Advertise on podcast: Candler in Conversation

What happens when you can't find the thing you need, so you create it for the world? In this episode of The Scholar Unscripted, host Cristha Lea talks with Candler alum and 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Carlton Mackey, founder of Black Men Smile. He had no idea what questions were coming. The conversation covers being broken down and rebuilt at Candler, including trips to Ghana and South Africa that reshaped how he understood his Black identity. Carlton explains why "who am I?" is only half of the question, and why the other half is "how do I know?" Carlton tells the origin story of Black Men Smile, which began when he searched for images of joy during a painful time and couldn't find a single photo of a Black man smiling. He reflects on the light metaphor in his short film Black Brilliance and explains why he calls love and gratitude "the currency of abundance." He also shares a fear he has hidden for years: his hands and legs shake when he speaks. He is facing that fear head-on at TheoEd this October, with no notes and no podium. If you've been given an idea and don't know where to start, Carlton has advice. Pay attention to what brings you joy and what breaks your heart, because both are pointing somewhere. ✦ Watch Carlton's TheoEd talk at theoed.com✦ Candler in Conversation is produced by The Candler Foundry at Emory University's Candler School of Theology.

What if spiritual care was measured by the real difference it makes in people’s lives? Dr. Emmanuel Lartey invites us to rethink how faith, healing, and community are deeply connected in African religious traditions—and what that could mean for Christian ministry and everyday spiritual practice. This conversation explores how authentic spiritual care is practical, relational, and rooted in the ways we show up for one another.Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/Dr. Lartey shares stories from his own family and ministry, challenging us to see spirituality not just as belief, but as a way of relating—to God, to others, and even to those who have gone before us. If you’re curious about how faith can be more tangible, communal, and life-giving, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/

What does it really mean to take a risk for your faith, your calling, or your community? Actor and first-year Candler student Cedric Mays shares how embodying a character on stage is a lot like living out your faith—both require opening yourself up, taking risks, and letting something deeper transform you. His story invites us to consider what it means to truly commit to the work God calls us to, even when it’s uncomfortable. Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/Cedric reflects on how his background in theater shapes his approach to theology, Bible study, and community at Candler School of Theology. This conversation is an honest look at how art, faith, and risk intersect in everyday life. Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/

Created especially for Candler School of Theology’s 2026 New Student Orientation, this original musical selection by Okorie Johnson invites the Class of 2026 to pause, listen, and discern the significance of the present moment. As part of the orientation theme, “Maximizing This Moment,” Okorie uses music as a space for reflection—connecting faith, theological education, creativity, and the journey ahead. The piece encourages Candler’s newest students to honor where they have come from, remain attentive to where God is moving now, and embrace the possibilities of what lies ahead. Experience this musical reflection created for the Candler School of Theology Class of 2026 and their introduction to a new season of theological formation, community, and calling.

What does it really mean to search for "home"—and could it be less about a place and more about a journey? In this conversation, Dr. Walter Fluker shares insights from his book "Wake Up Running," exploring how the longing for belonging, the risks of crossing into new spaces, and the courage to imagine something different shape our faith and our lives. Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/ Dr. Fluker invites us to see the Christian story as one of movement, imagination, and radical welcome—a call to create spaces where everyone belongs, even in times of uncertainty. If you’re curious about how theology, the Bible, and everyday life intersect at the crossings of hope and challenge, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/

What if the challenges facing theological education today are actually opportunities for deeper faith and community? Dr. Ted Smith shares insights from his new book, "At This Time: Dialogues in Theological Education," exploring how moments of crisis can spark hope, creativity, and renewed purpose for churches and everyday Christians. Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/Discover why theological education isn’t just for professionals, but for anyone seeking to grow in Christian faith, wisdom, and joy. Dr. Smith invites us to see study as a lifelong journey—one filled with dialogue, desire, and even delight.Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/

What does it really mean to see your neighbor—not just as a label or stereotype, but as a whole person? In this conversation, Dr. Terrence L. Johnson invites us to consider how often we miss the humanity of those around us, and why truly seeing each other matters for our faith and our communities. Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/Dr. Johnson shares stories from his own life and leadership, reflecting on hospitality, diversity, and the courage it takes to engage across differences. If you care about Christian leadership, theological education, or building authentic community, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/

