Candler in Conversation

What makes a truly good community, and how do we nurture it in our lives and institutions? In this candid conversation, Robert Franklin, Jr. shares personal stories and hard-won wisdom about leadership, reconciliation, and the virtues that shape just communities—drawing on his experiences from family, faith, and leading Morehouse College.
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Franklin reflects on the risks and rewards of leadership, the lifelong pursuit of balance, and the hope that fuels meaningful change. Whether you’re passionate about Christian leadership, theological education, or simply seeking to live with greater purpose, this conversation invites you to consider how faith and community shape who we become.
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How can the church make the biblical text come alive for those who may never pick up a Bible? In this inspiring conversation, the Reverend Dr. Tyreanna Harris—a theologian, womanist preacher, photographer, and digital strategist—joins Candler School of Theology at Emory University to explore the intersection of ministry, technology, and Christian faith. Dr. Harris shares how digital innovation and creative ministry can help church life become more accessible, communal, and spiritually nourishing, especially for those who experience faith outside traditional spaces.
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With warmth and wisdom, Dr. Harris reflects on the importance of preparation, devotion, and presence—both behind and in front of the camera. She invites us to see God in the details of technology, from taping cords to lighting, and to recognize how digital discipleship can foster authentic community and Christian leadership. Her story reminds us that theological education and Bible study are not confined to the pulpit but can flourish wherever people gather, online or in person.
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As you consider your own journey of faith and innovation, how might you embody the call to make the gospel accessible and alive in new ways?

In this heartfelt conversation, we explore how digital innovation is reshaping church life and Christian faith, making space for authentic community both online and in person. Cydnei Williams, a second-year theology student at Candler and the creator of the “Holy and Acceptable” podcast, shares her journey of building a brand that centers wholeness, cultural identity, and the richness of Black church tradition. Her story reminds us that God welcomes every part of who we are, and that digital ministry can be a powerful tool for connection, accessibility, and spiritual growth.Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/Sydney’s approach to Christian leadership is rooted in listening deeply to community, honoring diverse voices, and curating conversations that reflect the lived experiences of real people. Whether you’re a pastor, a digital creator, or someone curious about theological education, this episode invites you to consider how your own gifts and context might shape the future of ministry. The conversation highlights the importance of intentionality, trust, and collective creativity as we navigate the evolving landscape of faith and technology.Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/As you listen, you’re invited to reflect on how your own story, memories, and questions might find a home in the ongoing journey of faith, community, and digital innovation. Where might God be inviting you to show up, share your voice, or help shape the church’s story in new ways?

How can churches truly reach people outside their walls in a digital age? Dr. Winford Rice joins the Candler and Conversation podcast to explore how technology, social media, and intentional outreach can help churches connect with those who feel distant from faith or have never set foot in a church. He shares honest insights on the challenges and opportunities of leading a congregation through rapid digital change.Learn more at https://candlerfoundry.emory.edu/Dr. Rice reflects on the importance of meeting real community needs, the power of quality media ministry, and why starting with what you have matters more than having the latest tech. This conversation is for anyone interested in Christian leadership, church life, or how faith communities can adapt and thrive in a changing world.Follow The Candler Foundry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlerfoundry/

In this episode of Candler in Conversation, we sit down with Dr. Timothy Farmer, a Doctor of Ministry graduate, to explore the evolving relationship between ministry and digital innovation.As churches, seminaries, and faith-based organizations navigate an increasingly digital world, Dr. Farmer reflects on how technology is reshaping pastoral leadership, theological education, and community formation. From digital tools in ministry to reimagining presence, participation, and accessibility, this conversation invites us to think deeply—and creatively—about how innovation can serve the mission of the Church without losing its soul.This episode is part of a series produced by The Candler Foundry, highlighting the stories, scholarship, and lived experiences of those shaping theology beyond the classroom.

"Silent Echoes" is a transformative podcast series exploring the profound interplay between silence, inner strength, and resilience. Each episode reflects on the powerful words of Howard Thurman: "In the stillness of quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair." Dr. Luther E. Smith Jr.’s current research focuses on the writings and correspondence of Howard Thurman, advocacy on behalf of children, and a spirituality of hope. Smith is an ordained elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. He retired from Candler in 2014.

"Silent Echoes" is a transformative podcast series exploring the profound interplay between silence, inner strength, and resilience. Each episode reflects on the powerful words of Howard Thurman: "In the stillness of quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair." Walter Earl Fluker is the senior editor of The Howard Thurman Papers Project and a well-known figure in the theory and practice of ethical leadership. Dr. Fluker holds the position of Distinguished Professor of the Howard Thurman Center at Hartford International University for Religion & Peace and previously served as Dean’s Professor of Spirituality, Ethics, and Leadership at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. At Morehouse College, he was the founding director of the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership and the Coca-Cola Professorship of Leadership Studies. He is the Martin Luther King, Jr. professor emeritus of ethical leadership at Boston University and the editor of the Howard Thurman Papers Project where he developed an acclaimed Massive Online Operating Course titled Ethical Leadership: Character, Civility, and Community. His organization, Walter Earl Fluker & Associates, Inc., continues to advance this mission.

"Silent Echoes" is a transformative podcast series exploring the profound interplay between silence, inner strength, and resilience. Each episode reflects on the powerful words of Howard Thurman: "In the stillness of quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair." Walter Earl Fluker is the senior editor of The Howard Thurman Papers Project and a well-known figure in the theory and practice of ethical leadership. Dr. Fluker holds the position of Distinguished Professor of the Howard Thurman Center at Hartford International University for Religion & Peace and previously served as Dean’s Professor of Spirituality, Ethics, and Leadership at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. At Morehouse College, he was the founding director of the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadershipand the Coca-Cola Professorship of Leadership Studies. He is the Martin Luther King, Jr. professor emeritus of ethical leadership at Boston University and the editor of the Howard Thurman Papers Project where he developed an acclaimed Massive Online Operating Course titled Ethical Leadership: Character, Civility, and Community. His organization, Walter Earl Fluker & Associates, Inc., continues to advance this mission.A sought-after consultant, speaker, and workshop leader, Dr. Fluker has shared his expertise at various institutions and organizations worldwide. Recently, he was honored with the 2023 Roosevelt Institute’s Four Freedoms Award of Worship, along with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, the late activist Ady Barkan, Congressman Bennie Thompson, and former Executive Director of the American Library Association Tracie D. Hall. Dr. Fluker is a prolific author, with notable works including Ethical Leadership: The Questfor Character, Civility, and Community (2009) and The Ground Has Shifted: The Future of the Black Church in Post-Racial America (2016). He also edited the five-volume documentary edition The Papers of Howard Washington Thurman, the four-volume Walking with God: The Sermon Series of Howard Thurman (2020–2023), and The Unfinished Search for Common Ground (2023).He earned a BA in philosophy and biblical studies from Trinity College, an MDiv from Garrett-Evangelical Seminary, and a PhD in social ethics from BU. He holds an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Lees-McRae College and a Doctor of Laws honoris causa from Boston University.

The Candler Foundry in partnership with the Doctor of Ministry program presents this six-part series on Womanist Discourse! Our guest today is Dr. Musa Dube, the William Ragsdale Cannon Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Candler School of Theology.

The Candler Foundry has partnered with the Doctor of Ministry program to offer this six part series on Womanist Discourse in support of the new track launching at Candler! Here the insightful words of Dr. Teresa Fry Brown as she talks about the history of womanism, her life's work, and how womanism can can shape you as you grow in the work of liberation.