When that pregnancy test turns positive, most people instantly start imagining the future. So when a miscarriage happens, it’s not just the pregnancy that’s lost. It’s the future they had already started dreaming about. That’s why phrases like “You’ll get pregnant again” can feel so painful. So, how do we navigate miscarriage and pregnancy loss in a society where the topic is still whispered about, misunderstood, or treated like a taboo?

In this powerful episode, Laquvia sits down with Brandy Khalani, founder of Mending Mama, a nonprofit providing a safe, faith-centered community for women walking through miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, abortion recovery, and postpartum depression.

Brandy’s story is one of purpose birthed through pain. After enduring four miscarriages, a near-death septic pregnancy, and a devastating lack of medical support, she experienced firsthand how minimized and misunderstood pregnancy loss often is. From being sent home while septic to hearing the painful words “You can get pregnant again,” her journey exposes a harsh truth: Women are suffering in silence because society is uncomfortable with their grief.

Yet her story is also filled with hope. In 2022, after being told she and her husband each had only a 1 percent chance of conceiving, Brandy experienced a miracle. A prophetic prayer on Mother’s Day declared her womb filled within a year, and exactly one year later she introduced her son David to her pastor.

From that pain, God revealed her calling. Mending Mama was born to support women in their healing journey through faith, restored identity, and shared experience. If you have ever wondered “Am I the only one,” this episode is your reminder that you are not alone.

In This Episode:

• [00:00] Introduction 

• [01:05] The taboo of pregnancy loss

• [03:05] Desensitization and statistics

• [04:55] Postpartum depression after loss

• [05:32] Brandi’s personal miscarriage story

• [11:24] Physical and emotional impact of miscarriage

• [14:21] Support from partners

• [16:19] Medical neglect and family story

• [20:54] Barriers to support and therapy

• [21:54] The birth of Mending Mama

• [22:50] A testimony of faith and miracles

• [26:05] Pregnancy after loss

• [27:10] Starting the support group

• [30:03] Leading while grieving

• [32:13] Academic and personal struggles

• [33:48] Guilt, shame, and purpose

• [34:53] The power of community

• [35:33] Restoration and faith

• [37:05] Empathy and relatability

• [38:22] Purpose in pain

• [41:06] The ongoing impact of loss

• [40:25] Explaining loss to children

• [42:07] The grief of lost futures

• [44:00] Stillbirth and peer support

• [46:05] Advice for those facing loss

• [49:02] Contact information and closing

Notable Quotes

• [02:17] “One of the most hurtful things you can say to someone who’s lost a baby is, 'You can get pregnant again.' Children don’t replace children.” — Brandy

• [05:39] “When you miscarry, you still contract, you still dilate, you still give birth. I have personally lost four pregnancies.” — Brandy

• [05:54] “Mending Mama happened because of my miscarriages, truly because of my third.” — Brandy

• [11:50] “I was having to, like, put things down because the bleeding was so bad, I would stand up and pour blood.” — Brandy

• [30:02] “After you lose a baby, you wonder, 'Is that all people see when they see me? Am I marked by this? Is this my identity now?’” — Brandy

• [42:16] “From the moment that pregnancy test turns positive, you’re already planning the future, so it’s not just losing a baby, it’s losing your entire future.” — Brandy

• [45:05] “What’s great about having community is that it’s peer support. Unless you’ve lived through it, you’re not going to be as good a resource as someone who has been through it.” — Brandy

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

• Unleash & Rise Podcast

Brandy Khalani

• Mending Mama’s Website

• Email: [email protected]

Laquvia Garrett

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn
  

What does it mean to truly own your story, the past, the pain, and the power that makes you who you are? In a world where women can often feel defined by their roles as a spouse or parent, how do you hold onto the unique, fabulous person God created you to be?

In this episode of Unleash & Rise, we sit down with Sara Golden, business owner, community leader, and wife of Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden. And for women married to prominent husbands, like Sara, holding onto your identity can feel even more challenging when people try to define you by who you’re married to instead of who you are. Sara gets real about the journey of owning her identity, from a challenging childhood in California to building a thriving title company and a strong, Christ-centered family in Tennessee.

Through laughter, heartfelt confession, and hard-won wisdom, Sara shares how she and her husband champion each other’s individual callings without losing themselves in the process. She opens up about blending a family, the miracle of motherhood after being told she’d never have children, and why she teaches her kids that their "past is a place of reference, not a place of residence."

