Brené Brown Returns to Podcasting With Adam Grant in New Vox Media Show “The Curiosity Shop”
After a three-year hiatus from podcasting, renowned researcher and bestselling author Brené Brown is officially returning to the audio world. This time, she’s partnering with celebrated organizational psychologist Adam Grant for a brand-new podcast titled “The Curiosity Shop.”
The upcoming show, produced by Vox Media, promises to explore some of the most pressing intellectual and cultural questions of modern life. Rather than offering quick answers, the podcast will focus on curiosity, deep thinking, and meaningful conversations—something both hosts are widely known for.
Scheduled to debut on March 19, the podcast will feature both audio and video episodes, making it accessible across multiple platforms for global audiences.
A Major Comeback After Three Years Away From Podcasting
For longtime followers of Brené Brown’s work, this return marks a significant moment. Brown stepped away from podcasting nearly three years ago after her widely popular shows Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead ended following the conclusion of her partnership with Spotify.
Those podcasts had built massive audiences around discussions of vulnerability, leadership, and emotional courage. When the shows ended, many listeners wondered if Brown would ever return to the format.
Now, with “The Curiosity Shop,” Brown appears ready to step back into podcasting—but with a different tone and mission.
Instead of focusing primarily on leadership and personal growth, the new show will lean more heavily into research, curiosity, and intellectual exploration, drawing from Brown’s academic background as a professor at the University of Houston.
What “The Curiosity Shop” Podcast Will Explore
According to the announcement, “The Curiosity Shop” will be built around thoughtful dialogue and evidence-based exploration.
The podcast will examine:
Complex social and cultural questions shaping modern life
Emerging research about how people live, work, and build relationships
Intellectual debates about leadership, psychology, and society
Cultural moments that spark curiosity and discussion
New ideas challenging conventional wisdom
Brown and Grant say their goal is to encourage listeners to slow down and ask better questions, rather than rushing toward simplified conclusions.
At a time when social media often pushes quick opinions and viral takes, the podcast intends to create a space for thoughtful curiosity and nuanced conversation.
Brené Brown on Her Collaboration With Adam Grant
Speaking about the new podcast, Brené Brown described her professional relationship with Adam Grant as something unique.
She explained that their conversations often spark curiosity and learning rather than direct debate.
“Our relationship is actually a curiosity,” Brown said in the announcement. “We rarely agree, we almost never disagree, and we always learn.”
This dynamic, she believes, will be the driving force behind the podcast’s format. Instead of trying to prove who is right, the hosts will explore ideas together in real time.
The aim is to model intellectual humility and curiosity—qualities that Brown has long advocated in both leadership and personal growth.
Adam Grant Calls the Collaboration “The Best Game of Tennis”
For Adam Grant, co-hosting a podcast with Brené Brown represents an exciting creative opportunity.
Grant compared their conversational chemistry to an energetic exchange in sports.
“This collaboration is like the best game of tennis I’ve ever played,” Grant said. “I can’t wait to have a weekly excuse to rally.”
Grant’s enthusiasm reflects the long history of dialogue between the two thinkers. Although they have appeared on each other’s podcasts in the past, “The Curiosity Shop” marks the first time they will co-host a show together.
This partnership blends two powerful voices in psychology, leadership research, and workplace culture.
Brené Brown: Two Decades Studying Courage and Vulnerability
Brené Brown has spent more than 20 years researching human emotions and social behavior, particularly topics that many people struggle to discuss openly.
Her academic work focuses on themes such as:
Courage
Vulnerability
Shame
Empathy
Human connection
Over the years, Brown’s research has influenced organizations, leaders, educators, and professionals worldwide.
Her work has also reached a mainstream audience through bestselling books and her influential TED talk The Power of Vulnerability TED Talk, which became one of the most viewed talks in TED history.
Through books, speaking engagements, and training programs, Brown has helped organizations develop braver leadership cultures and more empathetic workplaces.
Her return to podcasting signals a new chapter where academic insight meets conversational storytelling.
Adam Grant: One of the World’s Leading Organizational Psychologists
Adam Grant is widely recognized as one of the most influential thinkers in modern workplace psychology.
A professor at the Wharton School, Grant has repeatedly been named the institution’s top-rated professor.
His research focuses on how individuals find meaning, motivation, and purpose in their work and lives.
Grant is also a prolific author whose bestselling books include:
Think Again
Give and Take
Originals
Beyond his academic work, Grant is also a seasoned podcast host.
His shows Re:Thinking and WorkLife with Adam Grant have built large audiences interested in workplace culture, productivity, and personal development.
His collaboration with Brené Brown will combine research insights with lively intellectual dialogue.
Vox Media Expands Its Podcast Network
The upcoming show is part of the expanding podcast lineup from Vox Media, one of the most influential digital publishing companies in the United States.
