Lecturer and author Brené Brown’s research on shame and vulnerability has contributed to the public conversation about what it means to live authentically — or, as Brown calls it, “wholehearted living.” In her book “Rising Strong,” Brown acknowledges that owning up to our difficult emotions (including fear, anger, aggression, and shame) can be difficult, and can even feel dangerous. But taking accountability for our emotions and actions, no matter how messy, is how we learn and grow from our mistakes. By walking inside our stories, instead of denying our feelings and distancing ourselves from the truth, we can transform our lives.