The Practice of Story Stewardship
Cultivating meaningful connection is a daring and vulnerable practice—and one that isn’t possible without being a good steward of the stories we tell and the stories we hear.
The Imperative of Owning Our Stories
A collection of conversations, writings, and resources that show that when we own our stories, we get to write a brave new ending.
We’re wired for story. In a culture of scarcity and perfectionism, there’s a surprisingly simple reason we want to own, integrate, and share our stories of struggle. We do this because we feel the most alive when we’re connecting with others and being brave with our stories—it’s in our biology.
Featured work
-
Each of the stories we tell and hear is like a small flicker of light—when we have enough of them, we will set the world on fire.
Resource![]()
A statement of intention for those undertaking the Rising Strong practice.
-
In this anthology from 20 incredible storytellers, space is made to recognize and process the trauma of white supremacy, to be vulnerable and affirm the fullness of Black life and Black possibility.
Book![You Are Your Best Thing edited by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown]()
You Are Your Best Thing
Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience
Conversations
-
Unlocking Us Podcast
![Attica Locke]()
![Tembi Locke]()
Life, Loss, and All Kinds of Love, Part 1 of 2
with Attica Locke & Tembi Locke -
Unlocking Us Podcast
![Jake Wesley Rogers]()
Songwriting, Storytelling, and Dropping Keys
with Jake Wesley Rogers -
Unlocking Us Podcast
![Viola Davis]()
Being Brave, Speaking Truth, and Finding Me
with Viola Davis -
Unlocking Us Podcast
![Domee Shi]()
Creativity, Curiosity, and Turning Red
with Domee Shi -
Unlocking Us Podcast
![Clint Smith headshot]()
How the Word Is Passed
with Dr. Clint Smith -
Unlocking Us Podcast
![Ashley C Ford head shot]()
Storytelling, Truth-Telling, and Liberation
with Ashley C. Ford -
Dare to Lead Podcast
![America Ferrera]()
Identity and Integrated Leadership, Part 1 of 2
with America Ferrera -
Unlocking Us Podcast
![Dr. Yaba Blay headshot]()
One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race
with Dr. Yaba Blay -
Unlocking Us Podcast
![Dolly Parton headshot]()
Songtelling, Empathy, and Shining Our Lights
with Dolly Parton -
Unlocking Us Podcast
![Sarah Niles headshot]()
Life, Truth, and Ted Lasso
with Sarah Niles
More
-
![Atlas of the Heart Collage]()
Article -
![Baby Yoda in grass]()
ArticleIn You Must Go: Harnessing the Force by Owning Our Stories
Insights on the stories we make up, courtesy of Luke, Yoda, and a galaxy far, far away.
-
![Riding a bike over an urban bridge between buildings]()
ArticleOwn Our History. Change the Story.
Our collective stories of race in the U.S. are not easy to own. But I believe that if each of us holds space for honest conversation where we listen more than we defend or offer false comfort, we can do this—we can write a brave new ending to one of the most painful stories in our history.
-
![]()
-
![Viola Davis]()
ArticleCourage and Power From Pain: An Interview With Viola Davis
The actor’s story exemplifies the power of courage in the face of pain, vulnerability in the face of fear, and how living and loving close up leads to true belonging.
-
![Illustration of a woman in warm autumn clothing and scarf, falling onto fall leaves.]()
ArticleThe Midlife Unraveling
People may call what happens at midlife “a crisis,” but it’s not. It’s an unraveling—a time when you feel a desperate pull to live the life you want to live, not the one you’re “supposed” to live. Here’s the story of my unraveling.
-
![When we have the courage to walk into our story and own it, we get to write the ending. And when we don't own our stories of failure, setbacks, and hurt - they own us. - Brené Brown]()
-
![Your life story is your leadership story. -by Doug Conant]()
ArtA Good Word: Doug Conant on Finding Your Leadership Story
From Finding and Telling Your Leadership Story, Dare to Lead, May 3, 2021.
-
![A quote from America Ferrera, who appeared on the Dare to Lead podcast with Brené Brown: No one else holds the vision for my life but me.]()
ArtA Good Word: America Ferrera on Who Holds the Vision for One’s Life
From Identity and Integrated Leadership, Part 2 of 2; Dare to Lead; December 13, 2021.
