logo
episode-header-image
Sep 30
41m 22s

Brené Brown on courageous leadership

TED
About this episode

Brené Brown is a researcher, storyteller, and author who hosts the podcast Dare to Lead and has given some of the most popular TED Talks of all time. Brené joins Adam live at Authors@Wharton to talk about her new book, Strong Ground. They discuss how to identify your core values, what courageous leadership looks like, and whether vulnerability has gained popularity. They also address the problems with “executive presence,” compare notes on how to have hard conversations and set boundaries, debate the merits of the “tush push,” and reflect on what Brené learned from working with FBI hostage negotiators.


Follow

Host: Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: adamgrant.net/)

Guest: Brené Brown (Instagram: @brenebrown | Website: https://brenebrown.com/


Links

Strong Ground by Brené Brown

List of all Brené Brown’s books: https://brenebrown.com/books-audio


Subscribe to TED 

Instagram: @ted

YouTube: @TED

TikTok: @tedtoks

LinkedIn: @ted-conferences

Website: ted.com

Podcasts: ted.com/podcasts

For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/rethinking-with-adam-grant-transcripts


ReThinking is produced by Cosmic Standard. Our Senior Producer is Jessica Glazer, our Engineer is Aja Simpson, our Technical Director is Jacob Winik, and our Executive Producer is Eliza Smith.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Nov 18
Talking people out of hate with Daryl Davis and former neo-Nazi Jeff Schoep
<p>The Ku Klux Klan is one of the tightest-knit White supremacist groups in America—once someone joins, they’re usually in for life. But since the 1980s, over 200 members have renounced their affiliation, and all give credit to the same man: a Black jazz musician named Daryl Davi ... Show More
41m 39s
Nov 11
Living each day like it’s your first with Suleika Jaouad
Suleika Jaouad is the author of the memoir Between Two Kingdoms and the new Book of Alchemy—she’s also a lifelong journaler. In this episode, Adam and Suleika reflect on how Suleika’s journaling practice has helped her through cancer, discuss the art and science of journaling, an ... Show More
42m 1s
Nov 4
Malala Yousafzai on redefining resilience and prioritizing joy
Malala Yousafzai is an activist for girls’ education and women’s empowerment, and the youngest Nobel Peace Laureate in history. In her new book, Finding My Way, is her effort to take control of her story after becoming a public figure at a young age. In this episode, Malala and A ... Show More
44m 13s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 30
ReThinking: Brené Brown on courageous leadership
Brené Brown is a researcher, storyteller, and author who hosts the podcast Dare to Lead and has given some of the most popular TED Talks of all time. Brené joins Adam live at Authors@Wharton to talk about her new book, Strong Ground. They discuss how to identify your core values, ... Show More
41m 22s
Oct 20
Brené Brown on courageous leadership | from ReThinking with Adam Grant
Brené Brown is a researcher, storyteller, and author who hosts the podcast Dare to Lead and has given some of the most popular TED Talks of all time. Brené joins Adam live at Authors@Wharton to talk about her new book, Strong Ground. They discuss how to identify your core values, ... Show More
41m 55s
Jul 2025
ReThinking: Jacinda Ardern on leading with empathy and overcoming self-doubt
<p>When Jacinda Ardern was thrown into the race for New Zealand’s prime ministry just months before the general election in 2017, she had no intention of even running for the position—but she knew it was her responsibility to become the leader her country needed. In this episode, ... Show More
38m 57s
Sep 20
(#4) Elise’s Top Ten: The power of vulnerability | Brené Brown
<p>Brené Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a 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. A talk to share.</p><p><br></p><hr>< ... Show More
21m 46s
May 2025
WorkLife: The dangers of identity capitalism with Jia Tolentino
<p>In this season of WorkLife, we’re pairing each of our regular episodes with a companion interview to do a deeper dive into the topic. This is the deeper dive for our episode on the case against personal branding. Jia Tolentino is a writer at <em>The New Yorker, </em>screenwrit ... Show More
34m 52s
Sep 2
ReThinking: Fixing social media with Pinterest CEO Bill Ready
<p>On social media, enragement is often used to drive engagement. But what if the algorithm was tuned to what makes us feel good? As the CEO of Pinterest, Bill Ready is leading changes to his platform in the hopes of inspiring change in the tech industry. He and Adam examine step ... Show More
35m 20s
Aug 3
Sunday Pick: Ai Weiwei | Design Matters
<p>Ai Weiwei joins to discuss his new memoir “1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows,” depicting a century-long epic tale of China told through a story of his family.</p><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' r ... Show More
50m 29s
Sep 2
What’s behind the rise of far right politics in Europe | Daphne Halikiopoulou
<p>Far-right parties are gaining popularity worldwide. Why is that? Political researcher Daphne Halikiopoulou reveals how rising leaders tap into people’s economic insecurities and distrust of institutions in order to cleverly rebrand their right-wing policies.</p><p><br></p><hr> ... Show More
10m 43s
Jun 2025
WorkLife: Generational differences are vastly exaggerated
<p>There are 5 different generations in the workplace today, and strong views can lead to conflict between age groups. But are generational differences really the problem? In this episode, Adam investigates the root causes of age stereotypes, why they hold us all back, and how to ... Show More
25m 44s
Apr 2024
Candid Convo: Jo Piazza: The Art of Self-Promotion
<p>Jo Piazza joins us this week to talk about her latest book, “The Sicilian Inheritance” that is sure to be the book of the summer. As a journalist, author, and fellow podcast host, Jo has learned to adapt to the growing influencer economy, pulling inspiration from women like th ... Show More
38m 47s