Episode Transcript
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Dr. Shay (00:19):
Welcome back to the
Resolution Room, where we turn
tension into transformationthrough clarity, connection, and
consistency.
I'm your host, Dr.
Nashay Lowe, and this is aspace where we explore what's
really underneath the momentsthat challenge us and how they
can lead to something morehonest, more human, and more
whole.
So let's get into it.
Today we're spotlighting Dr.
(00:41):
Cashuna Huddleston, a womandoing extraordinary work at the
intersection of both physicaland mental wellness.
She's not only a licensedpsychologist, she's a builder of
better systems, a champion formental health equity, and a
mentor for the next generationof women of color and
leadership.
In this episode, Dr.
Huddleston joins me to unpackthe realities of running a
(01:03):
wellness-focused business, whattrue culturally responsive care
looks like, and why rest,resilience, and representation
all belong in the sameconversation.
From comorbid diagnoses tocareer development, from
clinical training to communityimpact, this episode is a
masterclass in care that'srooted, relevant, and
(01:25):
revolutionary.
Dr.
Huddleston, can you pleaseintroduce yourself?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (01:32):
Hello,
everyone, and thank you, Dr.
Lowe, for having me on youramazing podcast, The Resolution
Room.
So super excited to be here.
Dr. Shay (01:40):
So I am so happy to
have you.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (01:42):
Thank
you.
I am Dr.
Cashuna Huddleston.
I'm a licensed psychologisthere in Houston, Texas.
I do many things.
So I own a private practice,which I know I will talk about a
lot today.
Private practices, mid-weightpsychological services.
I'm also an assistant professorat Texas Southern University.
This is my first year.
Super excited about workingwith students and teaching them
(02:04):
all about psychology.
I consult with companies, I doassessments, I do a ton of
things out here in this bigcity.
I've been in practice for about10 years.
I have a son.
So I'm a mom.
He's eight years old, going on35, but he's a complete joy.
Being his mom, he's a greatkid.
(02:25):
I couldn't have asked for abetter kid.
Um, beyond that, I love totravel.
I have a partner, um, and Ilove to work out and sleep.
Dr. Shay (02:36):
I love the sleep part
two.
All right, girl.
So, yeah, let's let's just diveinto um, you know, how we got
here.
So, what drew you to the fieldof psychology and what has your
path looked like so far?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (02:49):
Oh, wow.
So it's been an interestingpath.
But I would say what reallydrew me to psychology was really
witnessing earlier on howunspoken struggles with mental
health really affected likeindividuals, families, and even
whole communities.
Uh, my grandfather hadAlzheimer's disease.
(03:10):
It started when I was aroundmaybe like a sophomore and
undergrad, and just witnessinghow my family really didn't
understand it and the mentalhealth consequences of that and
how it developed over time.
So he eventually had passedaway from that.
But I got a really good lookinto how neurocognitive issues
(03:31):
and the mental health sides ofthis impacts not only the person
because he was losing himselfalong the way and how that
impacted my family.
And because I saw all thesethings, I wanted to be a part of
breaking that silence andhelping people just find
healthier ways to heal andthrive.
So my journey has taken methrough research.
Uh, so much part of being apsychologist is doing a lot of
(03:53):
research.
Clinical practice, I talkedabout me teaching um at Texas
Southern University and alsorunning my private practice.
Um, and along the way, I'veworked with a lot of
organizations and companies,individuals, families, veterans.
I did a lot of my training atthe Houston VA as well as the
Nashville VA, as I mentionedearlier.
And I see and I see likefirsthand how resilience can
(04:17):
really be cultivated.
So for me, psychology is moreabout treating it is you know,
more about treating symptoms andjust helping people reclaim
their stories and encouragingpeople just to create lives that
reflect strength, purpose, andoverall just wholeness.
So it's been a journey.
It's a good one.
Dr. Shay (04:38):
Yeah, and so talk to
me a little bit more about um
what moments in your training orearly career shaped how you
show up for clients today.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (04:47):
Oh wow.
I would say some of the mostdefining moments for me came
during my training and sort ofearly career phases.
So working with veteransspecifically, because a lot of
them carries, they carry a lotof like invisible wounds, wounds
of trauma.
My dad is a Vietnam veteran.
(05:09):
A lot of things I understoodthere too.
Um specifically with him.
