Rising Strong

Everybody falls, but the key is knowing how to get up again

by Brené Brown

4.7(11,139 ratings)

12 min read

Brief overview

This book explores how to rise from life’s inevitable falls by owning our stories, reckoning with our emotions, and transforming our pain into opportunities for growth. Through personal experiences and research-based insights, it offers a framework for awakening resilience, self-awareness, and deeper connections. Expect to gain tools for embracing vulnerability and creating meaningful change.

Introduction

We all face moments when we stumble and fall, whether it’s a professional setback, a broken relationship, or a jolt to our sense of worth. These experiences can leave us feeling isolated and uncertain. Yet there is hope in understanding how to stand back up with more wisdom and courage than before.

This book invites us into a process of rising strong by looking closely at the stories we tell ourselves about our struggles. It encourages us to replace blame and self-judgment with curiosity and compassion. By doing so, we become active participants in our own healing and discover our capacity to live wholeheartedly.

You’ll explore the core practices of what the author calls “the reckoning, the rumble, and the revolution”—a trio of steps that outline how to create a new relationship with failure. The goal isn’t merely to survive our challenges but to grow from them.

As we begin, remember that this journey calls on you to be both open and brave. You’ll read about the triumphs and missteps of many people who took the leap into vulnerability and came out the other side with a deeper sense of purpose.

“When we choose courage, we sign up to get our butts kicked.”

The Reason Emotions Matter

Emotions drive most of our behavior, even if we’re not always aware of them. While it can feel safer to push away anger, fear, or shame, ignoring these feelings keeps us trapped in old patterns. By shining a light on our emotions, we begin to see what they’re telling us.

We are also hardwired for story. Our minds constantly try to make sense of events, weaving them into narratives that either help us grow or keep us stuck. Emotions play a central role in shaping these stories—especially when we feel vulnerable or insecure.

Sometimes our stories are based on confabulations—false beliefs that arise from incomplete information. These mental shortcuts can give us a quick rush of certainty, but they often warp our understanding of ourselves and others.

Learning to name our emotions without judging them is an essential first step in living with more authenticity. When we can say, “I feel disappointed,” we no longer need to sabotage ourselves or project resentment onto others. Instead, we can use that awareness as a jumping-off point for change.

Digging deep into our real feelings lets us break free from the lies we tell ourselves.

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What is Rising Strong about?

Rising Strong provides a clear roadmap for transforming personal challenges into growth by exploring how vulnerability, failure, and resilience intersect. Brené Brown combines storytelling with solid research to show that facing our struggles head-on can lead to authentic connections and a renewed sense of courage. Readers discover that when we own our stories—complete with flaws—we open ourselves to deeper insight and emotional strength.

Brown’s three-part process—reckoning with emotions, rumbling with the stories we tell ourselves, and undergoing a personal revolution—demonstrates that real growth happens when we shift our narratives. Through accessible discussions of empathy, boundaries, and self-compassion, Rising Strong challenges the idea that vulnerability is a weakness and instead reveals it as a path toward genuine personal development.

Review of Rising Strong

This book excels at illuminating the value of honest self-examination. Brené Brown introduces strategies for recognizing distorted personal narratives, emphasizing how the simple act of naming emotions can lead to more productive and meaningful responses. Readers receive a practical framework that not only sheds light on hidden triggers but also offers steps toward richer personal and professional connections.

Another standout feature is the writing style. Brown’s conversational tone ensures that even deeper research findings feel approachable. Her anecdotes link theory to real life, helping readers see how concepts like setting boundaries or challenging inner shame can play out in everyday situations. The result is a balanced, relatable guide that stays both encouraging and substantial.

In my view, Rising Strong will resonate with anyone who wants to handle setbacks in a healthier way. It is especially helpful if you’re looking for tools to rewrite common emotional scripts and navigate conflict with honesty. I highly recommend this book for its grounded mix of empathy, research-based insights, and straightforward applications.

Who should read Rising Strong?

Professionals seeking to handle workplace setbacks through clear, principled communication
Individuals looking to cultivate self-awareness and healthier relationships
Leaders craving a more empathetic and open-minded organizational culture
Anyone ready to face challenging emotions and grow from setbacks

About the author

Brené Brown is a research professor, author, and scholar who has spent over two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She holds a Ph.D. in social work from the University of Houston and has published six New York Times bestsellers, including "Rising Strong." Brown is also the founder and CEO of COURAGEworks, an online learning platform, and has given two TED Talks, including "The Power of Vulnerability," which has over 25 million views. She is a visiting professor in management at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business and has won numerous teaching awards, including the College's Outstanding Faculty Award.