Available Worldwide
An interview-style podcast by, for, and about the accompanying partners of the US Foreign Service. In each episode, we’ll talk to diplomatic spouses who have discovered superpowers they never knew they had and found success in unlikely places. We highlight voices that will inspire and encourage you as you explore what it means to be “available worldwide.” Hosted by Lauren Steed and Stephanie Anderson foreign service, diplomacy, diplomat, trailing spouse, EFM, expat, abroad, expats, world, nomad, stories, personal stories, interview,
Episodes
December 30, 2024 • 6 mins
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?
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December 20, 2024 • 29 mins
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 ad...
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 ad...
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December 12, 2024 • 34 mins
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...
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November 26, 2024 • 46 mins
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, writi...
Like most avid readers, Matthew believed he could write something pretty decent. Unlike the rest of us, he actually followed through on that, writi...
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November 5, 2024 • 26 mins
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 en...
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October 23, 2024 • 41 mins
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 o...
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 o...
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October 8, 2024 • 28 mins
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 differe...
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 differe...
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September 25, 2024 • 48 mins
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 rea...
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September 7, 2024 • 35 mins
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 ...
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July 30, 2024 • 4 mins
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!
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!
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July 9, 2024 • 29 mins
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 accompany...
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 accompany...
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June 18, 2024 • 27 mins
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 accompany...
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 accompany...
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June 4, 2024 • 31 mins
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...
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...
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May 22, 2024 • 40 mins
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 he...
Her tenacity and confidence grow every day as she adds more experiences to he...
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May 7, 2024 • 25 mins
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 ad...
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 ad...
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April 23, 2024 • 32 mins
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 En...
Steph's Bio:
Stephanie loves helping people tell their stories.
In 2018, she started Global Nomad English, building on her En...
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April 9, 2024 • 27 mins
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.
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BIO
Dr. Lauren Steed has over 20 years of experience in ...
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BIO
Dr. Lauren Steed has over 20 years of experience in ...
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March 26, 2024 • 31 mins
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 a...
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March 12, 2024 • 34 mins
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 relation...
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 relation...
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February 28, 2024 • 38 mins
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 t...
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