#58 | Inspiring LGBTQ Courage & Authenticity by Moving Beyond Labels
People want to label everything. There is a perceived comfort in having something or someone identified with a label but it is not always healthy. Many today are moving past labels and want to be accepted for who they are not shoved into a box just to make you comfortable. Our guest Julie Anne and her partner, Vicente, are here to discuss this concept of labels, how we can move on from them and experience freedom. They also talk about starting the Misfit Movement, a gathering of people who are seen as being outside the “norm” for one reason or another, and the work they are doing by bringing everyone together.
About our Guests:
Julie Ann is the Founder of Influence Publishing Inc and a TEDx Speaker. In the last ten years, she has published over 200 books and made over 80% of those International Best Sellers. She claims to be the world’s only Dyslexic book publisher and her TEDx Talk on “The Gift of Dyslexia” has had almost 100,000 views. She has been featured on British and Canadian TV, The Daily Mail, International Radio and Podcasts, and conducted many inspirational speeches. She has won many awards including The Golden Gravel Speech contest, International Toastmasters, Woman of Worth Success and Soul, Unlimited Woman of Creativity and has been short-listed for The Canadian Excellence Awards 2021.
She is the Best-Selling author of “Around the World in Seven Years – A Life-Changing Journey” which catalogues her journey around the world from 1998-2005 by sailboat, train, bus, and plane. She is a member of the New York Circumnavigators club as the slowest circumnavigator, traveling from the UK to South Africa, Tanzania, Dar es Salem, Zanzibar, Kenya, Seychelles, Maldives, Chagos (crossing the Indian Ocean by sailboat), Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Canada, The Baja of Mexico, and the Sea of Cortex, flying the final leg from Mexico City back to the UK. She presently lives in Puerto Vallarta with her Mexican Fiancé who is a Salsa and Latin dance instructor and loves dancing Salsa, Cumbia, and the Cha Cha every week along with the live Cuban band in Bodeguita Cuban Club in Puerta Vallarta. She is a dual citizen of the UK and Canada.
https://www.influencepublishing.com/
https://www.facebook.com/influencepub
Vicente Asaro
Having a chance to speak with Heather on her show was another step for my journey in growing. My expression of self-love to others is fostered by people who choose to spend their time like Heather, who give a space to share an ever-expansive core of our being into the world.
That reality within ourselves is the true expression we can look forward to sharing with others regardless of our bodies physical stature.“The Realm of the Human Body is a place we can call home, a shelter from the outside to our inner world, a protector to the multitude of viruses that seek to implant itself in our inner environment, a healer to the ever-changing events around us. “We are beneficiaries of our body, which gives a vessel to our soul, a voice to our thoughts, a bank for our memories, and communicator in intimacy. Our bodies deserve an environment in kind that which we can let itself heal from the stresses of the external world, a place we can bring our being for a peaceful retreat.” - Vicente Asaro, Floatation Tank Specialist
Vicente Asaro is a Float Tank operations specialist and founder of New World Floatation. He conducts research and development of R.E.S.T (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) Tank rooms and spaces.
Studying under the teachings of scientific researcher John C. Lilly’s decertations on the effects of R.E.S.T with brain and body, and information and teachings of the nature of human interaction under John Worthington. Vicente has achieved a specialist skill in running a safe and productive environment for those who wish to experience an imperious of self-understanding.
Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!
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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 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 explores connection, courage, and community for every concerned parent, mom, or ally navigating fear, grief, and bigotry with hope, resilience, and empathy. Through open-minded education, inclusive parenting guidance, and advocacy for mental health, safety, and a human first approach, we support LGBTQ youth and stand for human rights and social justice. More Human. More Kind. empowers listeners to shift their mindset, embrace activism and allyship, and lead with kindness, healing, and purpose.
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