The Edge of Everyday with Sandra Bargman

Hello Hive!Happy birthday to me!It’s April 15th, Income Tax Day, and my mother always told me I was a great return on my birthday. It’s also World Art Day! Art nurtures creativity, innovation and cultural diversity for humans around the globe, playing an important role in sharing knowledge and encouraging curiosity and courageous conversations. And ART is RESISTANCE! What better day to release my next episode, one that celebrates creativity, identity, and the power of artistic expression and storytelling.Today we are #LIVEintheHIVE with former Silicon Valley Tech CEO, musician, and non-binary trans advocate, Michele Bettencourt - for a courageous conversation on the evolution of IDENTITY.Easily one of my most favorite conversations. Michele’s willingness to share her provocative story openly, along with her articulate, salty and, intriguing story-telling, kept me rapt, laughing heartily, and deeply moved. I know you will be, too.With over a thirty-five-year career in Silicon Valley, Michele Bettencourt served as CEO and Director of multiple private and public companies, including Imperva and Coverity. She is the founder of the Michele Bettencourt Foundation which promotes fair employment for transgender individuals.Michele is a singer/songwriter/musician who, in 2018, dropped her debut album, Vampire Time, which features such esteemed collaborators as Carmine Rojas (David Bowie, Rod Stewart), Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), and Russ McKinnon (Barry Manilow, Tower of Power).Vampire Time examines the paradoxes of contemporary life—how people can feel both connected and distant, certain yet uncertain, and visible yet misunderstood, real human experiences on the edge between ordinary life and moments of transformation. Life Lessons through these stories:It’s okay to evolve. Understanding yourself is a journey, not a one-time decision.Be kind. Respecting and accepting others helps create a more compassionate and inclusive world.Creative expression can be a powerful way to share truth and process identity.In Vampire Time, the White House is upside down. In real time, too.Live by the personal mantra, “My Life. My rules.”You can usually tell when people are being kind.Cross dressing is the gateway drug to transitioning.Be an ambassador.Believe in accidental journeys.Become a “meanderthal.”Parental passing grants permission and release.What makes a transition “successful” is how you’re treated.Trans people in bathrooms. Women say the nicest things in bathrooms. Make someone’s day and call them she if that’s what they want. The ripple effect will change humanity.It’s hard to hate someone up close.Thank you, Michele.Remember, the edge is where you come alive.Find Michele + Vampire Time:https://music.apple.com/us/artist/michele-bettencourt-and-vampire-time/1831583691https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd9ZrZBQw3QAmC2k1SjKdsghttps://www.samdevorah.org/boardFind Sandra:SandraBargman.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrabargman/https://createmagicatwork.net/meet-the-teamMentioned in this episode:This show was brought to you in part by the Magic Thread Media Network. To learn more visit: https://magicthreadmedia.com/

Happy April Fools Day!April 1st is a day for surprises. Far more than a prank day— The Day of the Fool is a ritual threshold.What better day to launch The Edge of Everyday podcast on Magic Thread Media?April Fools’ Day belongs to the archetype of The Fool—the one who steps forward without a map, who trusts curiosity over certainty, and who begins the journey before knowing where it leads. TThe "truth" of the fool is a paradox...A step into uncertaintyA break from rigid thinkingPermission to see the world differentlyThe Fool is the only archetype who can move freely between worlds —logic and intuition, ordinary and extraordinary. The Fool is an Edgewalker.And THAT is exactly what a conversation exploring “the edge of everyday” promises to do. Walk between worlds. It's what we've been doing for over 120 episodes.I started #TheEdgeofEverydayPodcast in October 2021 at TalkRadio.NYC. I then moved to Buzzsprout in 2024. Shows from TalkRadio.NYC are on my YouTube Channel. All the shows from Buzzsprout are now here on Magic Thread Media.Hosting this podcast has changed my life immeasurably. It is through hosting that I met Amy Lynn Durham, and because of our spectacular relationship, I've (and The Edge of Everyday) landed at Magic Thread Media.And I'm so grateful.So pour a drink with me and let's have toast to creating magic, exploring edges, holding courageous conversations, and celebrating my joy in becoming a part of the Magic Thread Media Team!Remember...the Edge is where YOU come alive.Find me:www.SandraBargman.com@SandraBargmanhttps://www.youtube.com/@sandraamazon#TheEdgeofEveryday #TheEdgeofEverydayPodcast #MagicThreadMedia #LiveInTheHiveMentioned in this episode:This show was brought to you in part by the Magic Thread Media Network. To learn more visit: https://magicthreadmedia.com/

