“I know who I am. I love who I am. I'm proud of who I am. And so, I'm not going to back down.” In this episode, Nick speaks with Tashun Bowden Lewis, a former public defender and current CEO of Bowden-Lewis Consulting Group. Tashun shares her journey from being a high school athlete to becoming the first black chief public defender in Connecticut and her transition into becoming a leadership and executive coach. What to listen for: Human connection is vital in understanding people’s stories Open communication is essential for overcoming biases Self-identity plays a crucial role in personal and professional growth Life's challenges can lead to unexpected opportunities Trusting oneself and having faith can guide through difficult times “If you are willing to listen to me and not just judge me based on what I look like or what you perceive my income to be, then we can move some mountains here.” True progress starts with listening, not judging Breaking bias opens doors to real collaboration Everyone has value beyond appearances or status Empathy can turn divides into opportunities for change When we lead with curiosity, collective impact becomes possible “People deserve dignity and to be treated with respect no matter what has gone on or where they come from.” Respect should never be conditional—it’s a basic human right Dignity fosters healing, growth, and connection Everyone carries a story that deserves compassion Treating others with respect reflects our own integrity True equality begins with how we see and treat one another daily About TaShun Bowden-Lewis TaShun is a criminal defense expert, esteemed speaker, coach, catalyst for change, and the CEO & Founder of The Bowden-Lewis Consulting Group, LLC. With almost 30 years dedicated to working in public defense, culminating in her historic 2022 appointment as the first Black Chief Public Defender for the State of Connecticut, she is an experienced transformative leader with the business acumen and community-focused mindset to deliver results through discipline, integrity, and perseverance. https://www.bowdenlewisgroup.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashun-bowden-lewis https://www.instagram.com/thebowdenlewisconsultinggroup/ Resources: Interested in starting your own podcast or need help with one you already have? https://themindsetandselfmasteryshow.com/podcasting-services/ Thank you for listening! 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We've been working together for a little while now and I'm really, really excited to get into your background because even doing the initial work with you, I've researched your background. We and you and I have had conversations and there's a lot of stuff that we're to be able to get into that. Truthfully, I think some people would have a really hard time wrapping their head around and trying to move on from, from there. So why don't you get us started? Tell us what you do for a living and what's one thing most people don't know about you that's maybe a little odd or bizarre. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (00:53.356)Okay, so again, I'm Tishun Bowden-Lewis and I am currently the CEO and founder of the Bowden-Lewis Consulting Group. And so I do consulting, criminal defense consulting, as well as leadership development, work stop facilitation. I also am a coach. I'm a certified personal and executive coach as well too. And that's what I do these days. That's where I am. And I'm so grateful that it is thriving. Actually, this month, October, will be a year that I've been a business owner. And I'm so proud of myself. yes. Nick McGowan (01:29.131)as you should be. Now what's that one thing most people don't know about you that's a little odd or bizarre? TaShun Bowden-Lewis (01:33.837)Okay, well back in the day though I'm not that old right now but back in the day when I was in high school I played basketball among other sports and And so the coach had an actual play named after me it was called money. So whenever he held the money shot money That made the ball goes to Tishun and cause I always got it in. was that, that something that people, most people don't know about me. Let's say he to high school with me. About me that yeah, that money, money shot. That was Tishun. That was me. Nick McGowan (02:07.501)That's awesome. Yeah, most people don't get a shot named after them or a play specifically for them. Unless, like, obviously my brain goes to Kobe. Like, the amount of people that are around our ages that would try to throw something out in the trash and yell Kobe. I still do it at times. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (02:13.077)Yeah. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (02:19.244)Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. For sure. For sure. Yeah. Nick McGowan (02:27.435)That's pretty cool. you were in sports when you were in high school. I'm sure you were in sports before that and all. I was actually having a conversation with somebody yesterday where we talking about sports and like there are the four major sports here in the States and then there are fringe sports and other stuff. And in the conversation, the guy was saying he did whatever throughout high school. He was like field track or whatever and asked me, what did you play in high school? And I'd really thought about it in a while, but I stopped playing in high school because I didn't want to deal with the politics. Like I probably could have gotten into college playing baseball, but I didn't do it in high school because I didn't want to deal with the politics and all. But you, you went through all that. You had a shot named after you. So well done on that one. And then you actually got into politics. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (02:51.488)Mm-hmm. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (02:59.34)Ugh. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (03:08.212)Yeah. Thank you, thank you. Nick McGowan (03:14.399)So why don't you take us there? Like what was the transition from being a high school athlete into where you were most recently and then obviously into where you're at with your company? TaShun Bowden-Lewis (03:19.456)Mm-hmm. You TaShun Bowden-Lewis (03:28.136)Sure. So I always wanted to be a public defender. So when I was seven, I don't know if you remember there was a show on called Good Times back in the day and the baby son, Michael, talked about being an attorney, want to be an attorney. And so I talked to my mom about that. like, you know, what is an attorney really? And at seven, and then we talked about different kinds of attorneys and public defender, a person who assists those for criminal defense, Nick McGowan (03:39.094)Yeah. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (03:58.003)matters who are not able to afford to hire a private attorney. And I knew then at seven years old, that's what I wanted to do. So that was my path. And I was focused on that. And I was very blessed to be able to achieve that. So I started out in the late 90s as a per diem. I don't even know how much it was a day. In the public defender's office, I am in Connecticut. I moved up throughout the ranks. I was a public defender for almost 30 years. And so from a podium all the way up to in 2022, I became the first black chief public defender for the state of Connecticut. And of course, that's the pinnacle of my career. And so I was over the entire state, about 40 some odd offices, over 400 in… 30, 35 employees, includes attorneys, social workers, investigators, of course, support staff, clerical staff. And so it was, yeah, the pinnacle of my career. It was an amazing situation. And so that's how I really got into the whole political situation because of the position I was in. And, you know, it's eye-opening to be able to go in front of you know, the state at the Capitol and talk about criminal justice reform or talk about trying to get more funds or just whatever it may be to assist the citizens, the communities, the people that we service. And so it was a pleasure. It was different for me, writing legislation, talking with all the different legislators out there and doing it, you know. It was… Trial by fire, because I had never done it before, but it was an amazing experience. So that was, I became the Chief Public Defender in 2022 and I was terminated in 2024. So in 2024, in June of 2024, and then I started my business October of 2024 and here I am. Nick McGowan (06:10.315)I find it interesting how That all makes sense and I appreciate that. We can kind of consolidate almost decades pretty quickly. Like there's a lot of times even history is like, well in this history period of 700 years this happened. They're like, what? If you think about how long a day feels sometimes or how much stuff can happen over the course of a week, let's actually break that down a little bit because the fact that you knew you wanted to do something at seven and continued on with it is huge. I know people that wanted to be an astronaut. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (06:18.858)Yes. Yes. TaShun Bowden-Lewis (06:29.942)Yeah. Mm-hmm. Sure. Yes. Nick McGowan (06:42.