From Ivy League to Prison and Back: Ken Miller’s Story of Addiction, Redemption & Resilience (S4 E15)

What happens when the life you worked so hard to build completely falls apart? Ken Miller’s journey has taken him from the halls of the Ivy League to homelessness, addiction, prison, and ultimately a powerful journey of redemption, resilience, and rebuilding. In this deeply personal episode of Sunday SoulDay™, Damesha Craig sits down with author, speaker, and Denali FSP founder Ken Miller, whose book Becoming Ken: One Black Man’s Journey from Ivy League to Prison and Back Again chronicles his extraordinary path through adversity and toward a life rooted in truth and authenticity. Ken opens up about the pivotal moments that contributed to his rock bottom, what it took to begin climbing back, and why telling ourselves the truth can become one of the most important steps toward healing. They also explore what resilience actually looks like when life is difficult, how to reclaim your identity after being defined by addiction, incarceration, or your worst decisions, and why your lowest chapter doesn't have to become the final definition of who you are. Today, Ken uses what he has lived through to help others. As founder of Denali FSP, he works with organizations around sustainable funding, while his speaking and programs such as From Rock Bottom to Resilience challenge people to face adversity, embrace authenticity, and make meaningful choices about who they want to become. In this conversation, you'll hear about: • Ken’s journey from the Ivy League to homelessness, addiction, and prison • The pivotal moments that led to rock bottom • Truth and authenticity as foundations for healing • What resilience looks like when giving up feels easier • Reclaiming your identity after addiction and incarceration • Moving beyond the labels society places on you • How adversity shaped Ken’s approach to leadership • Turning painful experiences into wisdom that can serve others • Where someone struggling with shame or their past can begin Your past may be part of your story. It doesn't have to be the definition of your future. If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to rebuild after losing your way, this conversation is a powerful reminder that redemption isn't about erasing where you've been. It's about deciding what you will do with what comes next. 🎙️ Sunday SoulDay™ Hosted by: Damesha Craig, Leadership Strategist and Purpose Alchemist | Founder, Leadership Garden OS™ & Leadership Garden AI™ | Executive Coach | Host, Sunday SoulDay™ | Publisher, The Soul Fueler Journal™ Connect with Damesha Craig 🔗: https://www.dameshacraig.com 🌱: https://www.leadershipgarden.ai 📬: https://dameshacraig.substack.com/ 🔗: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dameshacraig/ 📸 : https://www.instagram.com/dameshacraig/ 🔗: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@sundaysoulday⁠ Be a Guest: Email us: sundaysouldaypodcast@gmail.com https://www.dameshacraig.com/ www.sundaysoulday.com   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.