Brené Brown, PhD, is a research professor at the University of Houston, Texas, United States. She has been involved in studying and doing research about vulnerability, courage, authenticity, empathy and shame for the past decade. But it was the 2010 TEDx talk (video above) that made her immensely popular.
Her talk about Vulnerability is considered one of the most successful TED talks of all time with over 12 million views. “Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage” Brown says.

The most important work

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead.
- In this book (New York Times Bestseller) Brown challenges everything we know about vulnerability based on 12 years of research. She point out that vulnerability is not weakness, but rather our clearest path to courage, engagement, and meaningful connection.

Free resources

  • TED Talk Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability (video above)
  • TED Talk Brené Brown: Listening to shame (video)
  • 99U Brené Brown: Why Your Critics Aren’t The Ones Who Count (video below)
  • Sounds True: The Self-Acceptance Project (video series)
    • Session 9: Developing Shame Resilience with Brené Brown, PhD, LMSW
  • How She Really Does It - phone interview with Brené Brown (audio)
  • Smart People Podcast - phone interview with Brené Brown (audio)
  • On Being: Brené Brown on the Courage to be Vulnerable (audio below)


Brené Brown: Why Your Critics Aren’t The Ones Who Count

Academic Career

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work, University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work, 2002
  • Master of Social Work, University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work, 1996
    • Concentration: Political Social Work
    • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (link)
  • Bachelor of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 1995
    • Recipient of the Booker T. Washington Scholarship for Academic Achievement
    • Recipient of the UT School of Social Work Project Prepare Stipend for Commitment to Children’s Issues.

Website: www.brenebrown.com
Twitter: @brenebrown
Facebook: www.facebook.com/brenebrown