#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write the ending. Look for Brené Brown’s new podcast, Dare to Lead, as well as her ongoing podcast Unlocking Us! Social scientist Brené Brown has ignited a global conversation on courage, vulnerability, shame, and worthiness. Her pioneering work uncovered a profound truth: Vulnerability—the … pioneering work uncovered a profound truth: Vulnerability—the willingness to show up and be seen with no guarantee of outcome—is the only path to more love, belonging, creativity, and joy. But living a brave life is not always easy: We are, inevitably, going to stumble and fall.
It is the rise from falling that Brown takes as her subject in Rising Strong. As a grounded theory researcher, Brown has listened as a range of people—from leaders in Fortune 500 companies and the military to artists, couples in long-term relationships, teachers, and parents—shared their stories of being brave, falling, and getting back up. She asked herself, What do these people with strong and loving relationships, leaders nurturing creativity, artists pushing innovation, and clergy walking with people through faith and mystery have in common? The answer was clear: They recognize the power of emotion and they’re not afraid to lean in to discomfort.
Walking into our stories of hurt can feel dangerous. But the process of regaining our footing in the midst of struggle is where our courage is tested and our values are forged. Our stories of struggle can be big ones, like the loss of a job or the end of a relationship, or smaller ones, like a conflict with a friend or colleague. Regardless of magnitude or circumstance, the rising strong process is the same: We reckon with our emotions and get curious about what we’re feeling; we rumble with our stories until we get to a place of truth; and we live this process, every day, until it becomes a practice and creates nothing short of a revolution in our lives. Rising strong after a fall is how we cultivate wholeheartedness. It’s the process, Brown writes, that teaches us the most about who we are.
ONE OF GREATER GOOD’S FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR
“[Brené Brown’s] research and work have given us a new vocabulary, a way to talk with each other about the ideas and feelings and fears we’ve all had but haven’t quite known how to articulate. . . . Brené empowers us each to be a little more courageous.”—The Huffington Post
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This is a great self-help type of book to understand positive influences, positive actions and positive focus that will help individuals live happier, healthier and personally sucessful lives. Highly recommended!
This is for anyone who has faced a tough situation and is struggling to get past it. This book helps you deal with it and become a better person after it.
Yesterday I listened to Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice….a 3 hour recording of a talk that she gave in Colorado. What I appreciate about Brene Brown is her willingness to be vulnerable, to share stories from her own life, in order for us to consider our own blindspots.
It would be hard to say any one of Brené Brown’s books is best. They each introduce concepts that, if incorporated in our lives, will make us our better versions of ourselves. Brown speaks, not from a pedestal, but as one of us — imperfect, searching, struggling. Her books read as easily as a good novel.
This is a wonderful book. It is written in a reader friendly style with many relatable examples from the author’s life and persons she has interviewed (used with permission) to illustrate the theories being put forward. The presentation of ideas flows logically and the book is well laid out. I enjoyed reading this book and learning about how to approach life in a positive way that makes me deal with conflict and unexpected challenges in a more straight forward and honest manner.
Ms. Brown is the best!
Every Brenee Brown book is exceptional and reading her work is always an enlightening experience.
Love this author!
One of my favorite Brene Brown books, this is about moving forward with the practice of vulnerability. I would recommend this to anyone.
Powerful
Great look at how to handle getting back up after difficulty
Thought-provoking read. Wonderful for anyone looking to move forward after major life-changing, challenging experiences.
This is one of my favorite books of all time.
This book provided me with insights about my own self-development and gave me some growth strategies I will try to incorporate. I found some of the terminology/ language (e.g. “rumble”) awkward but my psychologist friend told me that is part of the counseling lexicon. I think the key message could have been summarized in 25-30 pages and didn’t find most of the “stories” helpful but it made me think.
First, let me be clear that this is NOT a story book. Rising Strong is a helpful guide for parents, teachers, leaders, and everyday people who want to do better. Although it includes personal stories, it reads more like a textbook. That Rising Strong is a guide (not a story) was kept in mind as the basis of my review. Brown tackles tough issues and really makes the reader think more deeply about WHY. The rumble and the “stormy first draft” help us be brutally honest with ourselves about why we feel this way and whether or not it is actually the truth – because we tend to tell ourselves things that make us feel better and aren’t necessarily truthful.
Only read Rising Strong if you are ready to confront difficult topics and face vulnerability in yourself.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.