I’ve been struggling lately (as so many of us are), and wanted something different to listen to (beyond my usual mix of politics, true crime, and ghost stories), and I am SO grateful I found this podcast. I’m skeptical of people whom I would loosely categorize as purveyors of “self help” - so many of them are grifters or cult-adjacent - but Brown is neither of these things. She is so authentic and real, and I connect with her words in so many ways. But the thing that pushed me over the edge into being a true fan was her interview with Alicia Keys … having her read out things that she found meaningful and profound, and then being able to hear Keys’ reactions … it was clear that Brown was giving something beautiful to Keys, in addition to bringing attention to More Myself to listeners. This was so amazing to hear, and I think we need more of this type of authenticity and reciprocity in the world. Love this podcast, AND I’m inspired to read More Myself, as well. What a gift to all of us.

I’ve been wanting to write this for a while now, and I hope it finds its way to you. Unlocking Us has been more than just a podcast for so many of us—it’s been a sanctuary. Your voice has always felt like a lighthouse, guiding us through the fog of our own insecurities, fears, and hopes. You’ve taught us how to embrace imperfection, how to be brave with our stories, and, on some days, how to just keep going. Since the election, you’ve been quiet, and I get it. I really do. Your fears and frustrations are shared by so many of us. The world feels heavy right now, and as women, we are still so often shackled by systems built to keep us small. I imagine you’re feeling some of that weight too. But I want you to know that you are not alone. Even if it feels that way because your voice is so unique and your message so powerful, there are women everywhere who listen to you, who hear you, and who gain strength from your words. You may not see us, but we are here—mothers, teachers, leaders, friends—carrying the lessons you’ve given us into our own little corners of the world. We’re not on podcasts. Most of us don’t have a platform. We might not even be known outside of our own circles. But every day, we try to stand up for what we believe in, to speak up when it’s hard, and to be a small part of a much larger wave of change. And so much of that courage comes from you. I just wanted you to know that. I hope you come back when you’re ready, and until then, know that your voice is missed, your impact is real, and your community is here—holding space for you, just as you’ve always done for us.

Loved her research on shame and perfection. Read most of her books. Stopped listening when she slandered Christianity and church.

Super woke and void of any kind of common sense or critical thinking. Which is a shame because I thought Brown was incredibly healthy and intelligent before listening to this quasi political pod.

As John Green reminds nerdfighteria constantly, hope is the thing with feathers. And, to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, we’re here, because we’re here, because we’re here, because we’re here. I hope you find your spark of hope and bring this podcast back soon, Brené. I didn’t listen in the pandemic because I just couldn’t bear it, but I’m listening now and it’s putting me back together piece by piece. It would be a tremendous loss to us all if disillusionment stopped you from continuing this work. I know you love hard work and you know hard work is good work. 💙 (I wouldn’t be upset if you reached out to John and Hank Green, either, because I think that you all three have coalescing interests and experiences that would lead to a truly profound series of conversations, precisely in the spirit of this podcast, as well as Dare to Lead.)

We need a voice like yours right now to help us deal with our emotions. It might help you too. Jan 30…..2025

I just finished listening to the Harriet Lerner Part 1 episode, and it was just an absolute delight. I wish I could listen to Brené and Harriet talk all day, every day. Looking forward to part 2!

I absolutely loved what this podcast was before politics. If the creators could brand their political episodes as such it would be nice to listen to. I’d give the other information a top review sans politics. It’s difficult to wade through the misinformation and lack of awareness, while simultaneously interesting to see the perspective of people living in a glass house.

everything was great until this election. so sad and truly disappointed.

No longer interesting, discerning or objective.

I agree with others on this review site. I have read Brene’s books and followed her podcast religiously and have loved her. However, it is post election and the discussion needs to be about finding common ground and “listening” to what the American people want…

I’m done with Brené Brown now after a this one-sided, hate-filled propaganda “interview of Kamala”— even the View show was better— and that’s saying something. You were Just repeating Democratic talking points and you’re so divisive. It’s so sad. OK so Kamala believes in abortion. What else? Women care about a lot more than that. For someone who is known for her research, Brene Brown, this is beyond disappointing. Stopped being a fan after this and will not listen anymore.- Her audience and others should listen to the election results and ask “what can we learn from it?”

Enjoyed your episodes running up to the election. Now, post-election, I am not okay. Will you be doing some episodes on coping and moving forward. I’m a mom, a daughter, a sister, an aunt. And so much more.

I have read majority of Brene’s books, joined her past Courage Works Team and enjoyed her research. However, I am disappointed with the lack of research on some of the current topics she’s covered. Her biases are blatant and in many cases boarder line lies. As a top notch researcher, I expect better from her.