If you’ve ever struggled with your identity, fought to overcome your past, or wanted to build a business and a family that leaves a legacy, this conversation is for you.

In This Episode:

• [00:02] Introduction and leadership Clarksville memories

• [01:16] Sara’s background and move to Tennessee

• [02:55] Career journey from banking to title company owner

• [05:01] Identity beyond spouse’s achievements in her own business

• [06:37] Marriage, partnership and personal growth

• [07:25] Overcoming a difficult childhood

• [08:25] Taking the leap into business ownership

• [10:15] Blended family dynamics and parenting philosophy

• [12:04] Navigating blended family challenges

• [13:54] Parenting roles and gender differences

• [14:57] “Stay golden” family motto and political life

• [17:19] Adapting to country life and community involvement

• [19:15] Teaching kids responsibility and work ethic

• [21:09] Lessons from growing up with less

• [25:52] Family history and sibling differences

• [26:29] Turning pain into purpose and resilience

• [28:14] Using the past as reference, not residence

• [29:02] Maintaining humility in public life

• [29:36] The power of relationships and networking

• [30:00] Business growth through relationships

• [32:13] Kindness, reputation and community impact

• [37:34] Celebrating others and healthy competition

• [39:11] Family support and multigenerational living

• [39:57] Military service and transitioning into police work

• [41:12] Birthdays, self-care and humor

• [44:35] Fashion, marriage and personal style

• [49:08] Love, marriage and communication

• [52:26] Campaigning and community involvement

Notable Quotes

• [00:50] “ I love how you own who you are, your heritage, and you're not behind your husband's shadow.”—Laquvia

• [05:18] “I tell people this a lot, and sometimes they think I'm rude, but they'll say, ‘Oh, you're Wes's wife.’ Or, ‘Oh, this is the mayor's wife.’ And a lot of times I'll say, ‘No, I'm Sara. Wes is my husband.’” — Sara 

• [04:18] “I think when you do the right things that it comes back. We're very faith-based. I believe that God puts you in the right place at the right time.” — Sara 

• [07:45] “ It's important that you find a spouse that loves all of those parts of you and that accepts all of those parts of you and doesn't see any of that as your flaws.”— Sara 

• [11:19] “I was told I would never have children, and Wes and I immediately got pregnant. And so she was a surprise, but I think that God can use anything.” — Sara 

• [28:21] “My past is a place of reference, not a place of residence.” — Sara 

• [27:31] “I think it's important, especially as women like, to be strong. Be strong in who you are and what you've been through, and let that create your story.” — Sara 

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

• Unleash & Rise Podcast

Sara Golden

• LinkedIn

Laquvia Garrett

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn
  

Change is something we all face, but few of us truly embrace. Whether you’re starting a new job, sending your last child off to college, or just trying to navigate the unknown, transition can feel like standing in the middle of a storm asking, “Lord, what are You doing?”

In this episode of Unleash & Rise, the hosts get real about what it means to trust God when life starts shifting in every direction. From empty nests to job shakeups, sleepless nights, and big leaps of faith, they share personal stories of obedience, divine timing, and learning to let go of control.

Through honest, funny, and faith-filled conversations, you’ll hear how unexpected change often becomes the soil where your deepest growth takes root. The hosts remind us that God’s plans may not always match our vision boards, but they always lead to purpose, peace, and promise.

This episode is for anyone caught between “I’m scared” and “I’m ready.” It’s a warm reminder that even when you can’t see what’s next, God already knows where it leads.

In This Episode:

• [00:00] Introduction to transition and change

• [00:20] Embracing God’s plan

• [01:03] Laquvia’s personal experiences with overwhelming transitions 

• [04:16] Markeisha’s professional and personal transitions

• [05:43] Balancing ambition and faith

• [08:21] The importance of change and adaptability

• [24:07] Practical steps for transition

• [28:55] Dreams of becoming a medical professional

• [29:06] Choosing a career path

• [29:28] Finding fulfillment in current job

• [29:40] Faith and letting go of control

• [29:58] Daughter’s career journey

• [31:01] Seeking wisdom and surrounding yourself with the right people

• [33:40] The importance of mentorship

• [39:55] Crazy faith stories

• [49:14] Markeisha’s nonprofit and faith in action

• [57:27] Embracing change and trusting the process

Notable Quotes

• [03:03] “I had to stop because His plans are not my plans. And that change is probably necessary for her growth and not for me.” — Laquvia

