Conversing with Mark Labberton

Esau McCaulley, discussing his new memoir, reflects on the way we tell Black stories and how we make sense of our narratives for the glory of God. Esau McCalley is assistant professor of New Testament at Wheaton College and the author of Reading While Black and How Far to the Promised Land, among other works.

Nikki Toyama-Szeto shares about her work leading Christians for Social Action, the organization’s commitment to cultivating faithful engagement with issues of justice, and her experience as a Japanese American woman in leadership. Nikki Toyama-Szeto is executive director of Christians for Social Action.  

Tim Alberta, journalist and author, explores the state of American Evangelicalism in a time of extremism. They discuss the dichotomy between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of America, approach conversations with dignity and fairness, explore Christian nationalism and bad theology, and encourage empathy and understanding.

Caleb Maskell discusses the beginnings of Vineyard USA, which is celebrating its 50th year, and the hopeful future ahead. Caleb Maskell is the associate national director of theology and education for Vineyard USA.  

Pamela Ebstyne King discusses her research and work on the topic of thriving, as well as her new podcast, With & For. Pamela Ebstyne King is Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science and executive director of the Thrive Center for Human Development.  

Andrew Hanauer, president and CEO of the One America Movement, discusses bridging divides in American politics and faith communities. They explore the challenges pastors face in addressing political divisions, the strategic approach to combating toxic polarization, and the importance of organizations like Global Immersion. They also discuss living out faith in a confusing world and highlight various organizations working towards combating toxic polarization through collaboration and open discussions.

Stephen Newby reflects on the ability of Gospel music to invite all people in and what that means for today’s world and church. Stephen Michael Newby is the inaugural holder of The Lev H. Prichard III Endowed Chair in the Study of Black Worship and also serves as Professor of Music and Ambassador for The Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University.

Jemar Tisby discusses the relevance of Tom Skinner's speech on race and evangelism in today's American church. They explore the impact of Skinner's message on promoting diversity and understanding in evangelical communities, emphasizing the need to address racism within before reaching out globally. The conversation delves into maintaining narrative integrity and honoring the legacy of black leaders like Skinner for bridging racial divides in faith communities.

Luann Pannell discusses mental health and training in law enforcement and shares about her two decades of work with the Los Angeles Police Department. Luann Pannell is a Fuller alum, CEO of Exceptional Edge Consulting, and was director of police training and education at the LAPD for 18 years.  

Ben McBride talks with Mark about his new book, Troubling the Water: The Urgent Work of Radical Belonging, which outlines his journey and work in the “kill zone” in Oakland, CA. Ben McBride is a visionary leader of radical belonging. The co-founder of the Empower Initiative, a capacity-building firm devoted to empowering organizations and communities, he is a leading expert in fostering belonging and public safety reform.