Written by At her first post abroad, Rona looked around at the accompanying partners she knew, saw their talent and experience, and became dismayed at the career stagnation facing many “trailing spouses.” So, she decided to do something about it. Instead of continuing as an independent consultant, Rona launched a business that hires Foreign Service and military […]
One of the reasons that diplomatic partners start businesses or take on telecommuting work is that they are looking for career satisfaction. Erin’s work as a financial advisor has changed over the last 10 years, and is now exactly where she wants it to be: portable, satisfying and high-caliber. In this episode, she talks about […]
Leslie Mansour, of Rooted Moon Collective, believes that practicing the art of rooting down and creating rituals can help us feel settled and safe while creating sacred space that supports our lifestyles and helps us embrace the next version of ourselves in our lives abroad. We talk about how transition is never easy, but how […]
In this week’s episode, you’ll meet a visual artist who has found a way to make her career both portable and local, by diversifying her work and learning how to move beyond art as a hobby or self-sacrifice and into a real business. She’ll also talk about how local influences have changed her craft at […]
In this episode, Mary encourages accompanying partners who want meaningful careers to start with their strengths, pursue what they love, and consider buying a business rather than building one from the ground up. She also shares the struggles she’s faced while starting a travel business in a global pandemic, and the personal lessons she’s learned […]
If you’ve been a long time listener, you know that having a portable career as a diplomatic partner has its ups and downs. Amber Silva had experience as a photographer before becoming part of the diplomatic community, but is now learning how to start a business as an EFM, and how that differs from owning […]
In this interview, Erica Green talks about how she’s kept the arc of her career, stayed true to her love of working with words, and created a truly fabulous event that gathers together authors, writers, and readers from around the world: the Iceland Writers Retreat. Bio: Erica Jacobs Green has worked in book publishing for […]
In this episode, I talk with Trena Bolden Fields about being authentic to yourself and to your path. She reminds accompanying partners to never give up on what we love, and that real partnership does not mean having to lose yourself along the way.
In this episode, we hear from Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett about being a foreign-born spouse, finding and creating community, and learning how to get paid for what you do. Amanda is the founder of Miss Panda Chinese, a popular online Chinese language and culture resource for parents and educators. She has taught ESL and Mandarin Chinese on […]
In this episode, I talk with Amy Kennedy who has found her accompanying partner superpowers in meaningful, accessible volunteering. She’s turned her volunteer gig into a paid job, but also created a global network of diplomatic spouses and expats who are working to empower and inspire young women. You’ll hear about puppies, reaching out to […]