• [09:23] “You can’t do everything alone. And I realized that as well.” — Laquvia

• [23:13] “He provide the vision, He’ll provide the provision.” — Laquvia

• [23:54] “Fear calls  you to stay stuck. And it’s not realistic when you’re sitting around saying you’re a believer and you trust in God for the new, but you’re afraid to change.” — Laquvia

• [26:06] “Release control. Stop holding on so tightly to your own timeline.” — Markeisha

• [31:06] “Surrounding yourself with scripture and people who can remind you of the truth, that’s good.” — Markeisha

• [56:38] “Transition isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting the one who does.” — Markeisha

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

• Unleash & Rise Podcast

Laquvia Garrett

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

Markeisha Rose

• Website

• LinkedIn

• Instagram 

What if the most successful people you know are quietly serving life sentences in their own minds? 

Dr. Tiffany Love Rawlings seemed to have it all: the crown of Mrs. Tennessee, multiple advanced degrees, and a flawless public image. But behind the accolades was a hidden reality, a childhood scarred by domestic violence, a pattern of toxic relationships, and a life built on survival and secrecy.

In this episode of Unleash & Rise, Dr. Tiffany opens up about what it really means to look free on the outside but feel imprisoned within. She shares how a divine whisper, “You’re beautiful, but you’re locked behind bars,” became the turning point that birthed her movement, Beauty Behind Bars, empowering women to break free from mental incarceration and reclaim their purpose.

From an unexpected ministry call to San Quentin Prison to the miracle birth of her son, Tiffany’s story is raw, redemptive, and deeply human. It’s not just about survival; it’s about freedom, forgiveness, and finding purpose after pain. Tune in for a powerful reminder that healing and freedom start within.

In This Episode:

• [00:00] Welcome back to Unleash & Rise

• [00:11] Introducing Dr. Tiffany Love Rawlings

• [01:03] What it means to be “beautiful behind bars”

• [03:10] Growing up in chaos and masking pain early

• [07:48] Marrying her father’s reflection: addiction and abuse

• [10:00] Hiding behind crowns, degrees, and success

• [11:30] When the façade cracks: God’s wake-up call

• [12:40] Birth of the Beauty Behind Bars ministry

• [15:05] From pimping to purpose: using strategy for God

• [17:40] Betrayal and divine closure in her second marriage

• [19:05] Reconciliation and healing with her dying father

• [21:12] Finding true love and birthing “Legacy”

• [23:40] Facing judgment, shame, and finding grace again

• [27:00] The miracle baby story

• [33:00] Discovering new purpose through design and fashion

• [39:47] Breaking generational curses and mental prisons

• [43:10] Winning in last place: mindset and faith

• [46:50] Moving in silence and walking in divine strategy

• [49:20] The power of authenticity and elevation

Notable Quotes

• [00:16] “You can be in prison in your mind. You can be in prison in your heart. You don't have to be behind physical bars, incarcerated to be stuck and bound” — Dr. Tiffany Love Rawlings

• [12:39] “I was the beauty that was locked behind bars.” — Dr. Tiffany Love Rawlings

• [32:45] “People with purpose are disliked by purposeless people.” — Dr. Tiffany Love Rawlings

• [42:54] “People don't understand that if you don't carry the sentence, your children will serve the time.” — Dr. Tiffany Love Rawlings

• [46:22] “Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are seeds. You can plant flowers or you can plant weeds. What lives in your mouth lives in your life.” — Dr. Tiffany Love Rawlings

• [46:54] “I've learned how to win in last place. When you learn how to win in last place, you never lose.” — Dr. Tiffany Love Rawlings

Our Guest

Dr. Tiffany Love Rawlings is a speaker, author, and founder of Beauty Behind Bars, a movement empowering women to break free from mental and emotional imprisonment. A former Mrs. Tennessee, she uses her journey of trauma, faith, and transformation to help others find healing, purpose, and freedom beyond their past.

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

• Unleash & Rise Podcast

Dr. Tiffany Love Rawlings

• Website

• Beauty Behind Bars

• Instagram

• Book: A Made Up Bed Is a Made Up Mind

Laquvia Garrett

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

Markeisha Rose

• Website

• LinkedIn

• Instagram 

Ever said “I forgive you,” yet still felt that quiet anger lingering in your heart? What does true forgiveness look like, the kind that goes deeper than words and actually frees you from the pain someone caused?

