Dr James Alexander is an emeritus professor who taught psychology, theology, and education, worked as a minister, and now shares his scholarly insights beyond academia. Dr James is a a writer on Medium contributing to the ILLUMINATION publications
Curator’s Note: Dr. James Alexander, an emeritus professor and writer on Medium, shares his insights on psychology, theology, and education. In an interview, he emphasizes the importance of thoughtful scholarship delivered with humility and moral seriousness, which is often lacking in today’s fast-paced public discourse. Reflecting on his life experiences and health challenges, Dr. Alexander values wholeness, which encompasses physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. He aims to connect with readers through accessible writing that seeks truth and understanding. His contributions to ILLUMINATION publications highlight his commitment to impactful, reflective dialogue, encouraging a more nuanced exploration of life’s complexities. This interview was conducted by Dr Mehmet Yildiz, founder and chief editor of ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications on Medium, Substack, and Patreon, who helps writers to gain neurostrategic digital authority using the power of his community, network, and published content.
Who is Dr. James Alexander
Dear Subscribers
Today I will introduce you to another thought leader who walks his talk. I invited Dr James Alexander, PhD, to this conversation because his voice represents something increasingly rare on public platforms: thoughtful scholarship expressed with humility, care, and moral seriousness.
In spaces driven by speed, opinion, sensation, and performance, Dr Alexander writes his truth and reflects with patience. He does not seek attention; he seeks understanding by giving value to his readers. That quality alone made this conversation worth sharing.
What drew me further was the way Dr Alexander bridges disciplines without diluting them. His work reflects a lifetime of engagement with psychology, education, theology, and spirituality, yet his writing remains accessible and grounded.
He brings depth without abstraction and conviction without dogma. I wanted to introduce him to my audience because his perspective offers a slower, more reflective way of thinking about truth, wellbeing, and meaning, ones that resist simplification and reward careful reading.
I value thought leaders who remain intellectually alive beyond formal careers and institutional roles. Dr Alexander continues to write, reflect, and engage not to build a business brand, but to contribute to understanding and service to humanity. Besides, his perspectives on mysticism are very attractive to me.
His presence in our Medium publications and his support for our Substack Mastery Boost Program reflect the kind of thoughtful, principled voices I want readers to encounter here. This conversation is an invitation to pause, listen, and consider ideas shaped by experience, study, and integrity.
Hello, Dr. Alexander, thank you for joining me. Let’s start with a bit about your background.
Hello Dr Yildiz, thank you for inviting me to your interview series. Collaborating with you is a pleasure, and I enjoy contributing to your publications, particularly the Curated Newsletter, which used to be called ILLUMINATION-Curated. Some of my stories were boosted in there.
Now, I’d be happy to give your readers a bit about my background.
I grew up in a very poverty-stricken neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri. Back in those days (early 60’s), all public schools in Kansas City were neighborhood schools. Neighborhood kids went to school together, played together, and hung out together.
I had Tourette’s Syndrome, a neurological tic disorder, and was often on the receiving end of jokes and mean comments. No one really diagnosed it in those days, so no one understood, and I did not understand why I did the things I did. My parents pretty much thought I could quit it and, although rare, could be damn hard on me about it — mostly Dad.
After I finished school — earning a degree in elementary education — I was finally diagnosed when I was 23. It was my second year of teaching. I married at 20, in 1977. I am still married to my college girlfriend after all this time. We raised 2 sons and have 4 grandchildren.
I enrolled in a master’s program in reading right after I earned my undergraduate degree. I also earned a graduate degree in theology, quit teaching, and worked as a minister for a while.
In 1995, I completed a doctoral program in reading with a cognate emphasis in educational psychology. Some years later, I earned another master’s degree in general psychology. I taught reading methods and educational psychology at 3 different colleges — the last one was a 20-year stint.
What do health and well-being mean to you?
That is a very relevant question for me. I have several health challenges, many hereditary.
I always think of my seminary training. There I learned to read koine Greek (New Testament Greek). That was a type of Greek spoken by the everyday people in the first century. In Greek, there is a word, sozo, usually translated as “salvation.” But the word really means something closer to wholeness, wellbeing, and healing.
I see wholeness as something involving people — me too! — having physical, psychological, spiritual, emotional, and mystical experiences that are healing and meaningful. It means all of that to me. I guess you might say that I will take all the benefits those aspects of wholeness that life has to offer me.
