Brené Brown Instagram – I loved and NEEDED this “Unlocking Us” two-parter with @christophergermerphd—I can’t wait for y’all to listen! When I was doing research for “Atlas of the Heart,” I came across the concept of “the near enemy.” Talk about unlocking! I’d been working on a theory of meaningful connection for two decades, and I was totally stuck until I discovered this concept. Near enemies masquerade as the qualities that we hold important, but they actually corrode those qualities. For example, pity is the near enemy of compassion. When we’re struggling, compassion helps us feel connection and brings healing. But what about someone who responds with, “Bless your heart,” or “You poor thing”? Ugh. Pity doesn’t help us feel connected—it drives separation and makes us feel worse. Chris has done wonderful work on the near enemies of fierce compassion—that fiery compassion that drives activism, organization, and social justice work. I learned so much from this conversation—Chris’s introspection, reflection, and care are so powerful and helpful. Glad you’re here for this one. Listen at the link in bio.