Unlocking Us is a psychology and self-help podcast hosted by Brené Brown. Produced by Parcast, the show consists of both monologue and interview content and focuses on human vulnerability through Brown's experiences in social work.[1]
Background
The podcast debuted on March 20, 2020.[2] Brown discussed her fears concerning the launch of her podcast in the first episode of the show.[3] Brown began the podcast to have a more intimate medium of communicating her stories with her audience and she records the show in her home.[1] The show consists of both interview and monologue episodes.[3] One of the first interviews done on the show featured David Kessler on his understanding of grief.[3] In an episode released on March 27, 2020 Brown discusses the importance of positivity during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] Brown hosted another podcast called Dare to Lead based on her book of the same name.[5]
Reception
According to a spokesman cited by The New York Times, the show was averaging more than a million downloads every episode in May 2020.[6]
Melissa Fyfe of The Sydney Morning Herald commented on the show saying that the "first season is a bit patchy" because it takes time to adjust to Brown's Southern American English and the disruptive advertisements, but Fyfe refers to the episodes with Harriet Lerner as a "masterclass in emotional intelligence."[7] Alice Florence Orr also praised the Harriet Lerner episodes in the LA Review of Books channel Podcast Review, saying that the show "make[s] for unique listening."[8] Hannah J. Davies of The Guardian commented on the show saying that it is "an anxiety-quelling Ted talk in audio form."[9] Morgan McNaught of The A.V. Club praised the episode featuring Austin Channing Brown on her recently published book, I'm Still Here, calling the episode "richly informative."[10]