In this moving episode of Unleash & Rise, the hosts unpack the real meaning of forgiveness, what it takes to release resentment, surrender the desire for revenge, and find peace within yourself. They go beyond the surface of polite apologies to explore how holding onto grudges can silently poison your joy and block your growth.

Through honest, emotional storytelling, they share powerful personal experiences of betrayal, from a trusted employee’s public sabotage to the heartbreak of friendship and marital infidelity. Each story reveals that forgiveness isn’t a one-time event. It’s a process, sometimes messy and painful, but ultimately transformative.

This conversation redefines forgiveness as an act of strength, not submission. It’s not about excusing the wrong or reconciling with those who hurt you. It’s about reclaiming your peace, your freedom, and your power. The hosts remind us that forgiveness is one of the most profound forms of self-love, opening the door to healing, restoration, and a life no longer chained to the past.

In This Episode:

• [00:00] Welcome back to Unleash & Rise

• [00:11] Catching up with Markeisha

• [01:09] Summer adventures and 4th of July fun

• [02:11] Diving into forgiveness

• [03:26] A business betrayal

• [15:36] High school heartbreak

• [24:47] Marriage and ultimate betrayal

• [29:56] Forgiving the unforgivable

• [31:01] The ultimate betrayal

• [33:50] Learning to trust again

• [34:37] Friendship and betrayal

• [38:27] Setting boundaries

• [41:26] Healing and moving forward

• [44:47] The power of forgiveness

• [47:16] Living a life of peace

• [56:51] Closure and letting go

Notable Quotes

• [02:59] “Forgiveness is a touchy area. A lot of people say they forgive, but it's just words with no action behind it.” — Markeisha

• [10:11] “I said I forgave her, but really didn't. Years down the line, she called me and apologized. It took that phone call for me to really let it go.” — Markeisha

• [12:04] “Sometimes people think of forgiveness as a weakness, and it's not a weakness. It's actually warfare.” — Laquvia

• [31:24] “I had to forgive him so that I could love my husband properly and not put him in the same category.” — Laquvia

• [59:38] “Forgiveness is not approval. It's not just forgetting about what happened. It's a daily decision, a healing choice.” — Laquvia

• [1:00:24] “If you can't forgive, you won't grow. And anything that doesn't grow eventually dies.” — Laquvia

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

• Unleash & Rise Podcast

Laquvia Garrett

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

Markeisha Rose

• Website

• LinkedIn

• Instagram 

What if I told you living a truly surrendered life means letting go of your choices, your desires, even your daily routines, and trusting God’s will?  In this episode of Unleash & Rise, we pick up part two of a heart-stirring conversation with executive pastor and retired lieutenant colonel Yolanda Stewart. We dive even deeper into her book, The Little Book About Purpose, exploring what it really means to live a yielded life.

Laquvia Garrett and Yolanda get real, raw, and practical, breaking down how yielding to God shows up in the small, everyday moments and how those choices ripple into eternity. Yolanda makes it clear that living yielded isn’t about chasing blessings or trying to manifest your own will. It’s about aligning with God’s intention, walking in obedience, and letting even the simplest actions, yes even those aisle-two-at-Walmart encounters, carry eternal significance.

If you’ve ever wrestled with understanding God’s will, questioned your desires, or felt like your purpose is bigger than your schedule, this conversation is for you.

Missed part one? Go back and catch it, you’ll want the full picture. Then tune in here and let this episode remind you that obedience, prayer, and surrender are not just spiritual buzzwords, they are the keys to living with peace, power, and eternal purpose.

In This Episode:

• [00:00] The power of obedience

• [00:18] The consequences of disobedience

• [00:34] Living in God's will

• [02:26] Purpose is eternal

• [05:39] The significance of yielding

• [10:47] The need for the Holy Spirit

• [13:27] The humbling realization of dependence

• [13:34] The misconception of self-manifestation

• [14:03] True prayer and manifesting His will

• [15:28] The misunderstood scripture on desires

• [19:05] The deception of the heart

• [21:19] The power of words and prayer

• [25:17] Final thoughts and gratitude

Notable Quotes

• [00:13] “The benefits of obedience are perpetual. You can't measure it. And the flip side of that, the consequences of disobedience are far more expensive than you will ever agree to pay.” — Yolanda Stewart

