The Edge of Everyday with Sandra Bargman

Sandra Bargman
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Actor, Inter-spiritual minister and Impactful Communication teacher, Sandra Bargman leans into the understanding that life isn't black or white, but rather it's where these two meet where we find the most creativity, chaos and ultimately, understanding. Based on her hit one woman show of the same name, The Edge of Everyday podcast is an exploration of the edges we all face and grapple with in our challenging times. Sandra Bargman shares her own stories and perspectives around opposing beliefs, the tension of paradox, the sacred and mundane, and our biggest edge, fear of change. Real conversations with real people that spark provocative invitations to leap out of what’s safe and explore the outer edges of their lives.

  1. OCT 31

    A Special Halloween Episode with Leslie Ellis

    Happy Anniversary to #TheEdgeofEverydayPodcast! This month marks the 4th ANNIVERSARY of when I started this podcast at TalkRadio.NYC and the 2nd year Anniversary of moving the podcast to MaximizeU.Life. Of course, also streaming on all your favorite podcast platforms. Happy Halloween – Happy Samhain - Happy Witches New Year! On this night, in the place between the old and the new, all is possible. It is in this place of paradox where transformation lives.  And that place is the edge, the edge of everyday. Today’s episode is a replay of one of my MOST favorite episodes, my special Halloween and Anniversary episode from last year, featuring my dear friend, Leslie Ellis, grammy award winning singer/songwriter and actor.  I share a bit about the history of Samhein, and about my own spiritual journey and pagan leanings. This episode was recorded right before the 2024 presidential elections - so it’s fascinating to revisit that headspace now that we are a year into this new regime. And my conversation with my uber talented friend, Leslie, is absolutely divine. Let’s dive in. Again, thanks for listening. What is Halloween based on? What is witchcraft? What is the witch archetype? My own spiritual journey and pagan leanings... AND our special GUEST - Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter - and one of my best friends - LESLIE ELLIS! Her journey playing Grizabella on Broadway in CATS, arguably a witch archetype in her own right.We share Leslie’s song, We ARE WARRIORS. What does it mean to be a warrior for truth, for freedom? https://music.apple.com/ca/album/we-are-warriors/1631590513?i=1631590514 All this and SO much more...#TheEdgeofEveryday #TheEdgeofEverydayPodcast #TheFeminineRises #WitchesAreTheVeil #Halloween Grammy® Award winning vocalist Leslie Ellis performs live across the USA and Europe with hit songwriter Casey Kelly in duo Kelly&Ellis. Leslie has sung with many artists including Celine Dion on “My Heart will Go On” – from the movie “Titanic” (for which Leslie won the Grammy) and Thomas Dolby on his latest album “Forty” (featured on “Hyperactive”). She sang the original soundtrack song, “Six Times Around the Sun” for the CBS mini-series, "Perfect Murder, Perfect Town" and she’s done countless TV/radio jingles and song demos for SONY Music. In 2007 her self-penned “Flyer Song” was adopted by the US Navy and made into a video as a tribute to the troops and their families. She’s also written songs, dozens of which have been cut by artists including The Bellamy Brothers and NYC based recording artist David Ippolito. Leslie has appeared on television and the Broadway stage - CATS, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and CITY OF ANGELS, among others - and in the films "The New True Charlie Wu" , "Happy New Year Mr. Kates" and the feature film "Unconditional" In 2007 she starred in an independent film called, “My Name Is Wallace” which was invited to the Cannes Film Festival. Leslie also has a successful career as a voice over artist and a book narrator. Watch on YouTube: https://app.maximizeu.life/podcast/edgeofeveryday Find Leslie: www.LeslieEllis.com | @asongliveshere Connect with your host Sandra Bargman: Website YouTube Instagram LinkedIn

