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.” 

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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 But when does "victim" become an outdated part of our identity?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.

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“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.” 

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“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.  

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“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. 

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“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.  

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“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.

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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.

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The transcript for this episode can be found here.

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 “truth.” Together, they explore the power of Mary saying “yes” to God’s calling, even though it meant painfully going against cultural norms. The team also dives into various atonement theories in theology. Listen now!

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• The transcript for this episode can be found here.

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.

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A transcript for this episode can be found here.