Trust Your Mind

Jenara Nerenberg is an international journalist and author of the groundbreaking and bestselling Divergent Mind. With a background in political theory and public health, she synthesizes micro and macro trends to uncover nuanced layers underlying modern social relations. She grew up in San Francisco, left high school at sixteen, attended community college, and made her way to Berkeley and Harvard. From there she launched a journalism career in Asia, corresponding on a freelance basis for CNN and Fast Company, with pieces in TIME, NPR and elsewhere. She speaks regularly at institutions, libraries, and companies around the world, from Stanford to the Aspen Institute and elsewhere.

“A deeply human book that masterfully addresses one of the great problems of our times. Compelling, lucid and timely, it should be required reading as it not only explains the complex stew of social psychological forces that have gotten us to this point, but also provides readers with a science-informed blueprint for skillfully navigating the cultural headwinds they face.” — Ethan Kross, International Bestselling Author of Chatter and Shift“As an educator, philosopher, and advocate for liberal learning, I deeply appreciate Nerenberg’s rich exploration of the harms of self-censorship and groupthink. She makes a compelling case for thinking for ourselves by seeking out honest, open, courageous, and humble conversations with each other. This book is a welcome intervention in a polarized age.” — Jennifer Frey, Dean of the Honors College at The University of Tulsa and Professor of Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy & Religion“How have we fallen so deeply into groupthink, even in institutions that are meant to facilitate an exchange of diverse views like college campuses? In this highly accessible book, Jenara Nerenberg explains how we got into cul de sacs of dogmatism, and how we can get out of them.” — Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith America and author of We Need To Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy"Trust Your Mind is a bold call to think deeper and speak truer. Jenara Nerenberg shows how self-censorship holds us back from authentic connection and how to combat our habit of self-enforced silence for better conversations, a stronger society, and more personal resilience.” — Kurt Gray, author of Outraged and director of the Deepest Beliefs Lab at UNC Chapel Hill"A perceptive exploration of the forces driving self-silencing, loneliness, and social isolation in a polarized world. Jenara Nerenberg provides a thoughtful guide to reclaiming individuality, embracing nuance, and building authentic connections. A must-read for anyone seeking to navigate modern discourse with clarity and humanity." — Joel Salinas, MD, co-author of Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving Up or Giving In“Trust Your Mind is a timely exploration of the downsides of self-censorship and groupthink in a polarized world. Using sharp analysis and research, Jenara Nerenberg guides us all toward opening our minds, engaging in real communication, embracing nuance, and viewing people as the complex, multifaceted individuals that they are--not the identities or ideas we think they're supposed to represent.” — Andrew Boryga, author of VICTIM“Trust Your Mind creatively weaves together diverse developments over recent decades to illuminate the causes and impacts of the reduced free speech and increased groupthink that now plague public intellectual life. Her book should inspire renewed appreciation of and engagement in the critical thinking and open discourse that are so essential for the flourishing of individuals and society alike.”  — Nadine Strossen, former president of the ACLU"Nerenberg offers ways to speak up, stand alone, and be true to ourselves. Connection is also important, and the author talks about debate, comedy, and seeing the Internet as a city filled with diversity as an antidote to this growing problem. She urges stepping away from the computer and going out in the real world to connect with a variety of viewpoints. Nerenberg’s timely and thought-provoking analysis is sure to spark discussion." — Booklist"Nerenberg offers ways to speak up, stand alone, and be true to ourselves. . . . Nerenberg’s timely and thought-provoking analysis is sure to spark discussion." — Booklist