    1h 1m

  2. OCT 15

    Share Your Love Note from Your Soul with Cynthia Gregory

    Today we are #LiveInTheHive with award-winning author, book mentor, editor and leadership coach, Cynthia Gregory.“Allow your story to take up space in the world.”  - Cynthia Gregory 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 instant I met her, I was completely drawn to Cynthia and her soulful and creative work. I’m thrilled to announce that I am a contributing author to Cynthia’s next book project, LOVE NOTES ANTHOLOGY 2.0 – Stories of Healing and Hope launching on November 1st. My chapter is titled Ferocious Compassion. What is ferocious compassion?  And how does compassion relate to finding your voice and sharing your story? Quite a lot, as it turns out. I absolutely loved this conversation. We touch on… Cynthia’s life-long love of stories and writing and the neuroscience behind storytelling.Do NOT wait to tell/write your story. When your voice is gone, your stories are gone.The 2 types of storytelling: Our vulnerable presence filled stories that empower VS. the negative self-narratives, the stories we tell ourselves that disempower.Her first foray out of fiction into writing non-fiction, sharing her love of journaling in Journaling As a Sacred Practice.What was her inspiration for Love Notes from the Soul Anthologies.I share how I joined with Cynthia, choosing to be a part of Love Notes in writing my chapter, Ferocious Compassion, based on the incident with a friend that inspired the phrase.Making Nice VS Being Kind.I read the opening of Ferocious Compassion.What is the highest expression of compassion? How does it support finding and sharing one’s voice. The repercussions of the phenomena of reality tv on our political and cultural landscape.LOVE NOTES ANTHOLOGY 2.0 launches on November 1st.  To register for the virtual launch, go to https://bit.ly/4nuVich 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 LOVE NOTES Anthology. She was also editor of the California Writers Club, Redwood Writers’ Annual Anthology: ON FIRE (2023). With a bachelor's degree in journalism from Gonzaga University and a master's degree in literature from Mills College, Cynthia’s mission is to expand the body of modern literature. When she’s not helping execs and entrepreneurs write their professional memoirs, she helps business leaders use digital media to easily and strategically expand their brand to new audiences.  Cynthia’s enigmatic short stories have appeared in a range of publications, including The Sun, Glimmer Train and The Briar Cliff Review, among many others. She took second place in the Writer's Digest Fiction Contest and first place in the Glimmer Train family matters competition for “Melting at Both Ends,” and first place in the Mark Twain Short Fiction Prize for her story, “Baby Blood.”  She is a member of the California Writer’s Club, Redwood Writers Chapter, and the International Coaching Federation. CoachCynthiaGregory.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorycynthia/ Connect with your host Sandra Bargman: Website YouTube Instagram LinkedIn

    48 min

  3. OCT 2

    Finding Joy in Solos, Songs, and Stories with Sean Harkness and Liz Piccoli

    I’m very happy to be back in front of my mic, having been away from #TheEdgeofEverydayPodcast for 6 weeks. I didn’t plan to take a break. But because of a slew of unforeseen conflicts and guest scheduling issues, and because I was off doing a play…it just happened. Happy Fall! Today we are #LIVEintheHIVE with two special guests, multi-award-winning guitarist and singer/songwriter, Sean Harkness - and Liz Picolli, SDC director/choreographer, and founder/artistic director of Queen of Rogues Arts Space in Woodstock, NY. Sean is returning to The Plum at Traver Hollow House (www.ThePlumTH2.com) on Saturday October 18 th with his SOLO show, Just Me: Solos, Songs, and Stories. He will also be performing at Queen of Rogues Arts Space in Woodstock on Friday, October 17 th . Today’s episode is of course, about plugging these upcoming shows, but more importantly, it’s a conversation about the power of ART – theatre, music, visual art, storytelling– to uplift and inspire – not only an audience, but also the performers themselves – in these challenging times. It’s a conversation about building new performance and gathering spaces, creating and sharing safe, supportive and inclusive communities, and about RESISTANCE to authoritarianism through art, music, truth-telling, and storytelling. We touch on… As you know, I always ask my guests, “What identity do you lead with”? And Sean and Liz have unexpected and wonderful answers to kick off this delicious and rich conversation.What inspired Liz to create and run Queen of Rogues Art Space.The importance of building community and being a part of many communities.Sean is most known for being a collaborator with other musicians and singers. What inspired him to create a solo show? And why now? Sean shares his goals, and the obstacles he overcame in sharing his own voice in a solo show.How creating/performing/artistry is keeping us sane and connected to joy in these challenging times.All this and SO MUCH MORE. Sean Harkness in Just Me: Solos, Songs and Stories Friday, October 17 | 7pm | Queen of Rogues | Woodstock NY For more info and tickets: www.QueenofRogues.com Saturday, October 18 | 4pm Doors Open | 5pm Show | The Plum @ TH2 For more information + receive an invitation to the Salon: www.ThePlumTH2.com Full bios, schedules, events, etc.: www.SeanHarkness.com @harksongs www.LizPiccoli.com @queen.of.rogues Connect with your host Sandra Bargman: Website YouTube Instagram LinkedIn

