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 But when does "victim" become an outdated part of our identity?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 m...
Nov 10, 2023•33 min•Season 5Ep. 6
“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 therefo...
Nov 03, 2023•39 min•Season 5Ep. 5
“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 l...
Oct 27, 2023•43 min•Season 5Ep. 4
“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...
Oct 20, 2023•38 min•Season 5Ep. 3
“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 ...
Oct 13, 2023•50 min•Season 5Ep. 2
“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 v...
Oct 06, 2023•43 min•Season 5Ep. 1
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 thi...
Jul 27, 2023•48 min•Season 4Ep. 14
In this third episode of listener questions, Brian and the team respond to questions that came in centered around Jesus and theology. A listener writes, “I've been questioning the virgin birth and resurrection. As of now, I believe that Jesus was an amazing prophet who was so in touch with God’s spirit that he could do miracles, and his teachings were life changing. Would you let me know how you feel about my thoughts?” Brian and the team responds by discussing the differences between “fact” and...
Jul 26, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 13
What does community look like when our faith shifts? “If I support my grandson who is gay, what do I do with my Catholic faith?” Brian, and the team from the Center for Action and Contemplation reflect on questions that came in around community. Resources: A transcript for this episode can be found here.
Jul 25, 2023•32 min•Season 4Ep. 12
The topic of questions related to this listener questions episode is on actions and beliefs, and if God intervenes. Listeners wrote in with questions such as: “Does God intervene? Does Jesus heal? What am I doing when I pray for people? What precisely is the gospel? If I only had more faith, prayed the right prayer, and believed the Bible literally, maybe these awful things like the death of my young sister-in-law may not have happened.” Brian, and the team from the Center for Action and Contemp...
Jul 24, 2023•41 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Who reminds you of who you really are—even during dark times? Jacqui and Barbara are back, together, to explore ways to stay human amid fear and uncertainty. In this last episode exploring the chapters of 'How', these conversation partners explore the importance of humanity at the core of an authentic faith journey. Whether or not you continue to call yourself Christian—or a member of any other faith—how do we retain the courage to see the world as it truly is? Resources: The transcript for this...
Mar 24, 2023•41 min•Season 4Ep. 9
What is your response when your faith tradition demands that you deny reality? Barbara Brown Taylor is back to discuss the importance of embracing “what is” more than adhering to our beliefs. This episode is based on 27th chapter of Do I Stay Christian?, Stay Loyal to Reality. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here.
Mar 17, 2023•27 min•Season 4Ep. 8
How do you stand for what you believe without making others wrong? In this episode, Rev. Jacqui Lewis joins Brian again to discuss how we can declare our beliefs with love—and why it is essential for the healing of our communities and our planet. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Throughout this season, as questions or thoughts arise, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us by leaving a voicemail or emailing us at podcasts@cac.org
Mar 10, 2023•26 min•Season 4Ep. 7
How do you create harmony in your life? Can Christianity inspire us to focus on what kind of human we want to be—instead of trying to prove we’re right? In this episode, Barbara Brown Taylor returns to the show for a continuing conversation about the necessary and profound work of reconsecrating our lives—spiritually and ecologically. As Brian explains, “You can leave Christianity, but Christianity won’t leave you. Christianity must be recycled, redeemed, and reconsecrated to be transformed.” Re...
Mar 03, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 6
What gets you into the flow? Rev. Jacqui Lewis joins Brian again in conversation to envision a new way of living Christianity in this episode talking about the 24th chapter, Find the Flow. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Throughout this season, as questions or thoughts arise, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us by leaving a voicemail or emailing us at podcasts@cac.org
Feb 24, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Where do we go to replenish our hearts? On this season of Learning How to See, we're exploring ways to reframe our Christian identity so that it reflects our lived reality. In this episode author, wilderness educator, and Mennonite organizer, Todd Wynward, offers his perspective that spending time in the wilderness—physically and spiritually— can fill our hearts and minds with new meaning. Resources: The transcript to the episode can be found here. Throughout this season, as questions or thought...
Feb 17, 2023•39 min•Season 4Ep. 4
How do we remind ourselves that Love is the center of our lives? As we continue this season, Brian and the guests offer guideposts for negotiating a new relationship to Christianity when we are ready to leave limiting beliefs behind. On this episode, Rev. Jacqui Lewis explains that living from a space of love is an active calling: “Love that comes from the heart demands justice. It insists on wellbeing. It insists on caring for the vulnerable. And that’s fierce.” Resources: The transcript for th...
Feb 10, 2023•37 min•Season 4Ep. 3
How have you experienced the grief of growth? In this episode, Barbara Brown Taylor joins Brian for a stimulating conversation about the importance of emotional honesty on each step of our spiritual journey. As we outgrow religious ideas and practices, it’s tempting to bend the truth to make us comfortable—but that reaction slows the process of transformation. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Throughout this season, as questions or thoughts arise, we'd love to hear f...
Feb 03, 2023•36 min•Season 4Ep. 2
As we kick off a new season grappling with the 'how' answer of Do I Stay Christian?, Brian wanted to revisit the previous seasons that built up and connect to this very question. Joining Brian in conversation are Center for Action and Contemplation staff members Mike Petrow, Gigi Ross, and Dawson Allen. At the end of this season, we'll come back together to reflect and respond to what the listener's submitted during the season. Throughout this season, as questions or thoughts arise, we'd love to...
