Vulnerability As The Heartbeat of Inspiration

Why do memoir writers need to get vulnerable? And how do you actually do it without oversharing?

In this episode, we explore why vulnerability is the key to powerful memoir writing. Drawing wisdom from Brené Brown, Mary Karr, Joan Didion, and examples from Selma Blair's powerful memoir Mean Baby, we break down how to transform your challenging experiences into compelling narrative.

You'll learn:
• Why vulnerability creates instant connection with readers
• The difference between raw and crafted vulnerability
• Practical techniques to write difficult scenes
• How to balance emotional truth with personal boundaries

Perfect for memoir writers, personal essayists, or anyone looking to add emotional depth to their writing.

🎧 New episodes drop every Thursday.

Selma Blair, Mean Baby: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Mean-Baby-Memoir-Growing-Up-ebook/dp/B09JRSVSVV⁠

Brené Brown: "Vulnerability is the absolute heartbeat of innovation and creativity. There can be zero innovation without vulnerability." ⁠⁠2012 TED Talk "Listening to Shame."⁠⁠ https://blog.ted.com/vulnerability-is-the-birthplace-of-innovation-creativity-and-change-brene-brown-at-ted2012/

Mary Karr: "The more you're willing to examine your own stuff, the more you're willing to let other people see it." (From "⁠The Art of Memoir⁠," 2015) https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/ART-MEMOIR-Karr-Mary-Harper-New/17951252138/bd?ref_=ps_ms_267691761&cm_mmc=msn-_-comus_dsa-_-naa-_-naa&msclkid=263004638b9d1a30ac9d63faccf98994

Anne Lamott: "You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories." (From "⁠Bird by Bird⁠," 1994) https://www.amazon.com/s?k=book+bird+by+bird+by+anne+lamott&adgrpid=1335908157631733&hvadid=83494492075702&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=98633&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-83495218917021%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22593_13494535&msclkid=7bf28ca371a61220d477eb3a36238659&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_15aemxxo1c_p

Joan Didion: "I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking." (From "⁠Why I Write⁠," 1976) .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}