    57 min

  4. AUG 15

    The Journey to The Edge of Everyday with Host, Sandra Bargman

    Recently I was asked by one of my guests after we finished recording….  What was the inspiration behind creating the Edge of Everyday Podcast? Why did I feel called to the kinds of conversation I explore in each episode? I appreciated her question and her curiosity.  Quite simply – I am captivated by paradox and I’m deeply committed to amplifying voices and stories, particularly those of women.  What to say, how to say it, and why it matters is at the heart of everything I do, and everything I teach. I decided right then to record an episode in which I shared the journey I’ve taken to The Edge of Everyday.  In this episode I share… ·      Live recording of my song, Who’s To Say? written as an intention setting song, an opening invocation. Later you will hear about the show being structured as a ritual.  Lyrics: Sandra Bargman Music: Ian Herman ·      Being called to seminary, and while there, having the inspiration to create my company, Sacred Stages, LLC, that synthesizes my performing background with my service leadership. ·      Creating the “Caba-Ritual” – the background of The Edge of Everyday solo show – the impulse to create it, + structuring it as a ritual for a transformative experience. ·      I said I would include a picture of my opening show outfit in the show notes but I’m unable to do so…check out the performance clips and pictures on my website, www.SandraBargman.com. ·      The core message and concepts presented in the solo show. What are those concepts? Admitting complexities and exploring paradox. Being real. Truth-telling. Yes, truth can be ugly and raw, but the heartbreak of truth is a better experience than happiness from lies, fear, or delusion.   ·      “The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off” – that marvelous quote by feminist Gloria Steinam, highlights the dual nature of truth: it can be both challenging and liberating.  ·      The decision to transition to doing a podcast during Covid. ·      The live performance of Everyday People, by Sly Stone, with my “rap” spoken poetry, Lean In Edgy Ones, woven within. ·      All this and much more. Thanks for listening. Connect with your host Sandra Bargman: Website YouTube Instagram LinkedIn

