The Science of Peace: How Faith, Gratitude, and Psychological Safety Led One Black Woman from Burnout in America to Freedom in Rwanda

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In this powerful episode of The Black Woman in the Corner Office, Dr. Ebony Stone sits down with Valencia Dantzler, affectionately known as The Gratitude Grandmaster, to talk about what it really means to choose peace—on your own terms.

From losing her mother at a young age to nearly giving up on life altogether, Valencia shares how a single act of gratitude interrupted her pain cycle and reprogrammed her mind for joy. Today, she’s an elite neuro-encoding specialist, international speaker, and the visionary behind Ease Over Exhaustion Academy, where she helps high-achieving women and mission-driven entrepreneurs trade hustle for harmony and freedom for fatigue.

But this episode goes deeper than mindset. After the 2024 U.S. presidential election left her questioning her place in America, Valencia made a bold decision: to relocate to Kigali, Rwanda—and find healing, leadership, and safety in a place that celebrates her, not just tolerates her.

Together, Ebony and Valencia unpack:

• How gratitude can literally rewire the brain
• The power of interrupting toxic mental patterns
• Why inner peace is not a luxury—it’s survival
• What it takes to walk away from what’s familiar to find what’s freeing
• How Rwanda has redefined what “safety” and “leadership” look like
• And why psychological safety matters as much as physical safety for Black women leaders

This is more than a conversation—it’s a masterclass in self-liberation.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• You can rewire your life. Gratitude interrupts pain loops and opens the door to healing.
• The mind craves familiarity—even when it hurts. True change requires disrupting the pattern.
• Psychological safety is success. You can’t lead or love from a place of fear.
• You are not a tree. You can move, pivot, and plant yourself where you’re celebrated.
• God is not confined by borders. He’s wherever peace is waiting for you.

Learn more about Dr. Ebony Stone at https://www.drebonystone.com

Dr. Stone’s debut memoire – The Power of the Pause - Available at https://www.drebonystone.com/shop

BWCO Merchandise - https://bwcomerch.myshopify.com/

Learn more about Valencia and get the Ease of Exhaustion Bundle - https://links.valdantzler.com