather

Subscribe to Heather's Substack here, find her on Instagram @morehumanmorekind, or on LinkedIn here.

Subscribe for more honest conversations, share this with someone who wants to show up better, and leave a review with the one sentence you want every kid to hear first.

Welcome to Speak Out Stand Out — the show where we build confidence in our future, one voice at a time. I’m your host, Elizabeth Green.

I grew up shy, so I know firsthand how life-changing it can be when someone helps you find your voice. Now, I get to help kids and teens do exactly that — and this podcast is a place to share those tools with you.

Each week, I talk with experts and inspiring guests about simple, practical and tangible ways to help the young people in

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