Love her leadership skill set & know it will help us once the cult is defeated on Election Day!

i’m a huge fan and this was disappointing, divisive and one sided. standard same word for word kamala quotes we’ve heard in every interview. the divisive rhetoric and anger is coming from the left all while you point fingers at the right. we get it, she’s running on abortion. what else does she stand for??? specific policies please!? you’re exacerbating narratives out of context and it’s dangerous. “the enemy within” is not referring to what you say it is, and it’s scary that you would want to instill fear in Americans by perpetuating this lie. she’s been in office 3.5 years, she has not been a leader. please research more on what she has accomplished and why her contract should be renewed

You’re way to bright of a mind to fall behind the Harris camp. I totally understand that you struggle, or can’t do, the other option; but you have to see through the charade of Harris. I’m very disappointed and disheartened to see you go this route. Don’t sink to this level. Stick to your standard and level of behavioral expectation, compassion and empathy standards, and truthful authenticity and vulnerability. Don’t get frustrated and accept and promote this just because you don’t like the other choice. Again I’m disappointed and disillusioned. You’re better than this. Had you pegged as being above and beyond being influenced by low level, political manipulation.

Man, this is rough to do but the episode with Kamala was filled with so much hate and so many lies. I hope people fact check what she said and they make the right choice next week. Save democracy by voting her out of her vp role and send her back home.

I specifically use the word conversation and not interview. I am a Kamala/Walz supporter. Just yesterday I watched a reel from the lincoln project. It was a speech by Hitler. A chilling speech. One where he was not shouting, but eerily steady and almost verbatim are the words that DJT uses now. Scary. But, hearing this conversation. Knowing that there are so many that are choosing a different path. Having leaders, like Brene and Kamala gives me hope. I live in an area that is heavily far right. I’m afraid to speak up or speak out. I’m afraid of the backlash to my business, home and wellbeing. I have donated and am voting. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Thank you for being my voice. BTW, my Mom was born in 1930’s Germany. My grandfather went back to germany at Hitler’s calling. My grandmother, aunt & mother were the ones that suffered the most. Long story, but I have a strong dna connection. Shew, I can keep going, but I won’t. This episode has meant so much on so many levels.

This is an incredible episode with thought provoking conversations. The nation will be lucky to have her as president.

This is the most boring podcast. Truly awful.

The interview with Kamala was one of the most uplifting and hopeful discussions I’ve heard in a very long time. My soul needed to hear these two brilliant & caring women’s discussions so badly. Thank you!

Dr Brown inspires me to both 1) be more accepting of myself 2) constantly do better

When I found Brene years ago, it was like a lightbulb turned on & I was mesmerized by her talks. Now that she’s decided to inject her political opinions into the podcast, every episode is more woke than the next, and listening (or trying to listen) to them just infuriates me. I just can’t do it anymore.

Going to interview Trump or JD Vance without a biased spin? Lost a lot of respect for Brene after hearing very beginning of Kamala podcast. What positive things did Kamala do as VP? I don’t know of anything either. All she did was mess things up!

This podcast is like being part of the conversations. I love how she’ll frequently stop her guest and have them say something important again. There’s such great wisdom with all of her guests.

I loved the episode on the guideposts about certainty and intuition and silence and the gut feeling. This really spoke to me and I would love it if you talked more about it! All of the women I know struggle with our gut feelings verses reality and when we can’t always explain our intuition but we just know something. Love this topic!! Yay you’re back!!! Can’t wait for the new episodes! Very sorry to hear about the passing of your mom- my heart goes out to all of you, sending love and peace. So glad you had Kamala on yesss!

Of all people to have on, why her? Nonsensical gibberish from an unintelligent person!

Love this podcast! I was a hospital palliative care social worker and really loved my work. I’m so so glad you had a good experience with your palliative care team. AND… to Brene’s sister/s - your idea of wearing your moms jewelry and going to her favorite restaurant is SO fun and meaningful! I just listened to the episode with Brene and David Kessler and they were talking about how there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. That concept should apply here too: celebrate your ma however you’re inspired to🥰

So, now that you’ve experienced how hard this was and how you didn’t want to do it a lot of times, caretaking that is…how are you going to do things when you get old and Ellen takes care of you? What will you do the same or differently? As an older person myself, I sometimes winced or felt cringeworthy moments listening to you three girls whine and chortle about how hard it was. You all were a PIA to raise I bet by your parents. In spite of that, it makes me feel terrible to think I would put my daughter through all that miserable caretaking you experienced. I don’t have the answer but you all make me feel that my future is really depressing in old age. Hope I just have a heart attack and die. How about you Brene, Ashley, or Barrett? Are you going to be a burden when you get old? Will your kids say, thank god she’s gone? I found this episode a little weird. I am like your mother listening.

