Podcast Summary: We Can Do Hard Things

Episode: Becoming Full of Yourself | Austin Channing Brown

Hosts: Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, Amanda Doyle
Guest: Austin Channing Brown
Release Date: August 26, 2025

Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation with author and justice advocate Austin Channing Brown, centered on her new book, Full of Myself: Black Womanhood and the Journey to Self Possession. The conversation explores what it means to "become full of yourself" as an act of liberation and justice, especially for Black women and marginalized people. Brown shares stories of her personal journey toward self-possession in the face of systems that ask her to diminish herself. The hosts and guest examine the intersection of personal healing, embodiment, systemic injustice, and what it really means to reclaim one’s full humanity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Purpose of Full of Myself and Centering Black Women

[05:02]–[09:22]

• Self-Help vs. Justice Work: Austin emphasizes that although her book is marketed as self-help, it’s inseparably tied to her racial justice work. She rejects the tradition of “universal” self-help that ignores the impact of systems (patriarchy, racism, homophobia).
• Centering Marginalized Voices: The book's methodology centers Black women, not just as a lens but for the benefit of everyone: “I am convinced that everybody in the room actually learns more when Black women are able to have a conversation amongst ourselves with others present.” (Austin Channing Brown, 07:09)
• Amanda reflects on her own journey and discomfort, acknowledging her tendency to universalize, and recognizes the importance of simply listening as Austin shares her truth.

2. The Journey Toward Self-Possession and Embodiment

[11:03]–[18:14]

• Emptying vs. Fullness: Austin recounts a pivotal experience of being fired from a church job—a result, she says, of becoming a “cultural fit” by unconsciously shrinking herself to meet white expectations in her workplace, including code-switching and changing her demeanor.
  • “I had worked so hard to empty myself. I had worked hard to be a person who was a cultural fit.” (Austin Channing Brown, 11:59)
• The Dangers of Belonging: Abby and Austin discuss the trade-off between belonging to oneself vs. belonging to a group that demands assimilation.
  • "Do I want to belong to this community or do I want to belong to myself?" (Abby Wambach, 14:38)
• Community as Armor: Austin stresses the necessity of finding community for true justice work and self-belonging, to resist isolation and burnout.
  • "The first thing you should be doing is not speaking up. The first thing you should be doing is finding your community." (Austin Channing Brown, 17:13)
• The Trojan Horse Analogy: Amanda likens being rooted in oneself and one’s community to being a “Trojan horse”—present within a system but not loyal to its norms.

3. The Micro-Moments of Embodiment and Resistance

[22:22]–[29:56]

• Cost of Authenticity: When Austin dares to “bubble up” instead of code-switch, she receives feedback that she’s not “gracious,” “happy,” or is even suffering from “group think”—demonstrating how resistance is pathologized.
  • “That’s what the status quo does when you do not meet the status quo. It has names for you.” (Austin Channing Brown, 24:23)
• Insider Information and the Power of Marginalized Lenses: Austin coins the phrase, “Black people, especially Black women, are told we have an attitude problem when what we actually have is insider information.” (Amanda Doyle quoting Austin, 27:11)
  • “I know white people better than white people know white people. And white people really don't like that.” (Austin Channing Brown, 27:24)
• Masks and True Selves: They discuss how dominant groups are often blind to their own behaviors, whereas marginalized people are hyper-aware out of necessity.

4. Rhythm, Embodiment, and Being “Enough”

[31:24]–[38:03]

• Dissonance and Rejection: Austin describes being asked to read at a church and receiving constant critique, ultimately realizing, “My best was not what they were looking for. They were looking for their best wrapped in my body.” (Glennon Doyle quoting Austin, 32:09)
• White vs. Black Church Rhythms: Austin illustrates cultural differences using sermon delivery styles—pointing to the broader issue of how employers or communities prize conformity over authentic diversity.
  • “When you invite me on stage, this is the way that I am going to do it. This is what I bring. This is the whole point of diversity.” (Austin Channing Brown, 34:38)
• Failure, Burnout, and Self-Loss: The hosts ask what happens when you don't love yourself enough to resist assimilation—Austin points to burnout, loss of self, and eventual ejection or escape from harmful systems.

