October222025
Ep26, Elaine’s Literary Salon: Meet author and leadership coach Karen Marginot and learn about her spirituality-based recovery in her memoir, “The Bad Girls Club”
Meet the Author: Karen Marginot is an author and leadership coach who specializes in helping leaders integrate ancient wisdom with their professional authority.
Drawing on her decades-long journey through corporate leadership at companies like Salesforce and Dell, Karen brings rare insight to the challenges women face as they approach the pinnacle of their careers and contemplate their enduring legacy, both professionally and personally. Her story and authentic worldview connect with women in senior positions who worry that they’ve lost their way or are tired of leading like “one of the guys.” Karen’s sought-after workshops and talks offer deep conversations about leadership, purpose, and transformation in the tech and business worlds that honor the purpose of the women doing the work.
Her debut book, The Bad Girls Club: Promises of a Spirituality-Based Recovery, explores themes of personal transformation and recovery from trauma and addiction/alcoholism, drawing on her extensive experience across multiple genres, including memoir, creative nonfiction, fiction, and technical writing. Karen’s approach weaves shadow work, shame demolition, and divine feminine principles into practical leadership development.
Karen’s leadership programs serve women navigating profound transitions, from addiction recovery to career reinvention, menopause to spiritual awakening. Through ancient Celtic wisdom and modern transformation practices, Karen helps clients demolish shame by normalizing the very human experiences we all have, then fearlessly create the work and impact they truly desire. She is working on two new books and focusing on helping women, especially those in the tech field, transform their lived experience into powerful stories that change the world. Connect with her on LinkedIn or through her website at karenmarginot.com.
About There’s a seismic shift happening worldwide, as individuals from every social class question their relationship with alcohol and drugs,” explains Karen. “While marijuana gains mainstream acceptance, a profound inquiry persists: Is this okay? Am I drinking too much? Is this normal?”
These questions resonate deeply, particularly among professional women who are drinking at higher rates than anyone else, and women are drinking themselves to death. Beyond the health risks, high alcohol consumption affects women’s personal and professional relationships and their ability to successfully function and lead in their professional roles.
The Bad Girls Club: Promises of a Spirituality-Based Recovery encapsulates Karen Marginot’s journey through addiction to redemption. Delving into Karen’s tumultuous past, she narrates how she found healing and renewal through spiritual tools, transcending addiction to create a fulfilling career in tech and leadership coaching.
Click here to buy The Bad Girls Club.
About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com
Find more of Elaine’s Literary Salon events: ElainesLitearySalon.com.
Elaine’s Literary Salon
About Elaine’s Restaurant: A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the previous home for 38 years of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.
About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host 
And meet the PR Director for Elaine’s Literary Salon, InkandescentPR.com’s founder, Hope Katz Gibbs. With her team of award-winning journalists, illustrators and video producers, they help writers up their PR and marketing game with professionally produced podcasts on 
