Brené Brown Reveals What Truly Makes a Great Leader in Today’s World ✨

What makes for a truly good leader, and why do there seem to be so few in our culture today?

Kara sits down with Brené Brown — bestselling author, podcaster, and researcher — to dig into the ideas behind her new book Strong Ground. They get real about the dangers of “power-over” leadership, why vulnerability is the foundation of courage, and how Trump uses fear and cruelty to try to bend us to his will.

Brené and Kara also unpack how AI is hollowing out human connection, the difference between empathy and enmeshment, and what it takes to lead with clarity and compassion in a time of chaos. Plus: the psychology of shame, humiliation, and the “armor” that keeps leaders from being brave.

00:00 Intro
0:48 Can Kara get vulnerable?
01:28 Power and fear: why power-over leaders need cruelty to maintain control
04:50 Trump, tech CEOs, and why America is so vulnerable to bad leadership
09:26 Why there’s no courage without vulnerability
11:58 Why companies aren't getting an ROI on AI
15:27 “I’m fixin to change your life”: Brené’s above-the-line test for leaders
20:22 The qualities of the world's top leaders
23:39 Why so many tech founders are bad leaders
25:09 Facing fear and self-protection to be a better leader
28:35 “It’s okay to be afraid — just don’t be an asshole"
31:12 Bobbi Brown's expert question
33:13 Why a "white-male-power-over" model is bad for business
36:01 Masculinity, empathy, and performative power in Silicon Valley
39:55 Pete Hegseth's military speech and poor leadership
42:06 Why corporate AI adoption is being bungled
47:33 Brené Brown's terrible experience with AI
50:11 Why so many tech CEOs are bending the knee to Trump
52:11 Why shame, guilt, and humiliation are dangerous
55:52 What makes a good political leader
59:42 Why good character is key to good leadership

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