Magic Thread Media

Key Takeaways:

Placeholder Archetype: Focuses on stability and thoughtful change, not resistance.
Grounding Transitions: Placeholders bring practical wisdom and honor what works.
Shadow Side: Over-reliance can lead to fear, delay, or blocking progress.
Realism, Not Resistance: Caution often stems from past poor change experiences.
Leadership Insight: Understanding archetypes boosts communication and smoother change.

It Can't Happen Here: Artists Lead the Resistance with Joanna Rush Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

An on-going series with Joanna Rush

Today we are #LiveintheHive with our special guest, actor, activist and playwright, Joanna Rush. Joanna and I share similar experiences in our career trajectories. Our first chapter was spent performing, in our 2nd chapter we added becoming a seminary trained and ordained Interfaith Minister, and in our 3rd act, we’ve layered on the roles of activist and political junkie, loudly sharing our own voice in our artistic expression.

I had Joanna on #TheEdgeofEverydayPodcast in April of 2024 for Episode 8: The Edge of Artistry, Aegism, and Activism, during which we talked about her most recent one woman show, No Malarkey!, directed by the late great Lynn Taylor-Corbett.

We recently decided to hold a series of conversations around the topic of how ARTISTS serve in challenging times. What is the role of the ARTIST and the need for the arts in the rise of authoritarianism?

Artists are facing censorship, funding cuts, and fear under DJTs second term - as political repression reshapes the cultural landscape. How are artists of all ages and genders showing up to move the needle forward and address the issues of today?

This is the foundational first of what we hope will be many conversations exploring the many tendrils of resistance and how, in these times of revolution, artists can serve in supporting the emerging narrative about culture, populism, social resentment and economic scarcity.

We touch on…

Her show, No Malarkey! shifted during the campaign, when Biden passed the torch to VP Kamala Harris and ultimately, she set down the project, due to a confluence of issues.
She is creating a unique celebration of life for Taylor – Corbet, which includes a portion of No Malarkey!
Mining comedy in painful, dark times.
Her dual citizenship – the beauty of Ireland vs the strife in the US.
Came home from Ireland to perform a reading of Sinclair Lewis’ It Can’t Happen Here on October 27th, the exact date that #MAGA was gathering in Madison Square Garden, mimicking the NAZI gathering in MSG in 1939.
The power of Tik Tok is another artist format in which to share your voice. She is creating a series of monologues for Tik Tok.
We open the door on understanding how defunding The National Endowment of the Arts is affecting all Americans.
Technocracy and the Tech bros – beginning to understand this vision for a new global order.
The ability of AI to locate on-line resisters is causing fear and anxiety.
Resource: www.ArtisticFreedomInitiative.com
All this and so much more.

Full bio and information:

www.JoannaRush.com

@Joanna.Rush71

@NoMalarkeyPlay

Connect with your host Sandra Bargman:

Rethinking Change: What Your Team Wishes You Knew Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

In this first solo episode of the Archetypes of Change™ summer series, Amy Lynn Durham invites you to rethink everything you thought you knew about change in the workplace.

Forget the buzzwords. This isn't about forcing alignment or pushing people to "get on board." It's about something deeper: how we each relate to change—and how that's shaped by our relationship to time itself.

You'll learn:

Why change efforts often feel personal (because they are)
What most leaders miss when they try to "logic" people through transition
The 5 Archetypes of Change™—and how they show up in every team
Why giving your people language for how they move through change can transform your results
How this framework goes far beyond personality tests—and why it matters now more than ever

Whether you're leading a reorg, rolling out a new strategy, or just trying to hold the center in a rapidly evolving culture—this episode is your grounding point.

🧭 Learn more about executive coaching with Create Magic At Work® and the Archetypes of Change™ at createmagicatwork.net

📩 Reach out to Amy directly at amy@createmagicatwork.net

Additional Resources:

Connect with Rivka on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

People don't resist change—they resist being changed without feeling seen.
The "Archetypes of Change" reveal instinctive responses to transition based on time orientation.
Leading change well requires understanding—not forcing—how individuals naturally move through change.
Executive coaching rooted in these archetypes fosters trust, alignment, and innovation.
Misalignment during change is often due to misunderstanding, not resistance.

