Shows
The Epistemic Alchemy PodcastMaking Theory Contributions Clear: Martin Kilduff on Philosophy of Science and ScholarshipThis podcast episode features Dr. Martin Kilduff, Professor of Organizations and Innovation at UCL School of Management, in conversation with Dr. Mohammed Raei. The dialogue explores Kilduff’s influential work on theory contribution, particularly his framework derived from the philosophy of science. Kilduff traces the origins of this work to his experience teaching a doctoral course in philosophy of science, which led him to grapple with the unintelligibility of much of the field and the absence of a clear framework for theory contribution in organizational studies. The discussion highlights four distinct approaches—empiricism, strong paradigm advocacy, instrumentalism, and realism—mapped...
2025-10-2142 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastThe Space Between: Relational Cultural Theory and the Art of ConnectionIn this episode of the Epistemic Alchemy Podcast, host Dr. Mohammed Raei is joined by Dr. Ileya N. Grosman, an artist, scholar, and practitioner whose work bridges leadership, education, and the arts through the lens of relational cultural theory (RCT). Grosman shares her journey from early explorations of cultural connection and photography in Bangladesh to her doctoral research on professors’ lived experiences of positive relationships with undergraduate students. Drawing on RCT, phenomenology, and arts-based methods such as Photovoice, her study illuminates the “space between” teacher and student as a site of mutuality, empathy, and generativity. Together, Drs. Raei and Grosma...
2025-10-0838 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastMysticism, Science, and the Mind: A Conversation with Dr. Mike SostericIn this provocative and deeply insightful episode of Epistemic Alchemy, host Dr. Mohammed Raei sits down with sociologist and consciousness theorist Dr. Mike Sosteric to explore the contested terrain of consciousness research, mystical experience, and the urgent need for a decolonized spirituality. Together, they critique dominant neuroscientific models—such as the Entropic Brain Theory—for their Eurocentric, pathologizing assumptions about non-ordinary states of consciousness, and challenge the prevailing materialist view that consciousness originates solely in the brain.
Drawing on his decades of autoethnographic inquiry and spiritual practice, Sosteric articulates a dual-consciousness theory that recognizes the body’s neurol...
2025-09-2331 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastCreativity Doesn’t Happen by Accident: Lessons from Amy ClimerIn this engaging episode of the Epistemic Alchemy Podcast, Dr. Mohammed Raei speaks with Dr. Amy Climer, creativity expert, speaker, and author of the bestselling book Deliberate Creative Teams: How to Lead for Innovative Results. Drawing from her academic research and professional experience with organizations like the Mayo Clinic and Stanford University, Dr. Climer unpacks the myths and realities of creativity, especially within team settings.
She introduces her "Deliberate Creative Team Scale," a tool born from her mixed-methods dissertation that identifies three essential elements for team creativity: clear team purpose, effective team dynamics, and an intentional creative...
2025-06-2641 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastThe Ethical Use of AI in Research.In this thought-provoking episode of the Epistemic Alchemy Podcast, host Dr. Mohammed Raei welcomes Dr. Philip Adu, a leading expert in research methodology and founder of the Center for Research Methods Consulting, LLC. Together, they explore the ethical and practical dimensions of using AI in academic research, especially within qualitative methodologies.
Dr. Adu shares his early curiosity and evolving relationship with AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity, illustrating how these tools can streamline tasks such as interview question design, data coding, and theme development. The conversation delves into ethical concerns around privacy, bias, and skill erosion...
2025-06-0339 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastFeminist Constructivist Grounded TheoryIn this profound episode of Epistemic Alchemy, Dr. Mohammed Raei is joined by Dr. Lynn Horan—scholar, coach, and former Protestant clergy—to explore her pioneering research on the lived experiences of millennial women clergy who have left active ministry due to violations of interpersonal boundaries and psychological safety.