What do you see as your current profession?
Currently, I am sort of retired. I completed a year-long certificate in Jungian-based coaching psychology and a certificate in Psychosynthesis.
I work some as an interfaith spiritual director — that is very close to my training as a Jungian-based coach. I also write a fair bit and published a very short, and I hope it is accessible, introduction to everyday mysticism.
I am a Third Order Episcopalian Franciscan and refuse to work at these things for money. I have set up systems for all the money I might make to go to a feeding program.
I also learned to play jazz bass and sometimes get some gigs with a keyboardist I play with for ambient background jazz music (my favorite kind to play).
I should probably add that I am a licensed preacher in our diocese and just wrapped up about a three-month preaching experience in a small parish engaged in a priest search.
What are the top three books affecting your life?
What are they, hmmm? I would say, I Heard the Owl Call My Name, Siddhartha, and The Perennial Philosophy. Of course, I might give a different list tomorrow.
Now let’s talk about your writing. Firstly, why do you write on Medium?
Medium is a platform for lots of writers on lots of subjects. I tend to write about philosophy, psychology, religion, and (unfortunately) the political situation in the US. I try to do my best when I write, and I have had several articles boosted. I am progressive.
I have many doubts about many things I once devoted myself to, heart and soul. I guess I think I might make a difference, but I must admit that sometimes I wonder if I am preaching to the choir. About the current situation in the US, my health precludes going out to protest, so I write.
What are your values as a writer?
Truth! I value truth. And I always try to tell the truth. Sometimes, though, I must admit it might just be my truth.
The wise man said that if we knew the truth, it would set us free. I have heard many a sermon on that topic. I have also heard it said that the truth will set you free, but only after it pisses you off pretty good.
Yes, I would have to say the value I hope to honor most is truth.
How do you connect with your readers?
I try to avoid being elitist or smug. I try to ask myself, What way of saying this or that would connect with me?
I have written many academic articles over the years. Some academic editors would comment that my writing was down-to-earth. Others would say it wasn’t high-brow enough.
I think people either like my style or not so much. I had a great professor years ago, Dr. Glen Anderson, who told me that a good teacher always made things clear; yes, even simple enough that anyone could understand.
Why did you join ILLUMINATION publications, and how have you found them so far?
In my academic career, I have probably published 50 academic articles as well as two book chapters. That may not seem like a lot for an academic.
But I have always said that I can only write when I am moved to do so. I joined your publications and have been published almost exclusively in Curated Newsletters. I write for that particular publication because of the high standards.
Also, I appreciate your attention to the writers on this platform. As to how I got “connected up” with Illumination Publications, I guess that I read articles in the various Illumination Publications and felt that I could find a place there. I am happy with your editorial and curation support.
Who are some writers you follow on Medium or other platforms?
I read many of your articles. I like much of what I read in Prism and Pen. On Substack, I try to follow Dan Rather as a voice of reason in all the current craziness.
What are your top five stories that you want to share with your audience and why?
Some are rather foundational to understanding where I am coming from.
I think of How the Bible Club Ruined My Life, It’s So Easy to Hate, Why Do We Love to Believe Wacky and Weird Stuff?, Jung, Archetypes. Psychology, and the Self (something a bit more philosophical).
And my recent stories on my work as a Reading Teacher, Pt 1, 2, and 3. To really understand why I write what I do, I would view these as fairly essential.
What do you recommend to the new writers?
Write things that are meaningful to you. Quality over quantity. Always speak your truth.
What are your plans as a writer or as a professional?
Right now? Write when something is calling to me. Try to be relatable. Play some high-quality jazz. Never quit asking, Why?
Thanks for the opportunity Dr Yildiz. I appreciate your support for me, other writers, and readers on this platform.
Many thanks to Dr James Alexander, PhD, for joining me in this conversation. I invite you to check out his insightful, educational, thought-stimulating, and heartfelt stories on Curated Newsletters.
Thank you for reading my interviews. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
This interview series is an excellent networking opportunity for new writers looking to build their audiences across multiple platforms.
The more successful people you meet and engage with, the more successful you can become, from my experience. The more you give without expecting, the more you receive, as my grandparents taught me.
Thank you for being part of our community and joining our joyful and exciting journey. You can review some sample interviews I conducted. Please consider reviewing their profiles and stories, sharing them in your network, and reaching out to them to expand your professional connections.
Links to Prior Interviews and Conversations
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