5. The Messy Truth of Reclamation

[42:12]–[56:16]

• Misery and Healing: Amanda and Austin discuss how reclaiming one’s true self is both liberating and painful—a process full of anger, sadness, and discomfort, yet ultimately honest.
  • “It feels horrible...and yet that feels more honest than pretending that I've been okay.” (Austin Channing Brown, 43:00)
• Therapy and Saving Yourself: Austin recounts a powerful therapy moment where her husband wishes he could save her from her pain, and the therapist replies:
  • “Austin is gonna save herself.” (Austin Channing Brown, 51:50)
• Risk and Decisions: Every act of embodiment involves risk—risk of rejection, of not getting the job, of being marginalized. But it's also a path to freedom.
  • “The risk of not emptying, the risk of full embodiment is frightening and freeing. But it’s moment to moment.” (Austin Channing Brown, 54:42)
• “Fair” vs. “Just”: In a job interview, Austin explains she would not confront drunken students alone at 3am as a Black woman; she’d call security. She explores the difference between everyone being treated “the same” (fairness) and what is actually “just,” given the realities of inequality and risk.

6. Universal Application Without Erasure

[56:16]–[59:28]

• Who Is the Book For? While this is "for Black women," Austin agrees her book can benefit everyone by centering the most marginalized, letting understanding radiate outward.
  • “If it’s true here, it’s true all the way through.” (Glennon Doyle, 57:08)
• Beyond “Self Help”: Amanda points out most self-help books are written for privileged readers—Austin’s is more like “us help,” because the solutions radiate out from the most marginalized.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I am convinced that everybody in the room actually learns more when black women are able to have a conversation amongst ourselves with others present.” (Austin Channing Brown, 07:09)
• “I had worked so hard to empty myself. I had worked hard to be a person who was a cultural fit.” (Austin Channing Brown, 11:59)
• “But the expectation was that I would use whatever marginalized status I had to support them without the expectation of being supported in who I am.” (Austin Channing Brown, 13:08)
• “My best was not what they were looking for. They were looking for their best wrapped in my body.” (Glennon Doyle quoting Austin, 32:09)
• “Black people, especially black women, are told we have an attitude problem when what we actually have is insider information.” (Amanda Doyle quoting Austin, 27:11)
• “Austin is gonna save herself.” (Austin Channing Brown, 51:50)
• "If it’s true here, it’s true all the way through." (Glennon Doyle, 57:08)
• "Your book is us Help is all I’m saying." (Amanda Doyle, 57:56)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [05:02] — Austin explains the difference between her book and traditional self-help, and why centering Black women matters.
• [11:03] — Austin tells the story of being fired for not assimilating, opening up the discussion on “emptying” oneself.
• [14:38] — Abby and Austin on the “belong to yourself vs. belong to the group” dilemma.
• [17:13] — Why finding community is essential before speaking up in justice work.
• [22:22] — Amanda asks about the real micro-level costs of resisting assimilation; Austin details workplace pushback.
• [27:11] — “Attitude” vs. “insider information”—Austin’s lens on how Black women’s perspectives are often dismissed.
• [32:09] — Realization that “doing your best” isn’t enough when systems want you to replicate their standards.
• [41:36] — What happens when you lack self-love or a sense of fullness in oppressive systems.
• [43:16] — Therapy moment: “Austin is gonna save herself.”
• [47:46] — Distinction between what is “fair” and “just” in institutional settings.
• [54:42] — The ongoing, difficult, moment-to-moment process of becoming “full of yourself.”

Conclusion

Becoming Full of Yourself is more than a book about building confidence; it’s a radical invitation to personal and communal liberation. Austin Channing Brown powerfully articulates how reclaiming one’s fullness challenges systems of oppression and benefits every person—especially when those most at the margins are put at the center. The episode is a heartfelt testament to the messy, courageous, and necessary work of embodiment, belonging, and justice, illuminating truths that transcend the boundaries of race, gender, and personal story.