Navigating Life's Storms: Author Spotlight w/Cherokee Cabell, Author of "Rain to Reign"

KANDIDLY KRISTIN Hey podcast nation, it's your girl Kandidly Kristin and this is the Kandid Shop, your number one destination for candid conversations. If you're new here, welcome. And if you're a regular listener, welcome back and thank you for your support. Today, I am having a really special author spotlight chat with licensed clinical social worker and author of Rain to Rain, and I'm explaining that later, Miss Cherokee Cabell. Welcome, welcome, welcome Cherokee to the Kandid Shop.

CHEROKEE CABELL  Thank you. Thank you for letting me be here. And it's Cabell sounds like Cabell.  

KANDIDLY KRISTIN Oh, you're so, you're welcome. And I asked you that and I still, it's absolutely been that kind of week month for me. So I apologize. Miss Cherokee, Cabell, like a Cabell car. Cabel. Why do I keep saying cabell? I have no idea. I'm just gonna call you Cherokee, okay?

CHEROKEE CABELL  That works for me, perfect.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  So listen, I have your book Rain to Rain, and because I'm not video, for you people that are listening, it's Rain, R-A-I-N to Rain, R-E-I-G-N, so that that gives you a little more, because I'm sure they're like, Rain to Rain? What does that mean? You'll get it if you get the book, so get the book. So I'm reading it. I am not all the way through it, but I'm like halfway, three quarters of the way. And it really resonates with me on a lot of levels. I don't know if you're from your book. It doesn't sound like you're originally from Camden, New Jersey, but you spent some time there and I am born and bred a Camdenite. So that resonated and it was really authentic. excuse me, and transparent. So it really is my pleasure to have this chat with you.

CHEROKEE CABELL  Thank you so much. I really appreciate that.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Oh, no problem. So let's just get into it and talk to me about the why of your book Rain to Rain. What motivated you to write it when you did or at all?

CHEROKEE CABELL  So I knew a long time ago, there were some things that I wanted to do moving forward as I, um, you know, grew wiser. The motivation really came from one of my friends, shout out to Tammy Riley. She was really the motivating force that made, you know, made me do this. We had a conversation and multiple times she would say Cherokee, I see a book in your future, I see a book in your future. And then it was 2022 and we were having a conversation And she's like, I don't know what you're waiting for. And I was like, okay, well, I guess I'm gonna, you know, put pedal to the metal and start doing it. So I reached out to some people on Facebook, they have the New Jersey Black owned and was looking for ghostwriters and different things like that. So I was able to find someone to help me. A lot of the work is my own writing. So my message really is that, you know, the reason behind it is to help individuals who have been, who have gone through similar things as Rain has gone through. To let them know that, you know, those things do not have to define them. They don't have to structure who you are as a person or what you want to do. It doesn't mean that you can't do the things that you want to do and that you're not alone. you can, there's people out there who have gone through similar things who you can reach out to and talk to. Um, one being myself, myself to be able to talk to. Um, and then there's different organizations who have, um, foundations and trauma. My private practice, my expertise is in trauma. So this book was, is something that I can use to also help those individuals that I am working with.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Okay. So as I'm reading your book, like I said, it resonated with me on a lot of levels, but it kind of delves into personal growth, transformation, healing from trauma. And my question to you is, did this book inspire you to become an LCSW or were you already an LCSW when you wrote it?

CHEROKEE CABELL  I was already in LCSW when I graduated from Rutgers University in 2013 and pursued to get my LCSW doing clinical work. So I had already the education and the background to write the book. So it really wasn't until, you know, COVID I say sometimes is a blessing in disguise. you know, it was really then when I buckled down and was able to really receive from my friend to say, you know, this is the time to really, you know, get it done. So I already had that education prior to reading The Writing of the Book.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Okay, got it, got it, got it. You know what else I really like about the book is how you have the the blank line pages at the end of each chapter for, you know, introspection for the reader to write down their thoughts. And, you know, I really, really like that. I've seen, this is like the third time I've seen this in a book, one of which was a children's book. And I thought, this is really cool that, you know, there's this space to kind of digest what you just read, put your own thoughts to paper. I think journaling is an awesome, awesome way to heal from trauma. It helped me. So I like that a lot. So thank you for that.

CHEROKEE CABELL  Of course. That was a big part of the book. When I did get down to the edits and things like that, I wanted people to have a place where they can, like you said, process their thoughts and feelings. Because it's not, when I talk about the book, I will always say, you know, it's not an easy read. It's not like, Dr. Seuss, you know, to bring up some things for you. So having those pages I think is very beneficial. And I'm a person who loves to, you know, my thing is to educate, inspire, and empower other people. And I think, I'm hoping, this book gives, you know, people that opportunity to be empowered, inspired, and educated. Nice.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  It's three of my favorite words. So kind of, Moving off of the book directly, but still in the book vein, I'm a firm believer that representations matters in literature and life, just in general, representation matters. So can you share with me any thoughts you have on the importance of representation? in books, especially ones that touch on personal journeys or mental health challenges?