Drawing from her journey through politics, ministry, and academia, Dr. Horan shares how her career transitions shaped her inquiry into embodied leadership and feminist epistemology. The conversation traces the historical and theological disembodiment in Protestant traditions, examines the evolution of grounded theory methodology from Glaser and Strau...
2025-05-2040 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastTrauma Informed ResearchIn this powerful episode of the Epistemic Alchemy Podcast, Dr. I interviewed Dr. Kader Gumus, an independent consultant and trauma-informed researcher, about her pioneering work on thrivership after domestic violence. Dr. Gumus shares her journey as both a scholar and a survivor, highlighting the significance of conducting research ethically and with care. Drawing from her dissertation, Journey to Wellbeing, she explores how individuals move beyond survival to thrive after experiencing chronic trauma. The conversation delves into how traditional research practices can inadvertently retraumatize participants, and what researchers can do to prevent that. Dr. Gumus outlines how she designed a...
2025-05-0634 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastMetamodern ScholarshipIn this episode, I interview Dr. Jason Ānanda Josephson Storm where we discuss metamodernism and metamodern scholarship:
*The different strands of metamodernism and its history.
*What metamodernism adds to postmodernism.
*Storm's contribution to metamodern scholarship, including the concept of social kinds.
*Developmental theories and metamodernism.
*The Journal of Metamodernism Theory and Praxis.
*The metamodern university.
Resources mentioned:
Dr Storm’s works
Josephson, J. A. (2019). The invention of religion in Japan. University of Chicago Press.
2025-04-2240 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastRoy Bhaskar's Critical Realism and the crisis of replication in psychologyIn this episode, I interview Dr Rob Archer and we talk about Roy Bhaskar’s critical realism and how it deals with the crisis of replication.
*What is critical realism?
*What is the role of ontology?
*What is a transcendental argument?
*How does critical realism deal with the issue of replication?
*How has Bhaskar’s critical realism evolved over time and his spiritual turn.
*Where critical realism is going?
Resource mentioned in the episode.
Retiring Popper: Critical realism...
2025-04-0849 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastEditing Academic AnthologiesIn this episode, I interview Dr. Stacey Guenther and Dr. Lisa Berkley and we discuss our experience of editing an academic anthology together.
*The challenges of editing academic anthologies.
* What makes an anthology unique?
*The process for collaboration.
*Doing a call for chapter proposal vs invite only.
*Misconceptions about editing academic anthologies.
*Rewarding aspects of editing an academic anthology.
*Decolonizing.
*Spirituality and the shadow side and dark side.
*Cross-cultural scholarship.
Dr. Stacey Guenther’s Website
htt...
2025-03-2549 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastIndigenous scholarship, decolonizing, and the authentic dissertation.In this episode, I interviewed Four Arrows, who was selected by AERO as one of 27 visionaries in education and is recipient of a Martin Springer Institute Moral Courage Award for his activism.
Topics covered include:
*Decolonizing
*Indigenous research/scholarship.
*The role of spirituality.
*Alternative/authentic dissertations.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Authentic Dissertation: Alternative Ways of Knowing, Research and Representation by Four Arrows aka Don Trent Jacobs (Author)
Differing Worldviews in Higher Education: Two Scholars Argue Cooperatively about Justice Education First Edition by W...
2025-03-1146 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastMastering the Dissertation: Overcoming Literature Review ChallengesIn this episode of the Epistemic Alchemy podcast, join Dr. Mohamed Raei as he engages in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Harriet Terber Rasmussen, a seasoned leadership coach and educator with over 30 years of experience. As a faculty member at Drexel University, Dr. Rasmussen shares her insights into guiding educational leaders through the complexities of academic writing and the doctoral dissertation process.
Explore the common challenges faced by students during the literature review stage, and gain valuable practical advice on conducting impactful research that benefits a wide range of fields, from education to financial institutions. Discover...
2025-02-1842 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastIntersubjectivity, transdiciplairity, and dynamic skillsIn this episode:
*History of intersubjectivity
*What is intersubjectivity and how does it relate to phenomenology and social construction?
