Create Magic At Work®

Creativity is not a talent reserved for a few, it is a resource that determines how fully we engage with our work, our ideas, and our lives. Amy is joined by songwriter, producer, and creativity coach Rachel Efron to explore a powerful shift from seeing creativity as something you either have or lack to understanding it as a relationship that must be resourced and tended. Through the lens of five essential elements—inspiration, courage, discipline, rest, and connection—a new framework unfolds for navigating burnout, problem-solving, and leadership. When one of these resources is depleted, creativity stalls, but when restored, clarity and momentum return naturally. The result is a grounded, actionable way to access innovation that feels less like effort and more like alignment.Moments That Create Momentum:1. Creativity as a Root Cause – Reframe common workplace struggles as symptoms of a deeper disconnection from creative energy.2. The Five Creative Resources – Discover the essential elements that sustain creative flow and where depletion disrupts momentum.3. Why Rest Fuels Innovation – Understand how lack of rest limits vision and why recovery is a direct path to clarity.4. Discipline Reimagined – See how creative discipline differs from traditional productivity and requires responsiveness, not rigidity.5. Courage Over Confidence – Learn why creating despite doubt is more powerful than waiting to feel ready.6. Solving Problems Through Resourcing – Shift from forcing solutions to identifying what internal resource is missing.About the Guest:Rachel Efron is an Oakland-based songwriter/producer. She’s released four full length albums of original songs in her signature jazz-tinged art pop style, and toured extensively on both coasts. She produces song-centered albums for artists ranging from pop to jazz to folk to rock, and has a particular affinity for working with developing artists. She has written songs for artists as diverse as R&B legend Narada Michael Walden and stadium rock band Journey.In 2011 Rachel became obsessed with helping other artists write songs. She taught Songwriting at The Berkeley Jazzschool for ten years, gave countless talks and workshops for various arts organizations, started Songwriting Salon, an incubator for committed songwriters, and is a premier songwriting coach for artists around the world. In 2022 Rachel recognized the more extraordinary calling of helping artists — and others — access greater creativity in their lives. She developed a comprehensive methodology for creative development and launched the iPhone creativity app, Muzi.https://www.rachelefron.com/creativity 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!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 podcastIf 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 reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you are enjoying the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Mentioned in this episode:This show was brought to you in part by the Magic Thread Media Network. To learn more visit: https://magicthreadmedia.com/

Recently I had the pleasure of joining Sandra Bargman on The Edge of Everyday for a conversation about voice, vision, and the courage it takes to bring ideas into reality.We explored the path that led from corporate leadership to founding Create Magic at Work and launching Magic Thread Media, a curated network created to support conscious voices and meaningful dialogue. Along the way we talked about spiritual intelligence in the workplace, the role of edge walkers as bridge builders during times of change, and the shift that happens when leaders stop waiting for perfect conditions and begin moving forward with what they know to be true. At its heart, the conversation is about trusting your voice, honoring the ideas that keep calling you forward, and creating spaces where those ideas can grow into something real.Moments That Create Momentum:The Moment Vision Becomes Action – The internal shift that happens when leaders stop waiting for perfect conditions and decide to bring an idea fully into reality.Spiritual Intelligence in the Workplace – Explore how conversations about purpose, awareness, and inner knowing are beginning to reshape how leadership shows up in modern organizations.Edgewalkers and the Courage to Navigate Change – Discover how bridge builders help individuals and organizations sense what is emerging and respond creatively during times of uncertainty.Moving Forward Without Perfect Conditions – See how the pursuit of perfection can delay powerful ideas and what happens when leaders choose momentum instead.The Power of Finding Your Authentic Voice – Learn how storytelling, podcasting, and meaningful dialogue sharpen a leader’s message and strengthen their clarity.Building Communities Around Meaningful Work – Hear the deeper vision behind Magic Thread Media and the importance of creating spaces where conscious voices can grow and be heard.About the Guest Host:Sandra Bargman is an interspiritual minister, spiritual counselor, leadership coach, actor, and host of the podcast The Edge of Everyday. Seminary trained and ordained through The New Seminary for Interfaith Studies in New York City, she works with clients around the world through coaching, counseling, and workshops that explore voice, presence, spirituality, and personal transformation.With more than three decades of experience as a professional performer, Sandra holds a BFA in drama and music from Carnegie Mellon University and has appeared in national tours, Off-Broadway productions, and regional theater across the United States. She is also the founder of Sacred Stages, a creative practice that blends storytelling, ritual, and performance to help people explore courage, connection, and the deeper questions that shape everyday life.https://www.sandrabargman.com/https://www.instagram.com/sandrabargmanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrabargman/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-workhttps://www.facebook.com/112951637095427https://www.instagram.com/createmagicatworkhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnEm4h3fUgaq8qgvZpz6dGgThanks 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 podcastIf 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 reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you are enjoying the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.Mentioned in this episode:This show was brought to you in part by the Magic Thread Media Network. To learn more visit: https://magicthreadmedia.com/

A quiet question sits beneath the noise of modern life. When did inspiration give way to exhaustion? When did courage soften into silence?In this opening invitation, Dr. Mark Rittenberg reflects on the moment people stop singing, stop gathering, and stop standing up for one another. The Ballet of Empathy begins as a call back to human connection and a reminder that leadership lives in presence, dialogue, forgiveness, and the courage to repair what has been broken. Through stories of heartbreak, community, and renewal, this podcast explores a rising movement of people choosing love, communication, and responsibility for the world they share.

