Magic Thread Media

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

Latest Episodes:

Is Alzheimers Funny: The Healing Power of Art and Laughter with Melinda Buckley Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

Happy April Fools day!

The fool archetype in literature, often seen as a wise fool or jester, is a character who, through seemingly simple or foolish behavior, challenges authority, speaks truths others can't, and acts as a counterbalance to societal norms, often with humor and resilience.

Today we are #LIVEintheHIVE with our special guest, actor, comedian, choreographer, playwright, multi- hyphenate extraordinairre and master storyteller, Melinda Buckley.

She has written and performed several solo shows, her latest being, MOTHER (and me), which will be the focus of much our conversation.

MOTHER (and me) is a fast-paced 75-minute piece that uses the power of theater to bring people together around an important issue: Alzheimer’s, and the struggles families face while caring for a loved one, utilizing the power of humor and resilience.

Melinda and I have so much to talk about, so many similar experiences on our journeys, but, in particular, the themes of the artist as healer and the complicated, somewhat consuming mother-daughter relationship. In this April Fools episode, we explore the edges between story telling and grief, caregiving and advocacy, and humor and healing. Where they meet is where the power of the artist emerges.

Find Melinda: : www.motherandmetheplay.com | www.oneupsolo.com

In this episode we touch on…

The service leader/artist identity and how Melinda stepped into this identity by doing this very personal and vulnerable show. Admitting some of the ego-centric emptiness that can, at times, be felt in the business of show.
Melindas relationship with her larger-than-life mother, her phenomenal backstory of intrigue and drama, and her courageous embrace of becoming a single mother.
The complicated and potentially co-dependent Mother-Daughter relationship within show business.
The difficulties within the family of coming to terms with her Mother descending into Alzheimers.
To deal with her grief and overwhelm, Melinda began to journal all she was experiencing and learning and these writings became the spark to create her poignant and hilarious solo piece, Mother (and me).
Booking the show in the New York Fringe, and welcoming the help of other artists and producers to develop the show and bring it to many other venues in NYC and regionally, as well as in solo festivals.
Her edges explored: Summoning her courage to vulnerably share such a deeply personal story.
The unexpected wisdom she discovered about death and dying.
The complicated emotions she experienced by not being with her Mother when she passed.
Care-givers as teacher and models for staying present to death and grief.
The profound healing power of comedy and laughter.
The jaw-dropping statistics of the growth of Alzheimers in the US – and Melindas growing understanding of advocacy during her care-giving as well as through doing her shows and offering talk backs in conjunction with Alzheimers Association.
Her new play, Color My World, non-biographical, about early on-set.

For festival schedule: www.helltownplayers.org

Watch Video: https://maximizeu.life/the-edge-of-everyday/

Connect with your host Sandra Bargman:

Turn Uncertainty into Opportunity with Monika Becker Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

✨ Ready to unlock the magic within? On this episode, Amy Lynn chats with transformational coach Monika Becker about breaking free from self-doubt and embracing your true path.

Monika shares how the "Dalian Method" helps leaders dissolve limiting beliefs and step into confidence. She also reveals why clinging to rigid goals can block even greater opportunities from coming your way. 💡

If you've ever felt stuck, uncertain, or just ready for a shift, this episode will remind you that your heart already knows the way—you just have to listen. 💖✨

Additional Resources:

Connect with Monika on LinkedIn

Discover Your Spiritual Intelligence at Work

Connect with Amy Lynn Durham

Learn More About Create Magic at Work

More on PeopleForward Network

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

True leadership starts with self-awareness—your mind may set the goals, but your heart knows the way.
The Dalian Method can help leaders release limiting beliefs and self-doubt in just one session.
Clarity comes from within. Meditation, breathwork, and asking the right questions can strengthen self-trust.
Sometimes being "stuck" is just a sign that the timing isn't right yet—patience and trust are key.
Goals should be fluid—staying open to change can lead to even greater opportunities.

The 5 Biggest Well-Being & Connection Mistakes with John Nieters Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Magic Formula, John and Amy Lynn dive into the biggest pitfalls holding you back—like trying to do it all alone, getting stuck in toxic environments, and chasing success at the expense of your peace. ☮️

They share game-changing tips on protecting your energy, building powerful connections, and using tools like PEMF technology & grounding to level up your vibe.

Plus, we get real about breaking free from the burnout cycle and creating a life that actually feels good.✨

Addtional Resources:

Free Wellness Consultation with John Nieters

More on PeopleForward Network

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

Well-being is not a solo project: Growth happens faster in the right environment.
Audit your social circle: Your energy reflects those you spend the most time with.
Material success does not equal fulfillment: Prioritize internal well-being over external validation.
Build rituals for connection: Deep relationships require intentionality.
Master networking with authenticity: The best connections come from service, curiosity, and true engagement.

The Leadership Mindset No One Talks About with Tracy Clark Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

What if the secret to high-impact leadership wasn't just about strategy—but something deeper, more magical?

In this episode, Amy is joined by award-winning leadership coach Tracy Clark. Together, they talk about the six key indicators of leadership success (including a surprising one: playfulness 🎠). Tracy shares how visionary founders can break free from limiting beliefs, lead with more ease, and unlock the full potential of their teams.

