Candler in Conversation

⚠️ Content note: This episode includes frank discussion of domestic violence, including childhood abuse, dating violence, the murder of a loved one, and the misuse of faith teachings to keep people in harm’s way. Please care for yourself as you watch.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233 or thehotline.org.

Domestic violence happens everywhere: in the parking lot, in the pews, and in the pulpit. Rev. Dr. Raushanah Butler explains why so many churches respond with “let’s just pray about it,” and what it takes to move from good intentions to prepared care.In this episode of The Scholar, Unscripted, Rev. Dr. Rashanna Butler, a recent Doctor of Ministry graduate of Candler School of Theology and a three-time survivor, shares the research behind her project “Violence: From the Parking Lot to the Pew to the Pulpit.” Her work grew out of grief. In 2016, her childhood best friend was murdered, leaving five children behind. Since then, Dr. Butler has turned her anger into advocacy and equips faith communities to recognize abuse, respond to it, and prevent it.We discuss:→ Her four-part framework for churches: trauma-informed care, clear response protocols, community partnerships, and evaluation→ Why domestic violence is about power and control, and how patriarchal church structures can produce silence→ Theologies of harm: how “submit,” “forgive,” and “Jesus suffered” get turned into weapons→ Why every congregation needs a clear, public theology on domestic violence→ Teen dating violence, Gen Z, and modeling healthy relationships for young people→ Why this is “an us problem,” not only the victim’s problem“Faith communities cannot assume that silence means safety.”“May we become the church survivors can turn to and not recover from.”The episode closes with a moment of silence led by Dr. Butler for those who suffered without being heard.🎓 Learn more about The Candler Foundry: candlerfoundry.emory.eduCandler in Conversation is the official podcast of Candler School of Theology at Emory University, produced by The Candler Foundry.#DomesticViolence #FaithAndAbuse #TraumaInformedCare #BlackChurch #PastoralCare #Theology #CandlerSchoolOfTheology #SurvivorSupport

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.
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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.
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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.
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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/