219. Healing Trauma: Jenni Crumpton Ross on Mindfulness with Kula for Karma

Turmeric & Tequila™

“Some of my worst mental health moments probably were things that taught me so much about myself and about the world and about my role in it."

— Jenni Crumpton Ross

Welcome to the Turmeric & Tequila Podcast! In this special episode on Mental Health Awareness, we are joined by Jenni Crumpton Ross, the CEO and founder of Kula for Karma. Jenni shares her transformative journey from a Southern Baptist upbringing to becoming an advocate for major movements like MeToo and racial justice. We explore her mental health struggles, the formation of supportive communities in NYC, and how Kula for Karma provides mindfulness-based care to address trauma and social injustice in marginalized groups. Host Kristen Olson and Jenni also discuss the impact of social media, the importance of nature, and the need for holistic, accessible mental health support. Tune in for an enlightening conversation on personal evolution, resilience, and proactive mental health advocacy.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Raised in religious household, explored gender expectations.

06:51 Felt depth of experience, struggled with conformity.

09:23 Interested in religion but not traditional avenues.

12:15 Discovering purpose in seminary after corporate disillusionment.

17:05 Regret leaving corporate world before 2008 crisis.

20:04 Transformative experience led to social justice work.

24:51 Strength, learning, community, evolution, challenges, self-discovery.

27:57 Embracing solitude and finding inner strength.

32:50 Media's focus on soundbites leads to divisiveness.

34:27 Media distorts truth, divides people, hinders learning.

40:23 Surviving youth to leading Kula for karma.

41:58 Nonprofit advocates for proactive mental health approach.

47:04 Expanding mindfulness based mental health care programs.

51:12 Exercise and athleticism stem from fight or flight.

54:17 Promote mental health as a human right.

56:08 Team effort and support are essential always.

Jenni Crumpton Ross

Jenni Crumpton Ross is the President + CEO of Kula for Karma, a national nonprofit with a mission to make mental health a human right. Kula provides an accessible, equitable, affordable, and scalable solution to our nation's mental health crisis with scientifically proven programs teaching mindfulness, yoga, meditation, breathing techniques and other trauma-informed practices and education to underserved and marginalized communities in crisis. Jenni is a former Fortune 500 advertising executive who had a heart for people over profits. She left the corporate world to earn a Master of Divinity with study focused on interfaith social justice, feminist theology, human rights, and political science at Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University. Ordained as a Reverend at Park Avenue Christian Church in Manhattan, Jenni led inter-religious, intercultural movements for equality and peace, and held executive strategy positions at international nonprofits focused on issues ranging from gender equality and racial equity to economic justice and counterterrorism through inter-religious peacemaking. Diagnosed with Complex PTSD in 2015, Jennistarted studying methods for healing trauma and its effects on both physical and mental health. Jenni is an E-RYT 500 (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) and Reiki Master trained in mindfulness for trauma, addiction and mental health and certified in Heart Math Institute's Resilient Heart™ Trauma-Sensitive breathing techniques. During the pandemic she founded a wholistic healing practice called Osha Ruah (Shining Spirit), helping clients release trauma from their bodies by combining movement and breath with awareness and energy healing. An author and public speaker, Jenni has written for publications like TIME, Variety, Huffington Post and The Hill.

@kula4karma

Jenni Crumpton Headline / Jenni-Crumpton-Culture-

https://www.kulaforkarma.org

Connect with T&T:

IG: @TurmericTequila

Facebook: @TurmericAndTequila

Website: www.TurmericAndTequila.com

Host: Kristen Olson

IG: @Madonnashero

Tik Tok: @Madonnashero

Website: www.KOAlliance.com

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