Take Back Your Brain by Kara Loewentheil Summary
Overview of Take Back Your Brain
Rewire your brain against society's sexist programming with Kara Loewentheil's #1 bestseller. What if the mental blocks holding you back aren't your fault? Endorsed by Rebecca Minkoff as "a movement," this guide transforms limiting beliefs into unstoppable confidence.
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Key takeaways
The Voice That Holds You Hostage
Have you ever found yourself sobbing under your desk, feeling like a failure despite outward success? You're not alone. Millions of women live with a relentless inner Voice constantly berating them about their competence, body, relationships, and worth. This Voice isn't random-it's the result of patriarchal programming that teaches women their value depends on appearance, others' opinions, achievements, and universal approval. This creates what Kara Loewentheil calls the "Brain Gap"-the disconnect between what we consciously believe (like feminist principles) and what we unconsciously feel (deep insecurity). Our brains begin life like empty pages, absorbing information from everyone around us through both explicit messages and implicit observations. While many learned thoughts help us navigate life, we also absorb harmful societal biases without realizing it. What makes this particularly insidious is how these thoughts drive our emotions, which then determine our actions. Though we'd like to believe we're rational beings, our behavior is actually driven by our feelings, which are created by our often unconscious thoughts. Societal messages about women's worth are secretly setting the GPS for your brain, directing you away from where you actually want to go. When we question these thoughts, our brains resist through denial, anxiety, or avoidance. This resistance is normal-like a moat surrounding a castle of gold. Uncomfortable to wade through, but necessary to reach the treasure inside.
Befriending Your Emotions Instead of Fighting Them
Rewiring Your Brain Through Deliberate Practice
Breaking Free From Beauty Standards
Creating Your Own Self-Worth
Reclaiming Your Time and Energy
From Personal Liberation to Social Change
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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