Brave Souls
Experiencing the Audacious Power of Empathy
by Belinda Bauman
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Pub Date Apr 02 2019 | Archive Date Jun 13 2019
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Description
What if empathy could save us? Belinda Bauman was living a comfortable life as a wife, mother, and nonprofit leader—but her soul was checked out. Then she met Esperance. An assault survivor living in one of the poorest, most dangerous countries in the world, Esperance and other Congolese women shared their harrowing stories with Belinda. Their vulnerability set Belinda on a path of embracing empathy. If Esperance could love in the face of so much pain, maybe there is hope for the world too. From the top of Mount Kilimanjaro to the borders of war-torn Syria, Belinda takes readers along her journey to empathy. With cutting-edge neuroscience, biblical parables, and stories of brave women from across the globe, she offers readers direction for seeing others' perspectives, listening well, and redeeming conflict. She casts a vision for lives and communities transformed by everyday Christians practicing empathy as a spiritual discipline. Join Belinda on a journey to be brave—and see your world changed.
Advance Praise
"This book pulls you in and doesn't let you go until the end. Given the tone of today's public discourse, what does it mean to have disruptive empathy or high functioning apathy? Bauman's authenticity, wild stories, and gift with words pulls you into the inner world of a woman being asked by God to listen—really listen—to the people around her, specifically to the stories of women who have survived the violence of war. She reminds us—challenges us—that empathy is not reserved for a few select saints. It is gritty, personal, concrete, and practical, and available to all brave souls thirsty enough to pursue real love."
-Shayne Moore, author of Refuse to Do Nothing
"Belinda Bauman gives us a gift—inviting us away from merely hearing someone to embracing empathy and allowing another person's story to move us into action. The journey isn't pretty or easy, but Bauman's belief in change left me more hopeful than I've been in a long time."
-Kathy Khang, speaker, activist, and author of Raise Your Voice: Why We Stay Silent and How to Speak Up
"In an age where it is easy to think of ourselves as socially aware and compassionate, but where studies show we are swiftly losing our empathy and growing ever-more distant from one another, this book is a beautiful and passionate call back to becoming fully human, learning to listen to one another's stories and being willing to risk the loss of comfort to live in solidarity with others. In Brave Souls, a book born from her life story, Belinda Bauman takes direct aim at what it means for us to truly love—having a form of holy empathy—and be deeply engaged in the world around us. Not everyone has a mentor to sit down with for coffee; for those who don't, you will be delighted to find Belinda a wise, experienced, and gentle guide leading you into the high places of true Christian spirituality. I can't recommend it highly enough."
-Ken Wytsma, author of Pursuing Justice and The Myth of Equality
"In Brave Souls, Belinda Bauman makes a vitally important and rarely explored connection between bravery and empathy. She leads us from conflict zones in the Congo to her own spiritual struggle regarding the universal Christian act of worship and uncovers the stunning truth: only those courageous enough to dive into the depths of empathy will be able to change this hurting world. A masterful storyteller and experienced spiritual guide, Bauman introduces us to some of the most inspiring people we'll ever meet and then invites us—like them and like her—to be brave."
-Zach Hoag, author of The Light Is Winning
"When Belinda Bauman's heart awoke to the suffering of others, she came alive in a way she'd not lived before. On this unlikely journey she discovered that learning and practicing empathy changes the world and changes the one willing to embrace it. In these pages Belinda is inviting you and me not just to feel empathy but to embody it. Brave Souls is challenging me to take big risks to love more, and I believe it will do the same for you. Say yes. You won't regret it."
-Jamie D. Aten, founder and executive director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, author of A Walking Disaster
"Belinda Bauman is a brave soul and her call to live an empathetic life is not just one she writes about but one she's living. This collection of stories, practices, and spiritual truths are words we need to hear, but even more they offer a way of living we need to embrace."
-Todd Deatherage, executive director and cofounder, The Telos Group
Marketing Plan
• Pre-launch media coverage in national outlets
• National print and online media reviews
• B&T Indie ARC mailing
• National media interviews
• Magazine features and op-eds
• National author speaking events
• Early outreach and giveaways on Goodreads and NetGalley
• Librarian and educator outreach
• Outreach to social justice organizations
• Features at BookExpo, BookCon, and the American Library Association
• Promotion on InterVarsity Press social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Features in the InterVarsity Press newsletters
• Social media promotions using #BraveSouls
• Author Twitter: @belindajbauman
• Author Instagram: @belindajbauman
• Author website: onemillionthumbprints.org
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780830845668 |
| PRICE | $23.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 224 |
Links
Featured Reviews
Beverly T, Bookseller
In a world of chaos and social crisis, Brave Souls by Belinda Bauman is a breath of fresh air and filled with spiritual truths. Throughout various stories, quotes from Christian and secular sources, Bauman effectively shows the world's desperate need for empathy. Bauman includes practical hands-on application tactics that encourage readers to take an inside look at their own listening skills, assess their own skills with empathy, communication, and perspective taking.
Overall, there is a beautiful sense of understanding, gentleness, and love throughout this book. It's a book worthy of being shared, pondered over, and discussed with those of us seeking to help heal a broken world. I highly recommend it.
Emily K, Reviewer
Brave Souls by Belinda Bauman is a great resource on the powerful need for empathy. This book is a good companion to Brene Brown's work on empathy. Stories and studies both from a faith based perspective and from a secular worldview cause this book to feel multi dimensional. There is engagement offered in this book through the guided portions given by the author! I recommend!
Debra S, Reviewer
After reading this book, I now look at The Golden Rule much differently. The Golden Rule is quite universal, most of us have been encouraged and taught to live by it, and yet, is that the best way to live? What if you and the other party or group do not share the same values or societal norms? That is where empathy, audacious empathy, enters the picture.
Choosing the less traveled road of empathy can transform you, your relationships, your testimony and yes, your world. Choose empathy to connect with, know and care about others. Practice empathy to ease someone’s burdens, to be less afraid, to hate and seek revenge less. Practicing audacious empathy is life changing.
Empathy, through God’s design, is part of us. It is a skill which can be developed and must be practiced each and every day. God chose to imprint each of us with empathy so that we can transform our world, one relationship at a time. We need to see, feel and act. However, before we can do those things, we must first listen deeply. Deep listening can lead to healing. How awesome is that?
I loved learning about brave listening. We can learn to really listen to others, and validate their feelings and thoughts, even and especially those we don’t agree with. To love others, we must listen to them.
Empathy is a much needed skill that we all must learn and develop. Our very world is depending on it. This book will help you to begin working on the skills of empathy. You will be guided through perspective-taking, empathetic listening and peacemaking. Read this book and allow yourself to experience the transforming power of empathy. This book touched my heart and spoke into my soul.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from IVP Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Ashley M, Reviewer
Wow... This book is truly powerful and poignant - an absolute wake up call to all of us about the power of letting down the walls of our hearts and letting people in. We are commanded to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. But the truth of the matter is, without empathy we cannot fulfill this. Excellent book.
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