Uh, I remember when I was aboutmy son's age, my son is eight,
and I remember my dad screamingat night while he slept.
And I did not understand whatwas happening, right?
Or really understood a war orlike how these things impact a
(05:33):
person in a family.
And now, like, I definitely getit.
Um then subsequently working atthe Houston VA, doing a lot of
clinical research initially, andthen when I started my PhD
program, a lot of my clinicalrotations were within the
Houston VA.
Did my postdoc there, did a lotof stuff there.
But what I learned about it isthat healing isn't just always
(05:53):
about fixing, it's aboutlistening very deeply and
creating a safe space wherepeople can be seen.
I think a lot of them justenjoy telling their story.
So, in my training, so alongthe way in this PhD program, I
had a lot of great mentors aswell who model what it means to
balance empathy withaccountability.
And they shaped how I work withmy clients today.
(06:16):
And I approach working with myclients with a lot of
compassion, but also with thebelief that they are just
capable of growth.
I think a lot of times theyjust feel stuck in that process,
and it's important for me toacknowledge that hey, you can
grow from this, you we can workthrough this, this is possible.
Dr. Shay (06:31):
Um, I was gonna say,
well, I absolutely love the
point you brought up aboutempathy and accountability
because I think when a lot ofpeople hear those words, they're
almost seen um, you know, asopposition of one another, but
they can very much and need toexist and coexist with each
other.
So talk to me a little bitabout that and how you approach
that in your practice.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (06:48):
So,
particularly with empathy, just
this openness and just respectfor the space that we are
sharing together.
I think I talk about thissometimes with my clients, but
it's it's such a real reward andhumbling experience when people
come to my practice to want towork with me or even somebody
(07:09):
else in my practice.
So I don't my practice is agroup private practice.
I didn't mention that.
So I have seven otherclinicians working in my office,
but they all even ininterviewing them and working
with them before they theyactually start seeing clients,
it's important to me that theycan express a deep level of
grace and empathy to clients andbeing open to what they have to
share and walking along withthem through that journey.
(07:30):
So empathy is one of the firststeps, and and I think being a
good clinician is is is beingable to meet people where they
are in their journey to havebetter mental health.
So it's important.
Dr. Shay (07:42):
Absolutely.
And then how do you do thatwhile still holding people
accountable?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (07:48):
Well, I
think you obviously can do both.
For sure.
Like having that space forempathy, you know, meeting them
where they are, but also lettingthem know, well, hey, I'm I'm
I'm I'm honest with them, um,uh, but in a nice way, right?
My approach is very um, it'svery warm.
(08:09):
I would say that it's it's it'scollaborative, right?
I I still make sure that theyknow that, you know, obviously
you're in the driver's seat ofthis journey, but I'm gonna hold
space for you to make somechanges because that's why
you're here.
Dr. Shay (08:23):
Love that.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And I guess for yourexperiences, what made you
decide to step into privatepractice and build something on
your own?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (08:31):
Ooh,
that's a great question.
Um it's funny because once Igraduated with the PhD process,
I've only worked in privatepractice up until now when I
started as an assistantprofessor at Texas Um Southern.
So for me, stepping intoprivate practice was about
(08:52):
creating space to do work in away that felt authentic to who I
am.
So I had spent years inhospitals and like universities
and community settings, even.
And what I valued about all ofthose experiences was that I saw
the gaps.
So the places where clientsneeded more culturally
(09:12):
responsive care and moreflexibility and more emphasis on
true healing instead of justsymptom management.
So create my private practicewas my way of saying, I want to
just create something different.
That's why it's called New WayPsychological Services.
I want a practice where clientsreally feel fully seen, or
other emerging mental healthprofessionals can be mentored.
(09:35):
So I do a lot of that, that'simportant to me.
And just where I can also blendmy research, my teaching, and
my clinical clinical voice intoone space.
So it's been that for me.
Dr. Shay (09:45):
I love that I love
that.
Yeah, I'm saying I love it.
And I love that you brought upum true healing versus symptoms
management.
That's a big philosophy I liveby as well in my consulting.
So talk to me a little bit moreabout that, what that looks
like.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (09:58):
So,
well, in terms of like true
healing, thinking about what isit you're here for.
I don't want to just talk aboutthe symptoms.
I want to talk about also howdid this even develop in the
first place, right?
