38. Understanding School Options for Our Kids | Public Schools, Private Schools, Homeschooling, and More

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]

41. What Does a Soft Life Look Like for Black Women? | Healing Grind Culture for Our Daughters

In this episode of Behind the Throne, we are joined by Sherry Waters and Dr. Staisha Hamilton to explore what a soft life truly means, especially for Black women navigating motherhood, leadership, and legacy. Together, we unpack the difference between performative self-care and embodied stillness, discuss how softness can exist in small daily increments, and challenge generational beliefs that equate rest with laziness. This conversation invites you to redefine softness as self-preservation, model it for your daughters, and practice it in community. Dr. Staisha Hamilton is a Charlotte-based social worker and movement specialist , a former classically trained ballet dancer, who integrates dance, somatic awareness, and therapeutic practice to support holistic healing and nervous system regulation.  Connect with Dr. Staisha Hamilton: * Perry Counseling, Healing and Recovery [https://justinperrycounseling.com/] * Without Words LLC IG [https://www.instagram.com/withoutwordsllc/] * withoutwords.llc@gmail.com [withoutwords.llc@gmail.com]  Sherry Waters is a stewardship practitioner, community chaplain, spiritual companion, and community chaplain who nurtures mind-body-spirit connection through somatic spiritual practices and her work at Pauline T. Bar Apothecary in Charlotte. Connect with Sherry Waters: * The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary Website [https://www.thepaulineteabar.com/] * The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary IG [https://www.instagram.com/thepaulineteabar] * The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary FB [https://www.facebook.com/PaulineTeabar/] * IEnate LLC Website [https://www.ienate.com/] Resources mentioned: * All About Love by Bell Hooks [https://www.amazon.com/All-About-Love-New-Visions/dp/0060959479/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=185084502143&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1zjtWQaSCKSTYCgARm7l59k-FMNaUUXNBaHh9VqFcoV1Rf4LjPfd-NCGiMq_R30Ny3GXlI3ToIuKSVX4Kqe85_uSuWft_EiY_80ELXKzBI_2RH6OyNufvWjPzdK0nhG1TTbUsQJR5gPPbStVEQAq4qtPNtbSEiVxqf5L_MdMEPlWFdRTdrIH27F0Y855IfhGz6f_lrAJYYFowjgIWpVxsvpDwZ6PaizZ-tLouQHrNMk.Lx3lCOXliJ0FnjMxotI4cpNRHFBcQ-uRsDZkxryLa-s&dib_tag=se&hvadid=779538535164&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9195024&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=6337515441067949038--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6337515441067949038&hvtargid=kwd-319627087835&hydadcr=20591_13321878_2282226&keywords=all+about+love+by+bell+hooks&mcid=5909f3b4db49365fb2dd89f9b0ba7663&qid=1772202879&sr=8-1] 3 Anchors for Embracing a Soft Life: * Soft life is not self-care! Self-care is often external and task-based. Soft life is embodied stillness: a nourished inner state where your nervous system knows when to pause. * Softness happens in small, sacred increments. Three quiet minutes in your car. A protected morning ritual. A quarterly retreat. Consistency, not extravagance, builds resilience. * Model softness to break the cycle. When we practice stillness in real time, our daughters see it. Soft life becomes generational healing – not laziness, but legacy. 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]

