The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant
Vox Media Podcast Network
Research professor Brené Brown and organizational psychologist Adam Grant are partnering on a new weekly podcast grounded in an unflinching commitment to learning and unlearning. At a time when public discourse rewards certainty over inquiry, The Curiosity Shop will see two of the world’s most influential thought leaders make the case for slowing down, asking better questions, and embracing informed complexity over easy answers. Bringing together their left and right brain sensibilities — she’s a qualitative researcher; he’s a quantitative researcher — they will explore some of the defining questions of our time, unpack the research reshaping how we live, lead, and love, and dive deep into the ideas, evidence, and cultural moments intriguing them the most. New episodes drop every Thursday starting March 19. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Episodes
Mentioned books
96 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 1h 11min
How This Podcast Could Fail
They imagine ways their collaboration could fail and run a premortem to surface hidden risks. They unpack how sarcasm, teasing, and differing communication styles create misunderstandings. They compare personality frames and systems thinking to explain recurring conflicts. They brainstorm concrete failure modes like misaligned goals, unspoken expectations, and design disagreements.
359 snips
Mar 20, 2026 • 1h 2min
Brené and Adam on What They Will Never Agree On
A candid retelling of a public clash that almost ended a friendship and how repair restored trust. A debate about what healthy authenticity looks like and where empathy and boundaries matter. Playful disagreements about texting versus email, remote work, and faith. Reflections on apologies, code-switching, and how people grow through uncomfortable conversations.
8 snips
Mar 15, 2026 • 27sec
Welcome to The Curiosity Shop
Two researchers team up to champion curiosity, questioning certainty, and learning over easy answers. They contrast qualitative and quantitative thinking while teasing big cultural and scientific questions. The conversation promises thoughtful inquiry, sharper questions, and an invitation to slow down and explore complex ideas.
171 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 22min
Brené on Strong Ground Ask Me Anything, Part 2 of 2
Brené dives into the transformative Above/Below the Line practice, revealing how it shapes leadership and self-awareness. She shares personal stories of its impact, illustrating the difference between fear-driven reactions and conscious responses. With insights into roles like Hero and Villain, she emphasizes the power of naming fears. Real-life examples showcase the importance of pausing and acknowledging emotions. Brené argues that recognizing hidden fears can lead to cultural shifts, likening this practice to building muscle for personal growth.
158 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 26min
Brené on Strong Ground Ask Me Anything, Part 1 of 2
In this engaging session, Brené tackles the power of pausing during decision-making, emphasizing that action isn't always synonymous with impact. She discusses leading effectively in diverse workplaces and offers insights into navigating uncertainty with self-awareness and curiosity. Listeners learn how to cultivate collective boldness through adversity, and Brené even addresses a fun question about poetry and sports. Her refreshing perspective on courage and change inspires listeners to embrace challenges with a courageous mindset.
340 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 35min
Brené and Adam Grant on Rewarding Effort With Time
In this insightful discussion, Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and bestselling author, dives deep into the nuances of rewarding effort in leadership. He argues against the misleading notion of praising mere effort without progress, advocating instead for coaching and mentorship. Adam highlights the value of decision-making frameworks in prioritization and explains how leaders can shape team dynamics through their emotional signals. The conversation emphasizes fixing systems rather than assigning blame, creating a pathway for genuine growth and success.
364 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 48min
Brené and Adam Grant on the Skillsets of Empathy
In this engaging conversation, Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and bestselling author, dives into the art of empathy with Brené Brown. They explore why empathy is a learnable skill and distinguish between affective and cognitive empathy. Brené shares a powerful tool for leaders to understand support better, while also addressing common empathy misses like judgment and comparison. Personal anecdotes highlight the importance of humility and self-awareness in building deeper connections. This discussion offers invaluable insights for anyone looking to enhance their empathetic skills.
312 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 32min
Brené and Adam Grant on Empathy vs. Enmeshment
In this insightful discussion, Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and bestselling author, joins Brené Brown to tackle the complexities of empathy. They explore why empathy is under attack and differentiate between cognitive and affective empathy. Brené shares a personal story highlighting the dangers of enmeshment—where one loses personal boundaries. They also examine how media influences our empathy responses, urging listeners to maintain compassion without overwhelming identification with others' pain.
401 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 38min
Brené and Adam Grant on Time Scarcity, Asking Questions, and Pocket Presence
In this thought-provoking discussion, Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and bestselling author, teams up with Brené Brown to explore pressing issues around time scarcity and the power of asking the right questions as a leader. They delve into the concept of pocket presence, emphasizing it as a collective capability contrasted with the often isolating executive presence. Adam highlights the importance of the five C's in enhancing situational awareness, while both challenge traditional leadership norms that prioritize immediate answers over collaborative inquiry.
418 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 36min
Brené and Adam Grant on the Paradox Tug of War and Leadership Theater
In this engaging discussion, Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and bestselling author, teams up with Brené Brown to dive into the complexities of generosity and leadership. They explore the near and far enemies of generosity, highlighting how self-sacrifice can sometimes masquerade as altruism. The duo also unpacks the paradox of needing discipline to achieve freedom and emphasizes the importance of simulating decisions to avert failure. Using vivid sports metaphors, they illustrate leadership dynamics and the significance of finding 'strong ground' within teams.
