THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION: LIVING WITH COURAGE, COMPASSION AND CONNECTION
March 2011
– “Learn How to Let Go of Who We Think We’re Supposed to Be
and Embrace Who We Are” –
In THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION, Dr. Brené Brown, a leading expert on vulnerability, authenticity, shame and courage, shares what she’s learned from a decade of research on the power of Wholehearted Living – a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness. Dr. Brené Brown’s THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION: LIVING WITH COURAGE, COMPASSION AND CONNECTION is part of special programming premiering on PBS stations beginning March 5, 2011 and airing throughout March (check local listings).
In this special, Dr. Brown addresses the very human struggle with perfectionism and addresses questions such as:
- What if I can’t keep all of these balls in the air?
- Why isn’t everyone else working harder and living up to my expectations?
- What will people think if I fail or give up?
- When can I stop proving myself?
According to Brown, the pressure to fit in leads to a cycle of performing, perfecting, pleasing and proving, which has dire consequences. “We are the most obese, most in debt, most medicated and most addicted adults in human history. We’re also the busiest. We take less vacation, we work longer hours and we sleep less than anyone who came before us,” she says.
Brené Brown has been working to spark a national dialogue about perfectionism, authenticity and the importance of connection. The popular speaker, author and research professor at the University of Houston’s Graduate School of Social Work has been studying these issues for over a decade.
Drawing upon her years of research and thousands of stories from real people who struggle with these concepts, as well as her own personal anecdotes and unique brand of humor, THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION extends to the viewer the skills and courage to find their own place of authenticity and belonging. Brené engages our minds, hearts and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion and connection to wake up in the morning and think, “No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough,” and to go to bed at night thinking, “Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. And, yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging.”
About Dr. Brené Brown
Dr. Brené Brown is a nationally renowned speaker who has won numerous teaching awards, including the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work’s Outstanding Faculty Award. Her work has been featured on PBS, NPR and CNN and was the topic of two 2010 TEDx talks (Houston and Kansas City).
Brown is the author of The Gifts of Imperfection: Letting Go of Who We Think We Should Be and Embracing Who We Are (Hazelden, 2010) and I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power (Penguin/Gotham, 2007). Her next book, Wholehearted: Spiritual Adventures in Falling Apart, Growing Up, and Finding Joy will be released in 2011. She is also the author of Connections, a psychoeducational shame resilience curriculum that is being facilitated across the nation by mental health and addiction professionals. Brown lives in Houston, Texas with her husband Steve and their two young children, Ellen and Charlie.
PBS special programming invites viewers to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. Viewer contributions are an important source of funding, making PBS programs possible. PBS and public television stations offer all Americans from every walk of life the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. To donate to your local PBS station, visit http://www.pbs.org/support.
Underwriters: Public Television Viewers and PBS
Executive Producer: John Hesse
Producer: Ellyne Longren
Producer: Laura Lucas
Director: Joe Brueggeman
Writer: Brené Brown
Producing Station: HoustonPBS/KUHT-TV
Format: CC Stereo HD
– PBS –
CONTACT: Abbe Harris, CaraMar Publicity, 908.233.7990; abbe@caramar.net
For images and additional up-to-date information on this and other PBS programs, visit PBS PressRoom at pbs.org/pressroom.
