Behind the Throne

About Behind the Throne

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!

Publisher

Helen Hope Kimbrough & Charlitta Hatch

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 May 2023

Latest episode

3 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

47 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   3 Sept 2026

   44. Why Must Black Mothers Display Their Grief | Responding to Nolan Wells and the Power of Questions

   CONTENT NOTE: This episode discusses the death of Nolan Wells and references to systemic racism and racial violence. Listener discretion is advised. When 18-year-old Nolan Wells went missing on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi this summer, the question that opened this conversation emerged from Black maternal grief: Why must Black mothers display their grief for answers to come? Helen Hope Kimbrough and Dr. Charlitta Hatch talk with Dr. Tehia Glass and Dr. Erin Miller, both educators at UNC Charlotte, about what it means to raise Black sons when their safety is never a guarantee. They trace the pattern from Emmett Till through Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, George Floyd, and now Nolan Wells. They ask harder questions about the talks mothers have to have, the spaces where Black children aren't safe, and what white mothers and allies actually need to understand. More than grief, the conversation explores curiosity as a tool: how curiosity can shift understanding, how centering Black mothers' voices reshapes education policy, and how storytelling creates the generational change that mothers alone shouldn't have to carry. INDEPENDENT SCHOLARS DISCLAIMER: Dr. Tehia Glass and Dr. Erin Miller are speaking in their individual capacity as educators, scholars, and parents. Their views and perspectives are their own and do not reflect the official positions or endorsement of their institution. Dr. Tehia Glass is an Assistant Provost and Professor of Educational Psychology at UNC Charlotte with over two decades of experience in education and organizational change. She specializes in culturally responsive teaching and critical conversations about race. Dr. Glass is a TED speaker, co-author of Teaching for Justice and Belonging, co-founder of the Self, Systems, and Social Transformation Graduate Certificate Program, and a contributor to EdWeek, CNN, and MSNBC. Her work centers on creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Connect with Dr. Glass: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tehia-starker-glass-ph-d-020556b4/) Dr. Erin Miller is a Professor in Reading and Elementary Education at UNC Charlotte, where she directs the Self, Systems, and Social Transformation Graduate Certificate Program. An award-winning educator and co-editor of an international education journal, Dr. Miller specializes in anti-racist pedagogies and critical race theory in education. Her research focuses on racial identity development, social justice, and culturally sustaining literacy practices. Connect with Dr. Miller: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-miller-a38a84240/) Resources mentioned: Self, Systems, and Social Transformation Graduate Certificate Program (https://academics.charlotte.edu/program/self-systems-and-social-transformations-graduate-certificate-online/) Teaching for Justice and Belonging by Dr. Tehia Starker Glass (https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Justice-Belonging-Journey-Educators/dp/1119834325/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8) 3 Foundations for Mothers Fighting for Systemic Change: Ask questions before you judge. When you lead with curiosity instead of assumptions, you create space for real dialogue instead of defensiveness – and that's where understanding begins. Center the voices of mothers whose children are most affected. Don't expect mothers to come to the spaces you design; go to where they are. Education reform and systemic change can't happen without centering the expertise of the mothers living it. Mothers' stories change generations. When mothers share honest stories about raising their children, they unlock hearts in their households and ripple out into their communities. That's the generational power mothers carry. 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 Dr. 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 (https://www.instagram.com/behindthethrone04/) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheThrone04) Charlitta’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/raisingblackboyjoy/) Helen’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/helenhk4/) Spero Hawk Coaching & Consulting (http://www.sperohawk.com)

2. 

