This Will Change How you Think About Mental Health (with Navi Hughes)

In this deeply resonant episode of How I Ally, Lucinda Koza is joined by Navi Hughes—a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, therapist, and emotional intelligence coach. Navi opens up about her journey from teen motherhood and widowhood to becoming a fierce advocate for mental health and emotional literacy.

Together, they explore:

• How emotional intelligence transforms parenting, relationships, and self-worth
  
  
• The dangers of ego-led parenting and the myth of the “mini-me”
  
  
• Raising children—especially neurodivergent children—with emotional safety instead of control
  
  
• What true empowerment looks like (and how to teach it to your kids)
  
  
• Why Navi created an emotional intelligence blueprint for those navigating trauma, overwhelm, or autism
  
  
• How stigma and fear are setting back progress in autism diagnoses and care
  
  
• The value of saying “I don’t know,” even as a parent or professional
  
  

This conversation is an emotional masterclass—equal parts grounding and galvanizing. Whether you’re a parent, practitioner, or simply someone who wants to live with more clarity, this episode is a must-listen.

Guest:

Navi Hughes

Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Emotional Intelligence Coach

Instagram: @thenavihughes

Connect with Lucinda Koza:

Instagram: @lucindarogerskoza

Website: www.i-ally.com

Resources Mentioned:

• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
  
  
• Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator
  
  
• Navi’s Emotional Intelligence Program (coming soon to her website)
  
  

Takeaways:

💡 Emotional intelligence isn’t a trend—it’s the foundation for peace, presence, and power.

🧠 Our children don’t need us to be perfect—they need us to be emotionally aware.

❤️ Real connection happens when we show up without an agenda.

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