Brene Brown

Biography

Dr. Brene` Brown is a research professor and writer at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability, courage, and authenticity. Brene` writes,

"Vulnerability is the source of our most profound feelings and experiences. It`s at the core of shame, fear, and our struggle for worthiness, but it is also the birthplace of authenticity, courage, joy, love, belonging, inspiration, and creativity.
Vulnerability is also our wisest teacher. When we understand how and why we feel vulnerable, we gain clarity about what is truly important to us.When we have the language and courage to embrace the vulnerability of both our greatest struggles and our most joyful moments, we create deeper purpose and meaning in our lives.
If we want to change the way we live, love, parent, teach, lead organizations, and build communities, we have to start with a conversation about vulnerability - this is where our story begins."

Brene` spent the first five years of her decade-long study focusing on shame and fear, and is now using that work to explore a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness. She poses the questions:

How do we learn to embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections so that we can engage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to recognize that we are enough - that we are worthy of love, belonging, and joy?

Brene` has won numerous teaching awards, including the College`s Outstanding Faculty Award. In 2008, she was named Behavioral Health Scholar-in-Residence at the Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston. Brene``s work has been featured on PBS and the Oprah and Friends Radio Network, and her articles have appeared in Self magazine, Elle magazine, and many national newspapers. She is also a frequent guest on radio shows across the US. Most recently, Houston Women Magazine named her one of "The 50 Most Influential Women of 2009."

Brene` is the author of I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn`t): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power (Gotham, 2007) and two forthcoming books, The Gifts of Imperfection: Letting Go of Who We Think We Should Be and Embracing Who We Are (Hazelden, 2010) and Wholehearted: Spiritual Adventures in Falling Apart, Growing Up, and Finding Joy (Hazelden, 2011). She is also the author of Connections, a psychoeducational shame resilience curriculum that is being facilitated across the nation by mental health and addiction professionals.

Brene``s current research focuses on authentic leadership and wholeheartedness in families, schools, and organizations.

Brene` lives in Houston with her husband, Steve, and their two young children, Ellen and Charlie.

Publications

In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brene` Brown, Ph.D., a leading expert on authenticity, shame, and courage shares what she`s learned from a decade of research on the power of Wholehearted Living.

Dr. Brown`s most unique contribution comes from her 10-year groundbreaking study on vulnerability and shame. In this new book, she not only gives us direction for living a more authentic life, but courageously talks about "the things that get in the way."

For example, in the chapter on cultivating rest and play, Brown addresses the challenges of letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth. In her chapter on creativity she explains the paralyzing properties of comparison. Brown may be one of the only writers in this genre that offers us a path for change and an honest look at the obstacles.

As a nationally renowned researcher and speaker, Dr. Brown`s perspective is fresh, honest, and always delivered with warmth and humor. She writes about the experiences we all have, but few of us are willing to discuss. Using personal stories of her own struggle to "embrace vulnerability" she writes about the experiences we all have, but few of us are willing to discuss.

Titles

GENERAL

The Hustle for Worthiness: Exploring the Power of Love, Belonging, and Being Enough

The Gifts of Imperfections: Guideposts for Letting Go of Who We Think We`re Supposed and Embracing Who We Are

Authenticity, Courage, and Joy: Guideposts for Wholehearted Living

The Spirituality of Midlife: Falling Apart, Growing Up, and Finding Joy

The Wholehearted Family: Guideposts for Cultivating Meaning, Purpose and Joy

I Thought It Was Just Me: Shining a Light on Perfectionism, Shame, and Being Enough

PARENTING

The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting: Raising Children with Courage, Compassion, and Connection

The Wholehearted Child: Guideposts for Cultivating Hope, Joy and a Resilient Spirit

Navigating Adolescence/Young Adulthood in Anxious Times: Guideposts for Cultivating a Resilient Spirit

Wired for Connection: How Empathy, Shame, and Vulnerability Shape Our Families

LEADERSHIP / ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Courage to Lead. The Spirit to Inspire.

Authentic Leadership: Guideposts for Cultivating Inspiration, Creating Meaning, and Fostering Accountability

The Only Constant Is Change: Developing Calm, Connection, and Courage in Overstressed and Anxious Organizations

Our Best Selves at Work: Creating an Organizational Culture of Connection

TEACHING

The Anatomy of Bullying: Causes, Consequences and Strategies for Change (for teachers, administrators, and parents)

The Pedagogy of Resilience: Strategies for Cultivating Hope, Critical Thinking, and Accountability

Teachable Moments: Bringing Courage, Compassion, and Connection to the Classroom

Wired for Connection: How Empathy, Shame, and Vulnerability Shape Academic and Social Learning

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

I`m Trying to Help! Cultivating Compassion and Empathy with Difficult Patients and Families

Wired for Connection: How Empathy, Shame, and Vulnerability Affect Helping and Healing