Typically there is this corespace where issues develop.
Yes, there are some like, youknow, genetic dispositions for
(10:20):
certain types of symptoms, likeif you have a family history of
depression, of course, you havea higher proclivity of also
being depressed, or if you haveone of the serious mental health
illnesses like a schizophreniaor bipolar disorder, you
obviously also have a higherproclivity of having that as
well.
So I take that into account,but also thinking about the
(10:41):
day-to-day so that they can feellike therapy is not only a
space where they're being seenand heard, as I mentioned
before, but they're actuallyworking on things that are
doable day to day for them to beable to function to their
optimal ability.
Dr. Shay (10:54):
Mm-hmm.
I'm curious, do you still feellike um there's a stigma around
psychology and therapy?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (11:02):
Yeah,
uh, absolutely.
It's a huge stigma around that.
It is always interesting whenclients come in and you know,
they're like, oh, I'm just sostressed out, work, etc.
And they're like, I'm not crazythough.
And I'm like, well, what iswhat is that?
What does that mean?
Right, I'm not crazy.
I don't want you to think I'mcrazy.
And I'm like, I don't, I said,and I and I I've said this so
(11:23):
many times, no one crazy hasever came into my office.
Like, I don't even know whatthat means.
So nobody comes in activelysuicidal necessarily, nobody
comes in actively hearing voicesand doing things of that
nature.
Most of the people who are inthat space, they don't even go
and get help.
Typically, they don't.
(11:43):
So I so I assure them that I'venever seen a crazy person.
Yes, we can use crazy in afunny, relaxing way, but by far
not definitively crazy, whateverthat means, and and no, you
don't belong in a psychinstitution.
So it's okay to get help from amental health professional
(12:04):
because I think I would arguemost people, if not all people,
have had some type of experiencein their life where a mental
health professional could be ofservice to them, and then that
is okay.
Absolutely, and to you know, Ithink everybody needs a
therapist.
Dr. Shay (12:19):
I don't care who I
second that.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (12:21):
I but I
have one, so I think everybody
needs one, even mental healthprofessionals need one.
I think we all need a safeplace to land, a safe place to
be seen, a safe place to saywhat we need to say without
feeling judged or ridiculedabout it.
Um, and to talk about like whatour experiences are day to day.
Because they they range.
We we've we have so many rolesthat we show up for every day.
(12:44):
And I'm pretty sure they're notalways easy.
Dr. Shay (12:47):
Right.
And I I can imagine as a mentalhealth specialist, you
experience uh I think the termis secondary trauma, like
post-trauma.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (12:55):
Like
when you're uh uh uh you also
have the yes, exactly, exactly.
I agree.
And I think for for me, I mostoften would think about the
stories of veterans that wouldhave been especially when I was
(13:18):
on my postdoc.
So the postdoc is like a BaylorCollege of Medicine and BA one
combined when I got back fromNashville.
And so I was doing thisresearch where um we were
looking at using thisintervention called Act, it's
called acceptance and commitmenttherapy, and how they'll work
with veterans who have migraineheadaches.
(13:38):
And so we work with veteransand non-veterans, and so the
specific veterans, we had to dothese different types of long
assessments and ask them abouttrauma, and so they would just
like tell a story.
And sometimes most of themweren't even in treatment at the
VA, they just wanted to be apart of the research uh for
different reasons, and so justlistening to their stories, I
oftentimes thought about it alot afterwards, and also yeah,
(14:01):
and with my dad being a veteran,so it was like, oh wow, okay.
Dr. Shay (14:06):
So you um you
specialize in treating clients
with both physical andpsychological challenges, right?
I do so yeah, what makes thatwork uniquely complex, but I'm
assuming rewarding?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (14:21):
Yeah, it
definitely is.
I mean, the mind and the bodyare always in conversation with
each other.
Walking around a day, whateverwe got going on.
So, for example, when someoneis living with like a chronic
pain or migraines, as Imentioned before, or any other
type of medical condition, Ihave quite a few clients that
have had some type of episodewith some type of cancer.
(14:42):
Uh, I have several clients withMS, several clients with
Crohn's disease.
So it having these differenttypes of medical illnesses, it
doesn't just impact theirphysical health.
