Vulnerable - by Ed Cohen (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Annual statistics of male abuse can't accurately be recorded when there is a lack of reporting. Fear keeps its victims silent, and for decades, author and international exectutive Ed Cohen kept his lips sealed. Fans of What My Bones Know will enjoy this story of triumph as one successful man finally faces the one thing holding him down: the monster of his past.

What stops men from reporting abuse? Is it shame, the fear of not being taken seriously, or a lack of support and guidance? The answer is all of the above.

Because of the stigma attached to male abuse, millions of men across the globe suffer in silence each year. For several decades, Ed Cohen was one of them. For over fifty years, Ed carried a secret, living a life that looked like success on the outside, while inside, he battled silence, shame, and pain rooted in deep trauma. At a breaking point, he asked himself the same question he now poses to any victim looking for peace: What if the very mask you wore to succeed was the thing that kept you from healing?

Ed's memoir, Vulnerable, is more than a journey; it's a movement. A call to end the silence around abuse, shame, and hidden wounds. It's a roadmap for anyone ready to break free from their past and step into a life of truth, resilience, and purpose. Also serving as a guidebook, readers will find: five core transformative principles, practical strategies for building meaningful relationships, lifelong adaptability, and authentic purpose, inspiring mantras, and an A to Z appendix of healing challenges. Whether you are healing from your own scars or standing with someone who is, Vulnerable empowers you to be seen, to be heard, and to reclaim your life.

The time to end the silence is now. This is your invitation to join the movement.

Review Quotes

This powerful memoir traces Ed's journey from abuse and misfortune to a life guided by purpose, love, generosity, and wisdom. Through his story, he encourages readers to speak their truth and recognize their inherent worth, sharing the simple guiding principles that helped him break free from feelings of unworthiness. Ed's honesty and vulnerability offers hope to anyone seeking freedom from shame and the courage to love fully.--Cheri Torres, PhD, Founding Executive of the CWH Institute and author of Conversations Worth Having

Ed Cohen's contributions to the field of learning are countless. He has been a champion of human flourishing, resilience, and authentic leadership as long as I've known him. His new book, 'Vulnerable, ' reveals the furnace in which those qualities were forged. This brave, raw story is a different kind of learning journey, but an important one: the journey of self-discovery, healing, and authenticity.--Tony Bingham, President and CEO of the Association for Talent Development

It's profound, important, and difficult work to break the destructive cycles from our past. This book is a story and a guide on how you might do that too.--Michael Bungay Stanier Founder of Box of Crayons, and author of the best-selling book, The Coaching Habit

Some of the strongest lives are forged in the courage to face what once felt unbearable. In 'Vulnerable, ' Ed Cohen reminds us that healing begins the moment we stop hiding and start telling the truth. His story is a hopeful invitation to move beyond silence and discover that our greatest wounds can become our greatest source of purpose.--John O'Leary, #1 national best-selling author and inspiration of the film Soul On Fire

About the Author

Ed Cohen (edcohen.org) is a globally respected leader in talent development and executive coaching whose life exemplifies the transformative power of resilience. From a childhood marked by severe abuse and silence, he rose to design leadership and learning programs that have impacted tens of thousands across more than seventy-five countries including during pivotal roles at Booz Allen Hamilton and Satyam (now Tech Mahindra) in India. Today, Ed is a bold, compassionate voice for healing through vulnerability. He has authored the books Leadership Without Borders (John Wiley & Sons, 2007), and Transforming Teams (ATD Press, 2026) and co-authored Riding the Tiger (ASTD Press, 2010) with Priscilla Nelson. Through his work, his writing, and his willingness to share the truth behind the mask, he inspires others to break free from shame and reclaim their stories. His passion for empowerment spans from mentoring vulnerable youth in India to helping executives lead with authenticity and purpose. His message is clear: healing is possible and no one has to walk that path alone.