Huddle

How Women Unlock Their Collective Power

By: Brooke Baldwin

Narrated by: Brooke Baldwin

Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

CNN news anchor Brooke Baldwin explores the phenomenon of women "huddling"—in politics, Hollywood, activism, the arts, sports, and everyday friendships—to make changes, solve problems, and to inspire, amplify, and support one another.

What happens when women stop "leaning in" and start leaning on each other instead? 

After reporting on the 2017 Women's March, CNN news anchor Brooke Baldwin set out on a journey across America to investigate the power of the "huddle"—a space (in the workplace and beyond) where women lean on each other for support, friendship, empowerment, and the strength to enact meaningful change. Beyond the headline-making huddles of recent years such as the #MeToo movement, the Time's Up initiative, and the 2018 midterm elections, when women won a historic number of seats across the country, Baldwin tells the stories of women of all ages, races, religions and socio-economic backgrounds who are huddling in all segments of society.  

A mix of journalism and personal narrative, Huddle explores the benefits of all-girls learning environments, such as Karlie Kloss's Kode with Klossy and Reese Witherspoon's Filmmaker Lab for Girls in which young women are given the freedom to make mistakes and find their confidence. The book also looks at the tactics employed by huddles of women who work in male-dominated industries including a group of Democratic Congresswomen, a huddle of African American judges in Harris County, Texas, and an all-female writers room in Hollywood. 

Baldwin speaks to trusted pioneers such as Gloria Steinem and Madeleine Albright as well as contemporary trailblazers like Stacey Abrams and Ava DuVernay. Baldwin shines a light on professionals such as Chef Dominique Crenn and sports agent Lindsay Colas, who use their success to amplify other women in their fields. Baldwin also explores huddles dedicated to making seismic change, including indigenous women saving the planet, mothers fighting for sensible gun laws, America's favorite female athletes (Megan Rapinoe, Hilary Knight, and Sue Bird to name a few) agitating for equal pay, and female teachers rallying to improve their working conditions. By examining female friendships as well as the bond between women who practice self-care together, Baldwin reveals how women are becoming more intentional about the healing power of friendship and solidarity in their personal spheres as well.

Along the way, Baldwin takes readers on her own personal journey of growing up in the South and climbing the ladder in a male-dominated industry during a nationwide "huddle drought." Her story is one of learning to lean on female friends and colleagues and eventually transforming from a journalist to a champion for women. She also shares her personal story of coronavirus and how it underscored for her the importance of connection.

©2021 Brooke Baldwin (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Great Read for Everyone

Regardless of your gender this book has key takeaways and action items for you to apply to your real life. We can all be better in creating safe places for people to huddle.

Showing Up For Each Other

I found this book to be an easy listen. Although Brooke is 20 years my senior I walked away with much to consider and take action on. If you want to improve your life and relationships this is an excellent addition to your book collection.
Women are changing the world and this young woman is showing how to do your part. Well done!

A fantastic thesis paper.. extended to a book

She was really good, on point and had great diction. Not great because it was wordy/repetitive. Still great points. I went to a Baptist women's college so learning how much women can do for themselves was a natural process for me. For the majority of the co-ed world it can be a difficult theme to learn. Funny how many false stories are fed to and believed for life by thousands of generations of childreb. The author shares her meaningful insights on the truths she has uncovered.

Thoroughly enjoyed

I’ve been a fan of Brooke’s for years, so I’m probably biased. That said, I loved this book. I appreciate that she tackled difficult subjects without sugarcoating them. I also liked the details about how she picked news stories and how serious she was/is about telling the stories and woman and girls of underrepresented backgrounds. I can’t wait to see what’s next from Ms. Baldwin.

Brooke Baldwin’s book the Huddle has inspired me to go the extra mile to spend the time with my girlfriends.

The Huddle has opened my eyes wide open on how important it is to your mental health to have a real connection with your female friends. This book is an excellent read on how we can really show up for the women in our lives. Rather it be personally and or professionally. Show up. I thought I was great in my different huddles but I can certainly do better! Thanks to Brooke for her expert advice in the Huddle. I highly recommend this read. We love our friends they make us happy! We can share everything and every feeling and come out so loved and refreshed shinning like a diamond. No matter how busy we all are we must put ourselves first and make it a priority to Huddle up with girlfriends. That relationship with your girlfriends is one of a kind a blessing. Such a bond that you will not need a psychiatrist. So friends out there text,email or call your friends frequently stay connected. Huddle up with your friends that’s how we love and support our girlfriends.

What I needed when I needed it

A fantastic breakdown of women relying on each other and moving mountains. I so appreciate most present stories, and our recent history as well as stories that start with the civil rights era and moving forward. I appreciate the personal nuances shared by Brooke and how we ended up here. Excellent book I can’t recommend enough.

I fucking love it!

A great companion while working. Brooke is a badass Queen and all the women out there.

bought it when you and Jake announced publishing

wonderful still listening. loving every moment. I'm a 65year old and divorced. would love some info if there is any. I'd love to help.

Though Provoking

Women can be friends & supporters as only women can be to other women. This book gives the reader examples of & incentive to ‘Huddle.’

Overuse of the word Huddle

Great voice for the narration, interesting story lines. Although, please give me a dime for every time the word huddle or huddling was used in this collection of self experiences, reflections, interviews and advice for productive friendships. I just kept thinking, I get it Brooke, the name of the book is Huddle.