Jaimie sits down with Hilde Festerling—queer mom, children’s writer, and the creator of the all-ages “barnyard gothic” audio drama podcast The Goat American Novel. Hilde shares the story of coming out later in life, navigating an amicable divorce, and building a creative partnership with her girlfriend. The heart of the episode is how Hilde’s family used storytelling as a literal lifeline: writing and producing a full podcast with her kids (and extended family!) became a sacred space through adolescence, transition, and big family change—while also creating queer representation that can still feel accessible for kids in conservative environments.

🏳️‍🌈 Key Takeaways

Creative projects can be relationship glue. Hilde describes the podcast as a refuge—an art space where family conflict didn’t enter, even during hard parenting seasons.
Kids can be your best collaborators. Hilde’s children didn’t just listen—they became the “writer’s room,” tracking plot threads, character arcs, and story logic.
Queer joy + safety can coexist in kids’ media. Hilde talks about balancing being proudly out with creating art that can still reach kids living in conservative homes where “queer” content is policed.
Representation isn’t always loud. Sometimes queerness that unfolds slowly (and isn’t “on the cover”) is exactly what helps certain kids find themselves safely.
Family can stay family after divorce. Hilde emphasizes an amicable separation and a “split but still connected” family model that includes her ex as family.

🏳️‍🌈 About the guest(s) Hilde Festering is a children’s writer and storyteller, and the creator of the all-ages “barnyard gothic” podcast The Goat American Novel. Built with an ensemble of family voice actors—including her kids, siblings, ex-husband, girlfriend, and more—the project became both an epic storytelling experiment and a creative family tradition that supported connection through major transitions.

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🏳️‍🌈 Resources Mentioned

Love, Take Two (with José Rolón / NYC Gay Dad) Subscribe on your favorite podcast app and on YouTube now!
Podcast: The Goat American Novel
Medium: Hilde Festerling

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