You Are Your Best Thing

Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience

By: Tarana Burke, Brené Brown

Narrated by: Tarana Burke, Brené Brown, the Contributors, Mirron Willis, Bahni Turpin, JD Jackson, L Morgan Lee

New York Times Best Seller • Tarana Burke and Dr. Brené Brown bring together a dynamic group of Black writers, organizers, artists, academics, and cultural figures to discuss the topics the two have dedicated their lives to understanding and teaching: vulnerability and shame resilience.

Contributions by Kiese Laymon, Imani Perry, Laverne Cox, Jason Reynolds, Austin Channing Brown, and more.

Named One of the Best Books of the Year by Marie Claire and Bookriot

It started as a text between two friends.

Tarana Burke, founder of the ‘me too.’ Movement, texted researcher and writer Brené Brown to see if she was free to jump on a call. Brené assumed that Tarana wanted to talk about wallpaper. They had been trading home decorating inspiration boards in their last text conversation so Brené started scrolling to find her latest Pinterest pictures when the phone rang.

But it was immediately clear to Brené that the conversation wasn’t going to be about wallpaper. Tarana’s hello was serious, and she hesitated for a bit before saying, “Brené, you know your work affected me so deeply, but as a Black woman, I’ve sometimes had to feel like I have to contort myself to fit into some of your words. The core of it rings so true for me, but the application has been harder.”

Brené replied, “I’m so glad we’re talking about this. It makes sense to me. Especially in terms of vulnerability. How do you take the armor off in a country where you’re not physically or emotionally safe?”

Long pause.

“That’s why I’m calling,” said Tarana. “What do you think about working together on a book about the black experience with vulnerability and shame resilience?”

There was no hesitation.

Burke and Brown are the perfect pair to usher in this stark, potent collection of essays on black shame and healing. Along with the anthology contributors, they create a space to recognize and process the trauma of white supremacy, a space to be vulnerable and affirm the fullness of black love and black life.

©2021 Tarana Burke, Brené Brown (P)2021 Random House Audio

life changing

these offerings freed my fears, shame, secrets, ancestral suffering and hopes, and daily struggles from underneath the many layers I, we, wrap our lives in to navigate white supremacy, capitalism, and patriarchy. these offerings hugged my humanity, my inner child, the scared and vulnerable and hopeful me. these words felt like love.

incredible

The most honest, beautiful thing I've ever read. Simply incredible. I could not stop listening.

Thank you ALL!!!

Thank you ALL!!! So many emotions as I kept hearing parts of my story over and over again.

Everything I didn’t know I needed

I’ve never laughed, cried, and reflect so much. I’m a big fan of Brene’s work but this is where I saw me specifically. In listening to Tarana at the end, I knew in my bones this was for me. Thank you both!

Connected in so many ways

I really enjoyed this book. The various essays were powerful and impactful.... especially as I am meandering through a life without purpose and feeling attacked. This book of personal writings gave me hope... hope for change, hope for love, hope for healing.

As a teacher, there are some essays I will share with some of my students who are experiencing similar things as the writers. I want these essays to help them see that what they are going through Tia hard, but once you move yourself to start healing, things will get better.

An Unforgettable Expetience

A Book I Never Knew I Need. This book spoke to me on so many different levels! Each essay spoke truth to power and delivered a vibrant mix of live experiences.

Great read

I loved this book. the author is profound! I highly recommend this book for all races to know the struggle black women face, yet, still in America.

We should all read this & hopefully be encouraged

this is a great anthology of relatable experiences around, during, and within the black experience. I feel I have grown just by reading. In addition, I feel more encouraged to share my own experience, so that others may learn... And hopefully not have to repeat the instances of shame and guilt

I am happy I listened to this book...

I especially loved hearing the stories told by the person who wrote it. It was powerful to hear it on their own voices.

Wow

This compilation was so refreshing. Hearing other people's stories, I heard my own and it was nice to know it's not strange or weird the way I was showing up in the world in my work, relationships, and to myself. I've already started the quest to see/listen to what else the authors have out there. I've already recommended it to other sisters in my circle.