• The Power of Vulnerability

  • Teachings of Authenticity, Connection, and Courage
  • By: Brené Brown
  • Narrated by: Brené Brown
  • Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (50,610 ratings)

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The Power of Vulnerability

By: Brené Brown
Narrated by: Brené Brown
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Publisher's summary

Show Up and Let Yourself be Seen

Is vulnerability the same as weakness? “In our culture,” teaches Dr. Brené Brown, “we associate vulnerability with emotions we want to avoid such as fear, shame, and uncertainty. Yet we too often lose sight of the fact that vulnerability is also the birthplace of joy, belonging, creativity, authenticity, and love.” On The Power of Vulnerability, Dr. Brown offers an invitation and a promise - that when we dare to drop the armor that protects us from feeling vulnerable, we open ourselves to the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives. Here she dispels the cultural myth that vulnerability is weakness and reveals that it is, in truth, our most accurate measure of courage.

The Power of Vulnerability is a very personal project for me,” Brené explains. “This is the first place that all of my work comes together. This audio course draws from all three of my books - it’s the culmination of everything I’ve learned over the past twelve years. I'm very excited to weave it all into a truly comprehensive form that shows what these findings and insights can mean in our lives.”

Guidance and Insights for Wholehearted Living

Over the past twelve years, Dr. Brené Brown has interviewed hundreds of people as part of an ongoing study of vulnerability. “The research shows that we try to ward disappointment with a shield of cynicism, disarm shame by numbing ourselves against joy, and circumvent grief by shutting off our willingness to love,” explains Dr. Brown. When we become aware of these patterns, she teaches, we begin to become conscious of how much we sacrifice in the name of self-defense -and how much richer our lives become when we open ourselves to vulnerability.

“In my research,” Dr. Brown says, “the word I use to describe people who can live from a place of vulnerability is wholehearted.” Being wholehearted is a practice—one that we can choose to cultivate through empathy, gratitude, and awareness of our vulnerability armor. Join this engaging and heartfelt teacher on The Power of Vulnerability as she offers profound insights on leaning into the full spectrum of emotions—so we can show up, let ourselves be seen, and truly be all in.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Cultivating shame resilience—the key to developing a sense of worth and belonging.
  • Vulnerability as the origin point for innovation, adaptability, accountability, and visionary leadership.
  • Our emotional armory - how we use perfectionism, numbing, and other tactics to avoid feeling vulnerable.
  • The myths of vulnerability - common misconceptions about weakness, trust, and self-sufficiency.
  • Discovering your vulnerability armor - recognizing what makes us shut down, and how we can change.
  • The 10 guideposts of wholehearted living - essential skills for becoming fully engaged in life.
  • Six hours of stories, warm humor, and transformative insights for living a life of courage, authenticity, and compassion from Dr. Brené Brown.
©2012 Brené Brown (P)2012 Brené Brown

Featured Article: Our Editors Reveal—The Listen that Changed My Life


If you’re an avid listener, chances are you’ve run through more audiobooks than you can count. Whether your favorites are can’t-pause thrillers, eye-opening audio docs, or out-of-this-world sci-fi sagas, you’ve likely built up quite the listening library. But can you recall the listen that changed your life? Did it shape your worldview, offer up a new perspective, or bestow a pivotal life lesson? Read on for some listens that changed the Audible editors' lives.

Editor's Pick

Don’t just show your good side
"'Vulnerability' has become the self dev catchphrase of the moment, and with good reason—most of our issues of confidence, and of intimacy (two keys to personal growth), stem from how we’ve stifled our vulnerability. Brené Brown is the pioneer in this space, and this is her magnum opus on that topic (and not just because of the title). Delivered in her approachable, humorous, humble style, these lessons will make you understand why it’s time to let your guard down: at home, at work, and in love. "
Courtney R., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Power of Vulnerability

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A Must Read

this was a very easy book to listen to. The setting is like a conference and it's very interactive. a good starting book for growth and an area that's not talked about much

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Must read for everyone

Give yourself the greatest gift and read this book! Please. Top 10 books of all time.

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I really needed this

I plan to listen to this book again at least 4 more times to truly incorporate.

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great talk

I honestly thought I was buying the book. but I was happily surprised when I heard Brene's talk. definitely something you can listen to again and again!

hope you enjoy and get as much out of this as I did!

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Vulnerability, courage, compassion, forgiveness

Yet another brilliant book by Brené!! I was held held, captivated once again by her words of inspiration and motivated even further to continue to follow this new path I have embarked on.
There is power in displaying true vulnerability and by doing so, courage only grows.

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loved it

I enjoyed this immensely. I've listened to it twice. It's very relatable and makes me feel like I can make the changes I need to be more empathetic, authentic, and whole hearted. If you are into self improvement I highly recommend this audio book!

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I am glad I gave this a try!

I absolutely enjoyed hearing the author read this presentation! She brought great humor and delivery, I loved her Texas-isms, I am from Texas as well, and they rang very true. I really identified deeply with some topics/traits. Her ending story made me laugh and cry as I thought about how funny(entertaining) my son was when he was young. He has been gone(deceased) for 10 years now, and that thought brought happy and sad tears. Thank you!

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Best book I've ever read

Perfection. Emotional, honest...I'm speechless. This book has changed everything for me. If you really surrender to the content, your life will never be the same.

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Accidental Gold Mine

I came across this by accident and it has been an insightiful adventure. I recommend.

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Great book

This book helped me to understand a lot of things about myself and others around me.

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