It affects their mood, itaffects their relationships,
their identity and sense ofself, and even just hope,
thinking about hope and whatthis looks like for them long
term in terms of their life andtheir abilities.
(15:04):
So the complex aspect of thisis in holding space for all of
that.
So the medical realities, theemotional weight, and the
resilience that it takes forthem to just keep moving
forward.
But it's also what makes thework so rewarding in thinking
about this is that when a clientbegins to see that their life
(15:25):
is bigger than their diagnosis,when they can regain a sense of
control or just joy, despite allthe things that they're
carrying, that's the part that'svery powerful for me.
Um so, for example, I have aclient who has Crohn's disease,
he's young, he got diagnosedwhen he's in high school.
So his life has been like thistrajectory of ups and downs, and
(15:47):
even people not believing himthat what he was experiencing
was actually real.
And so now he's he's in hislate 20s, and to see how hard
we've worked to get him to apoint to where he's in college
and he'll be graduating in abouta year or so, and thinking
about like what type of job hecould have, and him eventually
living on his own has been anabsolute joy.
Dr. Shay (16:12):
Oh, that's so thank
you.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (16:16):
Because
at first he didn't think that
any of these things werepossible, and he just deeply
depressed, a lot of anxiety, um,just things of that nature as
he managed the Crohn's disease,but he's dealing with the
Crohn's disease and movingforward in his life, and that's
the beauty of the therapy in thefirst place.
Dr. Shay (16:32):
So, but yeah, yeah,
that's amazing.
I think um earlier when youwere talking about some of the
motivations of going intoprivate practice, uh, a part of
that was serving um underservedcommunities.
And so, um, how do you approachcare when someone's lived
experience involves both mentalhealth concerns and systemic
(16:52):
inequities?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (16:54):
Oh wow.
So that oftentimes comes up alot, and what I realize more
than anything is that I know Ican't separate the two because
their lived experiences isshaped by both, is shaped by the
mental health concerns and alsohow they've had to manage
systemic inequities.
So my approach is just to firstlisten and to just really
(17:16):
understand what's going on, andthen to validate the reality of
what they face, and then to holdspace for what that impact of
discrimination or any barriersor lack of act or lack of access
has had on their well-being.
Part of the reason of mestarting a private practice was
also so that I can be, as ablack woman, in service of these
(17:42):
people who need help, right?
Um, I take insurance for thispurpose too, because they need
access too, and oftentimesinsurance is the only way they
can get there.
Or even having a slide scalejust to make sure that I am of
service.
Um, in terms of this approachthat I take, I've helped bring
in tools and strategies that notonly attends to what they're
(18:06):
experiencing mental health-wise,but also just to empower them
to navigate these systems thatweren't built with them in mind
in the first place.
So it's about blending someclinical care with advocacy,
helping clients heal internally,while also affirming that this
larger context that they'reliving in really exists too.
(18:28):
And then for me, just true caremeans just honoring the whole
person, their stories, becausesometimes that's the first time
they really got to talk aboutwhat happened with them in a
space where they they feelvalidated, you know, honoring
their struggles and then most ofall, just paying a lot of
attention to like theirresilience and then even them
showing up in the first placefor therapy to get the support
(18:48):
that they need.
Dr. Shay (18:49):
So yeah.
What's one myth about therapyyou wish more people understood?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (19:00):
We
talked about stigma.
I would say one myth I wishmore people understood would be
that therapy isn't just whenyou're in a crisis.
I think that's most of the timewhen people think about
therapy, like, oh my god, youknow, I had this death in my
family, I need to go get helpnow.
And sometimes, you know, itneeds to be more than just about
(19:22):
in a crisis because in many ofour communities, we're taught to
only reach out for help whenthings are falling apart.
But therapy can also be aboutgrowth, it could be about
prevention, to your point ofwhat we were talking about
before we started taping.
Yes, yeah, some healthier waysto cope before you even hit rock
(19:43):
bottom.
So it's not about being broken,it's about investing in
yourself, investing in yourrelationships, and even your
future.
So I want people to see therapyas strength and not stigma.
Dr. Shay (19:57):
I love that.
Oh, that's that's a that's aquote moment right there.
That's I mean, but it's sotrue.
Again, before the recordingstarted, um, the difference
between being reactive andproactive, and that's such a
great point.
I think people wait until theyfeel like they're falling apart
to exactly, yeah.
