Dr. Bren Brown has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy-emotions we all experience, for better or for worse. According to her 10-year-long study on leadership, courage is not only teachable, but is actually a collection of four skill sets: rumbling with vulnerability, living into our values, braving trust, and learning to reset after setbacks, failures and disappointments.
Dr. Brown has been sharing her findings through books like The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Braving the Wilderness, and Dare to Lead; TED Talks including top-rated The Power of Vulnerability ; podcasts like Unlocking Us; and a Netflix special called The Call to Courage. Now, she's bringing her knowledge and curiosity to Spotify in a new multiyear partnership with Spotify and Parcast featuring exclusive content. Soon you'll be able to find her existing podcast, Unlocking Us, exclusively on Spotify and be able to stream new content like Brown's Dare to Lead podcast.
We chatted with Dr. Brown about storytelling, her new Spotify exclusive podcasts, and her dream guests.
In the beginning of your viral 2010 TED Talk, you make the link between being a researcher and a storyteller. How has your thought process about the two identities changed over time? Stories are data with a soul. We are a social species and since the beginning of human history, we've used stories to communicate, connect, and teach. Today, as I dig deeper into two new research areas-leadership and self-awareness-storytelling continues to emerge as central to my work. Both research and storytelling are tools for understanding more about ourselves, each other, and the world. I can't imagine one without the other.
What have you learned in the process of creating your current podcast, Unlocking Us with Bren Brown? I learn something from every single podcast conversation. Almost everything I've learned has either changed something about how I show up as a partner, parent, and leader; changed how I think about myself and the world; or, at the very least, forced me to examine my choices and opinions. Hosting a podcast is the best job ever.
How are researching, writing, and recording a podcast different from doing so for a book? As someone who is insatiably curious, being a researcher, writer, and podcaster are three of the most fun and rewarding jobs I can imagine. I write books to communicate findings to research questions. Researching and recording solo episodes when I take on a topic from my research feels a lot like the process of writing a book about research findings. However, when I prepare for a conversation with a podcast guest, I have no answers, just questions. And the On My Mind episodes are more of a personal exploration about what has me curious at the moment.
Dare to Lead will be your first Spotify Exclusive Original podcast. What topics, concepts, and guests can fans look forward to? The Dare to Lead podcast will be a mix of solo episodes and conversations with change catalysts, culture shifters, and as many troublemakers as possible. Innovating, creating, and building a better, more just world requires daring leadership in every part of our daily lives-from work to home to community. Together, we'll have conversations that help us show up, step up, and dare to lead.
Why did you decide to bring your podcasts to Spotify? I wanted a home for both podcasts, and I wanted it to be a place that felt collaborative, creative, adventurous, and full of music-like my actual house, where you'd find guitar stands in every room and framed pictures of everyone from Willie Nelson and Aretha Franklin to Freddy Fender, Mick Jagger, and Angus Young hanging on my walls. It was also very important to me to build a podcast home where people could continue to listen for free.
What other features can fans find from you on Spotify? How do these accompany the podcasts? In addition to the podcasts, you'll find full playlists from me and mini mixtapes from my guests. Music has the power to connect us and remind us of the one thing that truly matters when we are searching for comfort, celebration, inspiration, or healing: We are not alone. There's going to be so much music! Starting with my takeover of Spotify's Yacht Rock playlist (which was much more challenging to put together than I thought. Ironically, this turns out to be a very controversial genre full of not-so-chill debates).
Who is someone from all of history you wish you could interview on your podcast? Barbara Jordan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Ann Richards, Joan of Arc-I could go on forever. But, if I only had one time-travel pass, I'd use it to play cards and drink sweet tea with my grandmother, Ellen. While listening to Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson.
Follow Dr. Brown's podcast Unlocking Us so you never miss an episode. Additionally, tune in October 19 for her new Spotify exclusive show, Dare to Lead, available for everyone and free on Spotify.
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
03/06/2026
Step sequencer-style panning tool revealed
Alongside their flagship self-titled sound-design platform, Sound Particles offer an array of creative effects an...
03/06/2026
Now features full H90 algorithm library
Eventide have announced the upcoming launch of the H9 Harmonizer Gen 2, a new and improved version of their hugely p...
03/06/2026
Significant discount available until 1 October 2026
Aim Audio have just announced a promotion that sees a significant discount applied to their Essence micr...
03/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to supply CERTIUM advanced communications system to Memmingen Ai...
03/06/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
03/06/2026
RT confirms multi-channel and free to air coverage of the expanded tournament with enhanced digital features and the return of Total Football for young fans
S...
03/06/2026
03 Jun 2026
VEON to Release 2Q26 Earnings on July 31, 2026 Dubai and New York, June 3, 2026 - VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator ( VEON or t...
03/06/2026
RT has today announced Heineken 0.0 as the broadcast sponsor of their FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage.
The sponsorship, brokered by Dentsu, will see Heineken 0....
02/06/2026
Musically intelligent soft synth gets upgraded
Scaler Music will be probably be best known to many for their music theory tools, but their product range al...
02/06/2026
Powerful new vocal-production tool announced
Described as a vocal performance station , Klevgrand's latest plug-in combines pitch-correction with harmo...
02/06/2026
Launched alongside Go Green sale extension
McDSP have just released the latest addition to their APB line-up, DC-2 Dual Compressor, and have also announced ...
