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Behind the Throne
By Helen Hope Kimbrough & Charlitta HatchSociety & Culture
Behind the Throne episodes
- 34. Processing Grief, Letting In Your Support System, and Our Loved Ones’ Legacies | Grief Journeys Pt. 1
Grief is heavy, but it’s not something we have to face alone. In this episode, we wanted to share some different perspectives on loss, including Helen’s loss of her father, Dr. Winfred M. Hope, earlier this year; Dr. Monique Perry-Graves’ sudden loss of her mother, Carolyn Perry, in 2024; and Linda Lockman-Brooks’ loss of her daughter, Morgan Thompson, almost two years ago. While we are talking about loss, this episode is full of laughter, wisdom, and so much love, and we have more to share in part two of our conversation next week!
Resources mentioned:
Grief Is Love by Marisa Renee Lee
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
Grief is a circular experience. There are good days and bad days, and some days where the loss feels as shocking as it did the day it happened. It’s normal for there to be ups and downs on your grief journey, no matter how long it's been since your loss.
It can be very tempting to isolate yourself and disconnect from the world around you when you’re in the thick of grief. Resist that temptation. Answer when your friends and family call to check up on you, say “yes” when they ask if you want to get out of the house, and show up exactly as you are.
There are signs all around us that people we’ve lost are still with us in spirit. Welcome those signs when you find them, even if there are difficult feelings that come with them.
Mothers are the queens of the castle, but let’s be real: it’s not all ball gowns and glass slippers. On this podcast, we’re giving you a peek Behind the Throne at the privilege and responsibility of wearing the crown. Hosted by Helen Hope Kimbrough - a proud wife and mom of two adult sons - and Charlitta Hatch, a proud wife, married to her high school sweetheart, and a proud mom of two little ones. Get ready as we share jewels with each other and you around all things connected to motherhood!
Connect with Us!:
Podcast Instagram
YouTube
Charlitta’s Instagram
Helen’s Instagram
42 min - 33. Teaching Young Black Professionals About the Value of Marriage & Partnership with Arvia Few
There are two gaps in the Black community, especially among those in their 20s and 30s: a marriage gap and a wealth gap. Our friend Arvia Few is aiming to bridge both of those gaps through matchmaking. Her company, DOTTIE, is a platform for young Black professionals to meet, build meaningful connections (both platonic and romantic), and settle down with someone who shares their goals and is ready to tackle them together. If you’re curious about how to promote the value of marriage and partnership to the young people in your life, this episode is for you!
Arvia Few is a mother, wife, professional matchmaker, and certified science-based relationship and dating coach. She founded DOTTIE to help young Black professionals create meaningful connections, empowering them to find love and build strong, enduring relationships.
Connect with DOTTIE & Arvia Few:
DOTTIE Website
DOTTIE’s House Podcast
DOTTIE Instagram
Arvia Few on Instagram
Arvia Few YouTube Channel
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
Young people are craving genuine connections where they can be vulnerable. There’s a lot of judgement that can happen through the social media lens, and since they’ve grown up with phones, they’ve had a lot of distractions preventing them from making real connections.
You and your spouse are the models your kids are growing up with for what a relationship looks like. Model healthy communication, show them the value of doing life with a true partner, and apologize when you have human moments and don’t get it quite right.
It’s important to have clear values and expectations for a partner, like being on the same page about having kids, religious beliefs, and financial goals. But other things like how much money someone is currently making shouldn’t necessarily be a factor.
Mothers are the queens of the castle, but let’s be real: it’s not all ball gowns and glass slippers. On this podcast, we’re giving you a peek Behind the Throne at the privilege and responsibility of wearing the crown. Hosted by Helen Hope Kimbrough - a proud wife and mom of two adult sons - and Charlitta Hatch, a proud wife, married to her high school sweetheart, and a proud mom of two little ones. Get ready as we share jewels with each other and you around all things connected to motherhood!
Connect with Us!:
Podcast Instagram
YouTube
Charlitta’s Instagram
Helen’s Instagram
41 min - 32. Parenting in the Age of AI | Embracing Technology While Setting Boundaries and Teaching Responsible Use
AI has been the topic on everyone’s mind this year. From the rise of generative AI and ChatGPT to the increase in self-driving cars, it’s easy to get swept up in the news stories of AI gone wrong, but every generation has had at least one technological leap that made parents pause and teens rejoice; AI is no different. In this episode, Charlitta’s tech genius shines as she walks us through practical AI uses, how to teach your child to use it responsibly, and why embracing it will serve you and your kids better in the long run.
