Magic Thread Media

A podcast network weaving conscious voices for a more connected world.

Latest Episodes:

We Were Made For These Times: A New Chapter in 2026 with Sandra Bargman Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

Happy New Year Everyone! Goodbye 2025 and hello 2026. I have high hopes for 2026. We can all agree 2025 has been quite an insane roller coaster of a ride, to put it mildly.

A Universal 1 Year (2026) is a threshold. It begins a new nine-year story not only for the world, but for each of us. If you imagine the past nine years as a chapter – from 2017 to 2025 – the 1 Year is the moment the next chapter title appears.

The page is blank. The pen is in your hand.

The themes of a 1 Year revolve around emergence: new beginnings, self-leadership, instinct and courage.

And in Chinese Lunar tradition, 2026 is The Year of the Crimson Fire Horse. This year is celebrated for its dynamic energy, symbolizing passion, change, and transformation. Horses represent strength, freedom, and spirited perseverance, and the element of fire magnifies these qualities.

The theme for 2026 is CLEAR. It’s about acceleration. breakthrough and integration.

It is time to step forward with COURAGE!

I share a reading of ‘We Were Made for These Times’ by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes.

“My Esteemed Ones –

Do not lose heart. We were made for these times. I have heard from so many recently who are deeply and properly bewildered. They are concerned about the state of affairs in our world now. Ours is a time of almost daily astonishment and often righteous rage over the latest degradations of what matters most to civilized, visionary people. You are right in your assessments.

The luster and hubris some have aspired to while endorsing acts so heinous against children, elders, everyday people, the poor, the unguarded, the helpless, is breathtaking.

Yet, I urge you, ask you, gentle you, to please not spend your spirit dry by bewailing these difficult times. Especially do not lose hope. Most particularly because, the fact is that we were made for these times.”

Wishing our listeners, guests, and everyone who contributes to and uplifts #TheEdgeofEverydayPodcast a very Happy New Year!

#TheEdgeofEveryday #TheEdgeofEverydayPodcast #HappyNewYear2026 #WeWereMadeforTheseTimes

Connect with your host Sandra Bargman:

Voices From the Edge: Closing 2025 and Stepping Into 2026 Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

This episode is a collective pause at the edge of 2025, gathering voices from across the year to name what is quietly changing in how we lead, work, and relate to one another. Through reflections on presence, play, courage, compassion, wisdom, and humanity, the conversation invites a different way of moving forward. One that values being grounded over being rushed, connection over control, and truth over performance. As these voices come together, a deeper invitation emerges to lead with awareness, to stay human in the face of uncertainty and technology, and to step into 2026 willing to challenge old patterns while creating work that feels more alive, meaningful, and whole.

Key Takeaways:

00:55 – Paul Haas – Rediscovering presence as the doorway to meaning, aliveness, and everyday magic

03:25 – Dr. Josh Plaskoff – Healing the split between systems and soul in how organizations are built

07:09 – Tracy Clark – Using play to unlock creativity, challenge assumptions, and open new possibilities

09:53 – Doy Charnsupharindr – The quiet power of staying with someone in uncertainty instead of rushing to answers

11:36 – Marcy Moriconi – Rewriting how women relate to one another at work and what it really takes to rise

13:04 – Dr. Mark Rittenberg – Leading bravely through dialogue, storytelling, and radical kindness

17:18 – JC Carr – How simple conversations can become turning points for growth and mentorship

19:07 – Jenn Ayala – Leading as a real human being, not a role, and why trust starts there

20:19 – Brian Gorman – Moving from intelligence to wisdom in leadership and collective decision-making

23:18 – Dr. Shonna Waters – Standing at the crossroads of AI and humanity and choosing the future we’re creating

27:13 – Sandra Bargman – Ferocious compassion, self-truth, and the courage to stop betraying yourself to belong

About Amy:

Amy Lynn Durham, known by her clients as the Corporate Mystic, is the founder of the Executive Coaching Firm, Create Magic At Work®, where they help leaders build workplaces rooted in creativity, collaboration, and fulfillment. A former corporate executive turned Executive Coach, Amy blends practical leadership strategies with spiritual intelligence to unlock human potential at work.

She’s a certified Executive Coach through UC Berkeley & the International Coaching Federation (ICF) In addition, Amy holds coaching certifications in Spiritual Intelligence (SQ21), the Edgewalker Profile, and the Archetypes of Change . In addition to being the host of the Create Magic At Work® podcast, Amy is the author of Create Magic At Work®, Creating Career Magic: A Daily Prompt Journal and the founder of Magic Thread Media™. Through her work, she inspires intentional leadership for thriving workplaces and lives where “magic” becomes reality.

