Photo: Paras Griffin / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images
Steve and the crew dove into the emotional impact of gospel legend Kirk Franklin’s latest YouTube series "Den of Kings". The series, which documents his deeply personal journey of reconciling with his estranged biological father, struck a chord with listeners and the morning show team alike.
Steve praised Kirk’s vulnerability, saying it takes “real strength for a man to open up like that in front of the world.” Shirley Strawberry added that the series was “a masterclass in healing and forgiveness,” while Carla Ferrell noted how it resonated with so many people dealing the generational impact of family trauma: “We talk about breaking cycles all the time, but Kirk is showing us what that actually looks like. It’s messy, it’s painful, but it’s necessary.”
The conversation turned into a broader discussion about the importance of breaking generational cycles, especially in the Black community. Junior chimed in with a heartfelt moment about his own family sharing “I watched that episode and thought about my own father. I haven’t spoken to him in years. Maybe it’s time,” and Nephew Tommy shared how the series made him reflect on his role as a father “Watching Kirk made me ask myself, ‘Am I doing enough to make sure my kids never feel that kind of void?’”
Listeners flooded the phone lines and social media with their own stories of reconciliation, making it one of the most moving segments of the week.
One caller, Denise from Atlanta, said “I cried watching Kirk. I haven’t spoken to my mother in 15 years. I’m calling her today.”
Another listener, Marcus from Detroit, shared “I didn’t know I needed that series until I saw it. I’m not religious, but that was spiritual.”
The crew agrees that this moment is bigger than just a segment—it’s a movement. Steve closes the conversation with a powerful reminder:
“Forgiveness ain’t about them. It’s about freeing yourself. Kirk Franklin just gave us all permission to start.”