I’m so grateful for this show. It has been a go-to podcast for me since the first show in 2020. This most recent episode on grief was timely, authentic & heartwarming. As a palliative care physician practicing in Texas, I loved hearing about your positive experiences with both palliative medicine and hospice. Thank you for sharing so openly about the hard, hard work of supporting a loved one with a serious illness and the very real challenges of caregiving in our current (broken) healthcare system. Thank you, also, for acknowledging and elevating this sacred work we do for people & families living with serious illness.

Dr Heather Cox Richardson has given me more of a history lesson than my entire childhood education. Thanks for making space for such clear, reflective, and encouraging conversations!

The political commentary is biased, to put it nicely. I suppose the books are worth reading but will warn folks that the podcast is worthless.

I love you & am so thankful you’re back! You & HCR together, chef’s kiss! What a treat to listen to two of the wisest thought leaders of our time unpack what’s weighing on our hearts & minds. The last stand explanation has always rung true for me, & was so glad HCR concurred.

It’s really sad to see how blind and brainwashed Brene’ and nearly all the thought leaders like her have gone. Their sentiments can no longer be relied upon.

I hav loved every podcast and learned so much. Truly incredible. Thank you ♥️

I love Brene’s approach to topics. She brings a voice of love and compassion and gives me hope that we can evolve into a world that can collectively heal itself.

Lost its dynamic magic. No longer the smart environment it was when the podcast launched. Pity.

Perhaps because her information is grounded in research I am so drawn to her platforms. BB has a human depth, intelligence and honesty that I find so inspiring. Out of all the “personal development influencers” today I personally find her lectures the most compelling, grounded and thought provoking. I feel so grateful her voice is in the sea of our culture today. I can’t wait to witness and hope she develops her voice even stronger in our confused culture. She is so needed 💕

What a great joy it is to listen to Brene interview the scholars who have shaped her work about what is important about theirs and make that accessible to a wider audience. Not always as drawn to the elements of spirituality but definitely owe my trying pickleball to her promotion. Quite the influencer. Don’t let the trolls get you down!!!!

I used to absorb everything Brene Brown said & wrote. The fact she had the background, education & training as a social worker was inspiring for all of us who have that background as well. But with fame and attention, she appears to have strayed from the ethical pillars of our profession. It's not just that she has picked up & touted the typical woke talking points, it's that she has become willfully blinded to anything that does not adhere to those talking g points. So the books will stay in the bookshelf but these new podcasts - nah. We always turned to Brene because she gave voice to new ideas like looking at shame. Each of these podcasts is the same as every buzz feed, NYT, WAPO article - wagging their finger and invoking shame

Brene + your amazing team, thank you for the best podcast out there! Always so thought-provoking and insightful. I missed it so much when it took a break and am truly overjoyed it is back. The intro music puts me at ease like an old friend. Thanks for all the hard work that goes into making each episode packed full of great content and conversation!

Coming of age in the 90s, I’ve found so much validation re: my experience. I’ve also learned so much about what is happening in my kids’ lives and has helped me be more proactive as a parent.

She only speaks out when it's convenient for her

Just listen to one show, but won’t again

Became a reader and listener of your work about 2 years ago and so excited I found this podcast to be able to continue to listen to you and your guests to allow me to work on myself and deal with life’s issues and speed bumps. I always walk away with at least one but usually more ideas or ways to cope with human interactions and your ideas have tremendously helped me become a better person but seems the work is never done and that’s okay. Thank you so much for existing and sharing your vast knowledge!

I’m so excited that Brene is back. She is such a great teacher it would be a loss not having her. Thank you for coming back. We love you❤️

I have consumed all things Brene Brown since I was a young mom (my oldest now 28). However her episodes with Fr Richard Rohr really resonated and is haunting me. I have re-listened to it and read and re-read the transcripts! This morning I wrote down some of the lines that continue to play through my mind. Thank you for dissecting things into smaller units - so we can focus on big topics ! I love getting granualr and feeling like I’m contributing and LEARNING. Cheers, from Indiana

I’ve been a fan of Brene’s work for years. I’m especially grateful to see her take on the issues in Palestine and with care and concern. Well done. I’m sure it’s not easy but this is the type of work needed

I just finished the Episode with Robi and Ali on the parent’s circle. I loved the show before- but even more so now. This is compelling, hard, thoughtful stuff. I wish people engaged in more thoughtful discussions with people from different perspectives as is on display here. Fantastic stuff.