In this episode, Heather interviews LGBTQ+ activist Susan Buss, LCSW. Susan is the president of her private practice, Big Sky Consulting, Inc where she sees adolescents and adults. She has 35 years of experience in social work, working in community agencies as well as teaching at the Master's level. In addition to psychotherapy, Susan facilitates different workshops working with transgender people, focusing on healthy dating, and overcoming hoarding. She is the proud mom of a transgender child.

Susan imparts her wisdom, shedding light on and offering a basic education on gender identity, specifically the transgender experience. She shares valuable resources which are all listed below.

• Trans Lifeline 877-565-8860
• PFLAG - transgender support
• Human Rights Campaign - transgender resources
• WPATH - World Professional Association of Transgender Health
• Lurie Children's Hospital
• The Gender Quest Workbook
• The Survival Guide for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens
• The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals
• TomboyX - Hip and comfy clothes and undergarments for all sizes, gender neutral

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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