GTU PhD student Leonard McMahon sat down to talk with us about his work with his consulting firm, Common Ground Dialogue, where he adapts an ancient contemplative method to help people examine and discuss their deeply held beliefs with love and compassion.

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Leonard McMahon (he/him) is committed to improving the common good through political theology, spirituality, and pastoral care. Through his consultancy, Common Ground Dialogue, he brings divergent citizens into deeper conversation for the sake of our democracy. He is deeply concerned about political polarization and draws upon classical spirituality and modern political theory to craft a pastoral approach that attends to both the macrosocial and microsocial aspects of our common life.

A long-time member of the PSR community, Leonard is a doctoral candidate in theology at the Graduate Theological Union, working in spirituality, theology, and political theory. He holds an MA in Religious Studies from UC Santa Barbara and an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School.

A long-time member of Glide Memorial Church, Leonard has also ministered in the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Church. In addition to his academic studies, he has worked on Capitol Hill and taught English and History in the Cheongdam-dong area of Seoul, South Korea. He is a big fan of the WNBA and enjoys seeing games live whenever possible.

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