Lynn Horan ‘20 (GSLC, PhD) was a recent guest on the Epistemic Alchemy podcast, hosted by leadership scholar, author, editor, and GSLC alum Mohammed Raei, ’16.
The episode, “Feminist Constructivist Grounded Theory,” explores Horan’s 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 on her journey through politics, ministry, and academia, she shares how career transitions shaped her inquiry into embodied leadership and feminist epistemology.
The conversation traces 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 bring critical and emancipatory depth to qualitative research. 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.
Listen to the full episode: Epistemic Alchemy Podcast
Learn more about Horan’s research and publications on her website.
