Does the ring make you whole—or should you already be walking in wholeness before the vows? Markeisha and Laquvia unpack this powerful question in this episode of Unleash and Rise. They challenge the common misconception that marriage solves personal struggles and fixes loneliness, emphasizing the importance of being content and complete as an individual before entering a relationship.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of single life—the joys, the challenges, and the societal pressures women face to “settle down.” Markeisha shares her experience thriving in singleness, while Laquvia speaks on the transformation from seeking a savior to becoming a whole woman who attracts alignment, not attention.

They explore how preparing for marriage starts with self-improvement, setting realistic expectations, and building financial independence. Communication and boundaries come up as key ingredients in healthy relationships, whether romantic or friendships between single and married women.

With honest reflections on dating red flags, balancing career ambitions, and preparing for future parenthood, this episode encourages women to embrace self-love and personal growth. Ultimately, it’s a call to stop waiting for a ring to validate your worth—because your wholeness and purpose are already in your hands.

In This Episode:

• [00:02] Introduction 

• [01:56] The joy and myths of singleness

• [02:56] Does marriage fix loneliness?

• [04:01] Freedom and self-love before marriage

• [05:03] Learning to be happy alone

• [06:43] Contentment and readiness for marriage

• [07:30] Complementing each other in marriage

• [08:24] The “fixer” mentality and self-contentment

• [09:19] Singleness: holding pattern or safety?

• [10:59] Letting go of the wrong relationships

• [11:49] Fantasy vs. reality in relationships

• [14:17] Overcoming distractions and seeking clarity

• [16:02] Loneliness in marriage and wealth

• [18:15] Finding comfort and contentment alone

• [20:06] Societal pressures and false realities

• [21:02] Self-love and setting standards

• [25:29] Knowing your worth and setting boundaries

• [28:52] Preparing friendships for marriage

• [29:49] Navigating single and married friendships

• [31:41] Wholeness and avoiding jealousy

• [32:25] Incomplete people and domestic issues

• [33:33] Ignoring red flags and communication issues

• [35:15] Money as a substitute for communication

• [37:09] Changing gender roles and relationship dynamics

• [38:11] Arranged marriages and lack of fulfillment

• [41:19] Advice for accomplished single women

• [43:16] Encouragement for single women

• [45:39] The wish list debate

• [48:33] Contingencies and openness in partner choice

• [49:50] Enjoying the early relationship

• [52:41] Challenges of dating with kids

• [54:47] Preparing for marriage

• [01:23:36] Unequally yoked discussion

• [01:33:26] Acknowledging red flags

• [01:37:23] Relationship standards and expectations

Notable Quotes

• [00:41] “Marriage doesn't fix loneliness at all.” — Markeisha

• [05:00] “You have to learn how to sit with yourself. Learn how to be happy alone.” — Markeisha

• [05:38] “If you have that void before marriage, more than likely you're gonna have that void once you get married.” — Laquvia

• [06:06] “A lot of people are dating looking for a savior.” — Markeisha

• [01:02:57] “Preparation isn't about becoming a wife, but it's about becoming you.” — Laquvia

• [01:35:21] “Wholeness before the vows. That's the real goal.” — Laquvia

• [01:35:45] “Every man you meet is not your husband. And stop giving him husband benefits.” — Laquvia

• [01:36:01] “Quit making permanent decisions with temporary people.” — Markeisha

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

• Unleash & Rise Podcast

Laquvia Garrett

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

Markeisha Rose

• Website

• LinkedIn

• Instagram 

What if the stuff you’re carrying—the fear, the overreactions, the patterns you can’t seem to shake—was never really yours in the first place? What if it’s been passed down, generation after generation, like an unwanted family heirloom? In this powerful episode of Unleash & Rise, Laquvia and Markeisha get real about generational trauma—and how to break free from the things we were never meant to hold onto.

Laquvia shares a deeply personal moment—how one simple prayer brought back a childhood memory she had buried for decades. That one moment cracked something open and became the start of her healing. Markeisha shares her own breakthrough too—what began as a 10-day vegan cleanse turned into an unexpected journey through abandonment wounds and emotional eating. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s relatable.

They don’t just talk about the pain—they share the tools that helped them heal. Laquvia’s “eviction notice” for toxic family patterns. Markeisha’s “pineapple protocol” for diffusing conflict before it explodes. And burn letters? Not just symbolic. They’re a way to let go, for real.

If you’ve ever felt weighed down by things that don’t feel like they’re yours, this episode is your reminder: you don’t have to keep carrying it. Healing is possible. And your story doesn’t have to end the way it started. Your legacy? It can begin with freedom. Let’s dive in!

In This Episode:

• [00:00:00] The fear of facing family trauma

• [00:01:14] Ms. Griffin: a fifth-grade lesson on breaking cycles

• [00:01:55] What is generational trauma?