(20:19):
Okay.
So let's let's shift a littlebit and talk a little bit more
about the business side of whatyou do.
So, what challenges andadvantages have you faced as
both a clinician and businessowner?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (20:33):
Ooh, so
wearing both hats has definitely
had some ups and downs, somechallenges.
So the challenge has beenlearning that it's not enough
just to be a great psychologist.
Like, that's fine.
I've had the training, I'vedone the things.
I went to school for 11 and ahalf years, but you also have to
understand finances.
(20:54):
Marketing, I was so initially,I'm not gonna market.
Like, I don't know how that'sgonna look.
I don't want to be this weirdperson talking about come see
me, I'm a psychologist, right?
But marketing does matter, andyou can market it, you can
market big time.
Um, knowing about contracts,right?
(21:14):
And that can range frominsurance contracts because
they'll send you a 50-pagedocument to read and sign, to
contracts that you may have withlike organizations or other
things and spaces that you maynavigate as a psychologist.
Um, and systems, you know,understanding that part as well,
and all these things areimportant to have some.
(21:37):
My motto is this being inpractice and owning my own
business is no one is doinganything in my business that I
also don't know what's going onor how to do it myself.
And I think that that'simportant if you want your
practice to thrive.
And sometimes it can feel liketwo full-time jobs at once.
(21:59):
But the advantage is that I getto shape the kind of space that
I believe clients deserve, andthat's the most important part
to me.
So, you know, building mypractice with ideas that's based
on and reflect my values, sobeing culturally responsive,
being client-centered, beingholistic, just without being
boxed into some of the systemsthat exist that don't always
(22:20):
fit.
So, and there's a lot offreedom in that.
That's also other thing workingfor myself, is just the
freedom.
And it is hard work, but it'salso really rewarding to know
that I'm not just providingtherapy, but I'm building
something bigger that can serveboth my clients and hopefully
the next generation of mentalhealth professionals.
Dr. Shay (22:39):
So I love that.
And it's it's so validating.
Yeah, I mean, it's sovalidating when you when you
meet other entrepreneurs incompletely different industries
or sectors because we go throughso many of the same challenges.
I think like even going into myconsultancy, like, you know, it
was kind of like a freelancingI was doing at first, and then I
realized, oh, maybe this needsto be, it's becoming bigger than
me, so it's a legit business.
(23:00):
And I think letting go of thatidea of just like, I'm an expert
in this, I'm providing thisservice to now I am the one
responsible for, like you said,for creating systems and
structures and making it a placewhere you should be able to
have anyone come in and onboardright away.
And it's like a it's justsystematic, you know?
Like um, yeah, it shouldn'thave to take a month to onboard
(23:23):
someone.
You should have a system inplace where these things work.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (23:26):
Exactly.
Dr. Shay (23:28):
Yeah, and like you
said too, it's just so much you
don't think about from I don'tknow, like liability insurance
and uh, like you said, contractsand when do I need to have
someone sign this versus like,oh, I'm working with a friend,
maybe it's okay.
Like there's just so manylayers.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (23:42):
So many.
Oh, when do you even need help?
Right?
Dr. Shay (23:45):
Yeah, yeah.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (23:46):
You
know, like assistants or like
administrative folks.
And like one of the beautifulthings about being a
psychologist, and one of thereasons why I became a
psychologist, I initially wantedto be a criminal defense
attorney since age nine, andthen I got college.
Dr. Shay (24:01):
Oh my god.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (24:02):
It was
so much so.
I was on a debate team inMississippi where I grew up.
I you I would go aroundMississippi on my little debate
team arguing with people becauseI was so committed to being
this attorney.
That's the serious I was.
I mean that's good practice.
I was it.
I was like, I don't want to dothis.
But what I did, you know,appreciate about psychologists,
(24:26):
there is not an industry thatexists where there is not a
psychological perspective that'swarranted.
You could do so many things asa psychologist.
So I was like, I'm gonna dothat instead.
So that's another reason why Igot here is because psychology
plays a role in every singleaspect of our life.
Dr. Shay (24:43):
Right.
I love that.
Okay, and so building on thechallenges and advantages that
you shared, uh, what advice doyou have for others trying to
build something heart-centeredbut sustainable?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (24:56):
I would
say know the values that drive
you because that's what willkeep you grounded when the
challenges come, because theyare literally inevitable.