   30 Jul 2026

   43. The Women Who Taught Us Motherhood | Our Mothers’ Roundtable

   The women who raised Helen Hope Kimbrough and Dr. Charlitta Hatch take their seats at the table for a candid, tender, and funny conversation about the lessons that stayed with them. Betty Hope and Michele Crowder look back on sleepless nights, matching hair ribbons, Saturday morning talks, and the everyday choices that shaped their families. The conversation moves from raising children to loving them as adults, making room for grandchildren, and learning when to speak, listen, help, or step back. Through family stories and plenty of laughter, the four women share the faith, honesty, and care behind the mothers Helen and Charlitta have become. Betty Hope, affectionately known as “Mama Hope,” is Helen Hope Kimbrough’s mother, a pastor’s wife, mother, grandmother, and trusted source of wisdom whose life reflects the faith, service, and family values she shares throughout the episode. Michele Crowder, lovingly known as “Honey Mimi,” is Dr. Charlitta Hatch’s mother, a wife, mother, and grandmother whose faith-rooted, gentle approach to parenting continues to influence the way Charlitta raises her own children. Episodes mentioned: 29. Helen’s Mother, Betty Hope, on What It Means to Vote and Leave a Legacy (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/29-helens-mother-betty-hope-on-what-it-means-to-vote/id1687214504?i=1000675190794) 3 lessons our mothers passed down: Pray first and leave room for God’s timing. Motherhood calls for patience, especially when children grow up and begin making decisions for themselves. Keep the conversation going. Calls, kitchen-table talks, honest check-ins, and quick apologies help families stay close through change. Love each person for who they are. Children, spouses, in-laws, and grandchildren need different kinds of care, and strong families make room for those differences. 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 Dr. 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 (https://www.instagram.com/behindthethrone04/) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheThrone04) Charlitta’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/raisingblackboyjoy/) Helen’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/helenhk4/) Spero Hawk Coaching & Consulting (http://www.sperohawk.com)

3. 

   4 Jun 2026

   42. Rest Before Burnout Forces You To | Building a Soft Life with Intention

   Rest can feel hard to choose when you were raised to keep going, keep serving, and keep proving that you can handle it all. In this conversation, Helen Hope Kimbrough and Dr. Charlitta Hatch sit down with Ashley Varnado and Bridgette (Brie) Wright to talk about rest, recovery, renewal, and what it takes to break the cycle of exhaustion. They share health wake-up calls, lessons from motherhood, generational guilt, and the freedom that comes when you stop treating rest like something you have to earn. Ashley Varnado is a recovering corporate executive, author, speaker, and advocate for intentional living. After experiencing serious health challenges, she stepped away from her executive career to embrace what she calls a "radical sabbatical" and now helps others rethink success, ambition, and rest. Connect with Ashley: Website (https://www.theeashleyexchange.com/?utm_campaign=button_list_Website&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio) IG (https://www.instagram.com/theeashleyexchange/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adv54938920/) Preorder “Out of The Yazoo Clay” by Ashley Varnado (https://www.theeashleyexchange.com/category/all-products?utm_campaign=featured_banner_MyBookOutoftheYazooClay) Bridgette Wright is the founder of 79 West Creative, a communications and marketing strategist, writer, and creator focused on helping women embrace restoration, joy, and what she calls "marvelous living." She also publishes the Sunday Dinner Substack, where she shares reflections and encouragement for women navigating life, leadership, and purpose. Connect with Bridgette: Sunday Dinner with Brie (https://briewright.substack.com/about) Marvelous Living (https://marvelousliving.substack.com/) IG (https://www.instagram.com/itsbriew/) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgettewright/) Resources mentioned: "Becoming" by Michelle Obama (https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Michelle-Obama/dp/1524763136) 41. What Does a Soft Life Look Like for Black Women? | Healing Grind Culture for Our Daughters (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/41-what-does-a-soft-life-look-like-for-black-women/id1687214504?i=1000753403493) 3 Practices for Choosing Rest Before Burnout Forces You To: Listen before your body gets loud. Chronic exhaustion, stress, headaches, irritability, and trouble slowing down are often signs that your body is asking for care before it has to force a pause. Let your children see you slow down. A canceled commitment, a quieter weekend, or an afternoon with no agenda can teach children that love, worth, and success are not measured by constant availability. Plan restoration before you desperately need it. Whether it’s a monthly reset, a quarterly getaway, or a future sabbatical fund, intentional rest helps you make decisions from clarity instead of depletion. 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 Dr. 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 (https://www.instagram.com/behindthethrone04/) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheThrone04) Charlitta’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/raisingblackboyjoy/) Helen’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/helenhk4/) Spero Hawk Coaching & Consulting (http://www.sperohawk.com)

Who has been a guest on Behind the Throne

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Helen Hope Kimbrough
• Dr Monique Perry-Graves
• Linda Lockman-Brooks
• Arvia Few

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

4,657,730,527

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 65 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

73

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

51

Contact Behind the Throne

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.