Brené and Adam on What They Will Never Agree On | from The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant - Worklife with Adam Grant Recap

Podcast: Worklife with Adam Grant

Published: 2026-03-24T04:00:00.000Z

Duration: 3531

What Happened

Brené Brown and Adam Grant recount a public disagreement that nearly ended their relationship before it began. The conflict originated from an article Adam Grant wrote in 2016, critiquing the advice to 'be yourself' at work, which quoted Brené Brown's definition of authenticity out of context. This misrepresentation led to a rift, leaving them out of contact for four years.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Adam Grant reached out to Brené Brown for assistance with a women's sports team, which initiated their reconciliation. Brené Brown, despite her initial hurt, found value in Adam Grant's work and appreciated his efforts to mend their relationship. This process highlighted for them the importance of trust and repair in personal and professional relationships.

Both Brené Brown and Adam Grant reflect on their experiences with apology and the difficulty of admitting one's mistakes. Brené Brown discusses her comfort with acknowledging wrongs but notes the challenge of repairing the resulting damage. Adam Grant, meanwhile, shares his struggle with admitting errors and his ongoing practice to improve in this area.

They both agree on the necessity of empathy in practicing authenticity, noting that authenticity should include boundaries and context. Brené Brown emphasizes that her work has often been weaponized when taken out of context, stressing the need for careful interpretation. Adam Grant apologizes for his previous oversight and commits to being more mindful in his writing.

The episode touches upon broader topics like the differences between text and email communication, where Brené Brown and Adam Grant have differing preferences. Brené Brown asserts the importance of setting boundaries, a principle that she integrates into her work on vulnerability and authenticity. They also discuss the balance between research and lived experience, acknowledging that they may never fully agree on this aspect.

Finally, Brené Brown and Adam Grant examine differing perspectives on faith, with Adam Grant expressing skepticism about beliefs that cannot be empirically proven. Despite these differences, they both agree on the value of distilling complex ideas into simple, yet nuanced narratives. This reflects their shared commitment to making academic insights accessible and practical.

Key Insights

• Brené Brown and Adam Grant's relationship was tested by a public disagreement over authenticity, sparked by an article written by Adam Grant in 2016. The incident kept them apart for four years until they reconciled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Brené Brown emphasizes that true authenticity includes boundaries and should not be misrepresented. This perspective stems from her experience of her work being weaponized when taken out of context.
• Adam Grant has learned the importance of practicing apology and admitting mistakes as a strength, not a weakness. He acknowledges his previous mistake in quoting Brené Brown out of context and is committed to improving his approach.
• Brené Brown and Adam Grant explore the nuanced balance between research and lived experience. Although they may never fully agree on this, they both value distilling complex ideas into simple, yet nuanced narratives to improve accessibility.