Connect with Amy:

https://createmagicatwork.net/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/create-magic-at-work

https://www.facebook.com/112951637095427

https://www.instagram.com/createmagicatwork

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnEm4h3fUgaq8qgvZpz6dGg

Thanks for listening!

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Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

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Welcome to Circles | Edges Dec 21, 2025

Show notes

In this trailer, Aaron Tabacco introduces the heart of the show and the two forces that shape our human experience. The circles are the patterns, rituals, relationships, and rhythms we move through every day. The edges are the moments of choice, the boundaries we meet or create, and the thresholds where growth quietly begins.

This podcast is a space for reflection, attention, and connection. A place to notice what often goes unseen and to listen inward during moments of transition. Circles | Edges is not about fixing or forcing change. It is about awareness, presence, and understanding who we are becoming.

Intro music "Unraveling the Night" composed by Miriam Milewska provided under license through Pond5

Ferocious Compassion: Why It’s OK to Be Disliked w/ Communication & Presence Expert Sandra Bargman Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

In a world that often rewards silence over truth, this conversation invites us into the radical possibility that courage can be compassionate and compassion can be ferocious. Sandra Bargman joins Amy to explore how choosing authenticity over approval transforms the way we lead, speak up and refuse the quiet self-betrayal that so many of us have normalized. Together they peel back the layers of social conditioning, especially for women and leaders, and show how the simple act of pausing, breathing and telling the truth becomes a liberating spiritual practice. This episode reminds us that real compassion begins with ourselves and that the courage to be disliked is sometimes the most loving choice we can make.

Key Takeaways:

The Paradox of Ferocious Compassion - Learn how strength and tenderness can coexist and why true compassion sometimes requires uncomfortable honesty.
Why Self-Betrayal Happens in Leadership - See how people pleasing, approval seeking and silence accumulate and undermine your integrity and confidence.
The Courage to Be Disliked - Discover why speaking your truth is an act of self respect and how developing this muscle changes every room you walk into.
Reclaiming Your Voice in Moments That Catch You Off Guard - Find approaches for pausing, breathing and responding instead of freezing, laughing it off or internalizing harm.
Confrontation as Presence, Not Conflict - Understand how facing a moment directly, without attack or avoidance, becomes a deep expression of integrity.
Practicing Boundaries With Compassion - Explore ways to assess your safety, values and intentions so you can decide when to stay, when to speak and when to walk away.

About the Guest:

Sandra Bargman helps leaders unlock truthful presence with a blend of vocal mastery, storytelling skill, and deep emotional intelligence. Drawing from decades as an actor, singer, director, and life counselor, she teaches people to express themselves with clarity, authenticity, and intention. Her holistic B.I.G. Approach brings together breath and body work, vocal strength, diction, silence, mindfulness, and story craft, giving clients the tools to communicate with confidence and purpose. Whether she’s coaching one-on-one or leading groups, Sandra guides people of all ages and professions to access their inner truth, sharpen their message, and step into bolder, more grounded communication.

About Amy:

Connect with Amy:

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Crossroads in the American Theatre with Seth Gordon Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

What is the relationship between theatre, storytelling, and community?

In a larger sense, what is the role of art in times of resistance and unrest politically?

Today we are #LiveInTheHive with Seth Gordon, author of the new book, Crossroads in the American Theatre: New Leaders in a New Age.

This book is a must read for theatre geeks, theatre lovers and for those who understand the importance of art and the communal experience of live theatre in these dark and challenging times.

The American theatre is at a crossroads. After a worldwide pandemic and the social reckonings that took place just before and around the pandemic, the way non-profit theatres lead their institutions and produce their plays is being reexamined almost from scratch.

As we witness the collapse of institutions and systems nationally in real time, media, financial, education, religion, etc. the American theatre, too, has been called to evolve, and to re-connect with the greater community it serves. Seth Gordon, and the artistic leaders he interviews for this book, reflect deeply on the future of American theatre and it’s supporting structures. And they offer hope for emerging theatre-making.

