Written by 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 […]
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, […]
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.” […]
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 […]
On this episode of Available Worldwide, Lauren chats with McKenzie Carlson, our new social media manager and fellow plant lover. McKenzie shares her family’s unique journey into the Foreign Service, from an adventurous road trip to prepping for a Covid-era quarantine. We discuss the best National Parks, the challenges of resume gaps, and the support […]