エピソード

  • Design Thinking as a Way of Being

    Design Thinking as a Way of Being
    2025/11/05

    In this episode, Dr. Mohammed Raei welcomes Dr. Dani Chesson, organizational and behavioral scientist, adjunct professor at the University of Denver, and founder of the Design Thinker Institute. Together, they explore how design thinking—a human-centered, experimental approach to problem-solving—extends far beyond process to become a capability and even a way of being. Drawing from her doctoral research, Dani discusses the development and validation of the Design Thinker Profile, a framework identifying six key capabilities that enable effective design thinking: solution optimism, visual expression, ideation, collaboration, experimentation, and empathy.

    The conversation moves fluidly between scholarship and practice: from the mixed-methods rigor behind the profile’s creation to Dani’s experience leading large-scale organizational transformations across global enterprises. She shares insights from her research in New Zealand’s public-health sector, where indigenous and decolonizing research approaches reshaped how empathy, co-design, and storytelling can democratize knowledge production.

    Dr. Raei and Dr. Chesson also discuss the founding of the Design Thinker Institute, her upcoming book (on why organizations get stuck and how to move forward), and practical advice for anyone applying design thinking to research, leadership, or everyday life. The episode closes with a reminder that design thinking is not just about thinking—it’s about doing: experimenting boldly, learning continuously, and acting with empathy in the face of complexity.

    Resources:

    Dr. Chesson's Dissertation

    https://aura.antioch.edu/stuworks/31/

    Design Thinker Institute

    https://www.designthinkerinstitute.com/

    Design Thinker Podcast

    https://www.designthinkerpodcast.com/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 分
  • Making Theory Contributions Clear: Martin Kilduff on Philosophy of Science and Scholarship

    Making Theory Contributions Clear: Martin Kilduff on Philosophy of Science and Scholarship
    2025/10/21

    This 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 across two dimensions: truth claims and the representativeness of theoretical terms. Kilduff illustrates the strengths and limitations of each approach, while underscoring the role of instrumentalism and empiricism in contemporary research, particularly given the rise of big data. The conversation also addresses challenges for early-career scholars, offering practical strategies such as Jay Barney’s three-paragraph rule for articulating contributions. Finally, Raei and Kilduff reflect on the implications of transdisciplinary and boundary-spanning work, warning of both the promise and perils of venturing beyond disciplinary homes. The episode provides conceptual clarity and pragmatic insights into how scholars can frame contributions that resonate across diverse audiences.

    Resources:

    *FROM BLUE SKY RESEARCH TO PROBLEM SOLVING: A PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE THEORY OF NEW KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION Author(s): MARTIN KILDUFF, AJAY MEHRA and MARY B. DUNN Source: The Academy of Management Review, April 2011, Vol. 36, No. 2 (April 2011), pp. 297-317

    * Where's the theory contribution? An answer in four parts

    https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20413866241233739
    続きを読む 一部表示
    43 分
  • The Space Between: Relational Cultural Theory and the Art of Connection

    The Space Between: Relational Cultural Theory and the Art of Connection
    2025/10/08

    In 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 Grosman explore how professors’ relational practices foster not only student growth but also their own renewal and purpose, creating virtuous cycles of connection within higher education. The conversation also highlights the feminist and social justice roots of RCT, its applications in leadership and organizational life, and its intersections with embodiment, neuroscience, and even polyvagal theory. Listeners will gain insights into how humanizing approaches to teaching and leadership can cultivate belonging, mattering, and creativity—while challenging traditional hierarchies. This episode invites educators, leaders, and researchers alike to reimagine scholarship and practice as generative acts of connection.

    Resources:

    Ileya's Dissertation and video summary Ileya's LinkedIn including publications The (White) Elephant in the Room: A Qualitative Critical Whiteness Study of Two Inclusive Leadership Programs (2025) International Center for Growth in Connection to learn more about RCT and engagement Thankful Learning, Dr. Harriet Schwartz, 2009

    続きを読む 一部表示
    39 分
  • Mysticism, Science, and the Mind: A Conversation with Dr. Mike Sosteric

    Mysticism, Science, and the Mind: A Conversation with Dr. Mike Sosteric
    2025/09/23

    In 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 neurological ego alongside a non-local spiritual ego, offering a richer framework for understanding mystical states. He candidly discusses the taboo surrounding mysticism in mainstream sociology and psychology, the suppression of humanistic and transpersonal research, and how systems of toxic socialization and elite-controlled religious archetypes have stunted human potential.

