Rising Strong

By: Brené Brown

Narrated by: Brené Brown

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

Number one New York Times best seller.

When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write the ending.

Social scientist Brené Brown has ignited a global conversation on courage, vulnerability, shame, and worthiness. Her pioneering work uncovered a profound truth: Vulnerability - the willingness to show up and be seen with no guarantee of outcome - is the only path to more love, belonging, creativity, and joy. But living a brave life is not always easy: We are, inevitably, going to stumble and fall.

It is the rise from falling that Brown takes as her subject in Rising Strong. As a grounded theory researcher, Brown has listened as a range of people - from leaders in Fortune 500 companies and the military to artists, couples in long-term relationships, teachers, and parents - shared their stories of being brave, falling, and getting back up. She asked herself, what do these people with strong and loving relationships, leaders nurturing creativity, artists pushing innovation, and clergy walking with people through faith and mystery have in common? The answer was clear: They recognize the power of emotion, and they’re not afraid to lean in to discomfort.

Walking into our stories of hurt can feel dangerous. But the process of regaining our footing in the midst of struggle is where our courage is tested and our values are forged. Our stories of struggle can be big ones, like the loss of a job or the end of a relationship, or smaller ones, like a conflict with a friend or colleague. Regardless of magnitude or circumstance, the rising strong process is the same: We reckon with our emotions and get curious about what we’re feeling; we rumble with our stories until we get to a place of truth; and we live this process, every day, until it becomes a practice and creates nothing short of a revolution in our lives. Rising strong after a fall is how we cultivate wholeheartedness. It’s the process, Brown writes, that teaches us the most about who we are.

One of Greater Good's favorite books of the year.

©2015 Brené Brown (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

"[Brené 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.... Brené empowers us each to be a little more courageous." (The Huffington Post)

"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)

"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)

Learn to live your life with compassion, integrity and authenticity.

Brene Brown's books provide practical processes and actions that when incorporated into your life support you in living a more authentic life. This book is no exception to that. The listener will learn the Rising Strong process to put into practice. This builds on her other books but it is new material and new stories. It is NOT a rehash of previous work as so many authors do when they write multiple books.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn to lead a life that is full of compassion, integrity and authenticity. Also, I would recommend this to any business leader who wanted their business to be a place for innovation and creativity to thrive.

75 of 80 people found this review helpful

A Gem, But Not Her Best

Sure, I'll say it--I couldn't wait for this audiobook to come out, especially since it's narrated by Brene Brown herself (skipped "Daring Greatly" as I couldn't stomach Karen White's performance. Funny, she's done fine in other things).
I wasn't disappointed; not by a long shot. Who doesn't need to learn how to fail? Everything is covered in this book: Grief, fear, her (neurotic/humorous) search to find that people are doing the best they can with the tools they have, courage, racism, love.
But along with all of it is: Daring, vulnerability, imperfection, shame. All previously done books.
Don't get me wrong. It's information that can be listened to and used time and time again, just expect to hear some of the stories you've heard before if you're a big time fan. And expect to hear it in a bit of a choppy delivery. This is a reading, not a TED talk, so there are only a few casual, intimate moments. Mostly they come when she's relating personal stories, and they're to die for! I do so love the goofball Texan in her!
All in all, I'm very happy to have gotten this (I mean, obviously. I listened to it right away). It'll help me as I submit my novel, and receive rejection after rejection after rejection...
But "The Power of Vulnerability" is still my favorite; I think Brene Brown really, really shines in that Speech.

157 of 172 people found this review helpful

Buying this Book is investing in Yourself.....

Would you listen to Rising Strong again? Why?

I recommend listening to this book and then reading it in hard back so you can mark up the book and/or make notes easier than using the bookmark feature in audible. I did my audible and reading simultaneously. Some of the ideas in this book are not new but what Dr. Brown has done is flesh out so many nuggets I had to start journaling just to keep up.

This is incredible work and the effort she goes to in exposing her own very personal & vulnerable moments, as teaching opportunities, is a testament to her belief in the power of these precepts. I've experienced personal breakthroughs from this book that have already created more positive communication with my spouse and children, not to mention assisted me in understanding other of my demons.

Who was your favorite character and why?

You'll love Sewer Rats & Scofflaws and the story of the "icing wiper". I laughed out loud throughout that entire chapter. How we can all judge! AND, never think about how or why we do it.

