Atlas of the Heart

About the Author

Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, where she holds the Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair at the Graduate College of Social Work. She is also a visiting professor in management at The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. Brown has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She is the author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers, and her TEDx talk, “The Power of Vulnerability,” is one of the top five most-viewed TED talks in the world. Brown also hosts the Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead podcasts, and her Netflix special, The Call to Courage, is the first filmed lecture by a researcher on the streaming service.

Main Idea

"Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection" by Brené Brown explores the complexity of human emotions and experiences and how they influence our ability to connect with others. The book delves into 87 emotions and experiences, offering insights into how they shape our interactions and relationships. Brown's goal is to provide readers with a deeper understanding of their own emotions and those of others to foster more meaningful connections.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Places We Go When Things Are Uncertain or Too Much
3. Places We Go When We Compare
4. Places We Go When Things Don’t Go as Planned
5. Places We Go When It’s Beyond Us
6. Places We Go When Things Aren’t What They Seem
7. Places We Go When We’re Hurting
8. Places We Go with Others
9. Places We Go When We Fall Short
10. Places We Go When We Search for Connection
11. Places We Go When the Heart is Open
12. Places We Go When Life is Good, When We Feel Wronged, and We Self-Assess

Introduction

Brené Brown introduces the concept of mapping out emotions and experiences to better understand how they influence our connections with others. She emphasizes the importance of understanding our emotional landscape to navigate life more effectively and build stronger, more meaningful relationships.

Places We Go When Things Are Uncertain or Too Much

Brown begins by exploring some of the most challenging emotions, such as stress, anxiety, worry, dread, fear, and vulnerability. She uses personal anecdotes and stories from her followers to illustrate how these emotions impact our ability to connect with others. For example, she describes her experiences working in a high-stress environment and how acknowledging her stress and asking for help allowed her to manage it better.

“Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.” - Brené Brown

In this section, Brown emphasizes that facing and acknowledging these difficult emotions requires strength. By doing so, we can better manage our stress and not let it overwhelm us, ultimately fostering stronger connections with others.

• Brown shares her experience working in a high-stress kitchen environment and learning to ask for help when overwhelmed.
• She highlights the difference between stress and being overwhelmed, emphasizing the need to sometimes step back and recover.

Places We Go When We Compare

This section addresses the negative effects of comparison, envy, jealousy, and resentment on our connections. Brown highlights how celebrating others' pain to feel better about ourselves leads to disconnection. However, she also notes that admiration and reverence can inspire us positively, serving as a lighthouse to guide us toward our goals.

“Nothing that celebrates the humiliation or pain of another person builds lasting connection.” - Brené Brown

Brown explains that while negative comparisons can harm our relationships, positive comparisons can motivate us. Admiring others for their achievements can inspire us to pursue our own goals.