02/06/2026
Create custom tools for Ableton Live 12 Suite
Ableton have just introduced a new open JavaScript toolkit that allows anyone to create their own custom tools...
02/06/2026
Now features full H90 algorithm library
Eventide have announced the upcoming launch of the H9 Harmonizer Gen 2, a new and improved version of their hugely p...
02/06/2026
Plus UAD Half Yearly Sale now live
The latest arrival to the Universal Audio range delivers a new native pitch-correction plug-in that's capable of deli...
02/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to present comprehensive performance, conformance and spectrum-m...
02/06/2026
BTL Laboratory becomes Taiwan's first test house with a CTIA Certification c...
02/06/2026
If you've kept up with this article series, you know by now where to start w...
02/06/2026
With new DSP configurations and flexible licensing options, Calrec is removing the barriers to virtualised audio, giving broadcasters the freedom to scale produ...
02/06/2026
02 Jun 2026
VEON Closes USD 1.4 Billion Bond Offering, Refinancing 2027 Notes A...
02/06/2026
Praise for series three:
The Times - sun-dappled pleasure
The Daily Mail - The Homes Counties' Charlie's Angels
The Sun - 4* this [is an] enjoya...
02/06/2026
Wuppertal June 2, 2026
Gudrun Scharler Appointed CEO of Riedel Networks The Riedel Group today announced the appointment of Gudrun Scharler as CEO of Riedel N...
02/06/2026
Trust has become a commercial issue With global advertising spend forecast to exceed US$1 trillion this year*, the commercial consequences of weak governance co...
02/06/2026
June sees Ireland's cultural calendar in full bloom, as RT Supporting the Arts showcases a vibrant and wide-ranging programme spanning music, theatre, visu...
02/06/2026
After The Traitors Ireland launched in 2025, Irish audiences proved to have a taste for the global hit reality show. This Bank Holiday Monday fans can indulge e...
01/06/2026
Category line-up & sponsors announced
Photo: Paul Clarke
The Production Music Awards (PMA) have announced that submissions are now officially open ahead of...
01/06/2026
New hybrid sample/synthesis instrument revealed
Excite Audio have just released the latest instalment in their Evolve series, which has been developed in co...
01/06/2026
Latest TONEX expansion captures three rare vintage amps
The newest addition to IK Multimedia's ever-growing TONEX line-up introduces a set of three incr...
01/06/2026
Musically intelligent soft synth gets upgraded
Scaler Music will be probably be best known to many for their music theory tools, but their product range al...
01/06/2026
Rohde & Schwarz Satellite Industry Days 2026 guided by the motto From Earth to ...
01/06/2026
Luxembourg, June 1, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, and Viva, Mexico's ultra low-cost airline, launched fast and reliable multi-orbit satelli...
01/06/2026
Mardi 2 juin 14h00
FilmLight (ARRI), 10 rue Ren Boulanger, 75010 Paris
Rejoignez-nous pour d couvrir comment FLAPI (l'API FilmLight) peut transformer e...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
29/05/2026
The days are getting longer, the temperatures are rising, and playlists are filling up for the season. With summer around the corner, Spotify's global edito...
29/05/2026
New retro-inspired MPC announced
There are few devices that have gained the status held by Akai Pro's MPC range, and in recent years, the company have s...
29/05/2026
Save up to 30 on acclaimed titles
Following a successful launch at Superbooth 2026, Bjooks have revealed that they will be continuing the Kickstarter campa...
29/05/2026
Binaural monitoring application improved
Genelec have just released an update that brings some powerful new features to their HRTF-based binaural headphone ...
29/05/2026
6 June 2026 at SAE Institute, London, UK
IMSTA FESTA 2026 is almost upon us, with some of the biggest names in pro-audio set to descend upon SAE Institute i...
29/05/2026
cetecom advanced certifies Rohde & Schwarz test solution for hybrid and Next Gen...
29/05/2026
May 29 2026, 09:00 (PDT) Dolby and rednote Bring More Immersive Storytelling to...
29/05/2026
Youtube exclusive special drops today
Watch now
UKTV today announces another e...
29/05/2026
Genelec announces V2.1 for Aural ID binaural headphone monitoring application posted: 29/05/2026
Aural ID 2.1 enhances binaural monitoring for stereo and ...
29/05/2026
At just 20 years old, Sean Melia from Summerhill Co. Meath has been revealed as the winner of Super Garden 2026. Sean is the youngest ever contestant and winner...
28/05/2026
Thomsons Climate Crisis Toolkit is already being put to work, helping journalist...
28/05/2026
A little refresh can go a long way. We've been making behind-the-scenes upda...
28/05/2026
Since early last year, our quarterly Creator Milestone Awards have celebrated podcasts from around the world that hit major streaming milestones on Spotify. Tod...
28/05/2026
New software-based MIDI multi-clock announced
Rapid Flow have just announced the launch of a new MIDI utility plug-in that aims to solve one of the most per...
Dr. Bren Brown has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy-emotions we all experience, for better or for worse. According to her 10-year-long study on leadership, courage is not only teachable, but is actually a collection of four skill sets: rumbling with vulnerability, living into our values, braving trust, and learning to reset after setbacks, failures and disappointments.
