• The Power of Vulnerability

  • Teachings of Authenticity, Connection, and Courage
  • By: Brené Brown
  • Narrated by: Brené Brown
  • Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (50,598 ratings)

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The Power of Vulnerability

By: Brené Brown
Narrated by: Brené Brown
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Publisher's summary

Show Up and Let Yourself be Seen

Is vulnerability the same as weakness? “In our culture,” teaches Dr. Brené Brown, “we associate vulnerability with emotions we want to avoid such as fear, shame, and uncertainty. Yet we too often lose sight of the fact that vulnerability is also the birthplace of joy, belonging, creativity, authenticity, and love.” On The Power of Vulnerability, Dr. Brown offers an invitation and a promise - that when we dare to drop the armor that protects us from feeling vulnerable, we open ourselves to the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives. Here she dispels the cultural myth that vulnerability is weakness and reveals that it is, in truth, our most accurate measure of courage.

The Power of Vulnerability is a very personal project for me,” Brené explains. “This is the first place that all of my work comes together. This audio course draws from all three of my books - it’s the culmination of everything I’ve learned over the past twelve years. I'm very excited to weave it all into a truly comprehensive form that shows what these findings and insights can mean in our lives.”

Guidance and Insights for Wholehearted Living

Over the past twelve years, Dr. Brené Brown has interviewed hundreds of people as part of an ongoing study of vulnerability. “The research shows that we try to ward disappointment with a shield of cynicism, disarm shame by numbing ourselves against joy, and circumvent grief by shutting off our willingness to love,” explains Dr. Brown. When we become aware of these patterns, she teaches, we begin to become conscious of how much we sacrifice in the name of self-defense -and how much richer our lives become when we open ourselves to vulnerability.

“In my research,” Dr. Brown says, “the word I use to describe people who can live from a place of vulnerability is wholehearted.” Being wholehearted is a practice—one that we can choose to cultivate through empathy, gratitude, and awareness of our vulnerability armor. Join this engaging and heartfelt teacher on The Power of Vulnerability as she offers profound insights on leaning into the full spectrum of emotions—so we can show up, let ourselves be seen, and truly be all in.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Cultivating shame resilience—the key to developing a sense of worth and belonging.
  • Vulnerability as the origin point for innovation, adaptability, accountability, and visionary leadership.
  • Our emotional armory - how we use perfectionism, numbing, and other tactics to avoid feeling vulnerable.
  • The myths of vulnerability - common misconceptions about weakness, trust, and self-sufficiency.
  • Discovering your vulnerability armor - recognizing what makes us shut down, and how we can change.
  • The 10 guideposts of wholehearted living - essential skills for becoming fully engaged in life.
  • Six hours of stories, warm humor, and transformative insights for living a life of courage, authenticity, and compassion from Dr. Brené Brown.
©2012 Brené Brown (P)2012 Brené Brown

Featured Article: The 20 Best Psychology Audiobooks


Everyone is affected by human psychology and learning about the field is not only interesting; it can also impact our development. Comprehending psychology is a way for us to gain greater understanding of ourselves and others—whether it’s through basic connection or a deeper dive into our psyche. We’ve put together the 20 best psychology audiobooks to help you master the workings of the human mind and keep your thinking sharp, insightful, and aware.

Editor's Pick

Don’t just show your good side
"'Vulnerability' has become the self dev catchphrase of the moment, and with good reason—most of our issues of confidence, and of intimacy (two keys to personal growth), stem from how we’ve stifled our vulnerability. Brené Brown is the pioneer in this space, and this is her magnum opus on that topic (and not just because of the title). Delivered in her approachable, humorous, humble style, these lessons will make you understand why it’s time to let your guard down: at home, at work, and in love. "
Courtney R., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Power of Vulnerability

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The audio makes all the difference.

If you could sum up The Power of Vulnerability in three words, what would they be?

Comforting, Insightful, Fun

Have you listened to any of Brené Brown’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't. I wish she were the narrator of all her audiobooks. I want to buy more of them, but I'm afraid to be disappointed!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Two things really struck me. The first was her assertion that we don't call shame "shame," and people want to avoid the subject. The second was her description of perfectionism as a "20-ton shield" we carry.

