Braving the Wilderness

The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone

By: Brené Brown

Narrated by: Brené Brown

Length: 4 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Braving the Wilderness, written and read by Brené Brown.

'True belonging doesn't require us to change who we are. It requires us to be who we are.' Social scientist Brené Brown, PhD, LMSW 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 polarisation. With her trademark mix of research, storytelling and honesty, Brown will again change the cultural conversation while mapping out a clear path to true belonging.

Brown argues that what we're experiencing today is 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 both 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.'

©2017 Brené Brown (P)2017 Random House Audiobooks

Wild Heart

Great perspective on the concept of belonging. Really great takeaways from this book. Excellent read!

Excellent book!

Brene Brown provides compelling data that gave words and titles and context to much of my inner thoughts and inner struggles. Braving the wilderness is indeed a scary concept but listenimg to her confirmed that it is essential. Highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in being authentic and having community.

Not fitting in, belonging

Sometimes you can have people all around you and feel completely lonely. Standing up for compassion, empathy, demonstrating reason, rational thought and understanding can actually make you feel alone. Sometimes feeling compelled to “speak truth to bullshit” while among friends can make you feel like you lost some.

If one or some of these feel true to you. Brene Brown’s book is possibly for you.

Don’t expect a smooth ride, don’t expect not to be challenged! No, no, expect to remember, to rehash, to cringe and to cry, oh yes expect to cry from time to time.

This book is for those wanting to prepare themselves for or perhaps become more comfortable with “not belonging” anywhere, as Brene quotes.

It’s the second book I’ve read from Brene.
There will be many more read.

Thank you Brené

Courage in digestible portions

Absolutely loved this book. The author's narration was excellent. Her connection to the material genuine and authentic. I feel inspired to be a bigger person that lives from that sacred inner space we have mostly been socialised to quiet. Brene has a knack for unmasking and naming all the inner boogey men that hold us at ransom in internal wars we believe belong only to us! She then sheds light on them and uncloaks them to reveal friends who have just been hurt too many times and are now in constant paranoia and alarm. She reminds me of Pema Chodron when she teaches us to love out demons to help them leave us. I recommend for anyone silencing themselves or those close to them. Wanting to live their best and most weird life skillfully.

This is the solution.

We live in difficult times. Standing up for what we believe in can result in backlash. Brené invites us to stand up and stand alone in a way that is confronting, and comforting at the same time. Practical ways to stand together in our unique courageous ways. A must read for any changemaker.

Being Alone

Thank you Brene. Learning to stand alone has been my most painful and rewarding journey.

Unconditional Love

Brilliant explainations and examples of describing ways of being in the context of belonging without compromising yourself while still respecting others.
Loved everything about this book... Especially enjoyed Brene doing her own narration.

Another excellent book by Brene

I have read and enjoyed all of her previous books and the journey that she takes us all on with her. This book was a really enjoyable listen 😊

Life Changing!

I cried as this book finished because I felt I’d been mentored by God, and didn’t want it to end. This book is empowering and to have it narrated by Brené herself is so fantastic!!

Unbelievably Healing for this Moment

Great structure & honest stories full of paradox. Inspiring me to love and live honestly.