Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen

Not many have the privilege of knowing who they are from the start. For most of us, life is a journey of reflection and self-discovery. Jessie Kanzer, actress and reporter turned author, joins us today to share her journey as a Russian Immigrant feeling lost in an alien world to her discovery of the Tao Te Ching that set her on the path to becoming the person she is meant to be. Listen to her grounding message that will not only benefit each of us personally but our loved ones as well.

Do not miss these highlights:

02:10 - A look into Jessie’s book, Don't Just Sit There, DO NOTHING: Healing, Chilling, and Living with the Tao Te Ching, and an explanation of what Tao Te Ching is about.

6:21 - How these teaching influenced her coming from an “achievement-based” culture

9:05 - Connecting and trusting your inner voice and begin listening to our intuition, especially when it comes to parenting our children

14:55 - Realizing that stepping into our awareness requires vulnerability and that authenticity does not come in a form of perfection

17:22 - Jessie summarizes the Tao Te Ching to three concepts; simplicity, patience, compassion

23:15 - A look at how losing your identity can be a gift to find yourself again.

28:07 - A discussion about labels and the hindrance they bring to self-discovery

32:12 - The importance of helping our children to fully understand what they are feeling and put a name to it.

36:05 - “When somebody else questions their identity, it almost becomes a mirror. And if you have never faced the nuances within yourself, including nuanced emotions, that is very uncomfortable.”

39:33 - How The Tao can cure you of perfectionism

41:11 - The importance of embracing stillness

About the Guest:

Jessie Kanzer was born in the Soviet Union. At the age of eight, she emigrated with her family to Brooklyn. She is a writer, former reporter and actress.

For years, Jessie felt like a failure, unable to hustle hard enough to "make it" either as an actress or in the rat race. Her childhood as a Russian immigrant in post-Cold War America heightened her insecurity and threatened her identity, desperate as she was to fit into a culture that was alien at best and hostile at worst. This loss and eventual reclamation of her sense of self sent her on a spiritual journey during which she discovered the Tao Te Ching, which changes everything for her. The Tao taught her that there was power in stillness and that all struggles come bearing gifts if you know how to recognize them. Her message will connect with listeners desperate to find grounding as we move into a new year filled with trepidation and no guarantees of a return to normalcy.

https://www.facebook.com/JessieKanzer

https://instagram.com/jessiekanzer

https://twitter.com/jessiekanzer

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI0_lGiZPq31VJ5w7hg7NuA

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessiekanzer/

Connect with Heather:

The Perfect Holiday Gift! Give a copy of Heather's new book, Parenting with Pride.

Get Your *free* Holiday Survival Guide

Access the course, Learning to Parent with Pride!

Work with Heather one-on-one or bring her into your organization to speak or run a workshop!

Please subscribe to, rate, and review Just Breathe. And, as always, please share with anyone who needs to know they are not alone!

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Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Heather Hester shares an insightful interview with Susan Cottrell, founder of Freedhearts.org, mother of 5 (2 of whom are queer), advocate, and beautiful human being. Susan shares stories with authenticity and depth of knowledge that makes you want to learn more!

Susan's message crosses all faiths, as every one of us regardless of church or cultural tradition has received messaging in our lives about LGBTQ people.

Listen in with an open mind and open heart!

Here are the links mentioned in the show:

www.freedhearts.org

Tedx Talk

I would be so grateful if you would subscribe to, rate, and review Just Breathe. And, as always, please share with anyone who needs to know they are not alone!

Connect with Heather:

Solutions listed on her website: https://chrysalismama.com

For the Language of LGBTQIA+ E-book, visit: https://learnwith.chrysalismama.com/book

Digital Coming Out Course for Parents - Text Ally to 55444 to get Heather's "My kid just came out and I'm freaking out!" Toolkit!

Please subscribe to, rate, and review Just Breathe. And, as always, please share with anyone who needs to know they are not alone!

Support Heather's Work: https://linktr.ee/chrysalismama

In this episode, Heather Hester shares the story of her family's journey and outlines specific reasons why the coming out process can be messy. She encourages the listener to embrace it and gives tips and tools to help along the way.

We hope you enjoy this episode as you breathe into the messiness! Hit subscribe to get new episodes right away!

Connect with Heather:

The Perfect Holiday Gift! Give a copy of Heather's new book, Parenting with Pride.

Get Your *free* Holiday Survival Guide

Access the course, Learning to Parent with Pride!

Work with Heather one-on-one or bring her into your organization to speak or run a workshop!

Please subscribe to, rate, and review Just Breathe. And, as always, please share with anyone who needs to know they are not alone!

YouTube

TikTok

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Heather Hester returns to basics and discusses ways to protect your energy no matter what may be going on around you - a pandemic, a crisis with your child, or just the usual day-to-day ups and downs of raising teenagers!

Heather first looks at identifying the different ways your energy gets sapped, and then details tips and tools for strengthening your reserves and protecting them.

This resource lists five tools to help you "fill your cup" and keep it full.

This article explains the science behind visualization.

Here are five of Heather's current favorite affirmations (adapted from a Gabby Bernstein meditation that she loves):

1. All is well.

2. I am open to creative solutions.

3. I am guided. I am protected. I am loved. I am safe.

4. I move through my day with grace, wisdom, and light.

5. I choose to see joy.

Meditations:

Freedom from fear (Heather)

Positive Energy (Gabby Bernstein)

As always, Heather is grateful for reviews, and please forward to anyone who may benefit!

Connect with Heather:

Solutions listed on her website: https://chrysalismama.com

For the Language of LGBTQIA+ E-book, visit: https://learnwith.chrysalismama.com/book

Digital Coming Out Course for Parents - Text Ally to 55444 to get Heather's "My kid just came out and I'm freaking out!" Toolkit!

Please subscribe to, rate, and review Just Breathe. And, as always, please share with anyone who needs to know they are not alone!

Support Heather's Work: https://linktr.ee/chrysalismama

Heather Hester interviews clinical psychologist Melanie McNally in this episode which is loaded with great tools and unique approaches to helping your teen or young adult manage their anxiety.

In addition to working with adolescents face-to-face, Dr. McNally utilizes a unique online platform of her creation called Destination YOU. Check it out HERE!

She is also the author of a coming of age novel, Counting Dragonflies, that beautifully weaves family and mental health struggles and triumphs throughout.

Please subscribe to, rate and review Just Breathe. AND, as always, please share with anyone who needs to know they are not alone!

Connect with Heather:

Solutions listed on her website: https://chrysalismama.com

For the Language of LGBTQIA+ E-book, visit: https://learnwith.chrysalismama.com/book

Digital Coming Out Course for Parents - Text Ally to 55444 to get Heather's "My kid just came out and I'm freaking out!" Toolkit!

Please subscribe to, rate, and review Just Breathe. And, as always, please share with anyone who needs to know they are not alone!

Support Heather's Work: https://linktr.ee/chrysalismama