Brené Brown: Listening to shame

Dr. Brené Brown. You should remember her from "The power of vulnerability." If not, go watch that video now, before you watch this, because this one follows on, albeit over a year later.

Shame is an unspoken epidemic, the secret behind many forms of broken behavior. Brené Brown, whose earlier talk on vulnerability became a viral hit, explores what can happen when people confront their shame head-on. Her own humor, humanity and vulnerability shine through every word.

This is a 20 minute video. You know the routine: comfortable chair, cup of coffee. It will be worth your time.

The power of vulnerability

Vulnerability. I didn't expect it, but the term came up several times at a recent meeting of my writers' group. And that just happened to be the day after Brian McDonald told me about this video.

Dr. Brené Brown is a "researcher/ storyteller" as well as a professor at the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work. She studies human connection—our ability to empathize, belong, love. She is the author of I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't) and The Gifts of Imperfection. In this poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself, as well as to understand humanity.

The video runs for 20 minutes. Get yourself a cup of coffee and settle down in a comfortable chair. It's going to be worth your time. I know that what Brené Brown shares is true. 

My father was a violent alcoholic who abandoned us when I was nine. That was something I was incapable of talking about back when I was old enough to finally escape the place where I grew up. I was about as closed off emotionally as was possible. It wasn't until I met the lady who is now my wife that I began to let it go, just a little. The result was uncontrollable weeping. And I mean, uncontrollable. My worst memory of that stage was standing at a bus stop on Anzac Highway—about the most public place imaginable— and crying and crying and crying. I had years of feelings pent up. Once they started to break out, they just kept on coming. I needed to accept my vulnerability, rather than try to hide it, in order to live a full life. 

But don't take my word for it, listen to an expert.

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