Learning How to See with Brian McLaren

Latest Episodes:

Introducing: Learning How to See "Nature" Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to the sixth season of Learning How to See which focuses on learning how to see nature in a new way. In this season, we'll look at nature through the lens of a child, a scientist, a lover, a doctor, a seeker, and a gardener. The goal is to develop a deeper connection and appreciation for the natural world. We need to see every tree and stone, every bird and fish, every stream and prairie and star with eyes of love and wonder. That's not just a matter of joy and meaning for our individual lives, it's increasingly a matter of survival for our species. We hope you'll join us for the new seasons of Learning How to See.

Resources:

Why Don't They Get It? by Brian McLaren can be found here.
Cory and the Seventh Story by Brian McLaren can be found here.
More info on Life and Doom, the new book by Brian McLaren can be found here.

The Seventh Story Nov 24, 2023

Show notes

What if we could reimagine the future of storytelling?

In the last episode of Season 5 of Learning How to See, join in the conversation about how to create a new kind of space in which we can all participate in shifting our world towards greater Love and justice.

Resources:

The transcript for this episode can be found here.
To learn more about Gareth Higgins, click here.
To learn more about Brian McLaren, click here.
To explore the seven stories in more depth, visit the website here. You'll find details about the children's book, essays for adults, and more.

Connect with us:

Have a question you'd like Brian or Gareth to answer about the seven stories? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until November 22nd, 2023.
This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

Accumulation Stories Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

How do you embrace the wisdom of letting go?

In this episode, Brian and Gareth explore the power of sharing to explore the Accumulation Story, a justification of our human need to hold onto things, people, and circumstances.

Gareth explains: “This is a story about money and fear. It's a story about being possessed by things rather than enjoying and sharing them. And it's a story nested within a bigger story about how sometimes when we think we have more, we actually have less.”

Resources:

The transcript for this episode can be found here.
To learn more about Gareth Higgins, click here.
To learn more about Brian McLaren, click here.
To explore the seven stories in more depth, visit the website here. You'll find details about the children's book, essays for adults, and more.

Connect with us:

Have a question you'd like Brian or Gareth to answer about the seven stories? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until November 22nd, 2023.
This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

Victimization Stories Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

How do you tell the story of a time you have been wronged or betrayed?

Many of us experience victimization. But when does "victim" become an outdated part of our identity? Brian McLaren offers us: “If victims allow themselves to take an offramp from their victimizing stories, they embrace another way to define their lives.”

We're continuing forward with powerful explorations of storytelling as resilience and transformation.

Resources:

The transcript for this episode can be found here.
To learn more about Gareth Higgins, click here.
To learn more about Brian McLaren, click here.
To explore the seven stories in more depth, visit the website here. You'll find details about the children's book, essays for adults, and more.

Connect with us:

Have a question you'd like Brian or Gareth to answer about the seven stories? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until November 22nd, 2023.
This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

Isolation Stories Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

“To be fully in the world is to believe that we can love other people and places more than we fear them.” –Gareth Higgins

Have you convinced yourself that you are better off alone? Today we're exploring the dynamics of the Isolation Story — the belief that we can avoid pain by avoiding others. As Gareth Higgins explains, “While it may not be physically violent, the Isolation Story is more than harmful, because it does two things. First, it moves us toward less connection with others, and therefore less community and support when we need it. And second, it turns life grey, where we miss out on the gifts of the rainbow.”

Resources:

The transcript for this episode can be found here.
To learn more about Gareth Higgins, click here.
To learn more about Brian McLaren, click here.
To explore the seven stories in more depth, visit the website here. You'll find details about the children's book, essays for adults, and more.

Connect with us:

Have a question you'd like Brian or Gareth to answer about the seven stories? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until November 22nd, 2023.
This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

Purification Stories Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

“Almost everybody who does evil has convinced themselves that they are doing good.” —Brian McLaren

Have you ever convinced yourself that an unloving act was justified? In this episode, we're asking ourselves the tough questions and peeling back the layers of the Purification Story — a narrative with complex dynamics that can lead us to harmful interactions with others and ourselves.

Resources:

The transcript for this episode can be found here.
To learn more about Gareth Higgins, click here.
To learn more about Brian McLaren, click here.
To explore the seven stories in more depth, visit the website here. You'll find details about the children's book, essays for adults, and more.

Connect with us:

Have a question you'd like Brian or Gareth to answer about the seven stories? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until November 22nd, 2023.
This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

Revolution Stories Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

“If you want a better world, tell a better story — especially one that centers justice without vengeance.” –Gareth Higgins

How do we tell stories that offer us the best chance of creating a more peaceful and loving reality? In this episode of Learning How to See, we're exploring stories of revolution. Although these tales often contain values of heroism and liberty, they are more likely to feed into the cycle of violence rather than end it.

Resources:

The transcript for this episode can be found here.
To learn more about Gareth Higgins, click here.
To learn more about Brian McLaren, click here.
To explore the seven stories in more depth, visit the website here. You'll find details about the children's book, essays for adults, and more.

Connect with us:

Have a question you'd like Brian or Gareth to answer about the seven stories? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until November 22nd, 2023.
This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

Domination Stories Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

“Stories shape our reality, whether they are true or not.” —Gareth Higgins

What if you told the story of your life differently? Explore the powerful influence of stories in shaping our experiences in the newest season of Learning How to See with Brian McLaren and Gareth Higgins.

In this episode, we explore the Domination Story, a way of understanding our world that distorts our relationships with others and the Earth. Learn how to identify and shift this kind of story so that you can experience a truer and more loving reality.

Resources:

The transcript for this episode can be found here.
To learn more about Gareth Higgins, click here.
To learn more about Brian McLaren, click here.
To explore the seven stories in more depth, visit the website here. You'll find details about the children's book, essays for adults, and more.

Connect with us:

Have a question you'd like Brian or Gareth to answer about the seven stories? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until November 22nd, 2023.
This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

An Introduction to Seven Stories Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

“Becoming conscious of the stories we’re telling can be lifesaving to individuals and entire cultures.”—Gareth Higgins

How do you recount life’s biggest triumphs and failures? What about your deepest loves and biggest betrayals? In this season, we'll be exploring the power of storytelling to help create a more just and loving world.

This season, Brian McLaren dives into conversation with the co-host for this season, Gareth Higgins. Gareth is a writer and speaker who works in peace building and violence reduction in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Together, Brian and Gareth invite you to explore the story patterns that can lead us towards — and away from — a more equitable and loving future.

Resources:

The transcript for this episode can be found here.
To learn more about Gareth Higgins, click here.
To learn more about Brian McLaren, click here.
To explore the seven stories in more depth, visit the website here. You'll find details about the children's book, essays for adults, and more.

Connect with us:

Have a question you'd like Brian or Gareth to answer about the seven stories? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until November 22nd, 2023.
This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would love to support the ongoing work of the Center for Action and Contemplation and the continued work of our podcasts, you can donate at https://cac.org/support-cac/podcasts/ Thank you!

Listener Questions: Navigating Faith Shifts in Marriage and Relationships Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

Have your spiritual views impacted your romantic relationships?

In the next episode of our listener questions series, Brian and the team examine how our faith often impacts our relationships. Together, they respond to listener questions from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to help the listeners understand how to navigate the challenges these situations can bring.

Today’s conversation sensitively explores these complex dynamics in intimate relationships.

Resources:

The transcript for this episode can be found here.