Learning How to See with Brian McLaren
Alle afleveringen
90 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
-
Genesis 29-31 — Waiting for the Dream to Die
29 oktober 2026 · 49 min
Today our hosts reflect on the story of Jacob — a trickster who gets tricked, and whose dreams are deferred. They also discuss Randy and Edith Woodleys’ decades-long work to build Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice. Randy and Edith elaborate on why “we’re still here” matters for Indigenous people today and illuminate a vision of shared, interconnected, well-being. Lees meer
Resources:
Find the transcript for today's episode here.
Learn more about the Woodleys and Eloheh here.
Pick up a copy of Randy’s new book, How Western Christianity Got It Wrong.
Journey to Eloheh by Randy and Edith Woodley explores how Indigenous values lead us to harmony and well-being.
Discover more about composer April Stace here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian, Randy, or Edith to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
-
Genesis 37-50 — The Pit and The Feast
22 oktober 2026 · 46 min
Today's episode features an audio essay from Edith Woodley on the Biblical story of Joseph, which she first knew as a child in its tidy, happily-ever-after form. Brian McLaren and Randy Woodley respond, tracing how favoritism, from Jacob’s family to colonial rule in Rwanda and Burundi, can create cycles of intergenerational trauma. Lees meer
What changes when we read these ancestral stories as the stories of real, wounded people rather than as tidy morals? Tune in to consider what it means to find God in the messiness of life.
Resources:
Find the transcript for today's episode here.
Learn more about the Woodleys and Eloheh here.
Pick up a copy of Randy’s new book, How Western Christianity Got It Wrong.
Journey to Eloheh by Randy and Edith Woodley explores how Indigenous values lead us to harmony and well-being.
Discover more about composer April Stace here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian, Randy, or Edith to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
-
Genesis 12, Joshua 1 — Two Continents, Two Covenants
15 oktober 2026 · 47 min
In today's episode, we look at the Genesis 12 story of Abram, in contrast to that of Joshua. Hosts Brian McLaren, Randy Woodley, and Edith Woodley explore how Abram, as an immigrant, respects the customs and values of those around him, versus Joshua's conquering narrative. The three reflect on how the Bible can be used to justify harm, or harmony, focusing on the way in which Westerners coming to the United States wielded Joshua's approach as a weapon against Native Peoples. Lees meer
The episode also asks us to consider how our lens on Biblical narratives leads us to The Harmony Way, or to greater separation from each other and the land.
Resources:
Find the transcript for today's episode here.
Learn more about the Woodleys and Eloheh here.
Pick up a copy of Randy’s new book, How Western Christianity Got It Wrong.
Journey to Eloheh by Randy and Edith Woodley explores how Indigenous values lead us to harmony and well-being.
Discover more about composer April Stace here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian, Randy, or Edith to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
-
Genesis 12 — When God Got It Right
8 oktober 2026 · 48 min
In today's episode, we look at the Genesis 12 story of Abram’s call. Hosts Brian McLaren, Randy Woodley, and Edith Woodley explore what it means to be “blessed to be a blessing,” how generosity and hospitality can shape our identities, and how a strong sense of identity can become a gift to others rather than a reason for exclusion or domination. Lees meer
The episode also asks us to consider our own character arcs. Where are we being invited to grow? What would it mean to understand what we have as something meant not only for ourselves, but for the benefit of others?
Resources:
Find the transcript for today's episode here.
Learn more about the Woodleys and Eloheh here.
Pick up a copy of Randy’s new book, How Western Christianity Got It Wrong.
Journey to Eloheh by Randy and Edith Woodley explores how Indigenous values lead us to harmony and well-being.
Discover more about composer April Stace here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian, Randy, or Edith to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
-
Genesis 11: 1-9 — Scattered on Purpose
1 oktober 2026 · 37 min
In today's episode, we explore the story of the Tower of Babel and turn the usual reading of it upside down. Diverse languages, in this telling, are not the curse — the tower is. Lees meer
In this conversation, Brian McLaren, Randy Woodley, and Edith Woodley talk about the cost of enforced sameness — from Native American boarding schools to the quiet pressure many people feel to hide what makes them different. What does it mean for the church to keep trying to finish a tower that the Creator never wanted rebuilt?
Resources:
Find the transcript for today's episode here.
Learn more about the Woodleys and Eloheh here.
Pick up a copy of Randy’s new book, How Western Christianity Got It Wrong.
Journey to Eloheh by Randy and Edith Woodley explores how Indigenous values lead us to harmony and well-being.
Discover more about composer April Stace here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian, Randy, or Edith to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
-
Genesis 6-9 — What The Flood Could Not Get
24 september 2026 · 39 min
Thank you for joining us for today's episode of Learning How to See, hosted by Brian McLaren, with guest hosts Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley and Edith Woodley. Lees meer
Today, Edith reads the Biblical flood story from Genesis 6–9. She then connects this flood story to the U.S. government’s Native American boarding school system — including her own family’s history at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
Our hosts invite us to consider: what does it mean to survive a flood that was “meant to cover everything” — and didn’t?
Resources:
Find the transcript for today's episode here.
Learn more about the Woodleys and Eloheh here.
Pick up a copy of Randy’s new book, How Western Christianity Got It Wrong.
Journey to Eloheh by Randy and Edith Woodley explores how Indigenous values lead us to harmony and well-being.