Which scene was your favorite?

I think the story about her Me-Ma was touching and very educational. So much of what our grand parents learned (endured) during and around the depression should be learned again. Forgiveness and the ability to receive or ask for help are not discussed or understood near enough these days.

What did you learn from Rising Strong that you would use in your daily life?

I'm a firm believer, and it's now renewed, that for the most part we are all doing the best we can and if we can forgive ourselves for "perceived" failings, we can finally and necessarily forgive others. By far, however, the simple statement, "The story I'm creating sounds like this" has been the most powerfull tool in our family's communication since reading this book. So many false grains of course sand have evolved into smooth pearls of truth. We have to smash those pearls.

Any additional comments?

Find a friend you can trust, or a counselor who will, or has, read this book, and work on it in tandem or in a group setting. Amazing things will happen.........

41 of 45 people found this review helpful

Life Changing!

I immediately listened to the whole thing twice. The first time through to let it sink in uninterrupted and the second to make notes (many) along the way. This is the first of Brene's books I've read and the others are now on my list. I am going out and buying copies for gifts. it should be required reading in schools! Do yourself a favor for life, and soak in this book. It will change the way you do life!

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Never Disappointed

I first heard Brené Brown speak at the 2015 Global Leadership Summit. Within five minutes, my attention was captivated by her stories and delivery. I was soon flipping through my searching for her next upcoming book release date and was even more thrilled when I saw she was narrating it herself.

Her stories are very relatable to me and how she tells it. Rising Strong has helped me realize some of my emotional and character struggles for which I was unable to put into words. Leaning into the vulnerability and letting that "tough guy/gal" guard down is a new concept to me but this book has helped build the encouragement with proper tools. This is an amazing book and adventure into yourself.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Brene' Has Done It AGAIN!

What made the experience of listening to Rising Strong the most enjoyable?

I have read or listened to everything Brene' has ever written. But most of all I love her voice. As she narrates this book it is like being in the same room next to her listening to her tell her story.

What does Brené Brown bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I am an audio learner. I hear and remember things better than just reading. I want to retain as much information as I can, but I will listen to it again in the near future to hear what I may have missed and take notes the next time.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Rising Strong?

All of her advice it timeless. They way I have learned about myself has been through her words and applying vulnerability to my every day life.

Any additional comments?

If you want a life changing experience... listen to this book and every OTHER book Brene' has written! She is awesome! :-)

25 of 30 people found this review helpful

YES

Rising Strong is an excellent follow-up to Daring Greatly. For those of us beginning to explore our vulnerability, it's a bit of a surprise to discover the supremely uncomfortable highs and lows and new intensity of feeling that accompany vulnerability. Support along the way is a must. You'll find it here.

21 of 26 people found this review helpful

A must read

Loved this book. Adulting is hard, but this book is really helpful and inspiring. Got misty eyed more than a few times. Best of all, the strategies are things you can start practicing right away.

28 of 36 people found this review helpful

Better than Daring Greatly

I have to say that I enjoyed this book more than Daring Greatly. Perhaps because I finally see how to get back up with more courage, love, and strength than ever before. I think most us just say get back up and try again and that just getting up leads to positive outcomes. While that is true, there is a difference between getting up and rising strong. Rising strong means not forgetting the second part and wrestling with your feelings and the stories you are making up in your head to create greater connection with others, yourself, and the world around you. This book was powerful in teaching these great lessons. I loved all the stories shared and the lessons and applications are sensible. The only reason I didn’t give the book full marks is because I have listened to an audio of Brene that was recorded in front of a live audience and in that audio you get a better sense of her sense of humor, fun Texas pride, and I felt more connected versus having her just narrate a book. Having said that, it’s still really well done and she does give it her all in the narration. If I hadn’t listened to her live, I would have marked 5 stars across the board.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Wonderfully, Gracefully, Blessfully Presented

I love and admire Brene' Brown's presentation of Rising Strong. I find myself in many facets of the presentation having struggled sooooo long from a childhood trauma that continues to this day. After listening I see where I have tried numerous times to get through only to fall back out of feeling unworthy. Now having realized is it me or is it that I believe in what was done and have given it strength to take over who I know I am and can be. Rising Strong... said what I needed to hear and digest to get that part of me up and running. "Wresting to Rumbling in Truth and Faith"

2 of 2 people found this review helpful