038 1,260 Days: When the Wilderness Became the Birthplace of Purpose
Emerging with Grace: Navigating Life's Transitions
Some seasons are meant to be endured, not escaped. For 1,260 days, Adrian and Krys Murray walked through what they call a wilderness season—a time marked by homelessness, uncertainty, and daily dependence on God. The number itself was not something they chose, but one they later recognized as biblically significant, named in the Book of Revelation as a defined period of endurance and divine sustaining. What they didn’t know at the time was that this wilderness would become the soil where purpose took root. During that season, God placed a vision in their hearts—T.R.I.N.I.T.Y., an acronym...
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037 Big Mouth, Bigger Vision: How Dr. Bobbi Peterson Reimagined Oral Health
Emerging with Grace: Navigating Life's Transitions
Some innovations begin in a lab. Others begin with a question no one else is asking. For Dr. Bobbi Peterson, that question was simple but revolutionary: Why hasn’t oral health technology kept up with what we now know about wellness, equity, and prevention? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Bobbi Peterson—renowned orthodontist, inventor, and founder of Big Mouth Toothbrush—to explore the journey behind designing and patenting her own electronic toothbrush, a feat achieved by only a handful of Black women in the medical and dental innovation space. From her Brooklyn-based practice to...
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036 Fifty Years In Harmony: A Life Led By Faith and Music
Emerging with Grace: Navigating Life's Transitions
When Destiny Sings: Celebrating 50 Years of Cydney Davis Once upon a time, a woman stood at the intersection of faith and fear. She was a teacher, devoted and disciplined. Beneath the quiet obedience of service lived a voice—steady, soulful, and persistent—calling her toward something more. That voice belonged to Cydney Wayne Davis. In this unforgettable podcast episode, we celebrate 50 years of singing and the extraordinary journey of a woman who chose purpose over predictability. Cydney’s story is not just a music career—it’s a testament to faith, courage, and the power of...
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035 From Loss to Leadership: Finding Purpose in the Pain
Emerging with Grace: Navigating Life's Transitions
Some stories stop you in your tracks. They remind you that behind every title, every achievement, and every polished introduction, there’s a human being—one who has known loss, love, and the grace it takes to rise again. Today’s guest, Dr. Ty Stone, is one of those people. A seasoned higher education leader, strategist, and visionary, Dr. Stone has spent decades transforming institutions—turning deficits into stability, rebuilding trust, and creating spaces where equity and growth can thrive. But beyond her professional brilliance lies a story of extraordinary strength: the journey of...
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034 Grace in the Growing: A Mother’s Journey Through Autism, Service, and Strength
Emerging with Grace: Navigating Life's Transitions
Today’s guest is the definition of courage and grace in motion. Dr. LaQuista Erinna, a 20-year Army Veteran, licensed clinical expert, and devoted mother, became an unexpected social media influencer after sharing heartfelt videos of her son—who has autism—bravely navigating something as simple, yet powerful, as a haircut. Behind those viral moments lies a deeper story—a story of resilience, divorce, single motherhood, and the pursuit of purpose through pain. With a Doctorate in Behavioral Health and a Master’s in Social Work, Dr. LaQuista Erinna has spent her career helping women...
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033 The Continuation: Building on Her Mother’s Legacy
Emerging with Grace: Navigating Life's Transitions
In Part Two of our “Strong Women Raising Strong Women: A Legacy of Love, Lessons, and Leadership” series , we turn to Dr. Lakesha Roney, a Licensed Professional Counselor, clinical supervisor, and a proud mother herself. A graduate of Virginia State University and Argosy University, Dr. Roney’s work in mental health and leadership continues the legacy her mother began. With over two decades of experience, she’s not only a counselor and educator — she’s a woman raising the next generation with compassion and courage, including her own child who has autism, supported by the same...
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032 The Foundation A Mother’s Strength, A Daughter’s Future
Emerging with Grace: Navigating Life's Transitions
Series Title: “Strong Women Raising Strong Women: A Legacy of Love, Lessons, and Leadership” Part One: “The Foundation: A Mother’s Strength, A Daughter’s Future” In this first episode of our two-part series, we meet Gwen Roney Goode, a woman whose strength, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in education laid the foundation for a generational legacy. A proud graduate of Virginia State University and a retired master educator with over 36 years of service, G and G Consulting, Catering, Tailoring, and event planning and decorating, Gwen Roney Goode is the epitome of perseverance...
