Some titles come with power. Others come with pressure. Tracy McDonald has held both.
She’s served as a U.S. Secret Service agent, a counterterrorism instructor, a global fraud consultant, and a Foreign Service spouse. But the moments that shaped her most weren’t the ones on paper — they were the ones behind closed doors, in countries few Americans will ever step foot in, when she had to ask herself: What now?
In this episode, Jessica Cumming and Tracy unpack:
The truth behind the badge
Why knowing when to leave is a leadership skill
How to rebuild a career that aligns with your actual values
Parenting through instability, repatriation, and reality checks
What women really need to know about power, permission, and pivoting
It’s a conversation about grit, discernment, and trusting yourself to do the brave thing, even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else.
Key Takeaways:
Your next chapter doesn’t require your last one’s permission
The power isn’t in the job, it’s in how you carry it
Leaving a role doesn’t mean leaving your impact behind
Every shift builds skills you can’t learn in a classroom
There is no blueprint for women who lead in unconventional ways
Power Quote:"You add value just by waking up in this world every day. You don’t have to earn it." — Tracy McDonald
Connect with Tracy McDonald:
📸 CarpeDamnCreative.com – Her blog of stories and photography from life abroad📅
Want more conversations like this? Follow Jessica on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacumming04/
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