Discover more about composer April Stace here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian, Randy, or Edith to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
-
Genesis 4 — Am I My Brother's Murderer
17 september 2026 · 55 min
In today's episode, our hosts Brian McLaren, Randy Woodley, and Edith Woodley explore the story of Cain and Abel through a lens of Indigenous wisdom, considering the origins of human violence and the contrast between “earth people” and “empire people.” Together they reflect on harmony, balance, and the Biblical call to be our “brother’s keeper.” Lees meer
Listen in as our hosts unpack Genesis 4 alongside a Cherokee story of the terrapin and the wolves, consider how violence and domination shape human communities — and how choosing nonviolence and reciprocity can help us find another way.
Resources:
Find the transcript for today's episode here.
Learn more about the Woodleys and Eloheh here.
Pick up a copy of Randy’s new book, How Western Christianity Got It Wrong.
Journey to Eloheh by Randy and Edith Woodley explores how Indigenous values lead us to harmony and well-being.
Discover more about composer April Stace here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian, Randy, or Edith to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
-
Genesis 1 — The Good Earth
10 september 2026 · 54 min
Welcome to the 10th season of Learning How to See hosted by Brian McLaren and guest hosts Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley and Edith Woodley. In today's episode, our hosts examine Genesis 1 through the lens of Indigenous wisdom, contrasting “earth people” with “empire people.” “Earth people” understand themselves as part of an interconnected web of life and practice caring for the land. “Empire people,” instead, emphasize domination and control. Lees meer
Join us at our Bible study, as Brian, Edith, and Randy unpack Genesis 1, and invite us to consider how we hear and interpret the Bible.
Find the transcript for this episode here.
Resources:
Learn more about the Woodleys and Eloheh here.
Pick up a copy of Randy’s new book, How Western Christianity Got It Wrong.
Journey to Eloheh by Randy and Edith Woodley explores how Indigenous values lead us to harmony and well-being.
Discover more about composer April Stace here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian, Randy, or Edith to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
-
Coming Soon: Learning How to See The Bible
27 augustus 2026 · 2 min
Season Ten begins September 10th! Lees meer
This season on Learning How to See, host Brian McLaren and co-hosts Randy and Edith Woodley will focus on experiencing the Biblical text with a heart of seeking and curiosity. Brief readings from the book of Genesis will be followed by essays or stories with themes similar to that of the Biblical passages. The episodes will conclude with round-table conversations about the ways we see and experience stories differently. For faith reclaimers eager to help heal a hurting world, reimagine Christianity as a path of compassion, justice, and care for creation on Learning How to See: The Bible. Join us in exploring the book of Genesis through fresh perspectives rooted in wonder, wisdom, and lived experience.
-
Bonus: Listener Questions
15 januari 2026 · 57 min
Today Brian and Carmen address your questions including a deeper dive into Carmen's translation of Corinthians 13, what we mean when talk about love, and tips for knowing when to leave. Lees meer
Resources:
Find the transcript for this episode here.
-
When Loving Means Letting Go with Jen Hatmaker
18 december 2025 · 55 min
What do we do when life unravels in painful ways — like navigating an unexpected divorce? Lees meer
On today's episode of Learning How to See, Carmen and Brian are joined by New York Times Bestselling author Jen Hatmaker. With great humor and authenticity, Jen takes us through the vulnerable experience of sharing her story, the transformation she went through after loss, and the spiritual power of starting over. Jen reflects on themes from her new memoir Awake, and shares how her divorce helped her trust her inner knowing, become more fully embodied, and rebuild a life rooted in integrity rather than expectation.
Tune in to discover how community and self-compassion can guide us through seasons of upheaval — and how choosing honesty can become its own form of liberation.
Resources:
Pick up a copy of Jen's latest book, Awake, here.
Learn more about Jen here.
Find the transcript for today's episode here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian or Carmen to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
-
Loving When We're Not At Our Best with Parker Palmer
11 december 2025 · 55 min
How can we see others, and ourselves, with love when anger, fear, depression, or division clouds our vision? Lees meer
Today's episode of Learning How to See features an interview with Quaker elder Parker J. Palmer. Parker helps us explore how love can become a way of seeing, how we can navigate times of depression, and why listening to each other’s life stories may be our best antidote to polarization. Join us as Parker reflects on encounters that reshaped his assumptions about “the other,” sharing insights from decades of Quaker practice.
Resources:
Subscribe to Parker's Substack here.
Learn more about the Center for Renewal and Courage here.
Follow Parker on Facebook here.
Find the transcript for this episode here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian or Carmen to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
-
Learning How to Hold Space for Others with Cindy Lee
4 december 2025 · 52 min
How can we de-Westernize spirituality and honor our full humanity within systems that often diminish it? Lees meer
On this episode of Learning How to See, Dr. Cindy Lee, a spiritual director and author, joins hosts Brian McLaren and Carmen Acevedo Butcher for a conversation on de-Westernizing spirituality and holding space for the lived experience of others. Cindy shares how her work with BIPOC communities revealed the limits of Westernized spiritual formation, and how confronting the “Western missionary gaze” can open us to seeing our cultures — and ourselves — with dignity rather than judgment.
Resources:
Read Howard Thurman's "The Sound of the Genuine" here.
Find the transcript of this episode here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian or Carmen to answer about this season?
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
-
Loving People Who Oppose Our Values with Cassidy Hall
26 november 2025 · 55 min
How do we soften our hearts to those whose values are in stark contrast to our own? Can we safely love those who have even gone so far as to harm us? Lees meer
On this episode of Learning How to See, Dr. Cassidy Hall, author of Queering Contemplation, poses these tough questions to our hosts Brian McLaren and Carmen Acevedo Butcher. Together, they explore how we can respond with integrity when our deepest values are met with opposition.