In this illuminating episode…

Seth offers a brief history of theatre in the USA, in particular the emergence of our national non-profit theatre institutions – the move from a strictly business model into a model that served the creation of art and it’s relationship to community, rather than the creation of profit. The ideal of non-profit theatre vs commercial theatre.
Theatre is an instrumental element of a thriving TOWN SQUARE that supports and enriches the community it serves.
How did the pandemic affect the faltering existence of non-profit industrial complex? Did it cause it, or simply illuminate it?
How have streaming services contributed to the disconnect from live theatre? We must reinvigorate the loyalty of the theatre to its community AND vice versa.
Theatre is an “essential form of democracy” and the massive IRONY of the attack on and erosion of democracy ushered in by 47 and his regime and the pulling of federal funding coinciding with reevaluation of live theatre institutions (artistic institutions in general). Art is RESISTANCE.
A social message vs. entertainment While the classics are relevant, is it time for brand new voices and different play structures?
Does the Board of Directors’ role need reimagined?
Theatre will always survive, but it may not be structured in the same way.
All this and so much more…

Full bio/resources:

https://www.ou.edu/finearts/drama/about/people

https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-gordon-619b165/

Buy HERE. Also available at The Drama Bookstore, NYC.

Connect with your host Sandra Bargman:

Top Gen Z Expert Dr. Andrea Mata: Why Gentle Parenting Backfired On Today’s Workforce Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

Gen Z was never the problem child of the workplace as much as a mirror showing leaders how our parenting and leadership habits shaped the next wave of employees. In this conversation, Amy talks with psychologist and author Dr. Andrea Mata about why the gentle parenting movement has unintentionally fueled the youth mental health crisis and how that shows up as “the American corporate tsunami” inside our teams. You’ll hear how overfocus on feelings, avoidance of consequences, and treating kids like peers can create adults who crumble after feedback, call in sick after small mistakes, or expect promotion on day one. Dr. Mata walks leaders through a better path built on high expectations with high support, frequent coaching style check-ins instead of once a year reviews, and scaffolding that builds emotional strength instead of enabling fragility. You’ll also hear how to respond when someone calls in sick after a breakup, how to work with parents who step into workplace conversations, and how to turn your own anger and frustration into a clear sense of passion and purpose in your career.

Key Takeaways:

Why Gentle Parenting Backfired - See how overfocus on feelings and partnership parenting can weaken emotional strength in young adults at work.
Inside the Gen Z “Corporate Tsunami” - Learn why managers fire Gen Z faster, struggle with basic expectations, and feel blindsided by new workplace norms.
High Expectations With High Support - Explore how clear behavior standards plus real coaching create confident, capable Gen Z employees instead of collapse.
Feedback Without Fragility - Hear how to replace yearly reviews with short cycles, normalize discomfort, and use “exposure” to build feedback muscles.
Scaffolding Skills Instead of Saving People - Get simple tell show do steps for teaching presentations, ownership, and independence without throwing people to the wolves.
Turning Heartbreak and Hard Days Into Growth - Discover how to honor mental health days with empathy while still protecting results, planning, and team trust.

About the Guest:

Dr. Andrea Mata, PhD, is on a mission to throat-punch the youth mental health crisis and equip parents, educators, and leaders with the tools they need to raise emotionally strong kids and build resilient communities. Statistically, she shouldn’t be where she is today, growing up as the daughter of a Mexican immigrant in a gang-infested neighborhood on the Southside of Chicago. But Dr. Mata transformed her challenging upbringing into a source of strength, becoming a nationally recognized psychologist and speaker.

She is the author of The No. 2 Parenting Book: Practical Tips for the Pooped-Out Parent and a leading voice in promoting authoritative parenting: a research-backed approach that combines high expectations with emotional warmth. Her insights have been featured on CNN, The Tamron Hall Show and in The Wall Street Journal, where she offers real-world strategies for navigating parenting, behavior, and mental health with clarity and confidence.

With advanced degrees from Valparaiso University and Kent State University, Dr. Mata founded BrightSpot Families and partnered with the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Toledo. Known for her direct, relatable style, she delivers practical tools with just the right mix of science, humor, and real-life grit.

About Amy:

Connect with Amy:

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Dr. Shonna Waters on What Employees Need Most to Feel Safe and Supported at Work Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Workplace angst is rising, even among high achievers, and Dr. Shonna Waters is here to explain why so many people feel unsafe, unseen or stuck in their growth. You’ll hear how security, significance and growth shape our wellbeing at work and why leaders must design cultures that support those needs. Together, we explore the risks of altitude sickness in leadership, how power can pull leaders away from the truth, and what it takes to stay connected with compassion and clarity. You also get a grounded look at AI and why people need a hopeful vision to move through this moment with confidence.

This episode invites you to rethink how you lead, how you support your team and how you create a workplace where people feel valued and able to thrive.

