I’ve spent over 20 years studying the emotions and experiences that bring meaning and purpose to our lives, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s this: we are hardwired for connection, and connecting requires courage, vulnerability, and conversation. I want this to be a podcast that’s real, unpolished, honest, and reflects both the magic and the messiness of what it means to be human. Episodes will include conversations with the people who are teaching me, challenging me, confusing me, or maybe even ticking me off a little. I'll also have direct conversations with you about what I’m learning from new research, and we'll do some episodes dedicated to answering your questions. We don’t have to do life alone. We were never meant to.
Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
VP Kamala Harris on Courageous Leadership and Winning in 2024
A conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris about the strength and fragility of democracy, the power of strong coalitions and collaborations, and how a commitment to
Oct 28 2024 1 h 01 min
Grief, Laughter, and Sisterhood: Losing Our Mom and Holding On to Each Other
The sisters are back and we're talking about loss, dementia, grief, and how we try to choose laughter and therapy over a fist fight when things get really tough.
Learn mo
Oct 23 2024 50 min
Dr. Heather Cox Richardson on Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America, Part 2 of 2
In Part 2 of my conversation with historian Dr. Heather Cox Richardson, we unpack the history and mythology that's driving some of the biggest issues in our country. Lean
Oct 16 2024 41 min
Dr. Heather Cox Richardson on Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America, Part 1 of 2
In Part 1 of my conversation with historian Dr. Heather Cox Richardson, we talk about the current threats to American democracy, what's at stake in November, and how we c
Oct 9 2024 1 h 04 min
Dr. Mary Claire Haver on the New Menopause
Dr. Mary Claire Haver is a board-certified OB/GYN who has helped thousands of women through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. In this conversation, we discuss the pow
Oct 2 2024 59 min
Roxane Gay on “Stand Your Ground: A Black Feminist Reckoning with America’s Gun Problem”
I talk with one of my favorite cultural critics, Roxane Gay, about her long-form essay on Black gun ownership. We discuss how the gun industry frames women as victims in
Sep 25 2024 1 h 09 min
Dr. Sarah Lewis on The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America
In this episode, Dr. Sarah Lewis joins me again to talk about her new book, The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America. With examples from her historical resear
Sep 18 2024 52 min
Valarie Kaur on Sage Warrior: Wake to Oneness, Practice Pleasure, Choose Courage, Become Victory
Civil rights leader Valarie Kaur is building a movement to reclaim love as a force for justice, healing, and transformation in America. In this episode, we talk about wha
Sep 11 2024 1 h 10 min
Brené and Barrett reflect on the "Living Beyond Human Scale" Podcast Series
In this episode Brené and Barrett discuss their learnings on AI and social media and some of their favorite nuggets from each of the guests in the series.
Learn more abou
May 15 2024 44 min
Futurist Amy Webb on What's Coming (and What's Here)
Quantitative futurist Amy Webb talks to us about the three technologies that make up the "super cycle" that we're all living through right now: artificial intelligence, w
Apr 24 2024 1 h 13 min
New York Times Journalists Jennifer Valentino-DeVries and Michael H. Keller on "A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men"
Brené interviews New York Times journalists Jennifer Valentino-DeVries and Michael H. Keller, who talk about their investigation into girl influencers and what's driving
Apr 10 2024 1 h 10 min
Dr. S. Craig Watkins on Why AI’s Potential to Combat or Scale Systemic Injustice Still Comes Down to Humans
In this episode, Brené and Craig discuss what is known in the AI community as the “alignment problem” — who needs to be at the table in order to build systems that are al
Apr 3 2024 1 h 13 min
Dr. William Brady on Social Media, Moral Outrage and Polarization
This is the second episode in our series on the possibilities and costs of living beyond human scale. In this episode, Brené and William discuss group behavior on social
Mar 27 2024 1 h 05 min
Esther Perel on New AI – Artificial Intimacy
In this first episode in a series on the possibilities and costs of living beyond human scale, Brené and Esther Perel discuss how we manage the paradox of exploring the w
Mar 20 2024 1 h 05 min
Khaled Elgindy on his book: Blind Spot: America and the Palestinians, from Balfour to Trump
Khaled Elgindy is a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute where he also directs MEI’s Program on Palestine and Israeli-Palestinian Affairs. He is the author of the b
Mar 1 2024 1 h 03 min
Rula Daood and Alon-Lee Green on Standing Together
Standing Together is a grassroots movement mobilizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel in pursuit of peace, equality, social, and climate justice. In this podcas
Feb 29 2024 1 h 05 min
Ali Abu Awwad and Robi Damelin on Nonviolence as The Path to Freedom for Palestinians and Israelis
The Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF) is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of over 600 families, all of whom have lost an immediate family member to the ongoi
Feb 28 2024 1 h 11 min
Unlocking Us is Back
We're coming back with new episodes starting February 28th. Get episodes as soon as they're published by following Unlocking Us on your favorite podcast app.
Learn more a
Feb 14 2024 1 min
Brené and Ashley on Living BIG, Part 2 of 2
In this second of a two-parter on Living BIG, Ashley and I take on the topics of generosity, resentment, boundaries and grief. And we explore this critical question: What
Jan 4 2023 30 min
Brené and Ashley on Living BIG, Part 1 of 2
In this first of a two-parter with Ashley, I tell a story from Rising Strong that kicked off our Living BIG strategy. Spoiler alert: I am very, very, very pissed-off in t
Dec 28 2022 48 min
Chart trend
Position in the Relationships chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#17#33JulAugSepOct
#4
all-time peak
256
days in the top 10 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Unlocking Us with Brené Brown ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 2, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
When I saw my two favorite people in one podcast I knew I was in for a ride. The 2 part series was one of the most powerful I have ever heard. In these times it was authentic, honest, real and ultimately uplifting. I also agree that this is a time for massive change and if we embrace it imagine what we could become. The US has been the beacon of a leadership in the world and I am hopeful that we have only temporarily lost our way (or our minds) to get back to take the path untraveled. Thank you both for your voices and research as female leaders in this world.
Kmak11 · Aug 2025
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.
HBD66 · Mar 2025
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.
Brunette Assassin · Mar 2025
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.)
LovettBensler · Feb 2025
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.
Seeeeeking · Jan 2025
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Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Unlocking Us with Brené Brown, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
