--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The truth is, I'm a storyteller. And it…" description: "\"The truth is, I'm a storyteller. And it scares me, because my training as an academic is that the more accessible you are and the more human you are, t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/bren-brown-280_academic_the-truth-is-i-m-a-storyteller-and-it-sc_532900.jpg" --- # The truth is, I'm a storyteller. And it scares me, because… ![“The truth is, I'm a storyteller. And it scares me, because my training as an academic is that the more accessible you are and the more human you are, the less smart you are. It's a shame trigger for me to be honest.” quote by Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/bren-brown-280_academic_the-truth-is-i-m-a-storyteller-and-it-sc_532900.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/bren-brown-280_academic_the-truth-is-i-m-a-storyteller-and-it-sc_532900.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d18/bren-brown-280_academic_the-truth-is-i-m-a-storyteller-and-it-sc_532900.jpg) > “The truth is, I'm a storyteller. And it scares me, because my training as an academic is that the more accessible you are and the more human you are, the less smart you are. It's a shame trigger for me to be honest.” [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She admits that being open and relatable can be perceived as less intelligent, revealing tension between authenticity and societal expectations of expertise. **In simple terms:** Being human can make you seem less smart, but it's valuable. Key Takeaway Embrace vulnerability despite fear of judgment. Themes authenticity vulnerability expertise self‑image culture Mood reflective encouraging thoughtful Type inspirational motivational When to use this quote - public speaking - teaching - team meetings - social media Key Concepts psychology leadership communication Questions to Reflect On - What does being authentic cost you? - How can you balance expertise with relatability? A Different Perspective Authenticity may be misread as lack of competence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Academic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/academic/) [Being honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-honest/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) [Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart/) [Storyteller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storyteller/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) [Triggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triggers/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I think the last thing you want to do as a writer, as a storyteller, is to create indifference. 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Every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/always-put-off-writing-by-reorganizing-my-entire-house-and-spending/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [When you ask people about love, they tell you about heartbreak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/when-you-ask-people-about-love-they-tell-you-about-heartbreak/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“I can recognize shame when it’s happening.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/i-can-recognize-shame-when-it-s-happening/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [I carry a small sheet of paper in my wallet that has written on it the names of people whose opinions of me matter.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/i-carry-a-small-sheet-of-paper-in-my-wallet-that-has-written-on-it/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/courage-starts-with-showing-up-and-letting-ourselves-be-seen/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Waking up every day and loving someone who may or may not love us back, whose safety we can't ensure, who may stay in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/waking-up-every-day-and-loving-someone-who-may-or-may-not-love-us/) [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“No matter how separated we are by what we think and believe, we are part of the same spiritual story.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/no-matter-how-separated-we-are-by-what-we-think-and-believe-we-are/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Perfectionism is self-destructive simply because there is no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal. Additionally, perfectionism is more about perception -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/perfectionism-is-self-destructive-simply-because-there-is-no-such/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/shame-corrodes-the-very-part-of-us-that-believes-we-are-capable-of/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [If you're also in the arena and you're putting your ideas out and you're owning them and you're saying "I disagree with you about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/if-you-re-also-in-the-arena-and-you-re-putting-your-ideas-out-and-you/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“I found that men and women with high levels of shame resilience share these four elements: They understand shame and recognize what messages and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/i-found-that-men-and-women-with-high-levels-of-shame-resilience-share/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Connection gives purpose and meaning to our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/connection-gives-purpose-and-meaning-to-our-lives/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“But here’s the tricky part about compassion and connecting: We can’t call just anyone. 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