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
It’s easy to jump to villainizing changes in technology, but think about some of the advances that were made while you were growing up. Chances are these advances brought value to your day–to-day but still faced pushback from older generations. There are always going to be pros and cons to advancements, but asking questions is key.
Artificial intelligence has already been a part of our lives for a long time. Things like sensors in elevator doors and faucets in bathrooms are a form of artificial intelligence that we don’t even think about on a regular basis.
Every parent is going to set different parameters around technology use. You likely already set limits around screen time, but you can also set guardrails around content, monitoring their search and watch history online, and not giving them a smart phone until a certain age.
Many companies and schools are creating policies around AI usage in their organizations. Rather than say “no using AI” in your home, explore where you might already be using it in your home and life, and discuss this with your kids. You and your child can explore AI usage together, and discuss the ethics and shortcomings of it as well.
Mothers are the queens of the castle, but let’s be real: it’s not all ball gowns and glass slippers. On this podcast, we’re giving you a peek Behind the Throne at the privilege and responsibility of wearing the crown. Hosted by Helen Hope Kimbrough - a proud wife and mom of two adult sons - and Charlitta Hatch, a proud wife, married to her high school sweetheart, and a proud mom of two little ones. Get ready as we share jewels with each other and you around all things connected to motherhood!
Connect with Us!:
Podcast Instagram
YouTube
Charlitta’s Instagram
Helen’s Instagram
46 min - 31. Life Is Life-ing | How We’re Handling a Very Challenging Year
You’ve probably noticed that Charlitta and I haven’t been on the mic together in a minute, and this episode is about why: life has been life-ing, y’all! We’ve both had challenges this year with family health struggles, exciting life changes, and more. In this episode, we share how we’ve been coping with life without sacrificing our relationships, how therapy has helped us process grief, and so much more.
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
You get to decide what you share or don’t share about what you’re going through. Social media can put odd pressure on us to overshare, but if you want to keep your challenges to yourself or only share with close friends and family, that’s completely fine.
Be intentional about taking time for yourself to practice self-care. As women, we tend to put ourselves and our own needs last, but your needs need to be prioritized, too. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
Grief doesn’t only come around when someone dies. You might feel grief if a loved one has serious health issues arise, or you might even grieve the person you were before you experienced a certain hardship. All of those feelings are valid.
Mothers are the queens of the castle, but let’s be real: it’s not all ball gowns and glass slippers. On this podcast, we’re giving you a peek Behind the Throne at the privilege and responsibility of wearing the crown. Hosted by Helen Hope Kimbrough - a proud wife and mom of two adult sons - and Charlitta Hatch, a proud wife, married to her high school sweetheart, and a proud mom of two little ones. Get ready as we share jewels with each other and you around all things connected to motherhood!
Connect with Us!:
Podcast Instagram
YouTube
Charlitta’s Instagram
Helen’s Instagram
57 min - 30. Processing the 2024 Election Results | Demographics in Exit Polls, Leaning on Community, and More
Quick question: how are you feeling? A month has passed since the election, but chances are you still might be feeling anxious, uncertain, or disappointed. We’re right there with you, and so are our guests in today’s episode: Lucretia Berry, antiracism curriculum specialist and Founder of brownicity; Kristen Stegall, podcast producer and CEO of Novice Studios; and Rachel Walt, human design expert, reiki healer, and Founder of Craftingood. In this episode, these women join Helen to discuss how we’re feeling about the election results, how we’re claiming our power, and the importance of community in these next four years.
Special thanks to Megan Weatherford for helping Novice Studios record this special episode!
Connect with our guests!
Dr. Lucretia Carter Berry | brownicity website | Instagram
Kristen Stegall | Novice Studios website | Instagram
Rachel Walt | Craftingood website | Instagram
Resources mentioned:
NBC News: Exit Polling Data from the 2024 Election
AP: Florida hospitals ask immigrants about their legal status.
NPR: Inside RFK Jr.'s nonprofit's legal battles over vaccines and public health
- Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman” Performed by Kerry Washington
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
We need to lead with compassion and empathy. So much of the current political climate in America stems from a lack of compassion and empathy, but we can make strides to change that simply by modeling it.
Using your voice is another way to encourage change in your community and beyond. Share your expertise loudly and proudly, especially if you’re in a field where misinformation (and disinformation) are running rampant.
White patriarchy is still alive and well, and it influences so many of our public institutions. So much of what we learn about patriarchy and race begins at home. How are you talking to your kids about roles and race? (Lucretia has amazing resources for this!)