Through personal stories, Brian and Carmen model ways in which they’ve grappled with loving in the face of persecution, strained family dynamics, and systemic incongruities with their own values.
Resources:
Discover more about Dr. Cassidy Hall here.
Find the transcript of this episode here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian or Carmen to answer about this season?
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
-
Loving As Hosts, Not Heroes with Becca Stevens
20 november 2025 · 48 min
How can we open ourselves to being hosts in the world? Lees meer
On this episode of Learning How To See, we hear from social entrepreneur Becca Stevens, founder of Thistle Farms, a nonprofit which provides sanctuary, employment, and hope for women survivors of trafficking, exploitation, and addiction. Becca invites us to see holiness in unlikely places — just like the thistle growing through cracks in the pavement.
In the ninth season of Learning How To See, we continue to learn how to see through the eyes of love. Our hosts Brian McLaren and Carmen Acevedo Butcher reflect on what it means to stay present when love feels complicated.
Resources:
Find out more about Becca here.
Find out more about Thistle Farms here.
Pick up a copy of Becca's book, Snake Oil, here.
Find the transcript of this episode here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian or Carmen to answer about this season
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
-
Seeing Ourselves with Eyes of Love with Kaitlin Curtice
13 november 2025 · 45 min
It can feel easy to offer compassion to others. But, why is it so hard to extend that same tenderness to ourselves? Lees meer
In Season 9 of Learning How To See, we continue to learn how to see through the eyes of love. On this season premiere, author and storyteller Kaitlin Curtice joins our hosts Brian McLaren and Carmen Acevedo Butcher to explore Indigenous wisdom, the Potawatomi language, and daily rituals of gratitude.
Resources:
Learn more about Kaitlin Curtice here.
Pick up a copy of Kaitlin's latest book, Everything is a Story, here.
Join Kaitlin's Substack, The Liminality Journal, here.
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you’d like Brian or Carmen to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
-
Coming Soon: Learning How to See Through Eyes of Love
30 oktober 2025 · 1 min
On our ninth season of Learning How to See, Brian McLaren and guest co-host, Carmen Acevedo Butcher, continue to explore seeing through eyes of love. Through openhearted conversation, podcast guests share experiences in which their lens of love became more finely tuned. We also share embodied practices to help you expand your own capacity to see and act through love, especially during uncertain and turbulent times. Lees meer
-
Bonus: Listener Questions
26 juni 2025 · 56 min
What if love could guide you through anger, injustice, and even the darkest memories? Lees meer
In this episode, Brian McLaren and co-host Carmen Acevedo Butcher reflect on how love, honesty, and contemplative practice can transform even deep wounds. They also respond to a listener’s question: how do we love those who cause harm—especially in politics? Brian and Carmen explore the tension between righteous anger and loving action, offering spiritual insights, personal stories, and practices that help us see with the eyes of love.
Resources:
Find the poem by Nikolai Velimirovich here
Find the poem by Walter Brueggemann here
-
Seeing with the Help of a Soul-Optometrist with Sr. Simone Campbell
12 juni 2025 · 47 min
What would change if you could see with eyes of love—even in the face of cruelty, fear, and disagreement? Lees meer
In this episode, Brian McLaren and co-host Carmen Acevedo Butcher sit down with renowned spiritual leader, legal advocate, and activist Sister Simone Campbell for a deeply honest conversation about love, justice, and compassion. They explore how contemplative practice grounds fierce activism, why listening is an act of love, and what it means to see even your political opponents with empathy. From her role in passing the Affordable Care Act to launching the "Nuns on the Bus" movement, Sister Simone shares moving stories of courage, community, and the Spirit’s surprising guidance—inviting us all into a new way of seeing and being.
Resources:
You can find a transcript for this episode here.
Find Sr Simone Campbell's book Hunger for Hope here.
-
Seeing Nonviolently with Rev. John Dear
5 juni 2025 · 55 min
What would change if you believed that active, creative non-violence was the deepest expression of love? Lees meer
In this episode, Brian McLaren and co-host Carmen Acevedo Butcher welcome legendary peace activist, Catholic priest, and author Fr. John Dear for an unflinching conversation about the cost—and the healing power—of universal non-violence. Together they explore how language shapes our discipleship, what it feels like to be seen with unconditional love, and why “live and stop the killing” may be the clearest way to describe love in action.
Resources:
Find out more about Fr. John Dear here.
Find out more The Beatitudes Center for the Nonviolent Jesus: here.
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Brian or Carmen to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
-
Seeing (and Dancing) in the Dark with Rev. Otis Moss III
29 mei 2025 · 47 min
How might your life change if you paused more often to unlearn what fear has taught you? Lees meer
In this episode, hosts Brian McLaren and Carmen Acevedo Butcher are joined by Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III. Together, they explore what it means to live with vision in times of struggle—when the path is unclear, but the call to truth and love remains strong. Drawing from his book Dancing in the Darkness, Dr. Moss reflects on the experience of being Black and faithful in America, and how reclaiming the radical tradition of love—rooted in justice and courage—can liberate both the oppressed and the oppressor.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Brian or Carmen to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
Resources:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
-
Seeing (and Loving) the Divine in The Everyday with Carrie Newcomer
22 mei 2025 · 50 min
How do ordinary moments become portals to the sacred? Lees meer
On this episode of Learning How to See, Carrie Newcomer joins Brian and Carmen for a conversation-and-concert that explores “short-form empathy,” the contemplative power of music, and the everyday practice of seeing, and being seen, through eyes of love. Along the way Carrie performs two beloved songs, sharing the stories that shaped them, and Carmen invites listeners into a simple chant that can travel with us on morning walks or difficult days.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Brian or Carmen to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
Resources:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
Listen to the song Start With a Stone inspired by CAC’s Daily Meditations and co-written with the legendary John McCutcheon here
Find the song I Do Not Know It's Name here
Find the song It's Always Love here
To learn more about Carrie Newcomer and her work, check out her website here.