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031 Homecoming: The Renewal of the Soul
Emerging with Grace: Navigating Life's Transitions
“Some stories remind us that healing isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about reclaiming it. In this episode, we sit down with Tawanna-Marie Woolfolk, a licensed clinical social worker, EMDR therapist, and CEO of Doula for the Soul Enterprises. After surviving the foster care system and the trauma of neglect and abuse, Tawanna-Marie’s journey is one of rediscovery—finding herself, her roots, and her mother, all while helping others heal from their own stories of pain and resilience. Through EMDR and a neuroaffirming lens, she’s redefining what it means to come home to yourself....
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030 After the Bell: Reclaiming Life After Breast Cancer
Emerging with Grace: Navigating Life's Transitions
What happens after the fight is over, but the healing has just begun? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Melinda Staton, a breast cancer survivor, therapist, Navy veteran, and healer at heart. She opens up about life after the diagnosis, how her trauma-informed work helped her through the darkest days, and what it truly means to reclaim your life when everything changes. This is a story of faith, resilience, womanhood, and finding your way back home to yourself. 💗 Listen now. You’ll be changed.
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029 Needles of Wisdom: Acupuncture Helps Heal
Emerging with Grace: Navigating Life's Transitions
On this episode, I’m sharing something deeply personal—my journey with acupuncture and how it helped me heal in ways I never expected. I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Micah Allen, a nationally recognized integrative health leader, licensed Naturopathic Doctor, and Acupuncturist based in Richmond, VA. Dr. Allen is the owner of Essential Natural Health and has shared her expertise on CBS, ABC, and in countless media outlets. She brings a rare blend of wisdom, science, and compassion to her work, and today, we dive into how acupuncture works, what it treats, and why it may be the...
info_outlineAs a single mother juggling the tightrope of academia, Dr. Ariel Harrison gets it.
That's why Doc G brought her on to this episode of Metamorphosis Unleashed to share her story and the wisdom she's gained from the frontlines of motherhood and higher education. She takes us through her daily life, offering hope and advice for single parents who dare to dream big. We discuss how critical a well-choreographed routine has been for her, from choosing an online doctoral program to balancing long commutes with precious family time.
Time waits for no one, which is why Dr. Harrison and Doc G delve into mastering time management and its role in counseling. You’ll hear Doc G’s brush with a missed deadline, an experience that hammered home staying ahead. Dr. Harrison's journey as a professor, gatekeeper, and advocate for her students outlines the balance between empathy and professional educational standards. We also cover the distinct paths of school and mental health counselors, unpacking the academic and professional terrains unique to each.
Beyond the books and classrooms, Dr. Harrison stresses self-care and a support network, especially for women threading the needle between caregiving and academic pursuits. Get an insider look at her book “10 Tips for Navigating Online Graduate School for Primary Caretakers” and the founding of Ariel Harrison Consulting, which represent her dedication to enriching others through her own growth. As we wrap up, we celebrate her contributions to women's empowerment through her Amazon journals—a tribute to the healing power of self-reflection and writing.
Join us for an episode that's less about the climb and more about savoring the view at each ledge of this steep ascent we call life.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Dr. Ariel Harrison's personal journey through academia as a single mother
- The challenges of raising two boys while pursuing a doctorate online
- The importance of time management for counselors
- Strategies like staying ahead of coursework and maintaining a balance between empathy and professional standards in education
- The differences between school counseling and clinical mental health counseling
- Insights into the career path of becoming a counselor educator with a doctoral degree
- Self-care and having a support network for women in academia, especially those with caregiving responsibilities
- An introduction to “10 Tips for Navigating Online Graduate School for Primary Caretakers”
- The launch of Ariel Harrison Consulting and linking personal growth to professional development
- Dr. Harrison's contribution to women's empowerment through her Amazon journals, designed for self-reflection and personal journeys like fertility and inner child work
Resources from this Episode
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Get Dr. Ariel Harrison’s book: www.amazon.com/Tips-Navigating-Online-Graduate-School/dp/B0BKDXF1Z1
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Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.