Jan 30, 2023•31 min•Season 4Ep. 1
On this Season 4 of Learning How to See, we continue to grapple with the question "do I stay Christian?" In Season 3, we looked at the "yes" and the "no" answer to that question. This season, we're asking: if you do decide to stay Christian without accepting the harmful elements of the Christian faith -- how are you going to do it? Join Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, and others to explore ways we all can live good and full, meaningful, and just lives--whether we continue to id...
Jan 25, 2023•3 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Could technology be key to deepening our faith experience? From the printing press to podcasts, the newest technology has been inviting people into faith conversations for centuries. On this episode, Brian is joined by theologian and podcaster Tripp Fuller as we embrace walking towards a fresh and vibrant theology that is accessible to everyone. Tripp is a self-described “theology nerd,” and brings his deep knowledge of Biblical history and a commitment to creating space for everyone to cultivat...
Jul 01, 2022•58 min•Season 3Ep. 7
What if questions are God’s way of communicating? Could we learn to embrace asking questions as a spiritual practice? For this episode, Brian McLaren invites two great wisdom teachers of our time, Dr. James Finley and Dr. Barbara Holmes into a conversation about the simple steps we can take to celebrate the sacredness of each moment. This conversation journeys into the heart of embracing mystery and all that is unsolved in your heart. Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here ...
Jun 24, 2022•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 6
What is the Christian Cult of Innocence and how does it limit our view of ourselves, God, and Christian wisdom? In this episode, Brian McLaren continues his journey of discovering wisdom and perspectives that can break Christianity open. In this conversation, Fr. Richard Rohr and Paul Swanson explore how embracing our flawed human nature can free us from limiting judgements that keep us and everyone else limited, small, and feeling unworthy of Divine Love. Learn to liberate yourself and everyone...
Jun 17, 2022•57 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Renowned civil rights leader and best-selling author Valarie Kaur joins Brian for this episode of Learning How to See. In this conversation, they help us see how learning about another faith tradition can help us see our own tradition in a different way. Valarie Kaur is a renowned civil rights leader and celebrated prophetic voice "at the forefront of progressive change" (Center for American Progress). Valarie burst into American consciousness in the wake of the 2016 election when her Watch Nigh...
Jun 10, 2022•58 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Antisemitism, theology, empire—this week’s episode invites us to examine our histories and faith traditions with an honest lens. Explore a different perspective of Christianity with Rabbi Jill Jacobs, who discuss what is means to have Christianity as a neighbor. Rabbi Jill Jacobs (she/her) is the CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, an organization that trains and mobilizes more than 2,300 rabbis and cantors and their communities to bring a moral voice to protecting and advancing h...
Jun 03, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 3
On the second episode of this season, Brian is joined by Lisa Sharon Harper and Gigi Ross exploring the many ways colonialism has injected racism into Christianity, politics, and the culture we live in. Utilizing theology, research, and drawing heavily from Lisa's work in her latest book Fortune, this episode offers a gripping examination of slavery’s lingering impact on the shadow of Christianity. Please be advised this episode discusses topics around sexual violence that may elicit difficult e...
May 27, 2022•53 min•Season 3Ep. 2
What does “Christianity” mean to you? Do you see it as a force for good in the world? How much harm has it caused? Do you want to stay Christian? And if so, what kind—and how? In this first episode from season three of Learning How to See, host Brian McLaren goes straight to the heart of these questions and more. Joined by scholar and historian of Christianity Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D., and CAC staff member Mike Petrow, Ph.D., these theologians discuss the diverse experiences they have with Chris...
May 20, 2022•57 min•Season 3Ep. 1
On the third season of Learning How to See, Brian McLaren invites us to see and experience Christianity in new ways. Exploring sections from his new book Do I Stay Christian? Brian helps listeners at a spiritual crossroads to honestly examine their evolving faith. Joined by guests Diana Butler Bass, Lisa Sharon Harper, Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Valerie Kaur, Richard Rohr, James Finley, Barbara Holmes, and Tripp Fuller, Learning How to See season 3 reveals how a contemplative mind can help us see, under...
May 19, 2022•4 min•Season 3Ep. 1
On this bonus episode, Brian, Gigi, Mike and Paul conclude the season in their reflections on the dynamics of suffering and the art of beginning again in order to learn how to see. The prayers/intentions used in this season can be found here at the following links, depending on where you listen to podcasts: Apple | Spotify | RadioPublic | Stitcher Resources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Brian's e-book: Why Don't They Get It? Song: Bruce Colburn - "Us All" (Youtube) Connect ...
Aug 16, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 7
On this episode of Learning How to See, Brian, Gigi, Mike and Paul talk about the last two biases that look at the social-political dimensions of seeing: Confidence Bias: We mistake confidence for competence, and we are all vulnerable to the lies of confident people. Our brains prefer a confident lie to a hesitant truth. Conspiracy Bias: When we feel shame, we are vulnerable to stories that cast us as the victims of an evil conspiracy by some enemy “other.” Our brains like stories in which we’re...
Aug 06, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 6