Key Takeaways:

Why Workplace Angst Is Rising – See what causes discomfort at work even for people who appear to be thriving.
The Three Needs Every Employee Shares – Get a clear look at how security, significance and growth shape energy and engagement.
How Leaders Lose Perspective – Spot the signs of altitude sickness and what happens when leaders drift away from real insight.
Building Psychological Ergonomics – Discover how small shifts in systems and habits create healthier, calmer workplaces.
Leading Through AI Without Fear – Explore ways to guide teams through change with clarity and a hopeful message.
Creating Cultures That Support Humans – See how connection, trust and simple daily practices help people feel respected and valued.

About the Guest:

An award-winning organizational psychologist and executive, Shonna is a recognized thought leader in HR, psychology, and business with over 100 articles, technical reports, book chapters, and books and over 100 conference talks, keynotes, and panels. With a background in consulting and executive leadership roles, Shonna has advised organizations on people strategy and transformation across various sectors. At BetterUp, she stood up and led teams in behavioral science, strategic partnerships and alliances, and executive advisory, driving research-backed insights to enhance organizational performance.

About Amy:

Connect with Amy:

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Gratitude Feels Good: A Thanksgiving Special with Sandra Bargman Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

What is Gratitude?

How do we connect with Gratitude in challenging times?

Today we are #LiveInTheHive with your host, Sandra Bargman, to share her thoughts on Gratitude and what the Thanksgiving holiday means to her. Hint: It’s her wedding anniversary!

In this solo special episode, Sandra…

Talks about the inherent paradoxes of Thanksgiving Day. The emotional nostalgia that edges up to the myth upon which the holiday is based.
Reads a story written a few years back about her Thanksgiving wedding.
Shares her understanding of gratitude and the practices she uses to ground herself in gratitude.
Science and bioresearch of the frequency of gratitude.
Power vs Force by Daniel R. Hawkins
Gratitude is good for your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
Concise summary: Focus on what you have, not what you lack.
Closing prayer: This Land Belongs to No One by Hila Ratzabi

Connect with your host Sandra Bargman:

You're Making Culture Too Hard with Todd Wuestenberg Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

What if the strongest culture strategies aren't crafted in boardrooms, but in breakrooms, maintenance closets, and one-on-one hallway conversations?

In this episode, Amy Lynn Durham is joined by Todd Wuestenberg, Chief Culture Officer at Haverkamp Properties, to explore how culture becomes tangible when ordinary people are empowered to create extraordinary impact.

Drawing from his agricultural roots and over two decades in leadership, Todd offers a grounded, people-first perspective on building cultures that truly care.

Together, they unpack three pivotal ideas:

Culture as Stewardship: Why true culture means caring for people, not just hitting KPIs.
From Posters to Practice: How to move from laminated values to lived behaviors through everyday recognition and leadership modeling.
Measuring What Matters: How honest, third-party culture surveys can spark real dialogue, realignment, and renewed trust across departments.

Todd and Amy also explore the power of peer-to-peer recognition, redefining the "customer" within departments, and how "work-life harmony" is the new standard for a healthy workplace.

Listen if you're ready to stop chasing performance and start cultivating purpose.

🎧 Create Magic at Work® is hosted by Amy Lynn Durham, executive coach and founder of Create Magic at Work®, where spiritual intelligence meets modern leadership.

Additional Resources:

Key Takeaways:

Culture means caring for people, processes, and the organization.
Leadership must model values, not just display them.
Peer recognition builds authentic workplace connection.
Culture starts with micro-teams, not top-down mandates.
Work-life harmony replaces outdated balance expectations.

Finding Treasures in the Trash: From Denial to Self-Devotion with Trudy Goodman Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

Ever ignored your gut and paid the price?

Cari sits down with beloved teacher and mindfulness pioneer Trudy Goodman for a soul-stirring conversation about intuition, trust, and healing the parts of ourselves we've hidden away. Trudy vulnerably shares the ways denying her intuition led to deep personal pain, and how reclaiming it helped her rebuild a life of wisdom, creativity, and self-love. 🌱

The episode dives into the spiritual paradox of "no-self" vs. self-work, the nuanced dance between confidence and vulnerability, and how the practice of meditation can lead us not away from our messy truths, but straight into them. 🧘‍♀️

Trudy's stories will crack you open, make you laugh, and leave you thinking differently about what it really means to "heal."

If you're ready to start reclaiming the parts of yourself you've pushed aside, head to http://www.bravedirections.com

Follow along on Instagram @cari_jacobs_sf for more inspiration!

Additional Resources: