Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone

Invite readers to reflect on their broad takeaways and initial reactions to the book.

1. Brown opens with Maya Angelou’s quote about belonging everywhere and nowhere. How did this framing strike you as a starting point for a conversation about connection and identity?

2. The distinction between “fitting in” and “true belonging” is central to the book. Did anything about this surprise or challenge you?

3. Brown’s “wilderness” metaphor represents the solitude and bravery required for authentic living. Did the metaphor feel relatable and motivating, or did it fall flat for you in terms of real-world application? How did it compare to other self-help books you’ve read that discuss wildness, such as Women Who Run With Wolves?

Help readers relate the book’s lessons to their own life experiences.

1. Brown shares moments from her youth that shaped her desire to fit in. What personal memories or patterns came up for you as you read these reflections?

2. The BRAVING acronym offers seven elements of trust. Which one feels most intuitive to you? Which one has been hardest to uphold consistently in your relationships?