Any additional comments?

I don't think reading this in print would even compare to the listening experience. I'd hear it in my own voice - and this message is something that I needed to be "told."

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326 people found this helpful

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Powerful, moving, and painful at times

This book has made such a meaningful impact on me and my life. I urge the listener to listen in small chunks then take the time to reflect. There were several moments that reduced me to tears.

Also, I am a 46 year old male attorney. The concepts Brene Brown talks about are universal.

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232 people found this helpful

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Great for everyone!

My therapist suggested this read when I was having trouble finding compassion for selfish family and friends. This book changed my mindset in many ways especially with issues I believed I was doing great with. I bring up chapters from this audiobook to discuss in therapy and it has helped build on solutions and personal goals. Highly recommend!!

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160 people found this helpful

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Not a book but loved it.

I was initially disappointed that this was a live recording of Brene Brown teaching, but ended up loving the content!

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155 people found this helpful

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Wonderful!

I loved this talk. I have listened to, "The Gifts of Imperfection," "Daring Greatly," and her 2 hour talk on parenting. I think this talk is the best overall. If you only buy one of her downloads, I would buy this one. She covers all the topics in the other books. The format is great, Brene is a brilliant speaker. When you listen, it sounds like she is talking to you personally, not to a room full of people. (You can hear people laugh and clap, but the audio is recorded well and it is not annoying.) A great listen! One I will refer to many times when I need some guidance and an extra boost of confidence. Thanks Brene!

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144 people found this helpful

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Um wow

I am not entirely sure what to say about this audio book. I am still a little emotional after the end. Brene touches every sensitive nerve in my body.

I picked up this book because of what I do every day. I coach teams at work. I coach the tech geeks on how to work together. It struck me when I saw the title, that the way they trust me is by me showing vulnerability.

What I didn't realize, is all the places that this book would take me. The part about play struck such a nerve, that I ordered the book called play by Stuart Brown.

I love that this seems to be a recording of a seminar. It makes you feel like you were there because she speaks with full emotion. I will listen to this again and order daring greatly. And hope that I get to see brene speak in person someday.

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108 people found this helpful

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Book for Everyone

The beginning of the audiobook starts off with a recording of the author's appearance on TED Talks. Instead of listening to it, watch the video so you can see her expressions and gestures (which adds to the humor in the story).

If you've ever made a mistake and beat yourself up for it, this book is for you. So essentially, this book is for everyone. Instead of complicating our lives and guarding our insecurities, we can learn to accept that we're all human, appreciate our courage and frailty, enjoy life more fully, and live more authentically.

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93 people found this helpful

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Soothed my soul even better than Ben & Jerry's!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and ended it with a smile and realistically hopeful ways to calm the chaos in my life (and head). I CAN be the better person I've always wanted to be!
Loved loved loved the narration by the author, laughed when she laughed and at times teared up because I know very well what it's like to be lost in shame. Thank you, Dr. Brown, for showing me how to recognize and deal with that very counterproductive thought process. I live with major depression and generalized anxiety disorder and your words have helped me to feel better and more hopeful. HUGE accomplishment. HUGE.

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Vulnerable?

Some funny anecdotes, motivational speeches and interesting points, but ultimately, I don't think that it made a very strong case for vulnerability. Dr. Brown is clearly a strong, accomplished woman and the vulnerabilities that she shared struck me as only surface deep compared to what many women have to face in their personal and professional lives. I would have appreciated detailed examples of other people and their struggles with vulnerability.

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A must listen to! For me anyway :)

What made the experience of listening to The Power of Vulnerability the most enjoyable?

This book as Brene Brown's other book has help me understand why things come to my mind as they do. Being a man that's not wired to think about feelings and not even talk about them! This with her other books has realy help me to take and not be afraid to say how I feel about what ever. Thanks so much to Brene Brown for your work! and please don't stop looking and doing what you love.

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47 people found this helpful