CHEROKEE CABELL  I think it's extremely important. My biggest thing is I like to lead by example. So a lot of the skills that were in the book I've used in my personal life to help with either, you know, low self-esteem, um, you know, setting boundaries, different things. So a lot of what I quote unquote preach, you know, by practice as well. So the representation is, is to me, it's, it's huge. I think that's how you're able to resonate with people and relate to people. Um, if you're true to what you're trying to represent.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Absolutely. I agree. Like, to piggyback off what you said, your book is not an easy read. It's not, you know, sunshine and light, although it is that. But there's, you know, there are some darker moments, experiences in your life that you were very transparent in sharing. And so my question to you is, writing those things, knowing that someone's going to read this or many someone's. How did you navigate that process of sharing the really vulnerable, super transparent moments in your life in your book?

CHEROKEE CABELL  So I want, I, the biggest thing is I want also people to understand this is, you know, this is Rain's story. You know, there are some, maybe there are some parallels to my life, but in learning what I've learned in my education and working with, you know, different diverse backgrounds and individuals, I was able to put some, put a lot of these, those experiences into my book. Um, Even just working with individuals who have experienced these things, it's not an easy thing to hear these stories, let alone write about them, and then have to re-read them and edit them and re-read them and edit them. I think for me, the biggest piece was the writing and then having to edit, proofread, go back and re-read, and different things like that. I had to just like when I, my, my private practice, I have to sort of come outside myself and look at it from a different lens. Um, so a little bit of healthy, I would say dissociation, um, because it, it can get to a point of internalizing it. Um, but that's not to say writing it, I wasn't shedding tears, you know, going back and reading it. It is a very vulnerable story. Like I said, there are some, parallels in our story. So, you know, those parts, I had to make sure that I, self care is huge, huge, huge. I had to make sure that I was taking care of myself when I was too overwhelmed. I had to, you know, stop. I had to go enjoy my family. I had to go enjoy, you know, things that I like to do exercising, dancing, playing the violin, I had to put myself in a different arena so I can take care of myself and then come back and, you know, do another paragraph or page.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Nice. Very good. And, um, I've done a lot of author interviews and I'm always curious about the process. I've talked to writers that say, I just sit And I write, write, write, write, write, write, write, write, write with no outline, no forethought. And then I go back and rewrite. There are others who have an outline and they kind of follow that. So what's your process like from beginning to end when you're writing a book or this book?

CHEROKEE CABELL  My process for writing this book was really just to write. I had the stories. I had the information. So it was just writing, writing, writing, and then going back and then doing the edits and proofreading and different things like that, going back and seeing what stories did I really want to tell, which ones were most important to put into the book. And then going through the educational piece, what relates to what the story is about, what the feel I want people to learn from this section of the book. And even with the growth activities, things that I've done to help myself in certain situations and which ones were most helpful. And then also not overwhelming the reader with a whole bunch of education or a whole bunch of skills. But these are skills that are very they're not time consuming at all. They're very easy, sitting anywhere, doing anything. So, um, that was, that was mainly my process to make sure to keep my reader in mind and just to keep reading, um, and seeing what was important that I wanted the reader to be able to hold on to.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Right. And I liked the healing and growth parts that I see. Um, I'm a huge proponent of boundary setting. I think that where there's a lack of boundaries, there's a lack of, respect for self and how others treat you. So I really like, like that, um, the setting boundaries part. I like that. Uh, like I'm a stats person. I love statistics and data, like raw data, but everybody doesn't when they're reading a book. And I liked that you included it, but it wasn't like, um, It was done in a way that anybody could clearly understand. It wasn't just like numbers and statistics and charts and stuff that people are like, oh, I'm going to skip over this because the education is important. The piece that you include are important pieces and people need to know when you read that one in And this is not an actual statistic, people. One in every four women are abused on so many, you know, in this period. It's important. That shows people, number one, they're not the only one. and that there are other people going through this, have gone through this, have overcome this. So I think that's really important. So you touched on it when you talked to me about the why of the book, but what specific message or takeaway would you like the readers of this book to get?

CHEROKEE CABELL  I think the biggest one is that you're not alone. I want people to be able to understand that, you know, yes, this has happened to me, but I'm not the only person. There's so many people who have gone through so many different experiences who don't share because they feel alone. And in that aloneness comes depression. And in that depression comes self-harm and low self-esteem. And with those things, we start making unhealthy choices, rather it's the women we're with or the men that we're with, people we surround ourselves with, drugs and alcohol and different things. So when you're feeling alone, there's so many different things that can happen with that feeling of aloneness. So I think the biggest message is that you're not alone.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Right. Okay. And I did get that from the book. I also got, you're not what you went through. That was a big message that kind of resonated as I'm reading it, is that you are absolutely not your experiences. While our lived experience absolutely kind of play into the sum of who we are as we grow and heal, you're not that any specific one experience, negative experience especially.

