Lauren and Steph catch up on some of the exciting things that happened in the Available Worldwide community in 2024 and invite you to share your story of transformations on our podcast in 2025. Is this your year?
Jenn is a licensed therapist who was looking for a therapist at her challenging first post abroad. When she struggled to find the help she needed, it inspired her to start her own practice -- Bloom Counseling. In this interview, I chat with Jenn about how accompanying partners can build better self-care practices by finding out what works for them, remembering what they love, and pursuing their own dreams not 'instead of' but 'in addition to' the demands of their spouses' careers. . BIO Jen Evan...
Elizabeth Streett did everything right: going to college and becoming a diplomat. She met all the criteria for what anyone would see as successful. But success didn't really end up being what she sought, and it turns out that was the wrong word to use anyway. After discovering that life as a diplomat didn't have the room for the kinds of joy that she wanted to prioritize in life, she left the profession. Becoming an EFM a few weeks later was an unexpected result. Today Elizabeth focuses on her k...
After rave reviews of his debut novel, EFM Matthew Becker has two more books coming soon. In this episode, find out how an academic mathematician with a past work in missile tracking and COVID test kit distribution analysis became an EFM and followed a secret dream to become an author. Like most avid readers, Matthew believed he could write something pretty decent. Unlike the rest of us, he actually followed through on that, writing several novels before getting his first contract and agent. Mat...
Laura Jennings has navigated her share of twists, turns, and transitions, from starting her career in publishing to successful stints in marketing and communications . She's a passionate and accomplished business developer , having built a portable Pilates business and taken it to five posts. Now as Chief Strategy Officer at LVL-Up Strategies , she continues to advocate for EFM career progression as co-founder of a business staffed entirely by partners of the US Foreign Service. In this intervie...
When there's an EFM who has turned what seems to be a location-dependent career into something globally portable, you know you'll eventually meet them here on Available Worldwide. In this episode, Amy shares what it was like to unexpectedly dine with some global power-players, how she made the tough decision to quit a portable job without the guarantee of something new, and what things are really like in the sub-basements of some of America's iconic buildings. Talking with her felt like listenin...
Charting Her Own Course: Building the Right Skills to Thrive at Post Melissa Dokurno's career has taken quite a few twists and turns since her spouse joined the Foreign Service, and even before he was officially on board. While they've both made sacrifices for each other's careers, they've kept their family strong even when physically separated. In this interview, Melissa tells the story of their difficult decision to live in different countries to take advantage of career opportunities. She als...
In this episode, Lauren meets yet another life trajectory twin, Janelle Meyer, who went to college with dreams of being a graphic designer, but who eventually came back to her true calling, work helping students succeed. Janelle is a special educator with a real passion for using brain-based methods to help children learn to read and succeed in school. This episode covers her journey to becoming a special education teacher, the reasons why she loves having a partner in her small business, and th...
Purvi Gandhi Irwin works in a job that didn't exist when she entered her career field as a preservation project architect. She's a design tech consultant working with 3D modeling software and was recently hired by Overseas Building Operations (OBO). In our interview, Purvi shares questionable choices in high school, how her career has evolved, her special connection to the bathroom tiles in Eastern Market, and how she's managed to maintain a successful career as her family moves around the world...
We're on summer break! We just wanted to share a quick update about how you can get involved in the next season of episodes AND how to stay connected to the Available Worldwide community. Apply to be a guest : https://availableworldwide.net/contact/ Join the Available Worldwide Network: https://availableworldwide.net/available-worldwide-network/ You'll hear from us again in September!
Special Episode: Guest Updates! We’ve asked past guests to send in audio updates. We’ll hear from 4 guests in Part 2 of this two-part series. We asked past guests to tell us what’s new with them since their interview, what’s the same, what effect being on Available Worldwide had on them or their business, and if they’ve learned any additional lessons since being on the show or have other advice to share with Foreign Service accompanying partners. We hope you’ll enjoy listening to their updates, ...
Special Episode: Guest Updates! We’ve asked past guests to send in audio updates. We’ll hear from 5 guests in Part 1 of this two-part series. We asked past guests to tell us what’s new with them since their interview, what’s the same, what effect being on Available Worldwide had on them or their business, and if they’ve learned any additional lessons since being on the show or have other advice to share with Foreign Service accompanying partners. We hope you’ll enjoy listening to their updates, ...
On the Available Worldwide podcast, we want to highlight the inspiring stories of the accompanying partners of the Foreign Service. But, we don't want to hide the very real challenges that many spouses face. In this interview for Pride month, you'll hear Maciej Szumny share some of the challenges he has faced as a same-sex partner and foreign-born spouse . You'll be inspired by Maciej's resilience, optimism, and adaptability. And he's a great storyteller! Maciej also shares important, actionable...
In this episode, meet Mikell Reed Carroll, an EFM with a job you probably couldn’t imagine being portable: pagentry!Mikell has been competing in pageants since she was around 20 years old, and has won numerous titles over the past 26 years. This June, she plans to compete for the Miss Virginia USA title, which would make her the oldest contestant to do so. Her tenacity and confidence grow every day as she adds more experiences to her life story: law school, advocacy work, television appearances,...
Early in her career, Alaina had to learn how to translate all she'd learned in culinary school to the traveling life of the partner of a Foreign Service Officer. After years of running a successful catering business in several countries, she's now back in D.C. discovering what her next version of success will look like . Listen in as Alaina shares the lessons she's learned, including why she values contentment over happiness . As an added bonus, Alaina shares tips on what to bring that next inte...
After 3 years of producing the Available Worldwide Podcast, we're celebrating by re-interviewing our first guests, each other. Lauren talks with Steph about what's changed with Global Nomad English and how podcasting changed her work with clients and pushed her into developing skills she never knew she'd need. Steph's Bio: Stephanie loves helping people tell their stories. In 2018, she started Global Nomad English, building on her English language teaching background, to offer global professiona...