To learn more about Carmen Acevedo Butcher, check our her website here.
To learn more about Brian McLaren, check out his website here.
-
Seeing the Humanity of Everyone (No Exceptions) with Fr. Rafael Garcia
15 mei 2025 · 41 min
What happens to your own humanity when you choose to truly see the humanity in others? Lees meer
In this episode, Jesuit priest Father Rafael Garcia joins Brian McLaren and Carmen Acevedo Butcher to explore what it means to see through eyes of love—especially in a world that often teaches us to view immigrants, the incarcerated, and the marginalized with fear or indifference. Drawing from his work at the U.S.–Mexico border, his Cuban refugee roots, and stories of deep pastoral presence, Father Rafael shares how radical hospitality transforms both giver and receiver. Carmen reflects on her own awakening to shared humanity while serving in a women’s prison, paralleling Rafael’s shift from architectural comfort to spiritual solidarity. Together, they illuminate how true vision—grounded in Jesuit and Franciscan compassion—invites us not into pity, but into kinship and mutual transformation.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Brian or Carmen to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
Resources:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
-
Seeing Grace-fully with Rev. Nadia Bolz Weber
8 mei 2025 · 44 min
What would change if you believed that grace was at the center of your life? Lees meer
In this episode, Brian and Carmen are joined by longtime friend and public theologian Nadia Bolz-Weber for a conversation about the radical, healing power of grace—and how it reshapes our vision of ourselves, others, and the divine.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Brian or Carmen to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
Resources:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
For information about Nadia, visit her website here.
-
Introducing Season 8 (and our new co-host!) with Carmen Acevedo Butcher and Brian McLaren
1 mei 2025 · 39 min
In this opening to Season 8, Learning How to See returns with understanding how to see with the eyes of love. On this season, Brian McLaren introduces his new co-host Dr. Carmen Acevedo Butcher—a scholar, translator, contemplative teacher, and birdwatching chocolate lover—and together, they launch the theme for this season: Seeing Through Eyes of Love. Lees meer
This episode weaves together personal storytelling, embodied spiritual practice, and reflection to explore how love can transform the way we see ourselves, each other, and the world.
Your Practice for the Week:
Once a day, notice something you’re seeing with judgment or indifference. Pause. Shift your gaze to see it with the eyes of love. Then try to “telescope out”:
See yourself seeing with love.
See others doing the same.
Envision Divine Love witnessing it all.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Brian or Carmen to answer about this season?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
Resources & Mentions:
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
In this episode, Carmen referenced the following:
Dorothee Sölle – Death by Bread Alone
Howard Thurman – Mysticism and the Experience of Love
Brother Lawrence – The Practice of the Presence of God
Meister Eckhart – on the “eye within me”
Brian referenced the following:
Richard Rohr’s Cosmic Egg – a framework of nested stories: My Story, Our Story, The Story (This is located in his book, The Wisdom Pattern.)
1 Corinthians 13 – closing reading on the nature of love
-
Seeing Nature as a Friend with Brian McLaren
12 december 2024 · 50 min
Can we cultivate a relationship with the natural world which mirrors the care and concern we would offer a dear friend? How do you foster hope in the midst of an unruly world?
In this conversation, Brian McLaren is prompted by CAC Staff members Corey Wayne and Mike Petrow, to reflect on his journey from pastor to writer and public speaker. Brian discusses the interconnectedness of nature and spirituality, the need for respect and boundaries in our relationship with the natural world, and the urgency of advocating for environmental issues in light of current political and ecological challenges. The three discuss the historical context of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, the inescapability of our current crises, and the various responses individuals have to these challenges (fight, flight, freeze, flock). They explore the importance of community and connection in times of despair, emphasizing the role of love and nature in cultivating hope and resilience. The discussion leaves us asking how we can be better friends to the earth and to each other amidst the complexities of modern life.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
Brian's book, Life After Doom is referenced in this episode.
Connect with us:
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
-
Seeing Nature as a Visionary with Philip Clayton
14 november 2024 · 48 min
How important is community in facing the climate crisis? What kinds of communities are helping you to live differently and find hope?
In this episode, we’re learning to see nature through the eyes of a visionary. For this conversation, Brian McLaren is joined by Philip Clayton to discuss the urgent need for a shift in mindset, the transformative power of community, and the vital role of faith in building an ecological civilization.
About the guest:
Philip Clayton is a renowned scholar whose work spans philosophy, theology, and science, with a particular focus on ecotheology, exploring the intersection of climate science, ethics, religion, and social philosophy. Holding the Ingraham Chair at Claremont School of Theology and directing the PhD program in comparative theologies and philosophies, he has also taught at prestigious institutions like Yale, Williams College, and Harvard, publishing extensively with over two dozen books and 350 articles. Beyond academia, Clayton is the President of the Institute for Ecological Civilization (EcoCiv.org), working internationally to promote sustainable solutions, and also heads the Institute for the Postmodern Development of China, advocating for ecological civilization through various initiatives. When not immersed in scholarly pursuits, he enjoys cycling, refereeing soccer, and spending time outdoors with his family and dog.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
Two of Brian's books have been referenced heavily this season. You can check them out at the following links, Life After Doom and The Galapagos Islands.
To learn more about Philip, check out his website here.