CHEROKEE CABELL   Absolutely. Yeah. And being able to identify, yes, these things have happened to me and what am I going to do differently about them? What can I, how can I use this? A lot of those experiences, if we're looking at the similarities and range story to my life story, you know, I, I've used, um, I've grown a lot from just learning more about myself and how trauma shows up in the day to day. I don't want it to be. like that. And I don't want to live my life through my trauma. I'm so much more than that.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Absolutely. Now, did you self-publish or?

CHEROKEE CABELL  Yes.

CHEROKEE CABELL Okay. Okay. So that leads me into my next question. What advice would you give someone listening that you know, believes they have a story to tell, who's an aspiring author, especially one who is considering writing something that kind of is memoirish and shares their personal story. What advice would you give to those folks looking to put pen to paper and write a book?

CHEROKEE CABELL  I would say to them to really make sure that you're in the mindset to do it. Because like I, like I said, if it's, if it's a book about different experiences that may not be all sunshines and rainbow, you have to be able to externalize those experiences to get through writing that book and making sure that you are taking care of yourself, surrounding yourself with people who are going to support you. The next thing that I would tell them, if you are reaching out for assistance with writing to vet the people, make sure that they, you know, checking on their references, making sure that they are going to do what they say they're going to do. And what you're really looking for them to do, make sure they're able to do that. In my experience, the book almost didn't get published. I was ready to throw it away and forget about it. And yes, I was so ready to be done with it. But make sure that you are working with people who know exactly what you're needing from them. They're able to give that to you. So making sure you're doing your due diligence in that and asking questions. And the last thing would be just to do it. What do you have to lose?

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Right. Right. There you go. Just do it. Cause they say everybody's got one, one book in them. And I believe that to be true, especially if it's a personal story. So, um, I'm really glad that because when I was reading the book, it came across to me as a memoir. And I'm glad that you clarified that it, while it paralleled in some ways, your life, it was not your memoir.

CHEROKEE CABELL  I've experienced similar things in my life. I don't want my readers to read this book and say, oh, poor Cherokee. I'm so sorry. Right, right. I'm a professional. I work with individuals all the time. And my biggest thing is, you know, that was one of the things about writing the book. You know, how are people going to take this? How are my clients going to respond to the things that are in this book? Am I going to be looked looked at as a victim. Am I going to be, you know, are they going to say, I'm so sorry you went through that? You know, are you okay? And that's not what I want. So the, again, some, some of the experiences in the book are, are parallel to, to my life, but it's a story about rain, a little girl who, you know, has went through these things and has come out at the other end. So if you're reading the book, I want you to look at it as Rain's story. I want you to take the author out of it myself. And I want you to resonate with Rain, the little girl who's experiencing these things.

CHEROKEE CABELL Awesome. So what's next for you, uh, both as an LCSW and an author, are there new books, other books that you're considering doing other things that, uh, my listeners might be interested in learning about, like what's, what's on the horizon for Cherokee?

CHEROKEE CABELL  So I am considering other books I've talked about or thought about a children's book, taking rain to rain to a children's book. And then there's other ideas that I have outside of the rain terrain arena. I'm doing workshops. I'm in the process of getting some, um, taking the bulk and utilizing it for educational purposes in my workshops. Um, with my private practice, I'm that's, that's part of the workshops, but also with my private practice, I'm of course growing that, um, I will be. attending a marketing event. I think you're in Williamstown, I think.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  I'm in Willingboro, but Williamstown, yeah.

CHEROKEE CABELL  So in Camden County, there's a mental health fair September 28th from 11 to 3 that I will be attending. So, um, if your listeners want to come and meet me, um, I will be holding a couple of 15 minute consultations. This is also an opportunity for, um, individuals to pick up my book for a discounted rate, um, from Amazon. So I will be having my book there. I will be doing some signings of my book. So that's an opportunity for them to come out. Um, and I think that's enough. Right.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Right.

CHEROKEE CABELL  So, I mean, I'm still working, doing my private practice, taking in new clients. I work with adults, 18 years of age and older, um, anxiety, depression, of course, trauma. I do couples, stress management, anger, self-development, career development. Um, so any, any listeners who are like, okay, well, I need to start changing some things. you know, definitely I'm open to, um, taking in new clients. I think for right now, that's what I'm really focusing on is doing some workshops and, um, expanding my client zone.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Nice. Nice. Well, I wish you all the best. I'm sure that you're going to have a thriving practice if you don't already. And, uh, I love the book. I suggest to anybody that's listening, um, whether or not you've been through any trauma that you recognize as trauma, because I think we all have traumas. This is an excellent book. So I advise you to get it. So Miss Cherokee, that is the end of our formal chat. But as anybody who's listening knows, I always end my chats by playing a fun, fun game called 10 Candy Questions.