• [00:02:17] Rejection, black sheep syndrome, and inherited pain

• [00:03:23] Therapy vs. life coaching: what’s the real difference?

• [00:04:55] Mistrust in children and the legacy of manipulation

• [00:06:48] Gentle parenting gone too far?

• [00:09:49] Teaching kids to function independently

• [00:12:15] The value of asking “why?”

• [00:14:15] Emotional awareness, vocabulary, and healthy communication

• [00:16:43] Self-destructive behaviors

• [00:18:58] Laquvia’s moment of revelation: family secrets and spiritual breakthrough

• [00:21:06] Talking to your kids about hard things

• [00:25:28] Using trauma to help others find freedom

• [00:26:02] Why Laquvia became a life coach

• [00:27:56] Makeisha on surviving vegan shamelessness, food triggers, and emotional healing

• [00:31:12] Markeisha’s 10-day fast

• [00:32:00] Burn letters: releasing pain in a tangible way

• [00:35:57] Acknowledging your past: you can’t heal what you don’t reveal

• [00:38:57] No more secrets: building a trust-based household

• [00:40:51] “Mom, the landlord”: the eviction story your teen will never forget

• [00:44:20] What healing actually looks like across generations

• [00:45:07] Self-awareness and intentional boundaries

• [00:46:15] Emotional tools: pineapples, oranges, and apples

• [00:47:39] Safe words and coping skills as healing tools

• [00:49:17] Finding comfort in freedom — and why you need freedom to cry

• [00:50:32] You have the freedom to heal

• [00:51:32] Closing thoughts

Notable Quotes

• [00:00:47] “Freedom comes once you release it.” — Laquvia  

• [00:16:37] “You are a product of your environment, but you have the opportunity to change your narrative.” — Markeisha 

• [00:35:08] “If you can't heal and move past certain traumas, like, you won't be able to grow.”— Markeisha

• [00:36:08] “You cannot heal from what you can't reveal.” — Laquvia

• [00:49:13] “Stop finding comfort in your pain. Let's find comfort in freedom.” — Laquvia

• [00:50:42] “Healing is hard, but the cost of not being healed is even greater.” — Laquvia

• [00:51:22] “You have the power to rewrite your family legacy. What you do next matters.” — Laquvia

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

• Unleash & Rise Podcast

• Facebook

• Instagram

Laquvia Garrett

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

Markeisha Rose

• Website

• LinkedIn

• Instagram 

Fear doesn’t deserve a seat at your table, does it? You know that voice — the one that says you’re not ready, that rejection will break you, that success isn’t for people like you. But what if that’s just a story? What if you’re one decision away from proving every single lie wrong? What if you’re closer than you think? Let’s find out, shall we?

In this episode of Unleash and Rise, hosts Laquvia Garrett & Markeisha Rose open up about how they turned their fears into fuel. From Laquvia’s childhood fear of her own shadow to overcoming water phobia and fear of success, they share real and raw stories of transforming obstacles into opportunities.

Markeisha breaks down how fear of change and rejection held her back from owning her own salon—and how she turned rejection into redirection. Laquvia reveals how she moved from being called “chicken” to becoming a lioness, embracing small steps and mental games to conquer fear in life and business.

Together, they discuss how fear of failure, success, and judgment can keep us stuck—and how to break free from it all. If you’ve ever been held back by fear—whether in relationships, careers, or your own mindset—this episode is a must-listen. Because playing small is not an option when you’re called to lead big!

Are you ready to flip the script on fear and walk boldly into your purpose? Tune in now and join the movement—your breakthrough starts here!

In This Episode:

• [00:00:00] Introduction to fear

• [00:01:08] Laquvia’s childhood fear of her own shadow

• [00:02:35] From “chicken” to lioness: Laquvia’s transformation

• [00:04:21] Overcoming fear through action

• [00:06:43] Markeisha’s swimming lessons and travel fears

• [00:08:24] Family support & celebrating progress

• [00:09:04] The cost of fear: Missing out on opportunities

• [00:11:07] Fear of change in business & leadership

• [00:12:59] Small steps & building confidence

• [00:13:42] Fear of success and outgrowing relationships

• [00:17:32] Mental games: talking back to fear

• [00:22:01] Good boundaries & goodbyes

• [00:23:30] Fear of judgment and how to silence it

• [00:25:20] Rejection as redirection

• [00:28:34] Learning to love yourself first

• [00:31:22] Overcoming fear in business decisions

• [00:34:30] The power of small, consistent actions

• [00:36:09] Time management & overcoming procrastination

• [00:39:47] Letting go of old friendships and relationships

Notable Quotes

• [00:02:10] “I was the chicken—afraid of my own shadow. But now I’m a lioness. Fear doesn’t control me anymore.” — Laquvia