I have some FANTASTIC NEWS to share with you and this news centers around my guest today. The Edge of Everyday Podcast is MOVING to a new platform! As of APRIL 15th – my birthday – The Edge of Everyday will broadcast on a new platform, Magic Thread Media, founded by Amy Lynn Durham, host of Create Magic at Work Podcast – which is now in the top 5% of the podcasting world. And today we are #LiveInTheHive with Amy, herself, to talk all about it! Magic Thread Media, founded in December 2025, is a media and publishing studio producing podcasts, companion works, and original creative IP through a curated network of voices.On The Edge of Everyday, I blend soulful inquiry with grounded real-world insight, inviting listeners to embrace complexity, expand perspective, and engage life’s uncertainties with greater presence, compassion, and authenticity. I am thrilled and honored to add my voice to the Magic Thread Media network and be amongst the powerful leaders and voices Amy has curated.In my excitement, I also thank you Sal and Laura Celly and MaximizeU.Life you for hosting #TheEdgeofEverydayPodcast. I maintain my collaboration with them in all our other work.In this conversation we celebrate, we sing, we laugh a lot, and, as always, we go deep. Key Takeaways:The power of being MESSY. There is no such thing as the perfect time to start building your dream. Simply begin where you are and embrace imperfection. Mistakes are a crucial part of your success story.What and who is an Edgewalker?Amy shares her rich podcasting journey, from honing her message while being a frequent guest, to building Create Magic at Work podcast how it’s all led to the creation of Magic Thread Media. Turning 50: Women stepping into their power as they age, sharing their voice and vision OUT LOUD, and not caring what others think.Love vs High Self Orientation. Getting out of your own way and choosing to be in service to others.Amy shares the work and vision of the publishing arm of the network.The relationship of her Executive Coaching firm and Magic Thread Media. I am a proud member of the Executive Coaching Team as a Voice and Presence Teacher. (Thank you for the kind plug, Amy!) Clients come to MTM to hone their message and raise their voice. Then they work with Amy to decide how they share, and in what media format.Amy shares her phenomenal vision AND her vision beyond her vision.Uprising of women clients looking to stop holding themselves back and to find the courage to amplify their voice, their message, their vision.All this and so much more.Amy Lynn Durham is the founder of the Executive Coaching Firm, Create Magic at Work and is host of the globally recognized Create Magic At Work® podcast. She is the author of both the prompt journal Creating Career Magic & the activity book Create Magic At Work. Amy is the Founder and Executive Producer at Magic Thread Media, a media and publishing studio producing podcasts, companion works, and original creative IP through a curated network of voices. This platform extends conversations about leadership, culture, and the human experience into long-form media, publishing, and live experiences.www.CreateMagicatWork.comwww.MagicThreadMedia.comConnect with your host Sandra Bargman:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramLinkedInCaptivate Feed