Ready to become a magnetic leader? Take Tracy's free Leadership Success Scorecard—it's quick, insightful, and packed with tailored guidance just for you! 👇

Take the Scorecard

Additional Resources:

Connect with Tracy on LinkedIn

Discover Your Spiritual Intelligence at Work

Connect with Amy Lynn Durham

Learn More About Create Magic at Work

More on PeopleForward Network

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

Most leaders have a self-awareness gap—they think they're aware of their impact, but studies show only 15% actually are.
Playfulness is a leadership superpower. It fosters curiosity, open-mindedness, and experimentation—essential for innovation and growth.
Your leadership identity shapes your results. Shifting from "doing" leadership to "being" a leader at a deep level unlocks new potential.
Reframing challenges as opportunities to "play" leads to breakthroughs. Shifting from fear and rigidity to curiosity and creativity opens doors.

Why Your Best Employees Are Quietly Quitting with Philip Be'er Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

Imagine a workplace where ideas flow, creativity thrives, and no one feels afraid to speak up. That's the power of psychological safety—and in this episode, we're diving deep into how to make it real!✨

Amy Lynn sits down with Philip Be'er, creator of the "Safe to Be" training program, to explore why psychological safety is the secret ingredient to high-performing teams. 💡

From decoding fight, flight, or freeze responses to balancing honest feedback with compassion, this episode is packed with insights to transform your leadership style.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Philip on LinkedIn

Discover Your Spiritual Intelligence at Work

Connect with Amy Lynn Durham

Learn More About Create Magic at Work

More on PeopleForward Network

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

Psychological safety is about recognizing when someone is in a fight, flight, or freeze state—and understanding how to respond with compassion.
Direct communication doesn't have to mean discomfort. Leaders must balance authenticity with awareness of how their style impacts others.
Fear often disguises itself in workplace dynamics. Learning to identify and address fear-based reactions can transform team relationships.
When people feel psychologically safe, they function at a higher level. The brain shifts from survival mode to creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.
Psychological safety is a team effort. It's not just about the leader—it's about building a culture where everyone understands and supports it.

The Edge Where Two Worlds Touch with Gloria Karpinski Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

Today’s episode was recorded in January of 2023 and it is a
wonderful conversation I had with one of my most favorite
people, author and spiritual teacher, Gloria Karpinski.

I met Gloria at the end of my 1 st year of seminary when she came to speak at the Ordination Ceremony for The New Seminary at St. John the Divine. She became a trusted mentor and friend – and I went on to produce + narrate the audio version of her book, Where Two Worlds Touch. (A short clip from the narration has been inserted in one of the original commercial breaks)

It was such a JOY to revisit the conversation! I am so deeply moved by Glorias depth of wisdom, her connection to spirit, and her practical, down-to-earth and gentle teaching style. We reminisced, laughed, told stories, and Gloria weaves her very powerful messages from spirit throughout our conversation. Her words are more prescient than ever.
In this episode we touched on…

Remembering our true identity: I AM a being of Light vs the roles we play every day.
The calling of community + mentorship
The centerpiece of our evolutionary spiral is the restoration of the Divine Feminine in the human consciousness.
Her book, Where Two Worlds Touch, is a model of the concept of ‘the edge of every day.’ Our greatest edge is the
fear of change.
Intentionality of incarnation: The four types of energies to make evolutionary turnings.
Gloria shares how her work with Spirit and Life Attunements expanded and evolved.
The rise of the Divine Feminine and our understanding of YINness.
What is a pragmatic visionary? What is paradox?
All this and so much more…
Watch video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIdejXUlzq4&t=947s

Gloria is a holistic counselor, spiritual director, teacher and author. Her
seminars as well as her individual in-depth Life Attunements emphasize the relevancy of universal spiritual principles to everyday life and the inter-dynamics of mind, body, emotions and spirit.

She is the author of three books: Midnight Rainbows, A Memoir with
Messages from My Spiritual Quest (audio only), Where Two Worlds Touch: Spiritual Rites of Passage and Barefoot on Holy Ground: Twelve Lessons in Spiritual Craftsmanship, both published by Ballantine Books.

Full bio.
www.GloriaKarpinski.com

Connect with your host Sandra Bargman:

Designing Work That Works for Humans with Brent Kedzierski Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

What if work actually worked for humans? 🤯

Brent Kedzierski joins Amy Lynn to talk about designing workplaces that people want to be in—not just ones they have to be in. From brain chemistry to feedback fails to the real power skills of the future (hint: robots can't compete with these), Brent breaks down what it takes to create a thriving, human-centered workplace.

If you've ever felt like work should feel better, this episode is for you! 🎧

Additional Resources:

Connect with Brent on LinkedIn

Discover Your Spiritual Intelligence at Work Connect with Amy Lynn Durham Learn More About Create Magic at Work More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

Employee experience is often misunderstood. Leaders believe they're offering clarity, but employees often experience confusion and frustration.
Feedback must balance care with candor. People need honest, actionable input—delivered with respect and intent to help them grow.
Brain chemistry plays a role in workplace motivation. Work should be designed to naturally trigger positive brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.
Power skills are the future. With automation handling routine tasks, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration are becoming the most valuable human skills.