Find out more about musician April Stace here.
Books mentioned during the interview:
What is Ecological Civilization? by Philip Clayton and Andrew Schwartz
The New Possible: Visions of Our World Beyond Crisis (Edited by Philip Clayton)
Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
Eaarth by Bill McKibben
Connect with us:
Have a… -
Seeing Nature as an Indigenous Person with Edith and Randy Woodley
7 november 2024 · 56 min
How can you apply Indigenous values like harmony, respect, and accountability to your own life and community?
In this episode, we’re learning to see nature through the eyes of an Indigenous Person. For this conversation, Brian McLaren is joined by Randy and Edith Woodley to discuss the importance of rediscovering Indigenous values to create a more harmonious relationship with the Earth and all its inhabitants. Randy and Edith Woodley recently released their book, Journey to Eloheh: How Indigenous Values Lead Us to Harmony and Well-Being.
About the guests:
Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley is an activist, scholar, author, teacher, wisdom-keeper, and Cherokee descendant recognized by the Keetoowah Band who speaks on justice, faith, the earth, and Indigenous realities. He is the author of numerous books, including Becoming Rooted and Shalom and the Community of Creation. He and his wife, Edith, co-sustain Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice and Eloheh Farm & Seeds outside Portland, Oregon.
Edith Woodley is the cofounder and co-sustainer of Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice and Eloheh Farm & Seeds. She was raised on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming and is a member of the Eastern Shoshone tribe. Woodley has a degree from Bacone College and mentors others in the spirituality of the land, farming methods, and seed-keeping. She is a leader in the Decolonizing with Badass Indigenous Grandmas cohort. She and her husband, Randy Woodley, have four grown children and six grandchildren.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
Becoming Rooted by Randy Woodley was mentioned. You can find that here.
Check out Randy and Edith Woodley’s new book, Journey to Eloheh here.
Find out more about musician April Stace here.
Connect with us:
Have a response to Brian's call to action at the end of this episode, or a question in general?Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
We'll be accepting questions for our Listener Questio…
-
Seeing Nature as a Franciscan with Michele Dunne and Sister Joan Brown
31 oktober 2024 · 46 min
What might it look like to live out a Franciscan vision of kinship in your daily life?
In this episode, we’re learning to see nature through the eyes of a Franciscan. For this conversation, Brian McLaren is joined by Sr. Joan Brown and Michelle Dunne to explore the essence of Franciscan values and their relevance in today's world. They discuss the importance of community and kinship, translating faith into action, and the role of education and rituals in fostering a deeper connection with creation. This conversation underscores the need for collective action in addressing environmental challenges, the transformative power of prayer and contemplation, as well as confronting historical injustices and the call to embrace love and kinship in all aspects of life.
About the guests:
Michele Dunne OFS is a professed Secular Franciscan. Before coming to FAN, her career focused on the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy. From 2006 until 2021, she headed programs focused on peace, human rights, and democracy in the Middle East at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Atlantic Council. Before that, she served for nearly 20 years in the U.S. Department of State, including assignments in Jerusalem and Cairo. She holds a Ph.D. from Georgetown University and lives in Washington DC with her husband.
Joan Brown is a Franciscan Sister from the Rochester, MN community, living and working in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she serves as the Executive Director of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light (NM IPL). NM IPL is part of a national faith-based organization working to address climate justice. Originally from a small family farm in Kansas that still operates, her life has always revolved around love of and care for creation and social justice. Her BA from St. Mary College, Leavenworth, KS was in literature and journalism and she holds a master’s degree in Religion Philosophy and Cosmology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Climate justice work has bee… Lees meer -
Seeing Nature as a Historian of Religions with Mary Evelyn Tucker
24 oktober 2024 · 53 min
What story do you tell yourself about the interconnectedness of nature and culture?
In this episode, we’re learning to see nature through the lens of a historian of religions. Brian McLaren is joined in conversation by Mary Evelyn Tucker, a leading voice in the field of religion and ecology. Together, they discuss the importance of cultural history, the challenges of interreligious dialogue, and the urgent need for a new story that integrates science and spirituality. They also explore the life and legacy of Thomas Berry, a visionary Catholic priest, who revolutionized our understanding of nature, culture, and the universe. Mary also shares her personal journey, her partnership with John Grim, and the profound impact of Berry’s teachings on her life.
About the guest:
Mary Evelyn Tucker is co-director with John Grim of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology. They are affiliated faculty with the Yale Center for Environmental Justice at the Yale School of the Environment. They organized 10 conferences on World Religions and Ecology at Harvard and were series editors for the 10 resulting volumes from Harvard. Her research area is Asian religions and she co-edited Confucianism and Ecology, Buddhism and Ecology, and Hinduism and Ecology.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
Brian referenced two of his books, Life After Doom and The Galapagos Islands.
Check out Journey of the Universe, Mary’s multimedia project with Brian Swimme here.
Check out Yale’s Forum on Religion and Ecology here.
Thomas Berry was mentioned significantly in this episode. You can learn more about him here.
Find out more about musician April Stace here.
Note: Brian refers to Dr. Tucker as a theologian in the episode, but she clarifies that she is actually a historian of world religions.
Connect with us:
Have a response to Brian's call to action at the end of this episode, or a question in general?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
We'll … -
Seeing Nature as a Mystic with Douglas E. Christie
17 oktober 2024 · 47 min
What does it mean to grieve the crisis facing our planet?
In this episode, we’re learning to see nature through the lens of a mystic. Brian McLaren sits down with Douglas E. Christie to discuss his work in the emerging field of contemplative studies, its relevance to our current ecological crisis, and the importance of acknowledging and processing ecological grief. Together, they explore the historical and contemporary significance of contemplative practices and underscore their role in confronting the "dark night of the world", helping us to foster a deeper connection with the Earth.