    The conversation also delves into what a truly decolonized research methodology might look like, the role of critical consciousness in social transformation, and Sosteric’s vision for a future university grounded in open access, interdisciplinary freedom, and spiritual authenticity. Listeners interested in the intersections of consciousness, decoloniality, education, and inner transformation will find this episode a bold invitation to rethink the foundations of science, selfhood, and society.

    Resources:

    The entropic brain article:

    https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00020/full#B108

    Lightening path

    https://spiritwiki.lightningpath.org/index.php/Lightning_Path_Workbook_One

    Autoethnography of mystical experience

    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363142832_Connection_100_-_An_Auto-ethnography_of_my_Mystical_Connection_Experiences

    Tarot Article:

    https://www.academia.edu/114664240/A_Sociology_of_Tarot

    Frantz Fanon’s book

    The Wretched of the Earth
    続きを読む 一部表示
    32 分
  • Creativity Doesn’t Happen by Accident: Lessons from Amy Climer

    Creativity Doesn’t Happen by Accident: Lessons from Amy Climer
    2025/06/26

    In 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 process. Climer emphasizes that creativity is not accidental—it is a deliberate, structured endeavor. She shares her journey transforming academic research into a practical, story-rich book, discusses her writing habits, and highlights tools like Scrivener and Climer Cards that aid the creative process.

    The conversation also explores applications in academia, strategies to foster individual and team creativity, and Dr. Climer’s vision of what a deliberately creative university might look like. Packed with actionable insights and reflective moments, this episode offers valuable guidance for scholars, leaders, and practitioners looking to enhance creativity in their work and teams.

    Resources:

    Climer Consulting website: https://climerconsulting.com

    Climer Cards website: https://climercards.com/

    Deliberate Creative Teams: How to Lead for Innovative Results book: https://climerconsulting.com/book

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climerconsulting Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyclimer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyclimer/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/amyclimer

    The Deliberate Creative Podcast: https://climerconsulting.com/podcast/

    Creativity by Csikszentmihalyi https://www.amazon.com/Creativity-Csikszentmihalyi-Mihaly-1st-HarperPerennial/dp/B00C6P1KWE

    Scrivener https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview

    Ulysses writing software https://ulysses.app/en/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    42 分
  • The Ethical Use of AI in Research.

    The Ethical Use of AI in Research.
    2025/06/03

    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, emphasizing the importance of researcher oversight, transparency, and institutional guidelines.

    Listeners will gain practical tips on using AI responsibly, including how to prompt tools for better outcomes, conduct pilot interviews with AI, and incorporate AI ethically into mentorship and literature reviews. Dr. Adu and Dr. Raei also debate the future of AI in academia—will it replace key research functions or simply augment them?

    Whether you're a researcher, doctoral student, or just curious about the impact of AI on scholarship, this episode offers nuanced insights and real-world examples to help you navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.

    Resources:

    Dr Adu's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@drphilipadu

    Books:

    A Step-by-Step Guide to Qualitative Data Coding: https://www.routledge.com/A-Step-by-Step-Guide-to-Qualitative-Data-Coding/Adu/p/book/9781138486874?srsltid=AfmBOorAbKwPw9RQ4n0epOZlzITzoZUmELi7ZMMBt76xtgIFUOpVTFYu

    The Theoretical Framework in Phenomenological Research: Development and Application is an introduction to phenomenology: https://www.routledge.com/The-Theoretical-Framework-in-Phenomenological-Research-Development-and-Application/Larsen-Adu/p/book/9780367540524

    Dissertation Research Methods: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Up Your Research in the Social Sciences: https://www.routledge.com/Dissertation-Research-Methods-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-to-Writing-Up-Your-Research-in-the-Social-Sciences/Adu-Miles/p/book/9781032213859

    Ailyze: https://www.ailyze.com/ Napkin ai: https://www.napkin.ai/ ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/ Gama App: https://gamma.app/
    続きを読む 一部表示
    40 分
  • Feminist Constructivist Grounded Theory

    Feminist Constructivist Grounded Theory
    2025/05/20

    In 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 Strauss to Kathy Charmaz, and highlights how constructivist and feminist lenses can bring critical and emancipatory depth to qualitative research.