On the 3rd anniversary of the Available Worldwide Podcast, we chat with co-host Lauren Steed about her small business, Nomad Educational Services. Lauren shares how her students are changing, how she's adapting, and what she's learned more about the value she adds in the process. We also touch on the stress of PCSing while running a business, plus the AW Podcast and Network. . BIO Dr. Lauren Steed has over 20 years of experience in test prep, classroom and college teaching, and student mentorshi...
First time EFM Amanda Zelaya saw EFM life as the chance to finally go all in on her dream career. She describes life as an indie romance author and ghostwriter, her journey into self-publishing, the challenges of being an indie author, and how her writing career has evolved alongside her husband's Foreign Service posting. Hear her insights into the realities of promoting her "spicy" romance novels, navigating the world of BookTok and Amazon, and the importance of adaptability in the ever-changin...
Erika Furey is a self-described "jack-of-all-trades." From barista to public relations, from esthetician to yoga teacher, from CLO to health coach, Erika demonstrates commitment and consistency in pursuit of her passions. In this interview, Erika delves into the difficulties of maintaining connections and a sense of belonging as a Foreign Service spouse, highlighting the emotional toll of constantly uprooting and rebuilding relationships at each new Post. She emphasizes the importance of vulnera...
In this week's episode, Lauren and Natalie Kortum share a discussion about teleworking, taxes, and legal obligations while working remotely for domestic or international businesses when overseas. Natalie shares how she successfully negotiated teleworking with her employer, the importance of portraying confidence in teleworking negotiations and how to communicate in a way that reassures the corporate tax and HR offices. They cover the importance of post selection, internet availability, and imper...
More than 40 people nominated Michelle for the Tragen Award in 2023. This huge number illustrates the impact of her volunteer advocacy work on the many EFMs serving as Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas (DETOs). As we learn about Michelle's fight for fair pay , she highlights the importance of research, building a team, and advocating for systemic change. In discussing her career history, Michelle explains how government contracting helped her get her foot in the door, and how she later fig...
In this episode, artist Christy Kill and host Lauren Steed talk about: the joys of life with a puppy, turning discouragement into opportunity and using frequent moves as an inspiration for new creative pursuits. Given the time and space to pursue something new, Christy found her professional identity in painting. She experiments with different mediums and materials, and and finds inspiration in nature and the environment, She honestly shares about her experiences as an artist, including both suc...
Adam Pearlman’s first post abroad as an accompanying partner was as the spouse of a DCM (deputy chief of mission). After years of government service, Adam is now navigating the wild ride of starting a law firm that leverages geography and where remote work is an integral part of the company culture. Adam shares eye-opening moments from his first two tours as an EFM. And, we delve into a recent article he wrote for the Foreign Service Journal in which he addresses the unique challenges FS spouses...
Join your hosts—Lauren and Steph—as we reflect on our busiest year ever at Available Worldwide . We made people laugh , and we made people cry . We added a new member to our team, and we reached over 10,000 downloads . We hosted solopreneur Mastermind groups , and we organized a 4-day EFM/MOH Symposium . And we've got even BIGGER plans for 2024! . Stay up-to-date on all we're doing at Available Worldwide by signing up for our mailing list : https://availableworldwide.net/ . . Like what we're doi...
Emily Walker is the founder of Next Dinner Party Designs, a business dedicated to helping the foreign service community create beautiful spaces abroad. Before the Foreign Service, she was a journalist covering healthcare in Washington, D.C., but her first tour move to Yemen sparked her interest in the unique experiences of Americans living in foreign countries and eventually led her to write a book set in the expat community there. Living abroad led her to build on her love of transforming her o...
Emily Cornell keeps a photo on her wall that reminds her of the moment she knew things had to change. After an ER visit due to severe burnout, a nearby terrorist attack during a work trip, and reconnecting with a college boyfriend who had just been posted to Brussels, Emily realized that she had to choose something bigger for her life. During our conversation, Emily shares how she navigated many transitions over the next few years and ultimately made sense of her story through the power of coach...
Susan Shirley is the CEO of Global View Leadership, a cross-cultural leadership advisory firm. In this episode, we discuss Susan's experiences living in different countries, her not-so-romantic State Department proposal, and her expertise in cross-cultural coaching. Her career was built on 10 years of experience in Egypt reporting on results for USAID projects. Over time, she realized her passion for teaching and training others in project management, which eventually led her to focus on coachin...
Sumali has been an accompanying partner of the US Foreign Service for 19 years . In this interview, she describes the challenges of returning to the US job market after so many years of living abroad. Sumali highlights the need for EFMs to reflect (and even wallow), but most importantly, to give themselves space and grace during the transition "back home." And, she gives us advice on how to take advantage of job opportunities and resources available while abroad —such as non-competitive eligibil...
Sarah Buckley is a food photographer and blogger who finds inspiration in crafting, art, and plants. During our conversation, Sarah describes her career transition from nursing to food blogging , explaining the initial sense of loss and later fulfillment her move brought her. Sarah admits that re-training took the time and effort equivalent to a bachelor's degree. But what she's learned along the way about keyword research , SEO , and writing for Google has paved the way to her success. Sarah de...
We have a huge announcement! The first-ever Available Worldwide Symposium is taking place from November 1st to 4th. This four-day online event will bring together EFM/MOH accompanying partners from around the world to address the theme " Moving the Needle: Finding Direction & Mapping Possibilities ." If you are passionate about EFM professional development and growth , we encourage you to get involved! For those who are eager to take part in this transformative symposium, the booking calenda...
