The Imperative of Owning Our Stories

A collection of conversations, writings, and resources that show that when we own our stories, we get to write a brave new ending.

We’re wired for story. In a culture of scarcity and perfectionism, there’s a surprisingly simple reason we want to own, integrate, and share our stories of struggle. We do this because we feel the most alive when we’re connecting with others and being brave with our stories—it’s in our biology.

Featured work

Each of the stories we tell and hear is like a small flicker of light—when we have enough of them, we will set the world on fire.

Resource
Manifesto of the Brave and Brokenhearted

A statement of intention for those undertaking the Rising Strong practice.
In this anthology from 20 incredible storytellers, space is made to recognize and process the trauma of white supremacy, to be vulnerable and affirm the fullness of Black life and Black possibility.

Book
You Are Your Best Thing

Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience

Conversations

Article
The Practice of Story Stewardship

Cultivating meaningful connection is a daring and vulnerable practice—and one that isn’t possible without being a good steward of the stories we tell and the stories we hear.
Article
In You Must Go: Harnessing the Force by Owning Our Stories

Insights on the stories we make up, courtesy of Luke, Yoda, and a galaxy far, far away.
Article
Own Our History. Change the Story.

Our collective stories of race in the U.S. are not easy to own. But I believe that if each of us holds space for honest conversation where we listen more than we defend or offer false comfort, we can do this—we can write a brave new ending to one of the most painful stories in our history.
Art
The Gifts of Imperfection | Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.
Article
Courage and Power From Pain: An Interview With Viola Davis

The actor’s story exemplifies the power of courage in the face of pain, vulnerability in the face of fear, and how living and loving close up leads to true belonging.
Article
The Midlife Unraveling

People may call what happens at midlife “a crisis,” but it’s not. It’s an unraveling—a time when you feel a desperate pull to live the life you want to live, not the one you’re “supposed” to live. Here’s the story of my unraveling.
Art
Dare to Lead | When we have the courage to walk into our story and own it, we get to write the ending.
Art
A Good Word: Doug Conant on Finding Your Leadership Story

From Finding and Telling Your Leadership Story, Dare to Lead, May 3, 2021.