Fun and funky, Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor who studies vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame and how they relate to a person’s sense of what she calls ‘wholeheartedness.’ I first got turned on to her when Molly Greene posted a link to Brown’s TEDx Houston talk in one of her blog posts.
The clip is 20 minutes long, which often is about 17 minutes longer than my attention span; however I’ve now watched this particular video four times and have emailed it to several friends. I like what this woman is saying enough that if there were still tickets to her upcoming talk in Portland in July, I’d drive the 175 miles to be in the same room as her for an hour.
I think Brown is on to something with regard to what’s at the root of the problems, pain, polarity—whatever you want to call it—in America today.
She notes that we are the most in debt, obese, addicted and medicated adult cohort in U.S. history.
She notes that religion has gone from belief in faith and mystery to “I’m right, you’re wrong, shut up.”
She notes that in politics today, there’s no discourse or conversation. There’s just blame.
And why might that be?
You have to watch her video to find out. It really got me thinking. I hope it does the same for you, and then let’s discuss!
Thanks for turning me on to Dr. Brene Brown. I think she comes closer than anyone to having her finger on the pulse of America and what’s wrong with society.
My pleasure, Caleb. You know, I think what she is saying can also be used to assess why some companies are innovative leaders and others stall out — managers who can’t handle uncertainty and don’t want to play with the unknown are more likely to squash creative thinking.
Laura, I’m so excited that you blogged about Brene Brown, because I feel the same way. Her work and her personality are both intriguing and compelling. Get tickets for me, too!
Yes, yes, yes! I’m happy to share what you shared with me.
I do love Brene. I want to be her, better start my research!
I want to develop her speaking style — she’s so funny! Thanks for stopping by, Jodi.
Thanks so much for sharing this! So very thought provoking!
Thank you for sharing this Laura, great video! I also think that in more recent times the internet, which has given us the ability to post comments anonymously at many sites, has increased the level of vitriol in our society.
She’s a very smart woman and her message is so true. I love her humourous delivery and the sincerity in her speaking. Pure brilliance, Thanks for posting, Laura!
You’re welcome! I aspire to be able to speak like that one day…
Hi Laura,
I love this talk as well!! Saw it a few weeks ago and actually wrote my first blog on it too. Yes, she has some great insight !!
Hope you’re doing well. Going to WIBN again this year?
Hi Judi! Yes, love, love, love Brene Brown, glad you tapped into her work, too. I’m reading one of her books right now — “I Thought It Was Just Me” — all about shame and shaming behaviors. It’s a fantastic book. I do hope to go to WIBN this year and have it marked on my calendar. It looks like it’s only a one-day event this year — no urban retreat day, sadly. How about you? Will you be back?
Just before I saw you in Seattle, so much fun, brunch was awesome and the book I got has helped me with my little problem we talked about, I finished her book The Gift of Imperfection and was writing down all the great quotes so I could practice them. Now to that video!
I haven’t started the book I got yet; my coach told me to stop reading so much and start doing! 😛
That Brene Brown book is the one I haven’t read yet, but plan to (her other two are really fantastic, well worth the read).
It was great fun to visit here in Seattle, hope to see you again either here, or on “your side.”