Mothers are the queens of the castle, but let’s be real: it’s not all ball gowns and glass slippers. On this podcast, we’re giving you a peek Behind the Throne at the privilege and responsibility of wearing the crown. Hosted by Helen Hope Kimbrough - a proud wife and mom of two adult sons - and Charlitta Hatch, a proud wife, married to her high school sweetheart, and a proud mom of two little ones. Get ready as we share jewels with each other and you around all things connected to motherhood!
Connect with Us!:
Podcast Instagram
YouTube
Charlitta’s Instagram
Helen’s Instagram
1 hr 20 min - 29. Helen’s Mother, Betty Hope, on What It Means to Vote and Leave a Legacy
Last week, Helen assisted her parents in Athens, Georgia with casting their vote in the 2024 election. In this episode, Helen sits with her mother, Betty Hope, as she tells the story of why this election is so historic for her and her husband, and why watching him cast this vote this year was so emotional and wonderful for them.
If you haven’t yet voted, it’s not too late to vote early! Below is more info on early voting:
North Carolina Early Voting
Georgia Early Voting
South Carolina Early Voting
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
If you need special assistance while voting, please ask your polling place volunteers for help. Many voting locations have curbside voting and other accommodations available.
Mail-in ballots are another great option if you feel you are physically unable to vote in person. Make sure you send in your mail-in ballot by the deadline in your state.
Wear your “I voted” sticker like the badge of honor it is. Your vote represents a legacy of making your voice heard, a right that your ancestors fought for.
Mothers are the queens of the castle, but let’s be real: it’s not all ball gowns and glass slippers. On this podcast, we’re giving you a peek Behind the Throne at the privilege and responsibility of wearing the crown. Hosted by Helen Hope Kimbrough - a proud wife and mom of two adult sons - and Charlitta Hatch, a proud wife, married to her high school sweetheart, and a proud mom of two little ones. Get ready as we share jewels with each other and you around all things connected to motherhood!
Connect with Us!:
Podcast Instagram
YouTube
Charlitta’s Instagram
Helen’s Instagram
10 min - 28. Parent-Teacher Collaboration | Encouraging Learning, Mental Health Signals, and More with Alicia Hash
If you’ve been following our podcast, or know us personally, you know we are huge advocates for experiential learning and education. Since we’re all back into the swing of school, we invited our friend Alicia Hash, an award-winning elementary school principal in Charlotte, NC, to share her perspective as an educator of how we as parents can be active participants and supports of our children’s education.
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
Parents are their child’s first teacher because children begin learning as soon as they’re born. However, from an educator’s perspective, as soon as the child walks into the school building, the parent becomes the teacher’s partner in the child’s learning process.
Make learning a non-negotiable in your home. Your children will each follow their own path, but teach them to be engaged while in the classroom and give their best effort inside and outside the classroom.
Take the time to read and understand the assessments your child has taken throughout the year and how they’re performing. If you don’t understand the results, ask your child’s teacher to explain it to you. Treat this information as a growth opportunity for you and your child.
Mothers are the queens of the castle, but let’s be real: it’s not all ball gowns and glass slippers. On this podcast, we’re giving you a peek Behind the Throne at the privilege and responsibility of wearing the crown. Hosted by Helen Hope Kimbrough - a proud wife and mom of two adult sons - and Charlitta Hatch, a proud wife, married to her high school sweetheart, and a proud mom of two little ones. Get ready as we share jewels with each other and you around all things connected to motherhood!
Connect with Us!:
Podcast Instagram
YouTube
Charlitta’s Instagram
Helen’s Instagram
32 min - 27. Your Vote Matters | Voting Rights, Civic Engagement, and Making Your Voice Heard with Jamila Green
There is a very important election coming up in November, but not everyone feels that their vote matters. In this episode, Helen sits down with Jamila Green, Community Engagement Manager at the YWCA Central Carolinas, to discuss our earliest memories and messages around voting, why we don’t take our right to vote for granted, and all the ways you can make your voice heard through community engagement.
Early voting begins today in North Carolina, so make sure you get out and make your voice heard!
Resources mentioned:
YWCA Central Carolinas
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
Voting is one of the most important ways to make your voice and values heard. Every single vote counts, so even if you feel like your vote won’t sway the numbers, remember the right to vote is something your ancestors fought for.
You are not just voting for the president of the United States come November 5th, you are also voting for your state and local officials, as well as important issues like transportation or education improvements to your neighborhood.
There are more ways to engage with your community in addition to voting. Find ways you can get involved in local community organizations and speak up at local town hall meetings about issues important to you.
