What It Takes to Heal

How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World

By: Prentis Hemphill

Narrated by: Prentis Hemphill

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From one of the most prominent voices in the trauma conversation comes a groundbreaking new way to heal on a personal and a collective level, showing us that we don’t have to carry our emotional burdens alone.

“I love this book.”—Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score

“In a time when so many of us are being trained in cynicism, this book stands in necessary defiance.”—Cole Arthur Riley, author of Black Liturgies and This Here Flesh

What It Takes to Heal asserts that the principles of embodiment—the recognition of our body’s sensations and habits, and the beliefs that inform them—are critical to lasting healing and change. Hemphill, an expert embodiment practitioner, therapist, and activist who has partnered with Brené Brown, Tarana Burke, and Esther Perel, among others, demonstrates a future in which healing is done in community. Hemphill weaves together stories from their own experience as a trauma survivor with clinical accounts and lessons learned from their time as a social movement architect. They ask, “What would it do to movements, to our society and culture, to have the principles of healing at the very center? And what does it do to have healing at the center of every structure and everything we create?”

In this life-affirming framework for the way forward, Hemphill shows us how to heal our bodies, minds, and souls—to develop the interpersonal skills necessary to break down the doors of disconnection and take the necessary risks to reshape our world toward justice.

©2024 Prentis Hemphill (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“In the tradition of James Baldwin, Hemphill invites us in close and personal to experience life, pain, beauty, injustice, and healing. I’ll read this again and again.”—Staci K. Haines, author of The Politics of Trauma

“This book reckons with our major issues—trauma, race, social upheaval—and opens us up to the possibility that everything actually could be different. And it does so one gorgeous sentence after the next.”—Resmaa Menakem, author of My Grandmother’s Hands

“This book will be both the ‘aha’ moment and the balm for so many people who are saddled with vacant platitudes that don’t give them a way forward. It is what we need in this moment and will be foundational for generations to come.”—Tarana Burke, author of Unbound

Really well written and even amazing on audio book.

Great lay out. Loved most of the book a few things I don’t agree with,but that’s all books tho.

What it Takes to Heal

This Audiobook was really enjoyable and it gave away so many Nuggets of wisdom! 5 stars 🌟 !

This book helped me navigate a breakup

Broken open by the reflections shared. 10/10 recommend this book. Now I need the physical copy to do a closer read.

A clear roadmap to liberation and healing!

One of the best books I have read this year! Very raw and informative look at how complex and simple healing is.

A deep, healing experience

Words escape me when trying to express what this book has meant to me. The love and intention that this was created with come through on each page. This book filled me with hope that healing is possible, not just for me, but for so many. These are scary times, but Prentis brings forth wisdom and insight that gives me strength to move forward. Thank you.

Amazing audiobook.

I loved this audiobook so much. Highly recommend listening and reading their book. So many important lessons to hear and take in. Incredible listen for these times.

Exceptional

Won’t be the last time I listen to this. Treasure these words and will take them as I go

Profound, necessary and beautiful 🌟

This book of healing is a must read for all humans living within these times of transformation which have an inclination and wish to heal. Or just curious about what healing means. This book is like acupuncture of words weaving knowledge into the open mind of the listener. Opening doors to understanding what it takes to heal both personal and on a societal scale. The audiobook is beautifully narrated by the author, and as there are some profound insights, I am debating getting the book just so I can highlight these eloquent words. This is the sort of book you want the world to know about, and I will recommend it to everyone, starting with my reading group friends. We are on a healing journey together and this book can unlock constricted doors and blockages in a profound way. Enjoy!!!

Grateful and right on time

Thank you Prentis for sharing these thoughts, experiences, and courage. I feel gathered and held by what you have given us at this time when these conditions call for it most.

I joined a book club for this book without knowing the book.

I am so glad this book was brought into my experience. Reading and thinking about it and being able to discuss it with others has brought a whole perspective to me. What a great opportunity to talk about ourselves with others and what this book encouraged us to talk about and the feelings that this book bubbled to the surface within us.
This is a great book and I’m so glad I was guided to it and this experience by, what I believe, was the Universe. I love digging deep to better myself, but had not until now had an opportunity to practice with others. Can we grow truly all by ourselves?