Why courage, vulnerability, and leadership still matter more than ever
One of the most popular and most shared voices in the history of Moonshots is Brené Brown.
Her work consistently resonates because it speaks to something universal: the tension between who we think we should be and who we actually are — especially when we’re leading, building, or trying to show up bravely in uncertain moments.
Next week, Mark and I will be recording a brand-new episode on Brené’s latest book, Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit. Ahead of that conversation, we wanted to republish a special bonus episode that brings together the foundations of her thinking.
This episode is called Brené Brown — Essential Wisdom.
What this episode explores
This conversation weaves together Brené’s core ideas on:
Shame — how it silently shapes behaviour and leadership
Vulnerability — not as weakness, but as the source of courage
Belonging — why fitting in is not the same as truly belonging
Leadership — choosing bravery over armour, again and again
Rather than focusing on a single book, this episode draws from the full arc of her work, including:
The Gifts of Imperfection
Daring Greatly
Rising Strong
Braving the Wilderness
Dare to Lead
Atlas of the Heart
Together, these ideas form a practical emotional framework for navigating leadership, creativity, relationships, and self-trust — especially when the path forward isn’t obvious.
Why revisit this episode now?
When growth slows, pressure rises, or uncertainty creeps in, the instinct is often to do more, push harder, or armour up.
Brené’s work reminds us that real progress often requires the opposite:
More honesty
More courage
More emotional literacy
More willingness to be seen before we feel ready
If you’re new to Brené’s work, this episode is an excellent entry point.
If you’ve followed her for years, consider it a chance to slow down and reconnect with the essentials.
🎧 Listen to the episode
Watch on YouTube:
👉 https://youtu.be/9RdfPxea6oA
Listen on Spotify:
👉 https://open.spotify.com/episode/66A8frtCjDmSZVcqvoi6h6?si=_DjdhhA_Q_uR--r_SiGsAA
A new Moonshots episode on Strong Ground is coming next week. Until then, we hope this conversation gives you space to reflect — and maybe a little courage to show up more fully, wherever you are.
— Mike
