This week, we’re continuing our conversation on grief from our different perspectives, 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. In this episode, we’re discussing the concept of identity reconstruction and how our sense of selves has changed since losing our loved ones. We also talk about the weir...
Jul 03, 2025•31 min•Ep. 35
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...
Jun 26, 2025•42 min•Season 5Ep. 34
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 partnershi...
Jun 20, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 33
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 y...
Dec 19, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 32
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 shar...
Dec 12, 2024•56 min•Ep. 31
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...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 4Ep. 30
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 Voti...
Oct 31, 2024•9 min•Season 4Ep. 29
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 becaus...
Oct 24, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 28
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...
Oct 17, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 27
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 ...
Jun 27, 2024•19 min
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...
May 23, 2024•24 min•Season 3Ep. 26
After a full season of lots of amazing guests, the OG duo is back on the mic this week! In this episode, we’re discussing the book The Power of a Positive No by William Ury, which piqued both of our interests as people pleasers who tend to say “yes” when we want to say “no.” We share what it taught us about setting boundaries, trusting your intuition, healthy relationships, and more! Resources mentioned: The Power of a Positive No by William Ury Mamas, don’t forget these key takeaways!: Think ab...
May 16, 2024•26 min•Season 3Ep. 25
In April, we were invited to be a part of a discussion called “What I Wish My Mother Had Told Me,” which centered mental health topics around the relationship between mothers and daughters. Helen led a panel of community leaders and asked them questions about self-esteem, boundaries, worthiness, and social media, and how all of these tie in to mental health. Panelists: Helen Hope Kimbrough, panel moderator Jade Dawkins Dr. Daisy Walker Lynn Conner, MSW, LCSW - Be & Belong Therapy, PLLC Resou...
May 02, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 24
In this episode, Helen is joined by her younger son, Avery Kimbrough. Avery is a senior at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He shares his experience of growing up with his older brother Austin, deciding to join the military at a very young age, and how his mom advocated for his learning style in a public school setting. Episodes mentioned: Episode 17: The Things I Learned From My Mom with Austin Kimbrough Some key takeaways from this episode include: Helen’s sons couldn’t be mor...
Apr 18, 2024•18 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Since we started our podcast, we’ve gotten questions about how we started from listeners wanting to start their own shows. So in this episode, we brought on our producer, Kristen, to share how you can amplify your voice and message through podcasting, her best tips for podcasting, and how she started her business. Kristen is a Podcast Producer and the CEO of Novice Studios, a full-service video podcast production company based in Charlotte, NC. You can learn more about Novice Studios at https://...
Apr 11, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 22
We are so excited to have a very special guest on today’s episode: Mark Hatch III, Charlitta’s 7-year-old son! In this episode, Charlitta interviews Mark to see just how much he knows about her, what he’s absorbing from the lessons she’s been teaching him, and his favorite things about her. Some key takeaways from this episode include: Your kids know way more about you than you might realize! They are observing your interests, your patterns, and your likes and dislikes at all times. If you’re he...
Apr 04, 2024•9 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Welcome to season three of Behind the Throne! We are starting off the season with a special guest, Kris Elle, a Certified Doula, Certified Lactation Consultant. Kris is the Founder of Mother of Ease , a Black maternal and family health practice that specializes in supporting Black women and their families through pregnancy and birth. In this episode, Kris shares how she empowers clients to create their vision for their birth and postpartum journeys, setting boundaries with providers and family m...
Mar 28, 2024•39 min•Season 3Ep. 20
When we heard the news of Dr. Claudine Gay’s resignation from her role as the first Black female president of Harvard University, we knew we had to unpack our feelings and the wounds it opened on the podcast. In our experiences as Black women, we’ve faced microaggressions, assumptions about our qualifications, and a lack of support and allyship from our colleagues. In this bonus episode, we’re covering all of that and so much more. Some key takeaways from this episode include: So many Black wome...
Jan 11, 2024•58 min•Ep. 19
Season two and 2023 are coming to a close, so in this episode, we’re counting down our top five most viewed episodes of the year! Plus, we each share our reflections from the past year and our personal and professional goals for 2024. See you in season three! Our Top 5 Episodes: #5 - Ep. 3: Mom Hacks | Habits That Will Make Your Life Easier #4 - Ep. 14: Navigating Career Changes & Identity Shifts in Motherhood #3 - Ep. 12: The Affirmative Action Ruling #2 - Ep. 6: The Challenges, Joys, and M...