40. Honoring the Call | Charlita's PhD, Helen's Launch & A Catch-Up on Faith & Family

After some time away, Helen Hope Kimbrough and Dr. Charlitta Hatch return for a heartfelt catch-up that reflects growth, faith, rest, and bold transitions. In this episode, they share what’s shifted behind the scenes, from earning a doctorate and elevating Black mothers’ voices in urban education, to launching a purpose-driven consulting firm rooted in legacy and intentional impact. This conversation explores honoring your calling, embracing rest as a strategy, and evolving without apology. Resources mentioned: * Spero Hawk Coaching & Consulting [https://sperohawk.com/about-us/] 3 Anchors for Navigating a Season of Becoming: * Finding your voice often begins in rooms where you feel out of place. When Dr. Charlitta Hatch stopped mirroring traditional educational pathways and centered Black mothers as essential voices in urban education reform, what once felt different became the very foundation of her leadership. * Rest is not retreat… it is preparation. Creating intentional space for renewal through prayer, movement, reflection, and stillness allowed this next chapter to unfold with clarity, steadiness, and purpose. * Depth protects both purpose and peace. Choosing fewer, more aligned commitments and honoring capacity creates room for sustainable impact, where worth is no longer measured by how much you carry, but by how intentionally you lead. 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]

39. Brave Like Bessie | Talking Courage, Creativity & Representation with Keetha B.

Stories have the power to help us see ourselves, find courage, and imagine new possibilities. In this episode, we’re talking about creativity and representation in the arts with Charlotte-based playwright, actor, and author Lakeetha Blakeney, known as “Keetha B.”, whose original play Bessie Coleman: Fearless and Free, celebrates the life of aviation pioneer Bessie Coleman at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. We discuss how storytelling can empower young audiences, the importance of preserving community spaces like the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, and how bravery often begins with believing your voice matters. Lakeetha Blakeney is a Charlotte-based author, director, playwright, public speaker, and theatre educator. Her newest work, “Bessie Coleman: Fearless and Free,” will be featured at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. Connect with Keetha B. here: * Website [https://keethab.com/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keetha-b-02613abb/] * Audible [https://www.audible.com/author/Keetha-B/B09MF4SPRK?srsltid=AfmBOooIJSZCkGyMuDozqTeVEj3pADbSYNAxNJykO9c6fLla0iMff7cl] Resources mentioned: * ImaginOn [https://www.imaginon.org/] * Children’s Theatre of Charlotte [https://ctcharlotte.org/Online/default.asp] * Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation [https://foundation.cmlibrary.org/] * Get tickets to Bessie Coleman: Fearless and Free [https://ctcharlotte.org/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=B5136B1D-DDAB-41C3-A0B6-605BAC4C489D] at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (show runs November 15-16, 2025) Some key takeaways from this episode include: * Representation helps children build confidence and belonging when they see themselves in stories. * Bravery can be quiet persistence, faith, or creativity. It doesn’t always need to look big or bold. * Community spaces like libraries and local theatres nurture imagination and connection for all ages. * Bessie Coleman’s legacy reminds us that courage opens doors for those who come after us. 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 [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/]

38. Understanding School Options for Our Kids | Public Schools, Private Schools, Homeschooling, and More

You might think the school your child attends for grade school is signed, sealed, and delivered based on your address, but you actually have so much more choice than that. Whether you want your children to attend public school, private school, homeschool, or somewhere in between, this episode is all about what questions to ask yourself and the prospective school’s team to make that decision.  In this episode, we are joined by Jessica Hawkins, a former educator and current doctoral student at UNC Charlotte; and Imana Sherrill, Head of School at Trinity Episcopal School [https://www.tescharlotte.org/] in Charlotte. We discuss our various perspectives in alternative school systems, how diversity and equity factor into school choice, and why learning to advocate for your child’s education is a key skill no matter which school they attend. Resources mentioned: * Watch Ep. 36: Raising Kids Who Love to Learn [https://youtu.be/jvy-VF1TQII] Some key takeaways from this episode include: * Every independent school has a different mission, so it’s crucial that you feel aligned with the school’s values, mission, and curriculum. The goal is to commit to the school for the full length of that school, whether it’s K-12 or K-8. * If you are looking for more choice with your public schools, know that there are options to work collaboratively with your child’s teacher and school to lean into an individualized plan. * There are several options for homeschooling if that’s something you want for your child. There are co-ops, homeschooling communities, and more ways to include socializing and experiential learning in your homeschool curriculum. 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 [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/]