There’s a reason Brené Brown has spent decades at the center of some of the most important conversations about what it means to be human, she has a rare gift for taking the things we all feel but rarely say out loud and giving them language, weight, and dignity. Unlocking Us is that gift in podcast form. Equal parts research and raw honesty, each episode invites you into the kind of conversation most people only have at their most vulnerable, about shame, courage, grief, joy, belonging, and everything in between.
If you’re ready to dive in, here are the episodes that listeners and longtime fans keep coming back to again and again.
Brené with Dolly Parton on Songtelling, Empathy, and Shining Our Lights
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In a dream-come-true conversation, Dolly Parton sits down to discuss love, empathy, and the power of storytelling. The episode covers her book Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, her songwriting process, the challenges of leadership, and Burt Reynolds, all anchored by Dolly’s remarkable gift for turning pain and heartbreak into light.
Brené with Emmanuel Acho on Being Illogical
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Emmanuel Acho returns to discuss his new book, Illogical: Saying Yes to a Life Without Limits. True to form, he brings his signature energy and thought-provoking perspective, ideas that may seem counterintuitive but ultimately ring true. He also shares insights on handling critics and naysayers while remaining open, receptive, and grounded in the process.
Brené with Ashley C. Ford on Storytelling, Truth-Telling, and Liberation
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Ashley C. Ford joins the conversation to discuss her memoir Somebody’s Daughter, a book for anyone who has struggled to find their story reflected on the page. They explore the writing process, the courage it takes to tell the truth, and how that honesty can be liberating for both writer and reader.
Brené with James Clear on Atomic Habits, Part 1 of 2
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In Part 1 of a two-part series, James Clea, author of the global phenomenon Atomic Habits, joins the show to discuss identity-based habits and how to become the architect of lasting change rather than a victim of circumstance. They also explore the overlap between his work and the host’s, the power of mindset, and why consistency beats intensity every time.
Esther Perel on new AI – Artificial Intimacy
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In the first episode of a series exploring the possibilities and costs of living beyond human scale, Brené and Esther Perel examine the paradox of navigating social media and emerging technologies while staying connected to our humanity. They explore how meaningful real-life relationships can be built and sustained in an age of constant scrolling and digital distraction.
Brené with Chris Germer on the Near and Far Enemies of Fierce Compassion, Part 1 of 2
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Chris Germer, a clinical psychologist and lecturer in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, joins the podcast for a long-anticipated conversation. Alongside Kristin Neff, he co-developed the Mindful Self-Compassion program, which has reached over 200,000 people worldwide. His article “The Near and Far Enemies of Fierce Compassion” is what prompted the invitation to sit down together.
Dr. Sarah Lewis on The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America
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Dr. Sarah Lewis returns to discuss her new book, The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America, exploring how visual culture shapes our understanding of equity, justice, and belonging, and how changing what we see can shift the narratives we hold about ourselves and each other.
David Kessler and Brené on Grief and Finding Meaning
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Grief expert David Kessler guides listeners through what he’s learned about love, loss, and the search for meaning. Far from what one might expect from a conversation on such a weighty topic, his insights are as surprising as they are beautiful.
Brené with Karen Walrond on Accessing Joy and Finding Connection in the Midst of Struggle
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Karen Walrond returns to help navigate one of the hardest emotional balancing actt, finding joy without guilt in a world full of pain. Drawing on her work from The Lightmaker’s Manifesto, she offers a perspective that’s equal parts grounding and liberating for anyone struggling to stay connected to beauty while still fighting for what matters.
Brené with Susan Cain on How Sorrow and Longing Make us Whole, Part 1 of 2
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In the first of two episodes, Susan Cain, bestselling author of Quiet, discusses her new book Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole, a timely pushback against society’s obsession with constant positivity. She makes the case that embracing melancholy and bittersweet feelings can actually make us more hopeful and more fully human.
Harriet Lerner and Brené – I’m Sorry: How To Apologize & Why It Matters, Part 1 of 2
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In the first of two episodes, Dr. Harriet Lerner joins the conversation to dig into her groundbreaking book Why Won’t You Apologize?: Healing Big Betrayals and Everyday Hurts, an honest, courageous discussion about making mistakes, repairing relationships, and the vital importance of a genuine apology.
Alicia Keys and Brené on More Myself
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Alicia’s book More Myself: A Journey serves as a masterclass in authenticity and vulnerability. In this episode, Alicia and her host explore the quiet, subtle experiences that drive the impulse to self-protect, and the courage it takes to own one’s worth, trust one’s inner voice, and embrace a fierce, unapologetic sense of self.