The Path That I'm On with Richard Skipper Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

Today we are #LIVEintheHIVE with the multi-talented and multi-award-winning performer, host and raconteur, RICHARD SKIPPER, for a spirited conversation about the power of positivity, the rough edges of ambition and embracing our third act potential, the shifting landscape of the NYC cabaret scene, and of course, we’ll hear juicy stories from his treasure trove of performance history.

Richard is best known for his impersonation of Carol Channing for twenty years and for chronicling the history of the beloved musical Hello Dolly, by Jerry Herman, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary in his show.

In this episode we touch on…

Richard Skipper Celebrates Hello Dolly, his show weaving songs and stories about Hello Dolly and his relationship with Carol Channing - with guest appearances from the many performers who have been a part of the Hello Dolly family. www.CallonDolly.com
Our innate desire to be seen, heard, and connected.
Leaving social media, and letting go of its addiction, anxiety, and time consumption.
The power of stepping out of our comfort zones and asking for what we need and want.
“Richard is the embodiment of Hello Dolly”. What drew Richard to impersonate Carol Channing for 20 years and to embrace the powerful and timeless message of Hello Dolly, one of taking chances and thinking outside the box that resonates still in these challenging times.
With his encyclopedic knowledge of the history of Hello Dolly, Channing herself urged Richard to write a book.
The Shadow aspects of impersonation work.
While this wasn’t my direct question, Richard shares the understanding of the fundamental difference between impersonation and drag.
An ambitious life vs. a Third Act mission – the edge between an ambitious life and a simpler life of ease.
The power of positivity vs negativity bias, and what living on the edge of everyday means to Richard.
We spoke of a follow-up conversation about the future of the cabaret community.
All this, and so much more…

Richard Skipper is a celebrated entertainer, writer, and master of ceremonies - and has built a reputation as a multi-talented performer with a passion for Broadway, cabaret, and classic Hollywood entertainment.

Richard is perhaps best known for his tribute performances as Carol Channing, the iconic star of Hello, Dolly! His portrayal of Channing earned him widespread acclaim, and he became one of the most well-known Carol Channing impersonators in the entertainment world.

In addition to his dynamic cabaret performances, Richard created Richard Skipper Celebrates, a series of live events, interviews, and blog posts that honor various figures in show business, covering a wide range of topics, from Broadway history to classic Hollywood, featuring interviews with notable entertainers, singers, and theater personalities.

Watch on YouTube: https://maximizeu.life/the-edge-of-everyday/

Find Richard:

www.RichardSkipper.com

www.CallonDolly.com

https://bsky.app/profile/richardskipper.bsky.social

Richard Skipper Celebrates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RichardSkipperCelebrates

Connect with your host Sandra Bargman:

The Success Trap: Why Smart People Stay Stuck with John Nieters Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

Growth isn't optional—it's a universal law. 🌱

In this episode of The Magic Formula, Amy Lynn and John dive deep into what it takes to cultivate a true growth mindset.

Are you a Grower, a Floater, or a Sinker? The answer shapes your future.

John shares game-changing insights on overcoming fear, embracing failure as feedback, and stacking small daily wins to create unstoppable momentum.

If you're ready to break through barriers and step into your next level, this conversation is a must-listen! 🎧

Addtional Resources:

Free Wellness Consultation with John Nieters More from The Magic Formula podcast Connect with Amy Lynn Durham Learn More About Create Magic at Work More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

Growth is a universal law—you're either evolving or declining.
The three types of people: Growers (evolving), Floaters (stagnant), and Sinkers (resisting).
Your words shape your reality—replace "I can't" with "I can't yet."
Momentum creates flow state—stack small daily wins to accelerate success.
Reframe fear—failure is just feedback, and discomfort is where real growth happens.

The Future of HR: Balancing Data Analytics & Human-Centered Leadership with Sarah Katherine Schmidt Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

How do you blend data, intuition, and human connection to create high-performing teams? ✨

Amy Lynn is joined by Sarah Katherine Schmidt, VP of Customer Experience at PeopleLogic, as they dive into why gut instinct alone isn't enough (and how to refine it!), the real cost of turnover (hint: it's more than $$$), how AI can elevate HR—without losing the human touch, and the secret to keeping employees engaged beyond perks

If you're a change-maker or bridge-builder, this episode is packed with insights just for you! 🎙️💡

Additional Resources:

Connect with Sarah Katherine on LinkedIn

Learn more about Peoplelogic

Discover Your Spiritual Intelligence at Work Connect with Amy Lynn Durham Learn More About Create Magic at Work More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

Balance data with humanity – Metrics matter, but without qualitative insights, they can mislead.
Gut instinct vs. Higher Self – Leaders must recognize if decisions are driven by fear or wisdom.
Pay matters more than perks – Without financial stability, engagement initiatives won't work.
AI is a tool, not a replacement – AI enhances efficiency but cannot replace human connection.

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