CHEROKEE CABELL  Okay.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Just 10 random questions, only one rule, you have to answer them candidly. So are you ready?

CHEROKEE CABELL  I am.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  All right. What is your biggest pet peeve?

CHEROKEE CABELL  My biggest pet peeve is, I don't even know. Liars. Can that be a pet peeve?

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Absolutely.

CHEROKEE CABELL  It's one of mine. Yeah.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Cause why are you lying? And people lie about the most insignificant stuff. I'm like, why are you lying about that? Okay.

CHEROKEE CABELL  All right. So I would say liars is my pet peeve.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Okay. All right. Um, next question. Are you an introvert or extrovert?

CHEROKEE CABELL  Definitely intro and COVID. Like I said, it's a blessing in disguise. I used it for everything.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  can't come to you, COVID.

 Oh, I hear that. Because I am the same. I tell people all the time, yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm coming. I don't come. Oh my gosh. Next question. What do people misunderstand the most about Cherokee?

CHEROKEE CABELL  Very good question. I think they misunderstand that I am really a loving, compassionate, gentle person. they see this exterior and sometimes how I present is not what is really who I am. So I think they misunderstand my compassion, my gentleness, and my loving.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Okay. All right. Um, coffee or tea?

CHEROKEE CABELL  Tea.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Okay. I'm a coffee girl, but I like tea, but coffee's my thing. All right. If you had the entire world's undivided attention, for five minutes, what would you say?

CHEROKEE CABELL  Oh goodness, I would say dream big, believe in yourself, anything is possible.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Okay, all right. Morning person or night owl?

CHEROKEE CABELL  Morning.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Okay.

CHEROKEE CABELL  I go to bed at like nine o'clock.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Okay, gotcha, gotcha. What one word, one single word sums up who Cherokee is.

CHEROKEE CABELL  Ambitious.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Okay. Good word. All right. Next question. What is your favorite curse word?

CHEROKEE CABELL  Can I say it or? 

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Absolutely.

CHEROKEE CABELL Ok ..F*ck! 

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  This is the kandid shop. Let me tell you, I don't think, I maybe had somebody say shit, but overwhelmingly, that's everybody's favorite cuss word because it just fits a whole bunch of scenarios.

CHEROKEE CABELL  Yes, it works for everything and it feels so good coming out.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Indeed.

CHEROKEE CABELL  I was watching some Facebook thing and she was like, shut the fuck up. Shut all the fuck up. Go to the fuck of the top of the mind.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Sometimes it's perfect. Just perfect. Gosh, okay. So, what's one question you wished I'd asked you during our chat and how would you have answered it?

CHEROKEE CABELL  One question that I wish you… I don't have one. I think you did a pretty good job.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Nice. Now see, that's my little sneaky way of trying to… That question is usually in this game because it gives me feedback and when somebody says a question, I go, oh yeah, I should have definitely you know, ask that and kind of helps me to, to do better as an interviewer.

CHEROKEE CABELL  So I can tell you the one that was most uncomfortable for me, which one, um, the one about the memoirs and if this is a personal, like a personal story about my life, I think that not to say that it wasn't a good question. It really wasn't. I was, I was expecting it. It's just an uncomfortable one because it's because of the nature of the book.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Right. Right. I certainly understand that. All right. And 10th & final question, which is the same for everyone. How can my listeners connect with you, your practice and get your book?

CHEROKEE CABELL  So you can get my book on Amazon, um, rain to rain, R A I N to R E I G N. You can contact me via my website www.lbc.com or you can email me littlebitscounseling@ gmail.com or contact me via phone 856-553-1779. Okay, all right.

KANDIDLY KRISTIN  Thank you so much, Cherokee, for your time, for this book that I think is awesome. If my eye wasn't hurting, I'd finish reading it today. This thing is just awful. And guys, Cherokees Contact Info. Her website links, links to, uh, the book on Amazon will all be in the show notes. They'll be clickable. So you don't have to write anything down because when the show airs, everything will be in the show notes, all her modes of contact. So if you're listening and you're like, I kind of feel in her, maybe, you know, I'll reach out for some therapy or, you know, just to chat, all of that will be in the contact. in the show notes, all her contact info. So I want you guys to not forget to visit my website at www.thecandidshop.com. That's Kandid with a K. Listen to this episode or any of the others. Drop me a review, share the show and go get her book. It really is a good one. Rain, R-A-I-N to Rain, R-E-I-G-N by Cherokee Cabell. So Guys until the next time, you know, I want you all to keep it safe. Keep it healthy and keep it kandid