
Learning How to See with Brian McLaren
How do we transform and transcend our biases? From judgments made unconsciously to complacency in systemic evil, we must learn how to see if we are to learn how to transform. Center for Action and Contemplation faculty member Brian McLaren hosts the podcast series Learning How to See. Listen and discover how seeing is social, political, and contemplative.
Latest episodes

Jul 24, 2021 • 1h 3min
4: Boxes Inside Boxes
In this episode, Brian McLaren and his guests discuss the biases that shape our worldview, touching on the differences between conservative and liberal perspectives. They explore the comfort bias and how our brains gravitate towards information that makes us happy. They emphasize the importance of understanding and empathy in overcoming biases and encourage deeper engagement with complex issues. The tension between spirituality and politics is also examined, along with the need to embrace discomfort for personal growth. The episode concludes with a prayer for compassionate and just seeing.

Jul 16, 2021 • 33min
3: Mountain Climbers
In this episode, Brian McLaren and the team discuss consciousness bias and competency bias, exploring how our level of consciousness affects what we see and how our brains prefer to think of ourselves as above average. They also touch on the perpetuation of biases in policies and systems, the stages of consciousness and personal growth, and the importance of cultivating a beginner's mind to challenge our biases. Additional resources and prayers for personal growth are shared.

Jul 9, 2021 • 44min
2: Going Against the Flow
In this podcast, they discuss biases that hinder perspective, such as community bias, complementarity bias, and contact bias. They also explore the importance of challenging societal norms and going against the flow, using examples from Rosa Parks and Jesus. The significance of community and solitude in maintaining a healthy perspective is also discussed, along with a surprising encounter at a playground. They conclude with a prayer for compassion, justice, truth, wisdom, humility, and glory.

Jul 2, 2021 • 50min
1: The Big Ditch
On this introductory episode for Season 2 of Learning How to See, Brian, Gigi, Mike and Paul review the biases and talk about two biases that set the stage for all the others:
Confirmation Bias: the human brain welcomes information that confirms what it already thinks and resist information that disturbs or contradicts what it already thinks.
Complexity Bias: the human brain prefers a simple lie to a complex truth.
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 | StitcherResources:
The transcript for this episode.
Brian's e-book: Why Don't They Get It?
Connect with us:
We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. Send us an email at podcasts@cac.org
Center for Action and Contemplation: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Brian McLaren: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
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 cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!

Jun 28, 2021 • 8min
Coming Soon: Season 2
What could happen if we approached the world in silent wonder, with a humility and openness to learning? Brian McLaren is back for Season 2 of this powerful podcast unpacking the biases that impact the way we see—and ultimately love—ourselves and each other. From judgments made unconsciously to complacency in systemic evil, we must learn how to see if we are to learn how to transform.In Season Two, listeners will have the chance to participate in specially curated practices for each bias, designed to stretch and deepen our hearts so that we can transform how we see into how we pray.

Nov 9, 2020 • 32min
6: Seeing, Doubt, Contemplation and Action
Brian McLaren and Rev. Jacqui Lewis discuss biases, doubt, contemplation, and action. They explore how biases hinder understanding, the importance of doubt for learning to see, and the role of faith in embracing uncertainty. They also address bias, love, and the desire to truly see, and highlight the transformative power of seeking a compassionate worldview. The podcast concludes with an introduction to the Center for Action and Contemplation and its resources.

Nov 2, 2020 • 33min
5: What You Focus on Determines What You Miss
On this episode, they discuss biases that affect our perception, including comfort/complacency/convenience bias, catastrophe/normalcy bias, and cash bias. They explore the impact of money on our lives, challenging sacred texts, and resistance to change. They highlight the importance of what we focus on and how it determines what we miss.

Oct 26, 2020 • 37min
4: What Authoritarian Leaders See
In this podcast, the hosts discuss the biases of confidence and conspiracy, exploring the allure of con artists and our vulnerability to compelling stories. They share personal experiences of questionable practices in a Baptist church and reflect on the role of confidence and authority in belief systems. They also delve into the impact of authoritarianism and the importance of questioning authority. Finally, they discuss expanding freedom through understanding Jesus' death and express gratitude towards the team and supporters.

5 snips
Oct 19, 2020 • 39min
3: Seeing is Political
On this episode, the speakers discuss conservative/liberal bias, consciousness bias, and competency bias. They explore the impact of biases on our perception of the world and delve into the evolution of consciousness and maturity. They also examine binary thinking and the dangers of leaders with competency bias. Learning how to see in our political lives is emphasized.

Oct 12, 2020 • 39min
2: Seeing Is A Social Act
On this episode of Learning How to See, Brian, Jacqui, and Richard talk about the next three biases that look at the social dimensions of seeing:
Community bias: It is very hard to see something your group doesn’t want you to see. This is a form of social confirmation bias.
Complementarity bias: If people are nice to you, you’ll be open to what they see and have to say. If they aren’t nice to you, you won’t.
Contact bias: If you lack contact with someone, you won’t see what they see.
Resources:
The transcript for this episode.
Brian's e-book: Why Don't They Get It?
Connect with us:
We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments or feedback. Send us an email at podcasts@cac.org
Center for Action and Contemplation: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Brian McLaren: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Rev. Jacqui Lewis PhD: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Richard Rohr: Twitter | Sign up for his Daily Meditations here
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 cac.org/podcastsupport Thank you!