About the guest:
Douglas E. Christie, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He is the author of The Word in The Desert: Scripture and the Quest for Holiness in Early Christian Monasticism, The Blue Sapphire of the Mind: Notes for a Contemplative Ecology, and The Insurmountable Darkness of Love: Mysticism, Loss, and the Common Life. He has been awarded fellowships from the Luce Foundation, the Lilly Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. From 2013-2015 he served as Co-director of the Casa de la Mateada study abroad program in Córdoba, Argentina, a faith-based program rooted in the Jesuit vision of education for solidarity. He lives with his family in Los Angeles.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
Brian referenced two of his books, Life After Doom and The Galapagos Islands.
Douglas referenced his books:
The Blue Sapphire of the Mind: Notes for a Contemplative Ecology, which you can find here.
And, The Insurmountable Darkness of Love: Mysticism, Loss, and the Common Life, which you can find here.
To learn more about Douglas, visit his website here.
Find out more about musician April Stace here.
Connect with us:
Have a response to Brian's call to action at the end of this episode, or a question in general?
Email us: podcasts@cac.org
Send us a voicemail: cac.org/voicemail
We'l… -
Seeing Nature as a Poet with Drew Jackson and Pádraig Ó Tuama
10 oktober 2024 · 46 min
What is it about poetry that allows it to hold both beauty and disruption, and even inspire change?
In this episode, Brian McLaren explores the power of poetry to help us understand and grieve for the natural world while also appreciating its beauty. He talks with poets Pádraig Ó Tuama and Drew Jackson about the importance of seeing nature holistically, and how poetry can help us grapple with the tension between destruction and renewal. The episode explores how poems can inspire action and change and encourages you, the listener, to write your own poems, especially haiku, to practice seeing nature differently.
About the guests:
Drew Jackson is a poet, speaker, and public theologian. He is author of God Speaks Through Wombs: Poems on God’s Unexpected Coming and Touch the Earth: Poems on The Way. His work has appeared in Oneing from the Center for Action and Contemplation, The Isolation Journals with Suleika Jaouad, Made for Pax, The Journal from the Centre for Public Christianity, Fathom Magazine, and other publications. Drew received his B.A. in Political Science from the Univ. of Chicago and his M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He currently works as the Director of Mission Integration for the Center for Action and Contemplation, and lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife and daughters.
Pádraig Ó Tuama is a poet and a theologian from Ireland whose poetry and prose centre around themes of language, power, conflict and religion. His work has won acclaim in circles of poetry, politics, psychotherapy and conflict analysis. His formal qualifications (PhD, MTh and BA) cover creative writing, literary criticism and theology. Alongside this, he pursued vocational training in conflict analysis, specialising in groupwork. His published work is in the fields of poetry, anthology, essay, memoir, theology and conflict. A new volume of poetry — Kitchen Hymns — is forthcoming from CHEERIO in mid 2024.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
…
-
Seeing Nature as an Artist with Christy Berghoef and Thomas Jay Oord
3 oktober 2024 · 1 uur 1 min
How does nature inspire your sense of creativity?
On this episode, we’re looking at nature through the artistic lens, with Brian McLaren and two gifted photographers, Christy Berghoef and Thomas Jay Oord. The conversation explores the ways in which their individual experiences and practices of photography have deepened their understanding and appreciation of the natural world, as well as the power of photography to inspire a deeper connection to the earth.
About the guests:
Dr. Christy Berghoef is a civil dialogue consultant, singer/songwriter, author, speaker, mother of four and church planting partner with her husband Bryan in the United Church of Christ. Much of her work and writing has centered around the intersection of faith & politics and nature & the human condition.
Thomas Jay Oord, Ph.D. is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. Oord directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology and doctoral students at Northwind Theological Seminary. He is an award-winning author and has written or edited more than thirty books. A gifted speaker, Oord lectures at universities, conferences, churches, and institutions. He is known for his contributions to research on love, science and religion, open and relational theology, the problem of suffering, and advocacy for the full inclusion of queer people.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
Brian referenced two of his books, Life After Doom and The Galapagos Islands.
Christy referenced her Substack, you can check that out here.
She also posts regularly on her Instagram account.
Thomas referenced his website, you can check that out here.
Additionally, we wanted to link you to the Center for Open and Relational Theology here.
Find out more about musician April Stace here.
Connect with us:
Have a response to Brian's call to action at the end of this episode, or a question in general? You can contact via two methods and we may feature your question on a listen…
-
Bonus: Seeing Nature as Nature With Felicia Murrell
21 juni 2024 · 30 min
How do you typically see your relationship with nature?
In this bonus episode, Brian interviews Felicia Murrell, author of And: The Restorative Power of Love in an Either/Or World. This conversation delves into the interconnectedness of humans and nature, exploring how a shift from domination to loving interaction can lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Felicia Murrell, a gifted writer and poet, as well as Living School alumna, shares her personal journey of recognizing the sacredness of the earth and how this awareness has transformed her view of the world.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
To learn more about Felicia, visit her website here.
The poem of Felicia's Brian references, How Is The Earth Speaking To You?, can be found here.
Felicia's new book And: The Restorative Power of Love in an Either/Or World can be found here.
Brian's latest book, Life After Doom can be found here and wherever books are sold.
-
Seeing Nature as a Gardener (Part 2) With Cassidy Steele Dale
14 juni 2024 · 32 min
How do you think our personal beliefs and values shape the way we see the world?