“Ferocious Compassion requires that I find the courage to speak my truth, to find the courage to be disliked, to find the courage to turn and face confrontation.  Ferocious Compassion guides me to choose authenticity over approval. It allows me the freedom to assert myself, to be vulnerable, to express, not suppress my true emotions and intentions.”    - Author, Sandra BargmanToday we are #LiveInTheHive with award-winning author, book mentor, editor, leadership coach, and my friend, Cynthia Gregory. The above quote is from, FEROCIOUS COMPASSION, my chapter in the newly released and much anticipated book, LOVE NOTES from the Soul 2.0: Stories of Compassion and Healing, curated and edited by Cynthia. We had Cynthia on as a guest last October to celebrate the release of Love Notes 2.0 (Ep 42) and we’re thrilled to welcome her back to dig in a bit deeper. Cynthia’s motto is: “Allow your story to take up space in the world.” And I’m thrilled that my thought concept, Ferocious Compassion, is taking up space in the world!The power of storytelling and the power of finding and sharing your VOICE in the world is at the heart of every aspect of Cynthias work. Sound familiar? No surprise that from the moment I met her, I was completely drawn to Cynthia and her soulful and creative work. Which is why I gave her a resounding YES when she asked me to become a contributing author to LOVE NOTES 2.0. There is a total of 27 stories in this book, an exquisitely curated and edited collection by Cynthia, each one a LOVE NOTE. And what could be better than sharing and celebrating love notes today, as we start Valentines Day weekend?We touch on…The power of sharing your VOICE and reconnecting to the courage of storytelling.Is Ferocious Compassion controversial? Is political? The politicization of human rights.The genesis of the phrase, “ferocious compassion.”The radical act of telling your truth. Truth-telling = More stories.People-pleasing is a trauma response.In these challenging times, stories become MORE important in our lives.The conflicting stories of the USA – we have 2 distinctly different narratives of “who” is an American.The inspiration for the creation of the Love Notes Anthologies. Following your creative instincts and trusting the process!Work on Love Notes 3.0 has begunRISE + WRITE, A SOULFUL SUMMER WRITERS RETREAT | HUDSON VALLEY, NEW YORKLed by Cynthia Gregory and Sandra Bargman | Create, mine, write, speak, and craft your story.Friday, July 31 - Sunday, August 2 | For more details and registration: www.coachcynthiagregory.comLove Notes 2.0 Book Signing Event | The Olive Free Library in West Shokan, New YorkThursday, July 30th @ 5:30 pmJoin Editor Cynthia Gregory and Contributing Authors Sandra Bargman + Sarah Olivieri for readings, discussion and Q&A.   https://www.olivefreelibrary.org/Cynthia Gregory is an award-winning writer and author of Journaling as Sacred Practice: an Act Of Extreme Bravery, What Is Possible From Here, and the LOVE NOTES Anthologies. She was also editor of the California Writers Club, Redwood Writers’ Annual Anthology: ON FIRE (2023).Full bio, resources, coaching and events:www,CoachCynthiaGregory.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorycynthia/Connect with your host Sandra Bargman:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramLinkedIn

Today we are #LIVEInTheHIVE with Brian Gorman, maverick leadership coach and author of Leading into the Age of Wisdom: Reimagining the Future of Work. Brian writes: “When hierarchies falter, networks and circles emerge. When loyalty contracts dissolve, people seek belonging and purpose. When change accelerates, organizations must cultivate adaptability and rhythm. When technology grows powerful, the human role shifts from doing the work of machines to bringing discernment, empathy, and wisdom into the system.”What are the implications for corporations and organizations? And from a larger perspective, democracy and patriarchy?As Klaus Schwab writes in The Fourth Industrial Evolution, “The changes are so profound that, from the perspective of human history, there has never been a time of greater promise or greater peril.” Is our dystopian view that AI is replacing human-kind true or false?Which beliefs, habits, or assumptions about leadership may need to be unlearned or reframed for me to become an Age of Wisdom leader? We touch on….We are at a tipping point with AI that requires making clear decisive decisions to choose the ultimate path upon which humanity will embark, recognizing that we’re on the verge of the equivalent of the Industrial Revolution.AI has made human intelligence obsolete, but humans possess WISDOM, Wisdom guides our decisions in how we utilize AI.Hierarchy assumes wisdom rests in the top tier, when in fact everyone has wisdom or the potential for wisdom. Brian shares 2 stories of well-known corporations discovering that wisdom from the C-suite is no longer sufficient.Democracy itself (and all patriarchal systems) requires the overlay of these same skill sets as leaders moving into The Age of Wisdom.Decentralizing decision making from the top doesn’t slow systems down.What are wisdom circles? How do we respond to crisis? And what will be the impact of our decisions over the next 7 generations?Work is not done through time, it’s done through energy. How do we build physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy?Circle, rather than linear, philosophy>>> Interconnectedness.All this and so much more.Full bio, book, wisdom circle events, and resources: https://transforminglives.coach/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briangorman07030/Connect with your host Sandra Bargman:WebsiteYouTubeInstagramLinkedIn