Um, don't be afraid to buildslow and steady.
I think sustainability comesfrom systems, like we talked
about, having some goodboundaries and being clear on
(25:18):
what you can realistically givewithout burning out.
So, for example, today I hadthis with you.
So excited.
I get an email where they wantme to go on TV tonight at 10
o'clock.
I don't have the capacity.
I'm just focused on Dr.
Lowe today.
Dr. Shay (25:33):
Oh my god.
Well, first of all, thank you.
But that's amazing.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (25:38):
Yeah,
I'm I'm I'm not, I can't do it.
I'm not, I I cannot.
I'm just focused on her, andafter that, my son has
basketball practice, and that'swhat I'm focused on.
That's all I got today.
So, you know, have those goodboundaries and be clear on what
you can and cannot do withoutburning yourself out.
And then just of coursesurround yourself with some good
support.
I have great mentors, I havegreat peers and friends.
(26:00):
Um, I know some people who havebusiness coaches.
I've never had one, but I knowthat they can be incredibly
useful and resourceful.
Have an accountant and makingsure everything is in place the
way it's supposed to be.
Because honestly, you can't doall of this alone, which is what
I had mentioned earlier aboutwhen you're not in all, like
when you need help, you know.
And right, and being able toget those people in place.
(26:21):
And I think also most of all,just remembering that leading
with your heart doesn't mean youhave to sacrifice structure,
like you can have those valuesand things that you care about,
but also have that structure,make sure that things are where
they're supposed to be, right?
So that your practice canfunction efficiently and
effectively.
You can be compassionate andstrategic.
(26:42):
You don't have to sacrificethat part.
Dr. Shay (26:44):
And you just again,
like you said, again, you just
save yourself so much time by bydoing that up front.
Yeah.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (26:51):
Yes, up
front.
So, you know, the balance,making sure it ain't all just
about work.
Um, and I think from that youcan really build a business that
lasts, you know, and that youdon't feel like you have to take
a break from necessarily.
And if you do take a break,it's the serves of having fun
and relaxing, stuff like that.
Dr. Shay (27:10):
Right, right.
Yeah, yeah.
So um you co-authored an uh APAgrant to support women of color
and leadership.
So talk to me a little bitabout that and what inspired
that work.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (27:23):
Ooh,
well, a few things.
One of my really close friends,Dr.
Wendy Williams, she's uh theincoming president of the
American PsychologicalAssociation, which is APA.
So we co-authored that grantjust to ensure, just from our
conversations, um, we're both apart of it's it's called
(27:43):
Division 35, Section 1, which isPsychology of Black Women, and
just having a lot ofconversations within that group
and recognizing that women areof color are often leading in so
many spaces, but don't alwayshave access to the same
resources, they don't haveaccess to the same mentorship or
even visibility as others.
(28:04):
So we wanted it to be a part ofchanging that, and then for me
specifically, it was about justcreating opportunities for
support, um, leadershipdevelopment, and just pathways
to thrive.
Because when women of color areelevated, and particularly
black women, what we have seenfrom history is that communities
(28:24):
benefit.
So that work came from bothjust both of our lived
experiences and what we've bothseen in the field, and it was
just a way to invest in thefuture of psychology by making
sure leadership looks more likethe communities we serve, also.
So it came from a of severaldifferent perspectives, but just
(28:46):
to high highlight leadershipdevelopment and to also let
women you know be clear aboutand create a space where where
women who are in leadershipknowing that we see you and we
know how hard this is and howthese glass ceilings and other
entities exist.
Dr. Shay (29:02):
So amazing, amazing,
awesome, and so what are you
working on now?
What's next?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (29:09):
Oh, what
am I working on now?
Well, I mentioned my podcastearlier.
Dr. Shay (29:15):
Yeah, tell us about
that.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (29:16):
Okay, so
the podcast is called Roseanne
Thorns.
It's with um one of mypsychologist friends, gay black
man, um, who's very much soopinionated, very much so a lot
of fun, very intelligent.
Uh, we talk about a lot ofdifferent topics.
We talk about things about popculture, like one of the topics
(29:37):
where we talked about like the PD D case, but not so much about
what's gonna happen, becausethat's what it is.
But talk more about like howwomen can be in positions where
power and coercion can play arole in why they stay.