    37 min

  5. JUL 31

    Open Spaces and Male Myths with Betsy Gaines Quammen and Tasha Adams

    Hello listeners. This is a potent episode and I am so grateful to my guests. We are #LIVEintheHIVE with Betsy Gaines Quammen, historian and award-winning author of American Zion + True West – and Tasha Adams, the ex-wife of Oath Keeper’s founder, Stewart Rhodes. Betsy has previously been a guest on #TheEdgeofEverydayPodcast in June of 2022 and in that episode, we talked about both of her powerful and increasingly relevant books and the significant need to have difficult conversations across polarizing political views and differing cultural perspectives. You can find that episode at TalkRadio.NYC and on my YouTube channel, Sandra Bargman on The Edge of Everyday.  Betsy brings wisdom + engaging storytelling to her important work, and in these increasingly turbulent times under a clearly authoritarian administration, I knew I needed to have her on the show again. When I reached out, Betsy suggested that I also ask her good friend, Tasha Adams, to join us. Tasha’s ex-husband, Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the right-wing militia, The Oath Keepers, had just been released from jail, having had his sentence of 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy for his role in the Jan 6th insurrection commuted.  Tasha’s story is deeply moving, a life lived under the thumb of an abusive, manipulative man, and finding the courage to plan an escape for herself and her 6 children. I could only imagine how she must be feeling upon hearing the news of his release. This episode is NOT about the Oath Keepers, or Tasha’s role in it. There are podcasts and interviews and two documentaries in which to explore that information.  This episode explores the relationship between open spaces and toxic masculinity. “What I knew then and feel more deeply now is that open lands inspire open minds. This is the open space of democracy”. - Terry Tempest Williams in NYT Betsy and Tasha shared how they met while Betsy was researching the BUNDY family and publicly owned federal lands for her first book. It’s all documented in her book, American Zion: Cliven Bundy, God, and Public Lands in the West.Then researching Western mythologies that create TOXIC MASCULINITY. Researched in True West: Myth and Mending on the Far Side of America.The power of WOMEN friendships.The takeover of OPEN spaces of land out west and the open spaces of a closet – and of the mind – the complete MACRO + MICRO of toxic masculinity.Both women weigh on the abuse, vitriol and the TACTIC of DISORIENTATION for control by Toxic men.The very IMPORTANT exploration – that question that Tasha has received – that every trapped and abused woman has received – “WHY didn’t you leave?” Both Tasha and Betsy weigh in with extraordinary insight and information.“The tyranny over the weak” that toxic masculinity employs today.How is Tasha rebuilding and reclaiming today? She’s writing a MEMOIR!Betsy is working on a non-fiction book, DEAD RECKONING, that explores ancestral relations to haunted landscape, haunted houses and epigenetic trauma.All this - and much more.Resources: www.BetsyGainesQuammen.com @betsygainesquammen www.ThatGirlTasha.com @thatgirlTasha https://www.nbc.com/king-of-the-apocalypse @slim.vampire #MaximizeU #TheEdgeofEveryday #TheEdgeofEverydayPodcast Connect with your host Sandra Bargman: Website YouTube Instagram LinkedIn

    59 min

  6. JUL 16

    Holding Hope in the Climate Emergency with Harriet Shugarman

    With our anti-science, anti-intelligence, chaos and cruelty driven administration, it’s hard not to feel completely hopeless about the climate emergency.  Today we are #LIVEintheHIVE with Harriet Shugarman, a US based university professor, multi-award-winning author, writer, economist and climate policy advisor with many years of experience working on our climate emergency. www.ClimateMama.com We are still reeling from the catastrophic floods in Texas, with a death toll presently at 111 and another 172 people found missing.  The climate crisis played a significant role in this flooding, and thanks to this chaotic and incompetent administration, staffing shortages at the National Weather Service contributed to the severity of the flooding. Climate disaster meets climate denial. According to research, 77% of the global population want their government to do whatever it takes to limit the effects of climate change. Where are we in our efforts to meet the climate crisis? How can we prepare for the growing climate instability? And most importantly, how do we hold onto hope? As Climate Mama Harriet Shugarman says, “Tell the truth, actions speak louder than words, and don't be afraid." In this episode we touch on… In these challenging times, Harriet recommits to leading with empathy.Only 90 days in, there are devastating cuts to U.S. climate research by the Trump administration. How are we meeting these setbacks?Climate.gov has been completely erased from the internet. However scientists saved this information and you can find it here: https://screening-tools.com/abouThis 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30), which will be held in Belém, Brazil, from November 10-21, 2025, is an important year marker during which countries must share and report on their climate contributions. We now have climate deniers in what the USA reports, so hopefully they will not be at the global table.How can we promote public awareness and engagement on climate change issues? Why are we so ineffective? The continued power of STORYTELLING. www.DearTomorrow.org | www.OurKidsClimate.org Climate grief and mental health. www.Ecopsychopedia.orgWhat drives the global community to want their governments to take climate action? How can we be “good ancestors”?Her award-winning book, "How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate, Turning Angst into Action."More resources: www.InsideClimateNews.org | www.climatecommunication.yale.eduFollow Micheal Mann + Katharine Hayhoe www.artsandclimate.org Full bio: www.climatemama.com @ClimateMama Connect with your host Sandra Bargman: Website YouTube Instagram LinkedIn