Sometimes the most powerful guidance arrives quietly through intuition, synchronicity, and reflection. Join Amy and Dr. Judi Neal, the Founder of Edgewalkers, as they give into the Edgewalker framework and the creation of the Edgewalker card deck, a tool designed to help people navigate change while staying connected to purpose and inner wisdom. Together they discuss how symbols, affirmations, and reflective practices can reveal insight in unexpected ways. From leadership development to spiritual awareness, the discussion highlights how intuitive tools can help people reconnect with their gifts, bring creativity into their work, and move forward with clarity even in uncertain times. The message is simple yet powerful: when people learn to listen to both practical wisdom and deeper intuition, they become the kind of leaders the future needs.Key Takeaways:1. The Edgewalker Mindset – Discover the qualities that define people who bridge practical leadership and spiritual awareness in times of change.2. How The Card Deck Was Created – Learn how intention, creativity, and emerging technology combined to bring the Edgewalker deck into the world.3. The Role Of Synchronicity – Explore why seemingly random messages often arrive at exactly the right moment for reflection or decision making.4. Symbolism As A Source Of Insight – Understand how visual symbols and archetypes can activate intuition and deeper awareness.5. Leadership In Uncertain Times – Reflect on how spiritual grounding and community can help leaders navigate disruption and uncertainty.6. Living Your Gifts With Purpose – See why using your gifts in service to both your life and the world creates sustainable passion and energy.To purchase your own copy of the Edgewalker Card Deck visit https://createmagicatwork.net/shop/ols/products/the-edgewalker-card-deckAbout the Guest:Dr. Judi Neal is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Edgewalkers International. She was the founding director of the Tyson Center for Faith and Spirituality in the Workplace at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas. Judi is recognized as an expert on spirituality in the workplace and speaks and consults internationally. She received her Ph.D. from Yale in Organizational Behavior. In 1988 Judi began teaching management at the University of New Haven. She focused her research on business leaders who have a strong commitment to their faith and spirituality, and began studying how they bridged the spiritual world and the material world of business. That led to her research on people she calls “Edgewalkers.” Judi was a co-founder of the Management, Spirituality and Religion Interest Group at the Academy of Management, as well as co-founder of the Journal of Management, Spirituality and Religion, and the International Association of Management, Spirituality and Religion. She has published widely in the field, and is a popular and inspiring international speaker. She has consulted with major organizations such as Pfizer and General Electric as well as with small entrepreneurial companies and with non-profits.https://edgewalkers.org/https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14345722/https://www.instagram.com/edgewalkersAbout 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-workhttps://www.facebook.com/112951637095427https://www.instagram.com/createmagicatworkhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnEm4h3fUgaq8qgvZpz6dGgThanks 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 podcastIf 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 reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you are enjoying the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.Mentioned in this episode:This show was brought to you in part by the Magic Thread Media Network. To learn more visit: https://magicthreadmedia.com/

Workplace culture did not disappear. It became disconnected from the systems meant to support it. When only 21% of employees worldwide report being engaged, and managers are disengaging faster than their teams, the issue is not motivation. It is a misalignment.In this conversation, leadership expert Tiffany Connauton challenges the outdated workplace systems, HR structures, and performance models that no longer serve a modern workforce. She explores burnout, accountability, emotional intelligence, experiential learning, and the quiet erosion of leader capacity in a “more for less” economy. The path forward is not softer leadership or looser standards. It is human leadership with accountability built in. Change does not require a revolution. It requires one percent shifts practiced consistently. That is how stability is rebuilt from the inside out.Threads We Pulled On:Is Workplace Culture Still Relevant? – Examine why culture is not optional and how every group of humans naturally creates an environment, whether intentional or not.The Engagement Crisis Leaders Cannot Ignore – Understand what current workforce statistics reveal about burnout, disengagement, and the strain on managers.Outdated Systems, Modern Expectations – Discover how legacy HR policies and performance structures may be undermining both people and profit.Human Skills as Competitive Advantage – Explore why emotional intelligence, decision-making, and experiential learning are becoming essential leadership capabilities.Burnout in the Age of AI – Consider how efficiency tools may be amplifying pressure instead of creating breathing room.The Power of One Percent Change – Learn how small, consistent shifts create stability, momentum, and meaningful long-term transformation.About the Guest:Tiffany Connauton is the CEO of Beyond Diversity Inc., creator of Uncharted™, and co-creator of the R.E.N.E.W. Edge change management model. Her work focuses on helping organizations build the human skills needed to perform, adapt, and grow in today’s evolving business environment. Through experience-based learning and practical, people-centered strategies, she moves insight into lasting action.Known for her trailblazing leadership in the people space, Tiffany challenges outdated workplace approaches and redefines how work gets done. She is recognized for championing the idea that human experience and strong business results are not competing priorities, but mutually reinforcing drivers of success. Across industries including mining, energy, finance, education, legal, and the public sector, she partners with leaders and teams to navigate complex change with clarity and strength.Connect with Tiffany:https://beyonddiversityinc.com/www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-connauton-773a69196https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-diversity-inc/?viewAsMember=trueAbout 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-workhttps://www.facebook.com/112951637095427https://www.instagram.com/createmagicatworkhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnEm4h3fUgaq8qgvZpz6dGgThanks 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 podcastIf 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 reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you are enjoying the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.Mentioned in this episode:This show was brought to you in part by the Magic Thread Media Network. To learn more visit: https://magicthreadmedia.com/