• [02:12] “We are so consumed with our own selves we put ourselves on display. And what we are presenting is a misrepresentation of Him.” — Yolanda Stewart

• [03:08] “Purpose is attached to eternity, you understand? The things I get to participate in with God on earth have eternal significance.” — Yolanda Stewart

• [09:56] “I'm aiming to be super spiritual because too often I'm super carnal. Am I telling the truth?” — Yolanda Stewart

• [11:05] “The enemy has been around way longer than us. The fact that we think we can leverage our intelligence to outwit the enemy, that's foolish.” — Yolanda Stewart

• [17:18] “We have taken the paradigms of this world and superimposed them on the kingdom. And we think that God functions in that type of dynamic. And He doesn't.” — Yolanda Stewart

• [19:29] “Our heart is deceitful. Just because you think you know that your heart is pure, that's probably an indication that you got some things contending with His intention.” — Yolanda Stewart

• [21:56] “If the things that I want are contending with His will for me, then I don't want it.” — Yolanda Stewart

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

• Unleash & Rise Podcast

Yolanda Stewart

• Website

• Facebook

• Instagram

• YouTube

• The Little Book About Purpose

Laquvia Garrett

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn
  

Is purpose something you chase or something you yield to? In this episode of Unleash and Rise, Laquvia Garrett sits down with executive pastor and retired lieutenant colonel Yolanda Stewart to talk about her book, The Little Book About Purpose. This isn’t just a conversation about calling. It’s about learning how to yield, how to trust God’s voice over your own plans, and how to walk in obedience—even when it’s uncomfortable.

Yolanda shares powerful personal stories and the heart behind the book, reminding us that purpose isn’t something you chase. It’s something you align with. If you’ve ever wondered what God wants from you or felt like you’re striving without peace, this episode will speak directly to your spirit.

This is just Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Yolanda will dive deeper into practical steps to understand and walk in your purpose!

Let this be your invitation to slow down, tune in, and start living on purpose—with God at the center.

In This Episode:

• [00:00] Introduction and guest welcome

• [01:57] Defining purpose

• [04:53] Journey of obedience

• [08:26] Trust and relationship with God

• [11:55] Leaving comfort zones

• [16:03] Purpose beyond success

• [35:05] Prayer and divine guidance

• [38:08] The importance of obedience

• [39:11] Unexpected blessings

• [40:51] The call to move

• [45:17] Purpose beyond time

• [50:25] Living a yielded life

Notable Quotes

• [02:31] “Purpose is God's intention, God's will. It has very little to do with your desire or your preference.” — Yolanda Stewart

• [03:04] “Purpose will influence your preference and your desire. You don't search for purpose. Purpose chose you in him before the foundation of the world.” — Yolanda Stewart

• [07:36] “You have no idea what eternal significance is attached to one moment of obedience. That's why we have to practice obedience.” — Yolanda Stewart

• [10:31] “Zeal is an enemy of purpose. If you are driven by zeal and not the earnest desire to please God, you can't be trusted.” — Yolanda Stewart

• [35:31] “The purpose of prayer isn't to get your will. The purpose of prayer is that his will be revealed to you.” — Yolanda Stewart

• [37:23] “The rewards of obedience aren't obvious. I don't obey for a reward. My reward is knowing that I'm pleasing him.” — Yolanda Stewart

• [43:04] “The benefits of obedience are perpetual. You can't measure it.” — Yolanda Stewart

• [45:33] “Purpose is eternal. I existed in eternity before I was introduced in time.” — Yolanda Stewart

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

• Unleash & Rise Podcast

Yolanda Stewart

• Website

• Facebook

• Instagram

• YouTube

• The Little Book About Purpose

Laquvia Garrett

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn
  

What do you do when the loss you fear most becomes the turning point that saves your life?

In this moving continuation of On the Wings of Grace, Laquvia sits down again with Fairlen Browning to uncover the second half of her powerful testimony. From toxic relationships and cycles of abandonment to the devastating loss of her infant daughter Ayanna, Fairlen reveals the raw truth of how tragedy became the catalyst for her healing.

With honesty and courage, she shares how growing up without a father shaped her view of love, how misplaced validation led to broken marriages, and how generational patterns seemed destined to repeat until grace interrupted.

Fairlen walks us through the darkest chapter of her life: Ayanna’s death at the hands of her biological father. Yet out of that unbearable loss came a turning point: the decision to forgive, to heal, and to never recycle the cycle.