    52 min

  7. JUN 26

    Penis Politics in The City with Karen Hinton

    Today we are #LIVEintheHIVE with Karen Hinton, author of the bestselling book, Penis Politics: A Memoir of Women, Men, and Power – Karen was a guest on our show in January of 2023, for our episode entitled The Edge of Silence. What is the price of silence in Penis Politics? You can check out that phenomenal episode at TalkRadio.NYC or on my YouTube channel, Sandra Bargman on the Edge of Everyday.  Her book, Penis Politics, is a compelling coming-of-age memoir, set both in small-town Mississippi and big-city New York, with a long layover in the nation's capital. The Kirkus review had this to say: “A timely, engaging political account about the consequences of saying nothing - and speaking up. Hinton’s prose is sharp and incisive. She is adept at setting a scene and bringing people to life on the page.” And one of those people was Andrew Cuomo, whom she has known for over 20 years and for whom she has worked for 5 years. Andrew Cuomo resigned as Governor of New York on August 24, 2021, amidst an overlapping cluster of ethics scandals, including accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct from 11 women. Penis Politics was released in December of 2021. Today, June 23, 2025, Andrew Cuomo is running for Mayor of New York City. This episode was recorded on the eve of the Mayoral primary, and, at that time, Cuomo was leading in first choice ballot polling, however, Zohran Mamdani, the virtual unknown, Democratic Socialist jumped to the lead in ranking polls. In a shocking victory, Cuomo conceded to Mamdani in the NYC Democratic Primary. Will Cuomo run as an Independent in November? We'll see.  How has someone who resigned in scandal + shame able to lead in the polls? Why do we continue to choose misogynistic, scandal ridden men to be our political leaders?   What has become of the #MeToo movement? With all our patriarchal systems in place, with an adjudicated rapist in the highest office in the US, is it possible to uncouple sex and sexual abuse from power and politics? In this episode, on the eve of the mayoral primary in New York City, Karen Hinton is uniquely qualified to explore these questions and to weigh in on why Andrew Cuomo is unfit to become the Mayor of NYC. Full bio We touch on… The powerful story behind her decision to #SpeakUpNotShutUp and to write Penis Politics.What has happened to the #MeToo movement? The legal fees of Cuomo for 3 of his accusers are being paid for by NYS taxpayers – $19.4 million.She shares in her 2 op-eds – NY Daily News and on her Substack – the reasons why Cuomo is unfit for office. He doesn’t want to be Mayor; he wants to position himself for a presidential run.Trump and Cuomo would most likely align.Leveraging of donors vs care for the people. The immediacy of being Mayor is not his skill set.Weigh in on Zohran Mamdani and his ideas. Time for a new breed of Leaders. The Dem party must evolve.Watch video: https://maximizeu.life/the-edge-of-everyday/ KarenHinton.com | Penis-Politics.com | @JKarenHinton LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenhinton/ | https://substack.com/@karenhinton  Connect with your host Sandra Bargman: Website YouTube Instagram LinkedIn

    1h 3m

  8. JUN 13

    It Can't Happen Here: Artists Lead the Resistance with Joanna Rush

    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.comAll this and so much more.Full bio and information: www.JoannaRush.com @Joanna.Rush71 @NoMalarkeyPlay Connect with your host Sandra Bargman: Website YouTube Instagram LinkedIn

    55 min
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About

Actor, Inter-spiritual minister and Impactful Communication teacher, Sandra Bargman leans into the understanding that life isn't black or white, but rather it's where these two meet where we find the most creativity, chaos and ultimately, understanding. Based on her hit one woman show of the same name, The Edge of Everyday podcast is an exploration of the edges we all face and grapple with in our challenging times. Sandra Bargman shares her own stories and perspectives around opposing beliefs, the tension of paradox, the sacred and mundane, and our biggest edge, fear of change. Real conversations with real people that spark provocative invitations to leap out of what’s safe and explore the outer edges of their lives.

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