Episodes

  • Coming Soon: Learning How to See

    Coming Soon: Learning How to See
    Oct 1 2020
    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 members Brian McLaren and Richard Rohr join Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis Ph.D. of New York’s Middle Church for this special six-episode podcast series Learning How to See. Listen as these three powerful public theologians discuss how seeing is social, political, and contemplative. Learning How to See starts October 5th, 2020.
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    4 mins
  • 1: Why Can't We See?

    1: Why Can't We See?
    Oct 5 2020
    On this introductory episode of Learning How to See, Brian, Jacqui, and Richard 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. 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!
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    38 mins
  • 2: Seeing Is A Social Act

    2: Seeing Is A Social Act
    Oct 12 2020
    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!
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    39 mins
  • 3: Seeing is Political

    3: Seeing is Political
    Oct 19 2020
    On this episode of Learning How to See, Brian, Jacqui, and Richard talk about the next three biases that look at the social-political dimensions of seeing: Conservative/Liberal bias: Conservatives and Liberals see the world differently. Liberals see through a “nurturing parent” window, and Conservatives see through a “strict father” window. Liberals value moral arguments based on justice and compassion; conservatives also place a high value on arguments based on purity, loyalty, authority, and tradition. Our brains like to see as our party sees, and we flock with those who see as we do. Consciousness bias: A person’s level of consciousness makes seeing some things possible and others impossible. Our brains see from a location. Competency bias: We are incompetent at knowing how incompetent or competent we are, so we may see less or more than we think. Our brains prefer to think of ourselves as above average. 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!
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    39 mins
  • 4: What Authoritarian Leaders See

    4: What Authoritarian Leaders See
    Oct 26 2020
    On this episode of Learning How to See, Brian, Jacqui, and Richard talk about the next 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 either the hero or the victim ... never the villain. 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!
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    37 mins
  • 5: What You Focus on Determines What You Miss

    5: What You Focus on Determines What You Miss
    Nov 2 2020
    On this episode of Learning How to See, Brian, Jacqui, and Richard talk about the next three biases that look at the social-political dimensions of seeing: Comfort/Complacency/Convenience Bias: Our brains welcome data that allows us to relax and be happy and reject data that require us to adjust, work, or inconvenience ourselves. Catastrophe/Normalcy Bias: Our brains notice sudden changes for the worse, but we easily miss slow and subtle changes over time. We think what is now normal always was and always will be. Our brains are wired for what feels normal. Cash Bias: It is very hard to see anything that interferes with our way of making a living. Our brains are wired to see within the framework of our economy, and we see what helps us make money. 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!
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    33 mins
  • 6: Seeing, Doubt, Contemplation and Action

    6: Seeing, Doubt, Contemplation and Action
    Nov 9 2020
    On this last episode of Learning How to See, Brian, Jacqui, and Richard review of the biases, and reflection on how doubt, action, and contemplation enrich our ability to 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!
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    32 mins
  • Coming Soon: Season 2

    Coming Soon: Season 2
    Jun 28 2021
    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.
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    8 mins