This conversation isn’t just about grief, it’s about resilience, faith, and discovering that even in the most painful ashes, God wastes nothing.

In This Episode:

• [00:01] Picking up Part 2: rejection, abandonment, and how broken roots shaped relationships

• [02:50] Wrong and strong: conflict, survival mode, and fear of abandonment in marriage

• [08:43] Looking for a rescuer: searching for a father in romantic partners

• [12:15] An affair, an unexpected pregnancy, and the weight of shame

• [14:32] “A piece of man is better than no man”: settling and searching for validation

• [17:26] Generational patterns: manipulation, survival, and inherited cycles

• [22:58] Recognizing familiar spirits and learning to break free

• [45:40] The turning point: Ayanna’s birth, loss, and the catalyst for change

• [52:25] From pain to purpose: choosing to live, heal, and forgive

• [1:00:00] Counseling, salvation, and the work of soul healing

• [1:03:29] Ministry birthed from brokenness: grace on full display

• [1:09:45] The “nevertheless” surrender: allowing God to refine through pressure

• [1:12:28] Discovering grace: learning that love is not earned, but given

  
  

Notable Quotes

• [08:52] “I looked at him as a rescuer… but I was expecting him to fill a void he could never fill.” — Fairlen Browning

• [13:23] “The little girl that wanted the attention of her father now wanted the attention of men.” — Fairlen Browning

• [48:50] “I realized my daughter would be the scarlet letter of my sin—but her life should not be penalized for my mistake.” — Fairlen Browning

• [52:17] “It was the loss of my daughter that made me do the work. Her life saved my life.” — Fairlen Browning

• [56:12] “I had to learn how to forgive myself. The enemy’s greatest warfare was guilt.” — Fairlen Browning

• [1:06:05] “I could be a victim for the rest of my life, or I could ensure her life had purpose.” — Fairlen Browning

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

• Unleash & Rise Podcast

• Facebook

• Instagram

Fairlen Browning

• Facebook

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• Book: On the Wings of Grace: A Story of Loss Hope & Redemption

Laquvia Garrett

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn
  

What if the pain you’ve spent years burying is the very thing keeping you from the love and connection you crave? In this powerful Part 2 of an unforgettable Unleash & Rise Podcast episode, Laquvia continues her conversation with Fairlen Browning — pastor, mother, and author of On the Wings of Grace.

If you caught the previous episode, you already know Fairlen’s story began in the shadows — a child hidden, rejected, and left searching for answers an absent father could never give. If you haven’t heard it yet, pause here and go listen — you don’t want to miss how this journey began.

In this episode, Fairlen reveals how facing her father’s absence was only the beginning. She opens up about the moment she realized her survival mode — the walls, the cut-offs, the constant bracing for abandonment — was quietly passing down a legacy she never wanted for her children.

Through therapy, faith, and the relentless questions of the Holy Spirit, Fairlen shows what it really looks like to break free from old wounds and become the parent you always needed. This episode is a reminder that healing is never just about you — it’s about changing what your children inherit.

Don’t miss this conversation. And if you skipped the previous episode? Trust me — go back and catch up.

In This Episode:

• [00:05] Choosing to break generational curses for your kids

• [00:32] The truth about accountability and forgiving what you don’t understand

• [01:52] “The absence of answers is not an excuse for not healing.”

• [04:17] How rejection shapes your identity — and keeps you “protected” but lonely

• [05:11] The therapist’s mirror: real talk on cutting people off as a trauma response

• [06:18] The Holy Spirit as the best interrogator

• [08:48] Living in survival mode: the cost of not knowing your authentic self

• [10:35] Colorism, identity battles, and feeling “too much” or “not enough”

• [13:08] Facing your brokenness: the courage to look in the mirror

• [15:05] Going back to the root: generational patterns and mother wounds

• [16:13] Raising daughters with standards: how a present father changes everything

• [20:32] “One generation’s compromise is the next generation’s captivity.”