In this episode, as we continue to explore the theme of learning to see nature as a gardener, Brian explores the concept of worldviews with futurist Cassidy Steele Dale. They delve into the "Knight" and "Gardener" perspectives, examining how these contrasting ways of seeing the world impact our relationships, our faith, and our approach to global challenges.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
The Knight and the Gardener: The e-book is available here.
Combat Theology: Cassidy's e-book exploring how religious strain can turn toxic and how to undo that process is available here.
Think Future: Cassidy's Substack, where he shares insights about the future can be found here.
Life After Doom: The new book by Brian McLaren can be found here and wherever books are sold.
-
Seeing Nature as a Gardener (Part 1) With Brett McLaren and Rachel McLaren
7 juni 2024 · 48 min
What if the way we see nature could be the key to a more sustainable future?
In this two-part series, we're turning to see nature as a gardener. In this conversation, Brian speaks with two of his children, Brett and Rachel McLaren, about their love for nature and gardening. They discuss their childhood memories of exploring and appreciating the natural world, the joy and importance of gardening, the value of diversity in plants, and the challenges of restoration and preservation. They also explore how their experiences with nature have changed their perspective on the world and their role as caretakers of the earth.
About Brett:
Brett McLaren is the Chief Strategy Officer of MetaPhase Consulting. Brett is responsible for overseeing business development, strategic partnerships, development of corporate capabilities, marketing, and proposal operations activities. Prior to MetaPhase, Brett supported large scale federal IT programs at federal consulting firms including Booz Allen Hamilton and CGI. He holds a B.A. in Computer Information Systems from James Madison University and an MBA from Georgetown University. He is a PMI-Certified Project Management Professional, and holds Agile SCRUM and Change Management Advanced Practitioner (CMAP) certifications. Outside of work, Brett enjoys trying new ethnic food, fishing, the outdoors, and coaching soccer.
About Rachel:
Dr. Rachel McLaren is an associate professor in the Communication Studies Department at the University of Iowa. Rachel’s social-scientific research revolves around the exploration of how individuals navigate and derive meaning from significant experiences within their relationships, encompassing various facets such as conflict resolution, handling transgressions, and managing emotions. Her recent work has focused on sense-making and conflict in parent-adolescent relationships. You can find links to her research articles here.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
To learn more about R…
-
Seeing Nature as a Seeker With James White, Tony Jones, and Wes Granberg-Michaelson
31 mei 2024 · 58 min
How does time in nature benefit you?
In this episode, Brian is in conversation with James White, Tony Jones, and Wes Granberg-Michaelson exploring the experiences and perspectives of those who have awe-inspiring experiences with the transformative power of being in nature. Together, they reflect on the meaning of fishing and hunting, the connection to our ancestral roots, the contrast between the ordered structures of human society and the wildness of nature and the role each plays in protecting and preserving the natural environment.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
To learn more about James White, visit his website here.
To learn more about Tony Jones, visit his website here.
To learn more about Wes Granberg-Michaelson, visit his website here.
-
Seeing Nature as a Doctor (Part 2) With Theresa Martella
24 mei 2024 · 43 min
How do you feel when you witness the destruction of creation?
In this episode, Brian interviews Teresa Martella, an environmental scientist and spiritual ecologist, about the interconnectedness of ecology and spirituality. Together they discuss the ecological crisis, climate change, and the deep grief that comes with witnessing the destruction of the natural world. Teresa shares her personal journey of reconciling her scientific background with her spiritual beliefs and finding a contemplative practice to ground herself in the face of climate change grief. They explore the need for a shift in human relationships with the Earth and the importance of finding meaning and purpose in uncertain times.
About Theresa: Theresa Martella is a spiritual director and spiritual ecologist who is skilled at listening deeply to you as you explore your spirituality in a non-judging and loving way. Theresa is a student of contemplative wisdom, having spent two years studying at the Center for Action and Contemplation under Richard Rohr and other great teachers of our time. She will complete her certification in Spiritual Direction at the Benedictine Spiritual Direction Training program at Benet Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs in August 2024.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
To learn more about Theresa's work, visit her website here.
-
Seeing Nature as a Doctor (Part 1) With Debra Rienstra and Melanie Griffin
17 mei 2024 · 58 min
How does the connection between nature and spirituality influence your understanding of the environment and the challenges that it faces?
In the next two-part series, we're exploring a new way of seeing nature, as a doctor -- but not in the traditional sense. Through conversations with academics, activists, scientists and spiritual directors, we're examining the issues facing our climate and as well as practical solutions that lend to healing our planet. In this episode, our guests, Deborah Rienstra and Melanie Griffin, discuss the importance of joy, love, and anger in healing the world, emphasizing the need for action and engagement at both the local and personal level in the face of environmental challenges.
About Debra:
Debra Rienstra is professor of English at Calvin University, where she has taught writing and literature since 1996. She is the author of four books—on motherhood, spirituality, worship, and ecotheology/climate change—as well as numerous essays, poems, and scholarly articles. She writes the fortnightly Refugia Newsletter on Substack, a newsletter for people of faith who want to know and do more about climate. She also writes fortnightly for The Reformed Journal blog, writing about spirituality, climate change, pop culture, the church, the arts, higher ed, and more. Her literary essays have appeared in Rock & Sling, The Examined Life Journal, and Aethlon, among other places.
Debra was raised in Michigan and holds a BA from the University of Michigan and a PhD from Rutgers University. She and her husband, Rev. Dr. Ron Rienstra, have three grown children. When not writing (or grading!) or reading, Debra enjoys figuring out how to garden, solving crossword puzzles, hiking in the dunes near Lake Michigan, or listening to very wonky podcasts.