• [00:07:03] “I went from life jackets and fear to Michael Phelps in my mind. Fear can’t keep me from living anymore.” — Markeisha

• [00:16:15] “Either I’m going to pay rent to someone else or I’m going to pay myself and build my future. Fear can’t keep me stuck.” — Laquvia

• [00:23:09] “If they're not a part of what you doing to get to your next level, they don't matter.” — Laquvia

• [00:30:45] “Rejection is redirection. It’s about finding the people and places that value you.” — Laquvia

• [00:34:40] “Small, consistent actions build confidence—and turn fear into fuel.” — Laquvia

• [00:41:11] “Don’t let fear of a ticking clock make you settle for less than what you’re worth.” — Laquvia

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

• Unleash & Rise Podcast

• Facebook

• Instagram

Laquvia Garrett

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

Markeisha Rose

• Website

• LinkedIn

• Instagram 

Life has a way of testing us—knocking us down, pushing us to our limits, and sometimes making us question if we’ll ever get back up. But what if every setback was just a setup for your greatest comeback?

In the debut episode of Unleash and Rise, hosts Laquvia Garrett & Markeisha Rose pull back the curtain on their unshakable resilience, sharing raw and powerful stories of triumph over adversity.

Laquvia opens up about her early struggles—married at 17, divorced by 18, homeless with two children—and how she defied the odds to become a debt-free MBA graduate, successful realtor, and empowering life coach.

Markeisha takes us through her journey from a "kitchen beautician" to a thriving salon owner and nonprofit founder, proving that rejection and fear don’t define you—they refine you.

Together, they dive deep into the mindset shifts, faith, and relentless determination that turned their obstacles into stepping stones. This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a battle cry for women everywhere to stop playing small, reclaim their power, and write their own stories without apology.

Your turn. Are you ready to unleash your potential and rise stronger than ever? Tune in now and let this episode be the spark that ignites your next level of greatness. Listen, subscribe, and join the movement—your breakthrough starts here! 

In This Episode:

• [00:00:00] Introduction to the podcast

• [00:01:15] Laquvia’s  background

• [00:02:09] Turning points in Lucretia's life

• [00:03:12] Building a new life

• [00:04:09] Achievements and success

• [00:05:08] Challenges and resilience

• [00:07:05] Markeisha 's introduction

• [00:08:09] Markeisha 's early career

• [00:09:05] Embracing the journey

• [00:10:06] First steps to entrepreneurship

• [00:11:01] Overcoming obstacles in business

• [00:12:04] Purchasing her business

• [00:14:47] Encouragement for aspiring entrepreneurs

• [00:16:12] Authenticity in the podcast

• [00:17:24] Community engagement

• [00:18:16] Empowerment through experience

• [00:19:18] Next episode preview

Notable Quotes

• [[03:14] "I literally went from thinking I knew who I was to being homeless, hopeless, depressed, stressed to within two years being a homeowner with a promotion on my job." — Laquvia

• [04:40] "I owe no man nothing but to love them. My daughter just graduated and she's about to join the Air Force. She leaves in a few months. So it's a great success story, right?" — Laquvia

• [05:30] "I ended up going to jail like three years ago. Yes. Girl, jail, mugshot and all. We was on the news, Nashville news, everything." — Laquvia

• [06:50] "I came, I saw, and I conquered." — Laquvia

• [09:12] "I went from being the young lady who takes your orders in back cash with my red hair and my blue eyes to the young lady who was on the set of BET Major films." — Markeisha 

• [11:51] "I ended up purchasing my business all on my own. So debt free." — Markeisha 

• [13:33] "The Lord will have a ram in the bush, it's because I've seen it and I've experienced it." — Markeisha 

• [14:48] "Don't let fear set you back. Turn your obstacles into opportunity. Every door that's shut, another one will open." — Markeisha 

• [15:17] "For every vision, he will provide a provision." — Laquvia

Our Hosts

Laquvia’s mic drop moment: "Married at 17. Divorced by 18. Homeless with two babies. And now? Debt-free MBA, real estate mogul, and a mugshot that couldn’t stop my shine."

Markeisha ’s truth bomb: "They said I needed ‘more skin in the game’ to own a salon. God said, ‘Here’s a fully furnished business for exact change—and keep the toilet paper.’"

Resources and Links

Unleash and Rise

• Unleash & Rise Podcast

Laquvia Garrett

• Website

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

Markeisha Rose

• Website

• LinkedIn

• Instagram 

Unleash and Rise is a podcast empowering women to break free, rise strong, and step into their full power. Through raw, honest conversations on growth, resilience, relationships, and mental wellness, each episode offers inspiration, clarity, and a judgment-free space to evolve. It’s time to unleash your strength and rise.