And why, you know, a lot ofpeople talked about well, why
(29:59):
she just didn't leave.
It's important than that.
Well, actually, she tried to,and he beat her up and dragged
her back in the house in the inthe room.
So we did see that.
Dr. Shay (30:06):
We saw it.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (30:07):
But also
some of these mental health
aspects that that plays a rolein that too.
So we talked about that.
We talked about, we have somefun topics.
One of them was that he wantedto talk about was can you date a
man of little means?
So that was funny.
Of little means, like muddyfinances.
So it's alright.
(30:29):
So we have like a lot of funtopics.
Um our episodes are prettyshort, about 20-30 minutes.
We have a little good time andwe go from there.
So that's one thing, uh, Roseand Thorns.
And then other things I havegoing on, assistant professor,
as I mentioned earlier, at Tissue.
This is my first time in thisrole.
(30:49):
I've taught classes, I've doneseminars, but this is I have to
be more responsible for thestudents.
Um it has been quite rewarding.
Um, just seeing all those facesin my my class wanting to learn
about general psychology orlifespan development.
Um it's warming to my heart.
And they also, you know, beinga black woman in this space,
(31:12):
they need to see what'spossible.
So that's important to me too.
Um that and then continue tobuild my practice, it's growing,
it's it's grown faster thanwhat I've anticipated on some
days, I think.
But it's going into a spacethat I'm that I'm I'm really
proud of.
I'm I'm so proud of the peoplethat's in my practice and the
work that we do.
Dr. Shay (31:30):
So love it.
Now tell me um, well, let's goback a little bit to uh we'll
we'll go to the broader part ofthe conversation.
So, what does wellness actuallymean to you and has that
definition changed over time?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (31:48):
I would
say wellness means balance for
me.
So making sure I eat right, Iam a meal prepper fanatic.
Um, because if I don't mealprep, what I'm eating.
I may not eat at all.
And if I do eat it's sometrash, and I don't want to do
that because girl, I go back andforth.
Dr. Shay (32:09):
I order, I sign up for
one of those like HelloFresh
things every other month andthen cancel it and end up going
right back to it because it'shard.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (32:18):
It is
hard.
It's so hard and you have toplan so much.
Let me tell you what I do likefactor meals.
Have you ever tried those?
Dr. Shay (32:24):
I have tried factor.
Do you like those?
You don't like them.
I liked it.
I think I think I got um it gota little too repetitive for me
after a little while.
Like maybe I just need toupdate my settings or something,
but I'm gonna try a few ofthem.
I'm gonna I'm gonna hop arounduntil I find one.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (32:39):
I would
rather you find out something.
I liked factor meals until Ididn't I miss one of the the
that day that you have to go onthere and choose your food and
they sent me some stuff.
I said, oh, oh yeah, I gotta doit.
I can't do this.
So yeah, but I liked it when Iwhen I could do my settings
correctly and choose the mealsthat I wanted.
So eating right is important tome, exercising is important to
(33:00):
me, and just manages stress.
Um, I think a lot of times weare stressed out and we don't
even realize it until that onething happens that just sends us
over the edge.
So managing stress is huge.
Um, I think just over time, Ithink my definition has
deepened.
So wellness isn't just aboutwhat you do, it's about how you
(33:23):
live.
And like I think about likealignment and just making sure
that I'm doing things in serviceof the things that I value, uh
doing things and considering myrelationships.
Um, yes, I have a partner, butI have a really good group of
girlfriends, and we go and wetravel and we have these monthly
uh theme-oriented dinner dateswhere it's about 15 of us and we
(33:48):
wear the same color.
Like it's gonna be orange orit's gonna be, I don't know,
black with shimmery stuff, whoknows?
But it's always a theme aroundus all meeting up together,
right?
And then also, yeah, just likeresting.
Um, I took a solo trip to SkySarah, Arizona.
Oh I sat by the pool, I ategood food, I just had a good old
(34:13):
time.
Dr. Shay (34:14):
So very much needed.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (34:16):
Yes, and
just finding ways just to
nourish myself.
Um and I think it's it's alsoof just about just giving
yourself permission to reshape,redefine whatever that needs to
look like, what wellness lookslike at different seasons of my
life, right?