About Melanie:
Melanie Griffin is a writer and social justice activist who spent nearly thirty years lobbying for the Sierra Club in Washington, D.C. Her major campaigns included public lands and wildlife and air … Lees meer -
Seeing Nature as a Lover (Part 2) With Miriam Smith
10 mei 2024 · 38 min
What shapes the connection between your inner and outer landscapes?
On the second part of seeing nature like a lover, Brian interviews a non-profit leader in sustainable development, Miriam Smith. In this episode, Miriam shares her powerful story of growing up in Chad during a civil war. She discusses how these experiences shaped her perspective on life and instilled a deep passion for nature and the environment, and how this informs her work with Eden Thriving, an organization dedicated to sustainable development and landscape restoration. Miriam emphasizes the importance of cherishing both our inner and outer landscapes, highlighting the connection between love and care for both ourselves, and our planet. Lastly, Miriam also shares about her efforts to protect and restore land in Kenya, underscoring the significance of cherishing our planet. You can read more about that at the link in the resource section.
Miriam Smith loves the outdoors, campfires, ‘ah-ha’ moments, poetry and the contemplative life. Her childhood was spent in Central and Eastern Africa where she gained a deep love for living close to nature, being present at a grassroots level, and working with dedicated teammates to cultivate the potential of land and lives. While raising her three children, she has served in a variety of non-profit community development programs in Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Kenya. She makes her permanent home along the banks of the Malewa River in Naivasha, Kenya where she serves as the Founding Director of Eden Thriving, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the environmental roots of poverty. (www.edenthriving.org)
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
To learn more about Miriam's work with restoring the land in Kenya, visit this website here.
To learn more about Miriam, check out her website here.
-
Seeing Nature as a Lover (Part 1) With Scott Smith
3 mei 2024 · 43 min
What can you do, big or small, to create a positive impact on the planet?
In this episode, Brian interviews Scott Smith, a retired wildlife ecologist, about his career in conservation and the importance of protecting the natural world. Scott shares his early love for nature and how it led him to become a wildlife ecologist. He discusses the work of conservation, including habitat preservation, species monitoring, and genetic flow. Scott also highlights the interconnectedness between human society and the environment, emphasizing the need to address poverty, equity, and social justice in conservation efforts.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
If you're in Maryland, check out the events at Trinity Outdoors here.
-
Seeing Nature as a Scientist (Part 2) With Susan J. Tweit
26 april 2024 · 36 min
What sparks your sense of wonder in the natural world?
In this episode, we're continuing our exploration of learning how to see like a scientist with botanist and author Susan Tweit. Brian McLaren and Susan Tweit explore how a hike in the Badlands sparked Susan's passion for sharing nature's wonders. In this conversation, they explore the power of science and storytelling as a way of deepening our connection with the Earth and igniting positive action for healing the planet, fueled by both love and grief for the environment.
Susan J. Tweit is a plant biologist who began her career working in the wilderness studying wildfires, grizzly bear habitat and sagebrush ecosystems. She turned to writing when she realized she loved telling the stories in the data. She is an award-winning author of twelve books, including a previous memoir, Walking Nature Home, and Bless the Birds: Living with Love in a Time of Dying. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
For more information about Brian's new book, Life After Doom, you can find more information here.
To learn more about Susan J Tweit's work, visit her website here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Brian to answer about this season? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until June 21st, 2024.
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!
-
Seeing Nature as a Scientist (Part 1) With Paul Wallace
19 april 2024 · 43 min
Can we look at nature with both wonder and a scientist's eye?
In this episode, we're learning how to see nature from the perspective of a scientist. In Part 1, Author and professor Paul Wallace joins Brian to explore the intersection of science and spirituality in the natural world. Together, they discuss the awe-inspiring scale of the universe, the contemplative nature of scientific inquiry, and the urgent call to protect our dwindling bird populations.
Paul Wallace is a physicist, astronomer, and pastor who explores the intersection of science and faith. He is a professor at Agnes Scott College and has a Ph.D. in physics and a Master of Divinity and is passionate about making science and religion accessible to all.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
For more information about Brian's new book, Life After Doom, you can find more information here.
To learn more about Paul Wallace's work, visit his website here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Brian to answer about this season? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until June 21st, 2024.
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!
-
Seeing Nature as a Child (Wonder)
12 april 2024 · 49 min
What can children teach us about loving nature?
In the first episode of season 6, three of Brian’s grandchildren — Ella, Ada, and Lucas — drop by to talk about how to take responsibility and care for the planet. In this conversation, we see the from the perspective of a child as three of Brian's grandchildren highlight the impact of climate change through a shared love of animals and emphasizing the need for a more sustainable and compassionate relationship with nature.
Resources: Lees meerThe transcript for this episode can be found here.
For more information about Brian's new book, Life After Doom, you can find more information here.
Check out Brian's grandkids Newt YouTube channel here.
Connect with us:
Have a question you'd like Brian to answer about this season? Email us: podcasts@cac.org or leave us voicemail. Questions for this season will only be accepted until June 21st, 2024.
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!
-
Introducing: Learning How to See "Nature"
12 april 2024 · 7 min
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: Lees meerWhy 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
24 november 2023 · 33 min
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: Lees meerThe 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
17 november 2023 · 28 min
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: Lees meerThe 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
10 november 2023 · 33 min
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: Lees meerThe 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
3 november 2023 · 39 min
“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: Lees meerThe 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
27 oktober 2023 · 43 min
“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: Lees meerThe 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!