*How can one use intersubjectivity in research?
*How does intersubjectivity relate to Consensus reality?
*How does intersubjectivity relate to Csikszentmihalyi's systems model of creativity?
* Challenges to Transdisciplinarity.
*Making social science matter.
*Applying Kurt Fischer's dynamic skill theory to become better researchers and scholars.
Useful links:
Mike's website:
https://michaelmascolo.com/
Intersubjectivity:
https://ww...
2025-02-0248 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastTransdisciplinary -Integralist ScholarshipIn this episode I interviewed Dr. Jonathan Reams, PhD. We had a lively discussion about Integralism, transdisciplinary scholarship and his experience as a scholar and editor-in-chief of Integral Review: A Journal Dedicated to Transdisciplinary Research and Thought.
Topics covered:
*History of Integral Review(IR)
*The different strands of Integralism.
*The editorial process at IR.
*Jonathan's experience with publishing transdisciplinary work.
*Challenges to transdisciplinary scholarship.
*The future of transdisciplinary scholarship.
*Artificial Intelligence and how it can influence scholarship.
Jonathan's website: ...
2025-01-2142 minThe Epistemic Alchemy PodcastConstructivist Critical Incident TechniqueIn this episode, I interviewed Dr. Hariett Schwartz and Dr. Elizabeth Holloway about their recently published book Essentials of Constructivist Critical Incident Technique published by APA.
We covered a large range of topics including:
*History of CIT.
*The different uses of the methodology.
*How is the research conducted?
*How it differs from other qualitative methods.
*The epistemological orientation.
*Where first-time researchers struggle.
*The future of the methodology.
Link to the book: https://www.apa.org/pubs/books/essentials-constructivist-critical-incident-technique
Link to...
2025-01-0843 min
The Edge of Everyday with Sandra BargmanLeadership at the Spiritual Edge with Lynn HoranTodays episode is one of my favorites!Today we are #LIVEintheHIVE with author, Interfaith theologian, and dancer, Lynn Horan for a compelling conversation about the edges between spirituality and leadership, the edges between the wisdom of the body and that of the intellect - and - we will dive into her work on embodied social change in her contributing chapter, ACTIVISM, PERFORMANCE, and SPIRITUAL RITUAL in the newly released book, LEADERSHIP AT THE SPIRITUAL EDGE, Edited By Mohammed Raei, Stacey K. Guenther, Lisa A. Berkley and published by Routledge.In this episode, we touch on...
2024-10-1552 min
Practical Wisdom for Leaders with Scott J. Allen, Ph.D.Dr. Harriette Rasmussen, Dr. Mohammed Raei, & Dr. Jonathan Reams - The Diverse Drivers of TrustSend us a textDr. Harriette Rasmussen is an assistant clinical professor at Drexel University's School of Education, where she teaches doctoral courses in leadership, writing, and qualitative research and supervises doctoral research. Through her firm HTR Consulting, she has consulted internationally about leadership, learning networks, organizational effectiveness, and community engagement. Her clients have included The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Washington State Board of Education, the American Institutes for Research, and school districts ranging from 800 to 50,000. She was a member of the consultant cohort piloting integration of Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, Business School, and...
2023-01-0443 min
Getting Smart PodcastHarriette Thurber Rasmussen and Mohammed Raei on Adaptive Leadership in a Global EconomyThis episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is sponsored by engage2learn. Contact them today! On this episode, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Dr. Harriette Thurber Rasmussen and Dr. Mohammed (Mo) Raei, co-editors of the new book Adaptive Leadership in a Global Economy: Perspectives for Application and Scholarship. Dr. Rasmussen is an organizational development coach and an assistant clinical professor at Drexel University. Dr. Raei is an independent leadership and organization development consultant, coach, and dissertation coach based in Jordan. He has consulted on strategic planning and 360-degree feedback. Let's listen in a...
2022-03-2542 min