The Truth About Coaching vs. Therapy (and What You Actually Need) with Rivka Geoghegan Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Amy teams up with executive coach and former psychotherapist Rivka Geoghegan to unpack the real difference between therapy and coaching.

They dive into how each can support your growth, when to choose one over the other, and why so many founders tie their self-worth to their business.

It's a deep yet down-to-earth convo full of practical wisdom, inner critic callouts, and mindset shifts you won't want to miss.

Additional Resources:

Visit Rivka's website – Executive Coach & Therapist

https://www.youtube.com/@megflatherable

Key Takeaways:

Therapy is insight-oriented and focused on healing; coaching is action-oriented and forward-looking.
A strong sense of self is crucial for founders to avoid tying their worth to the business.
Being affected by outcomes is natural—but letting those outcomes define you is not.
A supportive relationship with a coach or therapist can help clarify your needs and direction.
Your internal narrative—especially your inner critic—shapes your experience of external events.

Bleeding Hearts and Mother Stories Part II with Meg Flather, Ann Kittredge, and Harriet Shugarman Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Today we continue with Part II of our special 2-part series dedicated to Mothers.

We are #LIVEintheHive with my special guests, 3 women I adore, to continue talking about the complexities and paradoxes of MOTHERHOOD, the complicated mother-daughter relationship, care-giving a parent, the joy of having children, the choice not to have children, the care taking of Mother Earth and the mentoring of young people.

Meg Flather is a two-time Bistro Award winner and a four-time Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs (MAC) Award winner. Meg has released eight CDs of her original music, authored Home Shopping Diva. . . Lessons, Lyrics and Lipstick - and Hold On Tight . . . a love story. Her one-woman musical, Hold On Tight, partners her original songs and stories from her book of the same name about caring for a parent with dementia, for which she received the award for Best Storytelling Show from The United Solo Theatre Festival.

https://megflather.com/

Ann Kittredge has worked on and off Broadway, TV, concert halls, and regional theaters nationwide, hes been a parent advocate and leader in the NYC Public School System, and as a cabaret performer has won multiple awards, including a 2025 Bistro for her album, Romantic Notions

https://www.annkittredge.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@AnnKittredge

Harriet Shugarman is one of the leading voices in the global parent climate movement, the founder of ClimateMama, and the award-winning author of "How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate, Turning Angst into Action." Harriet is the chair of the Advisory Council for Our Kids Climate, an anchor organization connecting national and grassroots groups from more than 50 countries working on intergenerational organizing and engagement strategies. Harriet is a mentor and leader with the Climate Reality Project and the recipient of the prestigious Climate Reality Alfredo Sirkis Memorial Green Ring Award.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrietshugarman/

https://www.instagram.com/climatemama/?hl=en

“Let us dedicate this new era to mothers around the world, and, also to the mother of all mothers — Mother Earth. It is up to us to keep building bridges to bring the world closer together and not destroy them to divide us further apart.” – Suzy Kassem

Connect with your host Sandra Bargman:

Ghosted, Cancelled, Disconnected: Is Love Welcome in Leadership? with Dr. Mark Rittenberg May 26, 2025

Show notes

In this heart-opening convo, Amy is joined by Dr. Mark Rittenberg as they dive into the radical idea that "Leadership is Love" 💖 — and why that matters now more than ever.

From ghosting and cancel culture to forgiveness and human connection, Mark shares powerful stories that will leave you inspired to lead with more courage, kindness, and presence.

It's not just a talk — it's a wake-up call for people-first leaders. 💬💡 Listen in and get ready to feel, reflect, and maybe rethink everything you know about leadership.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn

Watch Mark's TEDx Talk - "The Triumph of the Human Spirit"

Watch Mark's TEDx Talk - Leadership is Love: The Power of Human Connections

Learn more about the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute

Become the CEO of Your Calendar!

