The Epistemic Alchemy Podcast

Episode description In this episode of the Epistemic Alchemy Podcast, Dr. Mohammed Raei speaks with Professor Gabriele Bammer, a leading figure in transdisciplinary research and the founder of Integration and Implementation Sciences, or i2S. Bammer reflects on her early intellectual journey, the real-world policy challenges that shaped her work, and why fragmentation remains one of the greatest ba...

What is meta — and why might it matter more than ever? In this wide-ranging conversation, I speak with Dr. Mark Edwards, meta-theorist and former Associate Professor at Jönköping International Business School, about the science of meta studies, the misunderstandings surrounding metatheory, and the role of big-picture thinking in a world facing systemic crisis. We explore: What meta studies actuall...

This episode of Epistemic Alchemy features Dr. Celeste Snowber—dancer, poet, scholar, and pioneer in embodied and arts-based inquiry. In conversation with host Dr. Mohammed Raei, Celeste traces the origins of her work to an early, visceral realization that we are bodies, not merely thinkers who happen to have bodies. She reflects on how pregnancy, silence, and enforced stillness led her to write t...

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 re...

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...

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’ li...

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...

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 realitie...

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 e...

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....

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...

In 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 Praxi...

In 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 realis...

In 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 academ...

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: Alt...

In 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 d...

In 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. *A...

In 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 expe...

In 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 orien...