Braving the Wilderness

The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone

By: Brené Brown

Narrated by: Brené Brown

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK • A timely and important book that challenges everything we think we know about cultivating true belonging in our communities, organizations, and culture, from the #1 bestselling author of Rising Strong, Daring Greatly, and The Gifts of Imperfection

Don’t miss the five-part Max docuseries Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart!

“True belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are. It requires us to be who we are.” Social scientist Brené Brown, PhD, MSW, has sparked a global conversation about the experiences that bring meaning to our lives—experiences of courage, vulnerability, love, belonging, shame, and empathy. In Braving the Wilderness, Brown redefines what it means to truly belong in an age of increased polarization. With her trademark mix of research, storytelling, and honesty, Brown will again change the cultural conversation while mapping a clear path to true belonging.

Brown argues that we’re experiencing a spiritual crisis of disconnection, and introduces four practices of true belonging that challenge everything we believe about ourselves and each other. She writes, “True belonging requires us to believe in and belong to ourselves so fully that we can find sacredness both in being a part of something and in standing alone when necessary. But in a culture that’s rife with perfectionism and pleasing, and with the erosion of civility, it’s easy to stay quiet, hide in our ideological bunkers, or fit in rather than show up as our true selves and brave the wilderness of uncertainty and criticism. But true belonging is not something we negotiate or accomplish with others; it’s a daily practice that demands integrity and authenticity. It’s a personal commitment that we carry in our hearts.” Brown offers us the clarity and courage we need to find our way back to ourselves and to each other. And that path cuts right through the wilderness. Brown writes, “The wilderness is an untamed, unpredictable place of solitude and searching. It is a place as dangerous as it is breathtaking, a place as sought after as it is feared. But it turns out to be the place of true belonging, and it’s the bravest and most sacred place you will ever stand.”

Critic reviews

Praise for Brené Brown’s Rising Strong

“[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. . . . [She] empowers us each to be a little more courageous.”—The Huffington Post

“It is inevitable—we will fall. We will fail. We will not know how to react or what to do. No matter how or when it happens, we will all have a choice—do we get up or not? Thankfully, Brené Brown is there with an outstretched arm to help us up.”—Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why and Leaders Eat Last

“With a fresh perspective that marries research and humor, Brown offers compassion while delivering thought-provoking ideas about relationships—with others and with oneself.”—Publishers Weekly

devoured

This book is stunning, even more so than Brene's earlier works. It is a timely, Noble and brave message for us to contemplate. I want to buy this for everyone I know. Since I'm not rich, I'll settle for exploring my own copy over and over until it does it's work in me.

Thank you, Brene. Your work is not in vain.

Beautiful!

Somehow she just keeps getting better and better and sharing her gifts with the world so we can join her in getting better and better

Really, really liked this book

Brene Brown is able to describe the most substantial challenges we face in our every-day lives- including what I may think or feel about a broad range of troubling issues- but simply do not have the words, training nor sophistication to articulate. She nails examples of dehumanization (past and present) that provide a platform for the aggressive rhetoric that is tearing us apart as individuals, families, communities and a nation. Building on her previous work, she continues to lead me into the realization that I have a choice with every interaction and conversation to either build connection by being authentic, or become more isolated. I want to listen (and read) this book again and again.

Brene Brown's work is a life changer

I have read and listened to many of Brene's works. The first book The Power of Vulnerability was recommended by my therapist as she recognized my deep struggle with myself and my relationships. The knowledge gained was not only a life changer for myself but for a friend from who I was estranged that had lost her son tragically two years prior. Brene once again reassures me to keep showing up for myself and that it is better to dance in the wilderness than feel lonely in the crowded place of 'fitting in'. Brene Brown is my hero!!

Brown does it again!

Brene has a unique way of making the reader feel right at home with her Southern drawl and easy demeanor, while at the same time oozing academia. A serious researcher and a girl next door -at the same time. Brilliant work yet again!

First Brene Brown experience and it was GREAT

I am blown away and looking forward to reading other Brene Brown titles. Also considering this book to begin a new book club.

Incredible

This is powerful, important. We all need to hear this. Everyone of us needs to read or listen to this book.

Beyond Phenomenal

I've been a fan of Brene's work for a long time. This book is her best yet!
A must read for all.

Brave Me Alone Like Everyone Else

Breńe wrote a great book. Very wise and inspiring but all full of the same information everyone else has written. A great deal of it resonates with me. It was very heart felt but also started to sound repetitive. Overall I enjoyed her take on the world and how to heal it. I like her touch and felt she and the book serves its purpose. I would recommend it and it was worth the listen.

May I be so brace

May I be brave enough to embrace the truths of this book. Standing alone and belonging to ourselves requires some adjustments to our thinking. Brene' puts out the data and challenges me again.