|  Blog Post   |  connection grows
Justine Froelker - Keynote Speaker for Mental Health

connection grows

I share a lot when I write and teach.
Chances are, my vulnerability often makes you pretty uncomfortable.
And yet, in that discomfort, you probably find yourself leaning in.
Because when I let you see me, connection grows.
That connection maybe even makes you want to share your story with me.
And trust builds.
Which leads to more connection.
And now we are walking through this life together.

Or maybe you don’t find yourself leaning into that discomfort, and you feel that my vulnerability is too much or inappropriate.

And I wonder when and how you learned that vulnerability isn’t okay?

Being vulnerable and sharing a lot doesn’t mean sharing everything. Vulnerability ALWAYS has boundaries. The most intimate details of my life are reserved for very few people.

After many years of living fully and vulnerably, I’ve learned many lessons. The biggest is that I will no longer dull myself to make you more comfortable. Most especially because I have seen the power of daring to show myself fully. It is the power that creates the space for you to dare to show yourself to me. No matter how alike or different we are in that space, we are in it together with our common humanity and connection. Where we remember we aren’t so damn alone and that perhaps we can live as loved as we truly are. All because we dared to lean in, choose vulnerability, and show ourselves to one another.

Photo credit: Sarah Carmody

Author:

A Licensed Professional Counselor, Justine Froelker has over 25 years of experience in mental health, personal growth, and professional development. For eleven years, she was certified in Dr. Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability, courage, and empathy. Justine now shares her own curriculum, Courage is Built Here™. This transformative program empowers individuals to live and lead with self-awareness, authenticity, and resilience, building a foundation for courage-centered leadership. In addition to writing her blog since 2013, Justine is an accomplished author of twelve books—including five Amazon bestsellers—Justine has written across genres, from children’s books to in-depth explorations of infertility, faith, grief, and leadership. She has delivered two TEDx Talks, The Permission of the And and The Donut Effect, which highlight her unique perspective on navigating life’s complexities with grace. Justine is a sought-after speaker who travels nationally and presents virtually to global audiences, delivering keynotes, workshops, retreats, and trainings on topics such as leadership, resilience, mental health, coping with burnout, courageous and curious conversations, and fostering cultures of inclusion and belonging. Justine lives in St. Louis with her husband Chad and their three dogs. You’ll often find her volunteering at Wild Bird Rehabilitation—supporting the medical team and feeding hundreds of tiny, hungry babies during baby bird season. And during butterfly season, her home comes alive with the flutter of wings as she raises hundreds of monarch and swallowtail butterflies.

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