Mothers are the queens of the castle, but let’s be real: it’s not all ball gowns and glass slippers. On this podcast, we’re giving you a peek Behind the Throne at the privilege and responsibility of wearing the crown. Hosted by Helen Hope Kimbrough - a proud wife and mom of two adult sons - and Charlitta Hatch, a proud wife, married to her high school sweetheart, and a proud mom of two little ones. Get ready as we share jewels with each other and you around all things connected to motherhood!
Connect with Us!:
Podcast Instagram
YouTube
Charlitta’s Instagram
Helen’s Instagram
34 min - Summer Sun, Learning Fun, and Travel Hacks for Everyone! | Replay
While we're on a break this summer, we wanted to share some of our most popular episodes for you to revisit and enjoy! This was our second episode we released and y'all loved it, so we're bringing it back this week!
School’s out for the summer! Even if you have some summer camps or travel plans on the calendar to keep your kids busy, there’s a lot of time left to fill with activities. In this episode, we’re sharing our best tips for keeping fun at the forefront while helping your kids learn new things and practice skills over the summer. Plus, some tried and true travel tips to keep your summer trips fun, educational, and hassle-free.
A few of the tips we share for making summer fun and educational include:
Don’t go the whole summer without reading! There are so many ways to make reading fun for your kids. Try reading in a different location like a tent in the living room, or act out parts of the book together like you’re putting on a play!
Practicing math skills over the summer is important too. Cook up a recipe together with special attention on measuring ingredients, or incorporate counting coins into an activity or incentive system.
If you’re traveling this summer, participate in activities and foods specific to where you’re traveling. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages that come with living in that city. If you’re not traveling, explore your hometown together!
Mothers are the queens of the castle, but let’s be real: it’s not all ball gowns and glass slippers. On this podcast, we’re giving you a peek Behind the Throne at the privilege and responsibility of wearing the crown. Hosted by Helen Hope Kimbrough - a proud wife and mom of two adult sons - and Charlitta Hatch, a proud wife, married to her high school sweetheart, and a proud mom of two little ones. Get ready as we share jewels with each other and you around all things connected to motherhood!
Connect with Us!:
Podcast Instagram
YouTube
Charlitta’s Instagram
Helen’s Instagram
20 min - 26. One Year of Behind the Throne | Our Favorite Episodes, What We’ve Learned, and What’s Next for Us
The Behind the Throne podcast is officially one year old!! Since our first episode aired the week of Mother’s Day in 2023, we’ve released three seasons, started a YouTube channel, and welcomed amazing guests on the show. In this episode, we reflect on what we think makes the show special, our favorite episodes we’ve done, and what’s next for the show moving forward. Thank you so much for being on this journey with us as a listener and supporter!
Episodes mentioned:
Ep. 24 - What I Wish My Mother Had Told Me
Ep. 1 - The Mothers That Shaped Our Own Motherhood Journey
Ep. 20 - Preparing Black Mothers for Birth & Postpartum with Kris Elle
Some key takeaways from this episode include:
If you enjoy our show, it would mean the world if you shared it with a fellow mom who you know would love it too! Our goal is to continue growing the show, and the best way to do that is by sharing it!
You should have role models of all ages in your life. Helen and Charlitta both learn so much from each other, and if you can find people both older and younger than you who positively influence your life, you’ll be better for it.
We will be back with season four late this summer or early Fall! We’re excited to dig into topics that are very tailored to the experience of motherhood, as well as how public policies might change how we need to parent.
Mothers are the queens of the castle, but let’s be real: it’s not all ball gowns and glass slippers. On this podcast, we’re giving you a peek Behind the Throne at the privilege and responsibility of wearing the crown. Hosted by Helen Hope Kimbrough - a proud wife and mom of two adult sons - and Charlitta Hatch, a proud wife, married to her high school sweetheart, and a proud mom of two little ones. Get ready as we share jewels with each other and you around all things connected to motherhood!
Connect with Us!:
Podcast Instagram
YouTube
Charlitta’s Instagram
Helen’s Instagram
24 min
About Behind the Throne
From the publisher's feed
Mothers are the queens of the castle, but let’s be real: it’s not all ball gowns and glass slippers. On this podcast, we’re giving you a peek Behind the Throne at the privilege and responsibility of…
wearing the crown. Hosted by Helen Hope Kimbrough - a proud wife and mom of two adult sons - and Charlitta Hatch, a proud wife, married to her high school sweetheart, and a proud mom of two little ones. Get ready as we share jewels with each other and you around all things connected to motherhood!