Like sometimes I need to take atrip, and sometimes I need to
sleep, and sometimes I need togo do a hard circuit training
(34:39):
working out, or sometimes my myson and I need to go play
basketball together.
So it's it depending on what'shappening in my life, it sort of
reshapes itself.
So yeah, it is it's changed,uh, depending on what's going on
and what's important in mylife, but it's not a checklist
for sure, not it's just anongoing practice of just
choosing wholeness, even in themiddle of some of the challenges
(35:02):
that may pop up along the way.
Dr. Shay (35:04):
So for someone
listening who feels exhausted,
misaligned, or unseen, whatwould you say to them?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (35:13):
You're
not alone, and that there is
nothing wrong with you forfeeling that way.
Um, you're not crazy.
Sometimes exhaustion is justyour body's way of saying that
it needs some rest.
You know, misalignment is yourspirit telling you is ready for
change, and feeling unseendoesn't mean you don't matter.
(35:36):
It just means that the spacesaround you haven't fully honored
your life yet.
So my encouragement is youknow, give yourself permission
just to pause, to realign, andto seek out the people and the
places that remind you of yourworth because you are definitely
worthy of care, you're worthyof rest, and just of also having
(35:59):
a life that feels like itbelongs to you.
So go do work, go be aroundpeople who appreciate you and
love you.
Dr. Shay (36:07):
Yeah, okay.
Now, um, I like to end thesegment with a signature
resolution question since thisis the resolution room.
So you as um someone who walkswith others through some of
their most difficult internalconflicts, what has your work
taught you about what it reallymeans to find resolution, not
(36:30):
just not just uh with others,but within ourselves?
Take a minute.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (36:37):
Yeah,
I'm just I'm thinking so
resolution isn't always aboutmaking everything need and tying
it in a pretty bow.
I think it's less about fixingand just more about finding
peace with the parts ofourselves that we've struggled
to accept.
(36:57):
I would say resolution justwithin ourselves sometimes also
looks like long learning just awhole two truths at once.
I think sometimes people getcaught up in like either or and
not realizing that two thingscan exist at the same time.
And that we can, if we'reexperiencing emotional pain and
(37:18):
whatever it is, that we canacknowledge that this pain
exists and still move forwardwith healing, that we can also
honor our past, like the pastthings that's happened, and also
work towards creating somethingnew.
Um I'll say well, like whatI've learned is that resolution,
resolution isn't like the endof conflict necessarily
(37:40):
necessarily.
It can be the beginning ofcompassion for others and even
and especially of ourselves.
So it's a process that I thinkwe have to just leave the charge
on and be able to hold spacesfor different aspects along the
way.
Dr. Shay (37:58):
Beautifully said.
Can you let the audience knowwhere to follow you in your
work?
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (38:04):
Let's
see.
Let's go down all the ways.
So my website iswww.newysych.com.
So N E W W A Y P S Y C H dotcom.
I'm on Facebook New Way Psych.
Uh, that's as well as myInstagram for my business, and
(38:24):
then my personal Instagram isI am underscore drun h.
And I think that's all the waysyou can find me.
Dr. Shay (38:33):
Amazing.
And I just want to declare thisin front of the world right
now.
I do want us to have a part twoof this conversation in person
in Nashville.
So let's just put that outthere now.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (38:43):
Yes,
we'll be back.
Dr. Shay (38:45):
We'll be back.
Dr. Cashuna Huddleston (38:46):
We'll be
back.
I'm excited.
All right.
Dr. Shay (38:50):
Wellness isn't
something you earn, it's
something you protect.
Dr.
Huddleston reminds us thathealing isn't one size fits all,
and that real care meets youwhere you are, with cultural
understanding, clinicalexcellence, and community at the
center.
We filmed this episode inAugust and a month that honors
(39:10):
both wellness and blackbusiness.
Let this episode be a reminderthat your health matters, your
leadership matters, and the workyou do to care for yourself
isn't a detour from yourmission.
It is the mission.
As always, thank you forjoining me in the resolution
room.
If this conversation moved you,challenged you, or gave you
(39:31):
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You can explore our wearablewisdom collection in our mind
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You can also join our growingcommunity for behind-the-scenes
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through tension andtransformation.
(39:53):
And if you just want to saythank you in a simple way, you
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All the links are in the shownotes.
And until next time, keepbuilding in the quiet because
that's what will carry youforward.