What does it mean to live out a liberating gospel that includes those the world often leaves out? In this candid conversation, Reverend Dr. Allison Henderson-Brooks shares how faith, authenticity, and hospitality shape her approach to Christian leadership and everyday life. Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/Hear how Dr. Henderson-Brooks’s journey—from her upbringing in the Baptist church to her work as a pastor and associate dean—reveals the power of presence, excellence, and trusting God’s timing. Her insights invite us to rethink what it means to serve, lead, and care for others in church and beyond. Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/

What if everything you thought you knew about gender in the New Testament was more complicated than you imagined? Dr. Susan Hylen invites us to see how status, culture, and identity shaped ideas of gender in the ancient world—and why that matters for how we read the Bible today. Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/This conversation explores how understanding gender in its original context can open up new ways of reading familiar stories and challenge our assumptions about faith, leadership, and community. Dr. Hylen’s insights encourage us to approach Scripture with curiosity and empathy, making space for deeper reflection in our church life and Bible study. Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/

What if the stories of our grandmothers and ancestors are woven into God’s own story—and what does that mean for how we read the Bible and live our faith? In this clip, Dr. Elizabeth Arnold explores Kat Armas’ "Abuelita Faith" and invites us to see wisdom, strength, and liberation through the lived experiences of women on the margins. Their stories challenge us to pay attention to the pain and joy that shape true freedom.Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/Dr. Arnold shares how embodied theology—faith lived out in everyday acts, truth-telling, and even salsa dancing—can deepen our understanding of God and each other. This conversation is for anyone curious about how faith, scripture, and real life come together in unexpected and powerful ways.Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/

What does a Greek myth about a banished witch have to do with Christian faith and the Bible? Dr. Elizabeth Arnold explores how Madeline Miller’s novel Circe invites us to think about vulnerability, agency, and what it means to be made in the image of a God who chose to be embodied. If you’ve ever wondered how stories outside the Bible can deepen your understanding of theology and everyday life, this conversation is for you. Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/ Dr. Arnold reflects on the power of words, the gift of mortality, and the creative potential we all share—connecting ancient myth to the heart of Christian belief. Join the conversation and discover how literature can spark new questions about faith, ministry, and what it means to live fully. Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/

What can a summer murder mystery teach us about faith, discernment, and the stories we tell ourselves? Dr. Elizabeth Arnold invites you into a lively conversation about "The Final Problem" by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, exploring how the genres we love shape the way we read the Bible, understand theology, and even navigate what's real in our everyday lives. Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/This clip is for anyone who loves a good story and wants to think more deeply about how fiction, feelings, and faith intersect. Join Dr. Arnold as she reflects on why paying attention to genre—and to the blurry lines between fiction and reality—matters for Christian faith and life.Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/

How have Protestant ideas about Islam shaped the way Christians see their Muslim neighbors today? Dr. Deanna Womack joins Candler in Conversation to explore the roots of American Islamophobia, the power of images and stories, and how gender has influenced both misunderstanding and connection between faiths. This conversation invites us to reflect on our own assumptions and discover what it means to truly love our neighbor. Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/ Dr. Womack shares surprising insights from her research, including how missionary women’s scrapbooks and photographs reveal both the challenges and the beauty of interfaith encounters. If you care about Christian faith, dialogue, and seeing the world through someone else’s eyes, this episode offers a fresh perspective on building empathy and understanding. Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/

What happens when your life doesn’t fit into just one box—musician, theologian, or professor? In this candid conversation, Tony Alonso shares how his journey through music, faith, and church life has shaped his calling and what it means to bring your whole self to Christian leadership and theological education. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t quite fit the mold, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/Tony reflects on the power of worship, the challenges of church trauma, and the importance of patience and authenticity in faith. His story invites us to consider how our own experiences—failures and all—can become meaningful resources for ministry and spiritual growth.Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/

What does it really mean to follow Jesus—changing the world, or being changed yourself? In this conversation, Dr. Luke Timothy Johnson explores the heart of Christian discipleship, challenging us to think beyond social action or rule-following and consider how faith transforms who we are from the inside out. Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/ Dr. Johnson shares why the character and inner life of a disciple matter just as much as outward acts, and how the journey of becoming like Christ shapes our relationships, our prayers, and our communities. If you care about Christian faith, church life, or what it means to live out the Bible today, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/