What happens when a global PR strategist decides to fix F-16 fighter jets for a living? In this episode of The World’s Mayor Experience, Joshua T. Berglan sits down with Angela Betancourt, a living contradiction to the status quo.
Angela is the founder of the Betancourt Group and serves as an Aerospace Propulsion Technician in the Air Force Reserve—a journey she began at age 38. From navigating the aftermath of the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone to turning wrenches on the flight line, Angela breaks down why “age is a shadow prison” and how to execute “Big Bold Moves.”
In this episode, we cover:
- The psychology of fixing corporate narratives vs. fixing jet engines.
- Why “Dream Jobs” are a myth and “Dream Journeys” are the reality.
- The ethics of PR: Greenwashing, Truth, and Microplastics.
- Overcoming the fear of pivoting your career in your late 30s and 40s.
Connect with Angela Betancourt:
Connect with Joshua T. Berglan:
- 00:00 – Intro: Joshua T. Berglan on Media Sovereignty & Labels.
- 00:03 – Meet Angela: CEO, Mom, and F-16 Mechanic.
- 00:07 – The Comparison: Fixing PR Narratives vs. Fixing Jet Engines.
- 00:10 – Enlisting at 38: Being older than your Drill Sergeant.
- 00:19 – Sierra Leone: Life after the Ebola Crisis & The Energy Revolution.
- 00:31 – Rebuilding Trust: When the restaurant catches fire (literally).
- 00:41 – PR Ethics: Refusing to work for Oil Companies.
- 00:53 – What is the “Social Economy”?
- 01:07 – The Golden Rule of Communication: Truth & The People Impacted.
- 01:21 – Motivational Speech: Why it’s never too late to pivot (The Sylvia Earle example).
- 01:33 – The Concept of the “Dream Journey.”
Joshua T. Berglan is a visionary multimedia creator and social empowerment leader, renowned globally as "The World's Mayor." As an award-winning producer, internationally bestselling author, and pioneering show host, Joshua is spearheading a transformative movement at the intersection of media literacy, accessible education, and community empowerment.
His ground-breaking works include the game-changing book "Media Company in a Box: Independent Media in the 4th Industrial Revolution," providing a roadmap for ethical media entrepreneurship leveraging emerging technologies like AI and the metaverse. Joshua's raw, redemptive memoir "The Devil Inside Me" chronicles his journey overcoming addiction and trauma.
The World's Mayor Experience, Joshua's innovative media platform, features empowering content tailored for under-served groups like at-risk youth, mental health communities, formerly incarcerated individuals, abuse survivors, human trafficking victims, and disabled people. As a proud advocate from these marginalized backgrounds himself, Joshua is dedicated to amplifying unheard voices through media skills training and accessible business mentorship.
While his inspirational books are available at bookstores worldwide, Joshua has made "Media Company in a Box" freely accessible at public libraries globally, exemplifying his commitment to democratizing vital knowledge. As a SCORE mentor, he provides pro-bono coaching to entrepreneurs and nonprofits.
Through immersive virtual experiences, online academies, published works, advocacy initiatives, and an upcoming worldwide touring show, Joshua Berglan is sparking a people-powered renaissance - equipping a global community of ethical storytellers and digitally literate changemakers to reshape societal narratives for the better.