The Vox Media Podcast Network already hosts several well-known shows, including:
Pivot
On with Kara Swisher
Prof G Markets
Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast
Tefi Talks
The company has also revealed plans to launch at least six additional podcasts in the coming months, signaling a strong push into digital audio and video content.
Vox Media on Why Brené Brown and Adam Grant Are the Perfect Pair
According to Vox Media leadership, the partnership between Brené Brown and Adam Grant reflects the company’s focus on curiosity-driven storytelling.
Lillian Xu, Vice President at Vox Media, highlighted how both thinkers have shaped conversations around leadership and human relationships.
She noted that the podcast will challenge listeners to question assumptions and explore complex ideas.
Xu said:
“Brené and Adam have each shaped the modern conversation around leadership and human connection. In ‘The Curiosity Shop,’ their distinct perspectives meet in real time, challenging each other — and all of us — to rethink what we know.”
She added that curiosity is a key theme across the company’s podcast strategy, making this collaboration a natural fit.
Why Curiosity Is the Core Theme of the New Podcast
Curiosity is more than just a catchy title for the show—it’s the philosophical foundation behind the entire project.
Both Brené Brown and Adam Grant have built careers encouraging people to question assumptions and embrace intellectual humility.
The podcast aims to promote:
Curiosity over certainty
Questions over quick conclusions
Evidence over opinions
Dialogue over debate
This approach reflects a broader cultural shift toward thoughtful exploration rather than polarized discussion.
In an era of rapid information and viral content, Brown and Grant hope to create a space where ideas can be explored more deeply.
The Rise of Thoughtful Podcast Conversations
The launch of “The Curiosity Shop” also reflects a broader trend in podcasting.
Over the past decade, podcasts have evolved from niche entertainment into one of the most influential platforms for intellectual conversations.
Many listeners now turn to podcasts for:
Long-form interviews
Deep dives into research
Expert perspectives on social issues
Cultural analysis
Shows hosted by scholars, psychologists, and authors have gained massive popularity because they offer nuanced discussions rarely found on traditional media platforms.
By combining academic insight with accessible storytelling, Brené Brown and Adam Grant are stepping into a space where thoughtful content thrives.
How the Podcast Will Be Different From Brown’s Previous Shows
Although Brown’s earlier podcasts were widely praised, “The Curiosity Shop” is expected to take a different direction.
Key differences include:
Co-Host Format
Unlike her previous solo-hosted shows, this podcast will feature two hosts engaging in ongoing dialogue.
Research-Driven Conversations
The discussions will focus more deeply on academic research and evolving ideas.
Broader Cultural Topics
The show will expand beyond leadership and vulnerability into societal trends, psychology, and intellectual debates.
Video Integration
Episodes will be released in both audio and video formats, allowing audiences to watch conversations as well as listen.
What Listeners Can Expect From the First Episodes
While the full episode lineup has not yet been revealed, early teasers suggest the podcast will tackle some of today’s most thought-provoking topics.
Possible discussion themes may include:
Why curiosity is essential for innovation
How leaders can navigate uncertainty
The psychology of disagreement
How research challenges common beliefs
Cultural trends shaping modern workplaces
The goal is to create episodes that spark curiosity and inspire deeper thinking.
A Powerful Partnership in the World of Ideas
For fans of both Brené Brown and Adam Grant, “The Curiosity Shop” represents an exciting collaboration between two influential thinkers.
Both individuals have built large global audiences by translating complex psychological ideas into accessible conversations.
Together, they bring:
Academic expertise
Research credibility
Storytelling ability
Engaging conversational style
This combination could make the podcast one of the most talked-about launches in the world of intellectual media this year.
Why This Podcast Launch Matters in 2026
The debut of “The Curiosity Shop” arrives at a time when audiences are increasingly searching for thoughtful, meaningful conversations.
As misinformation spreads rapidly online, many listeners are turning to trusted experts for deeper insight and balanced perspectives.
Brown and Grant’s emphasis on curiosity and evidence may resonate strongly with audiences looking for ideas rather than arguments.
Their podcast could also influence discussions in leadership, education, workplace culture, and social psychology.
Final Thoughts
Brené Brown’s return to podcasting marks a major moment for fans of thoughtful dialogue and research-driven storytelling.
With Adam Grant as her co-host and Vox Media behind the production, “The Curiosity Shop” has the potential to become one of the most compelling podcasts exploring human behavior, leadership, and intellectual curiosity.
As the first episode launches on March 19, listeners around the world will soon get the chance to join Brown and Grant on a journey into questions that shape how we live, work, and connect.
If early anticipation is any indication, the podcast may quickly become a must-listen for anyone interested in ideas that challenge assumptions and inspire deeper thinking.
