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 features two of the world's most sought-after experts on connection, change, and leadership making 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 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. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Episodes
Mentioned books
174 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.
360 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.
393 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.
325 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.
441 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.
434 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.
189 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 59min
Brené on Lock-In and Lock-Through Power
Brené explores the concept of 'locking in' and 'locking through' as metaphors for navigating transitions between work and home life. She discusses the challenges of leaving the car to enter the home after a long day, often resulting in distractions instead of connections. Drawing from her visit to a London lock, she highlights the importance of intentional transitions to prevent relational capsizing. Key takeaways emphasize balancing mental toughness with emotional tenderness for effective leadership and meaningful relationships.
699 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 59min
Brené and Adam Grant on Finding Our Strong Ground
In this engaging discussion, organizational psychologist Adam Grant shares insights on the origins of Strong Ground, sparked by a pickleball injury. He and Brené Brown explore the importance of clarifying core values for individuals and teams, emphasizing how knowing what truly matters enhances meaning in our lives. They tackle the shift from fear-based leadership to fostering a culture of accountability and empowerment. Adam offers practical advice on aligning discipline with one’s values, making for a thought-provoking conversation about leadership and personal growth.
30 snips
May 15, 2024 • 45min
Brené and Barrett reflect on the "Living Beyond Human Scale" Podcast Series
Brené and Barrett reflect on AI, social media, and guest insights in the 'Living Beyond Human Scale' podcast series. They discuss navigating uncertainty in a changing world, exploring activism beyond social media, ethical concerns of AI in vulnerable industries, and parenting challenges in the digital age.
19 snips
May 8, 2024 • 1h 26min
Dr. Joy Buolamwini on Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines
Dr. Joy Buolamwini discusses fighting bias in algorithms, Gender Shades, and her unique perspective on technology as a poet, artist, and scientist. She explores navigating bias in AI technology, merging art and science, and the importance of inclusive conversations on tech ethics. The episode also touches on the challenges of voice acting, work ethics, creativity, and leadership insights.