• [26:26] Understanding your parents’ pain — and forgiving them anyway

• [32:58] Knowing your worth: refusing to marry “potential” and waiting for the real thing

  
  

Notable Quotes

• [01:27] “My father was really forgiving what I did not understand and what I may never get answers for, because I don't know that he even has answers for why he was not there or what occurred.”— Fairlen Browning

• [01:46] “The absence of answers was not an excuse for me not to heal.” — Fairlen Browning

• [02:34] “Somebody got to be brave enough to heal, even what they may not understand.” — Fairlen Browning

• [03:39] “You learn that through healing, the person that you have built yourself to be is not who I really was. The person that I presented was the protected version of me.” — Fairlen Browning

• [05:46] “I subconsciously expected people to walk away. So when you did walk away, or when there was something that I thought that was unsafe in the relationship, before you walked away, I cut you off.” — Fairlen Browning

• [06:38] “The Holy Spirit is probably the best interrogator you will ever meet.” — Fairlen Browning

• [20:26] “One generation's compromise is the next generation's captivity.” — Fairlen Browning

• [20:43] “I didn't want to sit down at the dinner table and have to have the conversation about grandma, why would you like this to daddy and now he like this. That wasn't the conversation I wanted to have.”— Fairlen Browning

• [33:02] “I had to understand that I was worth having somebody put together.” — Fairlen Browning

  
  

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

• Unleash & Rise Podcast

• Facebook

• Instagram

Fairlen Browning

• Facebook

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Laquvia Garrett

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Imagine growing up watching other kids laugh with their dads while you secretly wondered what was so wrong with you that yours never stuck around. In this powerful Part 1 of a 2-part series on Unleash & Rise, Laquvia sits down with Fairlen Browning, pastor, mother, and author of On the Wings of Grace, to unpack the truth behind her story—one marked by abandonment, silence, and deep generational pain.

Fairlen shares what it was like growing up as the town’s secret, how a moment on a church bus exposed her hidden identity, and the long road to healing that followed. From father wounds and rejection to codependency and people-pleasing, her story reveals what happens when a child’s need for love is never met—and how, as an adult, she chose to break the cycle.

This isn’t just a conversation about pain—it’s about courage, clarity, and choosing to become the parent you never had.

Don’t miss Part 2, where Fairlen reveals the loss that could have destroyed her—and the grace that carried her through it.

In This Episode:

• [00:03] Meet Fairlen Browning: Author, mother, pastor—and truth-teller

• [01:51] Writing the book: From fear of judgment to freedom

• [02:55] Fruit vs. roots: Why healing means going deeper

• [04:10] Childhood amnesia and the trauma of forgotten memories

• [06:15] Father wounds, abandonment, and searching for worth

• [08:28] The “fixer-upper man” and chasing male affirmation

• [09:51] The bus story: The day her secret identity was exposed

• [14:03] First and only acknowledgment from her father

• [16:04] Family secrets, age gaps, and shame in a small Mississippi town

• [20:18] The cost of someone else’s “mistake” and a derailed dream

• [21:43] Overcompensating in relationships: earning vs. receiving love

• [24:45] Losing yourself while trying to be chosen

• [25:55] Forgiving the absent parent—without an apology

• [27:05] Becoming a parent and choosing to break the cycle

• [30:16] The pain you avoid becomes your child's bondage

• [32:26] Presence vs. availability: Parenting with intentionality

• [33:55] Giving your child a voice—and learning to tame it with grace

Notable Quotes

• [03:22] “One of the biggest marks of deliverance for me was being delivered from the opinion of people.” — Fairlen Browning

• [07:39] “I always desired the affection of a man because I did not have the affection of my father.” — Fairlen Browning

• [07:49] “I was searching for a father figure and you don't even realize subconsciously the relationship with the male becomes that substitute of the relationship with the father.” — Fairlen Browning

• [08:42] “I think growing up without a father, there is always a question of why wasn't I enough for you to stay? Like, why wasn't I enough for you to want me. Why wasn't I enough for you to be a part of my life. The other kids had their dad. Father's Day rolls around.”— Fairlen Browning

• [25:29] “As a child, I needed someone to affirm and validate me, and you weren’t there. So I learned to validate myself, and in validating myself, I learned to do that with an unprocessed mindset of who I was.” — Fairlen Browning

• [26:40] “For me to move on, for me to be healed, for me to behold, I needed to forgive what I didn't understand.”— Fairlen Browning

• [29:23] “I had to take ownership of my own healing. Although some of his actions broke me, it became my responsibility to do the work to heal me.” — Fairlen Browning

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

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Fairlen Browning

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• Book: On the Wings of Grace: A Story of Loss Hope & Redemption

Laquvia Garrett

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