    Dr. Horan reflects on the tensions of being both an insider and outsider in her fieldwork and explains how somatic awareness, trauma-informed research practices, and embodiment techniques deepen both understanding and healing.

    Resources:

    Glaser, B., & Strauss, A. L. (2000). Discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Routledge.

    Horan, L. M. (2024). Feminized Servanthood, Gendered Scapegoating, and the Disappearance of Gen-X/Millennial Protestant Clergy Women (Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University).

    Horan, L. (2025). Dismantled: Abusive church culture and the clergy women who leave. Tehom Center Publishing.

    Morse, J. M., Bowers, B. J., Charmaz, K., Clarke, A. E., Corbin, J., Porr, C. J., & Stern, P. N. (2021). Developing grounded theory: The second generation revisited. Routledge.

    Schwartz, R. (2023). No bad parts: Healing trauma & restoring wholeness with the internal family systems model. Random House.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    40 分
  • Trauma Informed Research

    Trauma Informed Research
    2025/05/06
    In 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 trauma-informed methodology, combining phenomenology with situational and thematic analysis, and discusses the importance of researcher self-care. She also emphasizes the role of IRBs and the need for more culturally sensitive, human-centered research practices. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in ethical qualitative research, trauma studies, or survivor-centered approaches. 5 Key Points: Trauma-informed research requires an ethical design that prevents the retraumatization of participants. Dr. Gumus developed a unique methodology: exploratory situational thematic analysis. Self-care for researchers is essential in trauma-related studies. Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) need more education on trauma-informed practices. Thrivership transcends resilience—emphasizing transformation, not just survival. Resources: Brown, D. J., Arnold, R., Fletcher, D., & Standage, M. (2017). Human thriving. European Psychologist. Brown, D. J., Passaportis, M., & Hays, K. (2021). Thriving. In Stress, well-being, and performance in sport (pp. 297-312). Routledge. Brown, D. J. (2016). Human thriving: a conceptualization, understanding, and application to sport (Doctoral dissertation, University of Bath) Calhoun, L. G., & Tedeschi, R. G. (2012). Posttraumatic growth in clinical practice. Routledge. Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., & Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245-258. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-3797(98)00017-8 Gumus, K. (2025). Journey to well-being: An exploration of thrivership post-domestic violence [Doctoral dissertation]. https://aura.antioch.edu/etds/1101/ Herman, J. L. (2015). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence--from domestic abuse to political terror. Hachette UK. Kolk, B. V. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin. Maté, G. (2011). When the body says no: Exploring the stress-disease connection. Turner Publishing Company. SAMHSA’s six principles of trauma-informed care – post-secondary peer support training curriculum. (2022, June 1). BCcampus Open Publishing – Open Textbooks Adapted and Created by BC Faculty. https://opentextbc.ca/peersupport/chapter/samhsas-six-principles-of-trauma-informed-care/ Taleb, N. N. (2012). Antifragile: Things that gain from disorder. Random House. Tudge, J., & Rosa, E. M. (2020). Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory. The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119171492.wecad251 What AI cannot do. (2022, May 20). Big Think. https://bigthink.com/the-future/what-ai-cannot-do/ Calhoun, L. G., & Tedeschi, R. G. (2012). Posttraumatic growth in clinical practice. Routledge. Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., Koss, M. P., & Marks, J. S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245-258. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-3797(98)00017-8 Gumus, K. (2025). Journey to well-being: An exploration of thrivership post-domestic violence [Doctoral dissertation]. https://aura.antioch.edu/etds/1101/ Herman, J. L. (2015). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence--from domestic abuse to political terror. Hachette UK. Kolk, B. V. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin. Maté, G. (2011). When the body says no: Exploring the stress-disease connection. Turner Publishing Company. SAMHSA’s six principles of trauma-informed care – post-secondary peer support training curriculum. (2022, June 1). BCcampus Open Publishing – Open Textbooks Adapted and Created by BC Faculty. https://opentextbc.ca/peersupport/chapter/samhsas-six-principles-of-trauma-informed-care/ Taleb, N. N. (2012). Antifragile: Things that gain from disorder. Random House. Tudge, J., & Rosa, E. M. (2020). Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory. The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    35 分