What if LGBTQ+ youth could see themselves in stories that weren’t defined by fear, shame, or tragedy, but by curiosity, love, and joy?

In this luminous episode, Heather Hester welcomes award-winning author and illustrator Brian Selznick (The Invention of Hugo Cabret) to discuss his latest YA novel, Run Away With Me, a tender, illustrated queer love story that unfolds across a ghostly Rome, blending historical fiction, LGBTQ+ identity, and emotional truth. Together, they explore how stories can offer healing, visibility, and hope for queer youth without erasing struggle, but without being defined by it.

You’ll hear Brian’s powerful reflections on growing up gay, writing without fear, and choosing love over pain in storytelling. You’ll also explore how illustrated novels can act as emotional mirrors, offering guidance, empathy, and a sense of inclusion for readers navigating identity, grief, or first love. This conversation is a heartfelt invitation for parents, educators, and allies to expand what queer stories look and feel like, especially for kids who deserve to see themselves in pages not marked only by suffering.

Press play to rediscover the magic of storytelling through the lens of LGBTQ+ love, radical compassion, and artistic courage and walk away inspired to affirm, protect, and celebrate the full spectrum of queer joy in your family, bookshelf, and life.

Brian Selznick’s books have sold millions of copies, garnered countless awards worldwide, and

have been translated into more than 35 languages. He broke open the novel form with his

genre-breaking thematic trilogy, beginning with the Caldecott Medal-winning #1 New York

Times bestseller, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, adapted into Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning

movie Hugo. He followed that with the #1 New York Times bestseller, Wonderstruck, adapted

by celebrated filmmaker Todd Haynes, with a screenplay by Selznick, and then the New York

Times bestseller, The Marvels. In praising his body of work, The Washington Post said, “Brian

Selznick proves to be that rare creator capable of following one masterpiece with another.” The

Associated Press called Selznick “one of publishing’s most imaginative storytellers.” Selznick’s

most recent novels, Big Tree (inspired by an idea from Steven Spielberg) and Kaleidoscope,

were both national bestsellers and were named New York Times Notable Children’s Books. He

also illustrated the 20th anniversary edition covers of the #1 globally bestselling Harry Potter

series. Selznick has appeared on Good Morning America, NBC’s Today Show, CBS Sunday

Morning, and has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, The

Guardian, Le Monde, la Repubblica, among many other renowned publications worldwide. He

and his husband Dr. David Serlin divide their time between Brooklyn, New York and La Jolla,

California.

https://brianselznick.com

https://instagram.com/thebrianselznick

Buy Run Away With Me Now!

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 is a safe and supportive space where a mom and mental health advocate offers guidance on parenting with empathy, inclusion, love, and open-minded allyship, fostering growth, healing, connection, and empowerment within the LGBTQ community while addressing grief, boundaries, education, diversity, human rights, social justice, and the power of human kindness through a lens of ally support and community engagement.

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