Key Takeaways:

Leadership is about love — embodied through presence, empathy, and human connection.
Ghosting and cancel culture are modern forms of institutional violence that erode trust.
Real dialogue — especially the uncomfortable kind — is essential for transformation.
Coaching provides a powerful container for self-discovery and relational healing.
Kindness, forgiveness, and unconditional positive regard should guide leadership behavior.

The One Calendar Ritual That Can Heal Burnout with Steve Perkins May 19, 2025

Show notes

Ever feel like your calendar is in charge of you? 🕒

Steve Perkins—former engineer turned executive coach—joins Amy to talk all things purpose, burnout, and time freedom✨. From decoding corporate chaos to sharing game-changing calendar hacks, Steve brings real-talk wisdom and practical magic. Plus, a few unexpected tips that might even level up your relationships ❤️.

Hit play for an energizing convo that'll have you rethinking how you work—and why.

Additional Resources:

Take the RootsUp Quiz

Connect with Steve on LinkedIn

https://www.youtube.com/@megflatherable

Key Takeaways:

Block your calendar with intention—start with what matters most.
Leaders must balance wisdom and compassion to counter burnout effectively.
The way we connect should be direct, transparent, and rooted in genuine value.
Work and life are not in competition—when aligned, they can empower each other.
Purpose isn't a luxury—it's a necessity for sustainable success.

Bleeding Hearts and Mother Stories Part I with Meg Flather, Ann Kittredge, and Harriet Shugarman May 15, 2025

Show notes

Today is May 15th and we just celebrated Mother’s Day here in the US – and this special two-part series is dedicated to Mothers.

Today we are #LIVEintheHive with my special guests, 3 women I adore, to talk about and to HONOR the wonderful complexities and paradoxes of MOTHERHOOD, the complicated mother-daughter relationship, care-giving a parent, the joy of having children, the choice not to have children - and the mentoring and nurturing of young people.

So many stories told, so many surprises, so much vulnerability, and so much laughter. You’ll just have to listen, because I have no notes. 😊

Meg Flather is a two-time Bistro Award winner and a four-time Manhattan Association of Cabaret and Clubs (MAC) Award winner.Meg has released eight CDs of her original music (all of which are available on Apple music). Meg has also authored two books that are now available on Amazon: Home Shopping Diva. . . Lessons, Lyrics and Lipstick - and Hold On Tight . . . a love story. Her one-woman musical, Hold On Tight, partners her original songs and stories from her book of the same name about caring for a parent with dementia, for which she received the award for Best Storytelling Show from The United Solo Theatre Festival.

https://megflather.com/

linktr.ee/megflather

Ann Kittredge is keenly aware of the chapters she has lived: in chapter 1 she enjoyed working on and off Broadway, TV, concert halls, and regional theaters nationwide. Chapter 2 was spent as a parent advocate and leader in the NYC Public School System, taking time off from pursuing her career to raise her children. In chapter 3, Ann returned to performing and immersed herself in the cabaret world where she has won multiple awards, including a 2025 Bistro for her album, Romantic Notions, and was also chosen as a top 5 albums of 2024 by The Broadway Radio Show.

https://www.annkittredge.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@AnnKittredge
t.ly/PPxXF

https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrietshugarman/

https://www.instagram.com/climatemama/?hl=en

Quote at end of show by – Suzy Kassem

Connect with your host Sandra Bargman:

My Boss Is A BITCH with Marcy Moriconi May 12, 2025

Show notes

Why are women in leadership still labeled "bitches"—and what does that reveal about the systems we work in? In this bold and honest episode, Amy welcomes executive coach and author Marcy Moriconi to unpack the real message behind her book My Boss Is a Bitch: Changing the Paradigm of Female Leadership. Together, they unpack the invisible expectations placed on women in leadership, the unspoken patterns we inherit from outdated systems, and the real emotional toll of navigating power as a woman. Marcy shares vivid stories of 'bad apples' and 'good eggs'—and what it looks like to lead with presence, integrity, and the courage to break the mold.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Marcy on LinkedIn

Get Marcy's Book - "My Boss is a Bitch"