Brené Brown Junkie

A couple of years ago I started reading devouring books, podcasts, TED talks and blogs that were bent in the direction of positive psychology, aka "happiness."  It started as a personal interest but was instantly relevant to my work world as well.  There is a slew of notable people who have had an impact on me and most of them are in my links to the right of your screen.

One stands out in particular: Brené Brown.  Maybe it is because I just finished her audio series on The Power of Vulnerability but she is really so... great.  Accessible, heart-warming, realistic, relatable and so insightful.  I've read her books, track her on FB, check in on the blog and have watched the TED talks (1 and 2) multiple times each.

These are all great but what I like most is listening to her talk.

So for my fellow Brené Brown (BB) junkies, here is a run down of all the interviews & podcasts I've hunted up:

• TED Radio Hour: Making Mistakes, a conversation about her TED talk on shame.  It is nice to get a less formal conversation about the great TED talk.
• Smart People Podcast.  This BB stalking led me to my new favoritest podcast.  They interview a lot of the same people that make the TED, FreshAir, etc rounds but I find the Smart People Podcast interviews resonate more with me. 
• On Being: The Courage to Be Vulnerable.  A quieter, reflective take on the topic - as you should expect from the lovely Krista Tippet.
• Chase Jarvis Live: Brené Brown.  I haven't listened to to it yet but they discuss cultivating creativity.
• Catalyst Project: Dr. Brené Brown & Dr. Henry Cloud.  Another I haven't yet listened to yet! Henry Cloud wrote Boundaries for Leaders so perhaps that title explains a bit about the content.
• The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings on Authenticity, Connection, and Courage.  I thought it was an audio version of a printed book but it is actually a six disc recording of a six part workshop.  It is edited, polished, well produced and all that but unscripted and conversational.  It is one I plan on going back to regularly.  Be not afraid of the six hours!

The Man in the Arena

It is not the critic who counts;

not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,

or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,

whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;

who strives valiantly;

who errs, who comes short again and again,

because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;

but who does actually strive to do the deeds;

who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions;

who spends himself in a worthy cause; 

who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,

and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly,

so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls 

who neither know victory nor defeat.

        - Teddy Roosevelt, by way of Brené Brown

Enjoy!