Dec 22, 2023•16 min•Season 2Ep. 18
This week, we have a very special guest on the podcast. Helen’s son, Austin Kimbrough is on the mic! Austin is living and working in Houston, Texas, so while he was home for Thanksgiving, he joined Helen in the studio to share the lessons he learned from his mom, what stuck into adulthood, and what he had to learn on his own. Some key takeaways from this episode include: It was important to Helen that Austin take school seriously and put a lot of effort into it, but Austin's goal was to do the b...
Dec 14, 2023•23 min•Season 2Ep. 17
In the last episode, we shared our personal birth stories and how Black maternal health issues hit so close to home for us. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Mala Freeman-Kwaku of Arboretum Gynecology in Charlotte, NC to share her perspective on the challenges Black women are facing in the healthcare system, what’s causing the disparities, and how we can make informed decisions about our care moving forward. Dr. Mala Freeman-Kwaku is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with twent...
Dec 07, 2023•50 min•Season 2Ep. 16
You know we love to keep it light and fun on this show, but this episode is definitely a heavier topic. We are talking about Black maternal health in the U.S., as well as sharing our birth stories with each of our two children. Both of us had difficult and traumatic births, but we learned so much from these experiences that we want to pass on to our listeners. Even if you’re done having kids, there may be some parts of our stories that resonate with you and make you feel less alone. Some key tak...
Nov 02, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Motherhood inspires so many identity shifts within us, and how we approach our careers and work is certainly one of them! In this episode, Charlitta shares how she talks to her kids about her career and contributions to the family, and Helen shares her decision to stay at home when her son was sick, and what it was like to return to the workforce later on. We also discuss the concept of “work-like integration” versus “work-life balance.” Resources mentioned: Become the CEO of You, Inc. by Susan ...
Oct 26, 2023•22 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Raising multiple children is a huge gift, but it also comes with some unique challenges! In this episode, we’re sharing some parenting breakthroughs we’ve had about accommodating our childrens’ different needs, recognizing their different interests, and prioritizing quality time with each child. Some key takeaways from this episode include: It’s not only important to spend one-on-one quality time with each of your children, but also for both parents to spend time with one child as a party of thr...
Oct 19, 2023•23 min•Season 2Ep. 13
At the beginning of the summer, we shared some initial thoughts on the SCOTUS ruling on affirmative action and promised to share more later. In this episode, we are diving into the ruling, how it’s harmful to our children and future job placement opportunities, and what it means for HBCUs. Plus, Charlitta shares how her littles are adjusting to school schedules and Helen talks about how she prepares her college-aged children for school as well. Some key takeaways from this episode include: Back ...
Oct 12, 2023•22 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Getting your kids to eat healthy foods can be difficult, but we have some tried and true tips for raising healthy eaters that love eating fruits and veggies… even if we have to sneak them into dishes without them knowing! We hope these tips are helpful, and would love to hear your own tips in the comments on our YouTube channel! Resources mentioned: Yummy Healthy Tasties In My Tummy by Helen Hope Kimbrough & Cynthia Jackson Some key takeaways from this episode include: If you have littles th...
Oct 05, 2023•19 min•Season 2Ep. 11
We are back and better than ever!! In our kick-off to season two of Behind the Throne, we are sharing our summer adventures, from Charlitta seeing Beyoncé perform in Paris to Helen crossing more U.S. states off her bucket list. Grab a cup of coffee and join us for our catch-up session! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss any of season two!! Some key takeaways from this episode include: You need to take time to do the things you love! Go on the girls trip, buy the concert tickets, and lea...
Sep 28, 2023•21 min•Ep. 10
In our final episode of the season, we are sharing the advice we would give to our younger selves. From body image to friendships to faith, we touch on a lot of universal truths that we feel will resonate with everyone, no matter how old you are now! P.S. That’s a wrap on season one, so make sure you subscribe to our show so you don’t miss the kick-off of season two this fall! Some key takeaways from this episode include: Embrace your body just as it is. We get caught up in comparing our bodies ...
Jul 06, 2023•15 min•Ep. 9
Some of the most difficult conversations we can have end up being the most impactful, and in this episode, we’re unpacking a conversation that many parents are unsure how to address with their children: race. This week, we’re sharing our own experiences of the people and events that shaped our own perceptions of race, and how you can approach the topic with your kids, no matter their age. Some key takeaways from this episode include: Reflect on your views of your own race and when you started no...
Jun 29, 2023•21 min•Ep. 8
Staying connected to your partner through your parenthood journey is so important, but staying connected to yourself should be your priority too! In this episode, we’re sharing our tips for getting back in touch with yourself as you go through life transitions, and how to keep that spark and connection alive with your partner through it all. Some key takeaways from this conversation include: We tend to put ourselves last, but we need to put our own oxygen masks on first. Finding your identity an...
Jun 22, 2023•20 min•Ep. 7
