46. Brené Brown

On March 15, 2020 - the first Sunday of the pandemic - Brené had on-line “church.” The whole world was wobbly and shaky and no-one really knew what was going on, and Brené posted on Instagram that she was holding “Church” on Sunday night at 7.

I didn’t really know what this meant, but if Brené was doing it, I was there.

So there she was in a flowery shirt and hoop earrings, sitting in her house just like we were all sitting in ours. “Church” turned out to be a 15-minute world gathering of Brené fans. There was the sermon about what to do when you feel like punching someone in the face. And there were some of her friends singing. And there were a few awkward silences. And it was all very comforting. The world was going crazy, but we were connected.

Brené started her career by studying connection. She believes that connection is why we are here, and she wanted to know more about it. She wanted to research messy topics. To measure them and fix them.

Brené is a kick-ass take-no-prisoners kind of person, and her research led her to some places she didn’t want to go.

She discovered that vulnerability is the core of fear and shame  – yes, fine, all good. No one wants to be vulnerable.

But also that vulnerability is the birthplace of joy and creativity belonging and love – no, not good, how can that be?

She wanted to research messy topics. To measure them and fix them. She didn't want to learn something terrible and terrifying like vulnerability is important. Maybe the most important. Because that is where we get our connection.

So I love Brené because she is the perfect person to lead the way for us. Vulnerability is so hard won for her. And she keeps at it. Publicly. Sharing her research and her findings and yes, as terrifying as it is . . . her vulnerability.