
Episode #60
Choosing Yourself Before Life Forces You To — with Jen Slumac
What does it really mean to choose yourself — especially when choosing yourself means walking away from something you once thought was your dream? In this deeply honest and beautifully real conversation, Kristin Crockett sits down with longtime friend, author, educator, keynote speaker, and creator of Soul Not Skin ( soulnotskin | The Stories We Carry ), Jen Slumac . Jen opens up about her journey through alcoholism and long-term recovery, the inner work that helped her untangle patterns born from survival, and the courage it took to walk away from her dream of Hollywood when she realized staying could jeopardize her sobriety. Her story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the bravest decision isn't pushing harder toward the life we thought we wanted — it's choosing ourselves. Kristin and Jen also explore what happens when we stop hiding the parts of our stories we're ashamed of and begin using them to create connection. Jen shares how hearing other people speak openly about experiences she thought she would take to the grave helped her realize, I'm not the only one. That realization became part of her mission: sharing real stories of adversity, healing, and hope so others feel less alone. Together, they talk about: Breaking old patterns and learning new ways of being Recovery, healing, and the courage to choose yourself Following a calling even when the path doesn't look the way you expected Turning your greatest challenges into something you can give the world The power of listening to understand instead of listening to respond Why our stories can create connection between people who seem completely different Finding your voice and having the courage to use it Becoming more fully who you were created to be Jen describes her calling as ultimately being about connection — bringing people together, sharing stories, giving hope, and helping us remember how much we have to learn from one another. This episode is raw, funny, vulnerable, faith-filled, and deeply human. Because living your Courageous Destiny isn't always about becoming someone new. Sometimes it's finally having the courage to choose yourself, heal what needs healing, use your voice, and become who you were always meant to be. Takeaways: In the podcast episode, the speakers discuss the transformative journey of recovery from addiction, highlighting the importance of inner healing and personal growth. The importance of storytelling is emphasized as a means of connecting with others and fostering understanding among diverse communities. The speakers share their experiences of overcoming personal struggles and the significance of sharing these narratives to inspire hope and resilience in others. The discussion touches on the idea that genuine connection among individuals is essential for a healthier society, urging listeners to engage with and support one another. A key takeaway is the recognition that many people suffer from unaddressed emotional pain, which can hinder their efforts to build meaningful relationships and achieve personal success. The podcast also highlights the critical need for tools and resources to help individuals navigate their journeys of healing and transformation. About Jen Slumac: Jen SluMac is a published author, educator, keynote speaker, and storyteller whose work draws on recovery, education, comedy, reinvention, and more than a decade teaching inside jails and prisons. Through soulnotskin (find the podcast at soulnotskin | The Stories We Carry ), she shares honest human stories on her podcast, creates workbooks, learning and speaking experiences designed to deepen reflection, strengthen connection, and help people find the courage to begin again. Credibility (if valuable here) • M.Ed. in Education / Instructional Design • California Adult Education Teaching Credential • Certified Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor (SUDCC) • More than a decade teaching inside jails and prisons • Restorative Justice facilitator • 25 years working with people toward recovery


