Available Worldwide

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, health challenges and now being one of the top Pageant Coaches in the world. Listen as she advises host Lauren how to build confidence and why she (and all EFMs!) should build a “Win List” to help us get through challenging days. The skills of a pageant winner are the extremely portable skills of confidence under pressure, facing challenges on the spot and, in today’s online world, personal branding and representing your supporting organization. Mikell is a Maine native, graduate of the University of Maine School of Law and has 26 plus years of experience in the world of beauty pageants. She is a former Mrs. Maine International, Mrs. DC, World's Mrs Tourism, International Ms USA and Ms USA Universe. She opened her full service pageant coaching and consulting business in 2021 and has since been named to Pageant Planet's Top 20 Best Coaches in 2023.She is currently in training to compete in the Miss Virginia USA competition in June. On Facebook and Instagram: @carrollcrownconsulting @mikellreedcarroll This Episode is Sponsored by Diplodash Are you struggling to figure out how you will survive PCS? If sorting your shipments, planning logistics, and managing pack-out days wakes you from a deep sleep, DiploDash® can help! When you hire DiploDash to support your PCS, you get a partner in the process. We have been there -- overwhelmed by the packers swirling around us while battling decision fatigue. We've also struggled with PCS amnesia and the strong desire to pretend like it isn't really happening. Working with DiploDash you have an advocate supporting you through your move. You don't have to go it alone!Get the PCS help you want. Contact DiploDash to schedule a complimentary call today. www.DiploDash.comhttps://www.facebook.com/diplodashservice https://www.instagram.com/diplodash/

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 international school potluck! . BIO Alaina Missbach is, first and foremost, an avid eater and, secondly, a chef. She’s a former Army officer turned graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park (earning her diploma at 8 ½ months pregnant) before being whisked off to their first post with her two small kids and newly-appointed FSO husband Delighting in the truth that “Everybody eats!” she started her own catering business, serving the Embassy and International School communities. Fast forward 12 years, 5 posts, and more events/dinners/meals than she can count, Alaina has experienced the ups and downs of changing careers, finding her way as an EFM business owner, and maintaining all aspects of her identity in the meantime. In her business, Alaina specializes in custom menus created for each client and event. She loves sharing her joy for American food and culture with her friends and Foreign Service family overseas. Alaina is a lifelong learner and takes on the challenge of always increasing her knowledge, learning new things, and trying new methods—both in cooking and in life. Learn more about Alaina: www.instagram.com/ChefAlainawww.facebook.com/TheGlobalForkwww.linkedin.com/in/alaina-missbachwww.theglobalfork.com. This episode is sponsored by DiploDash. Are you struggling to figure out how to get your consumables? If shopping and packing out your consumables is a challenge, DiploDash® can help! When you hire DiploDash to manage your consumables, you get a partner in the process. We’ve been there – hungry for certain foods and frustrated by what's available in the local market. We've also been confused by the endless lists of recommendations. Working with DiploDash you’ll be guided through the consumables process from start to finish. Your biggest task is deciding what you want us to buy for you. Get the consumables you want and never leave Post. Contact DiploDash to schedule a complimentary call today. www.DiploDash.com https://www.facebook.com/diplodashservice https://www.instagram.com/diplodash/

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 professionals online writing coaching, editing, and interview prep services. She now primarily works with hopeful Foreign Service applicants to help them write strong, concise personal narratives and practice telling compelling work experience stories in oral assessments and interviews. Stephanie is a passionate supporter of the accompanying partners of the US Foreign Service, from co-founding the Available Worldwide podcast to launching the Available Worldwide Network. She firmly believes that by sharing our stories we not only inspire each other but can build solidarity leading to lasting change for the EFM professional community. Stephanie recently secured a position as an Adjunct Faculty DETO (domestic employee teleworking overseas) for the Foreign Service Institute. As an LE Staff Training Instructor, she facilitates online and in-person classes on Communication Skills, Team Building, and Supervisory Skills. Her goal is for LE Staff to feel heard and to help them build skills to find greater fulfillment and success in the workplace. Stephanie enjoys bike touring and traveling with her IRM spouse. Together, they’ve served at Posts in Moscow, San Salvador, and Berlin. Since being posted to London, she’s reentered the rowing world and trains/competes with a Thames women’s rowing club. Steph's English and Writing Coaching Services at Global Nomad EnglishLinkedInFacebook. This episode is sponsored by Career Valet EFMs have many different career paths – really too many to count: travel enthusiast, embassy workhorse, dog mom, children organizer, remote work trailblazer… But the one thing that we almost all have in common? Our paths aren’t straight or straightforward. And often it takes someone else to help us tease out our strengths, skills, and value. That’s what they do at Career Valet, an EFM-owned and entirely EFM-staffed career consultancy that works with you to tell your best narrative on paper and online, aligned with target jobs. They’ve worked with EFMs, FSOs, members of Congress, Fortune 100 leaders, nonprofit and technology professionals, just to name a few. Check out www.careervalet.com to read advice on their blog or subscribe to their newsletter. You can also sign up for a free call and learn about their customized packages. They offer a $100 discount to EFMs. It’s your story. They amplify it. www.careervalet.comwww.linkedin.com/company/career-valetwww.instagram.com/career_valet

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 mentorship at all levels of education. She started Nomad Educational Services in 2017, building on past work as a college prep consultant and executive functioning coach in Northern Virginia, and as a freelance writing and essay coach for expat undergraduate and graduate student applicants. Dr. Steed works with families looking for a low-stress, high-confidence mentoring approach for their college-bound students. Families can feel confident that their student: Nomad Educational students apply to all kinds of schools — from the Ivy League to art school, from hands-on, career-focused schools to those specializing in the classics, from small and supportive to massive and athletic, and every type and size of school in between. All of Dr. Steed's students are excited about the schools where they end up. Find out more about Nomad Educational Services: nomad-ed.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-steed-phd/https://www.facebook.com/NomadEdServices/. This episode is sponsored by the Available Worldwide Network. Are you looking for a safe and supportive online community where you can connect with other Foreign Service spouses who just get it? The Available Worldwide Network is a community-led platform providing professional development, personal connection, and social support for the accompanying partners of the US Foreign Service. Our goal is to help EFMs and MOHs who are trying to maintain or build careers abroad or at home to feel connected, valued, and empowered; to share our challenges and celebrate our successes, and to work together to find solutions through solidarity. You can join the Available Worldwide Network today to participate in co-working sessions, LinkedIn and resume workshops, professional development book clubs, small business masterminds, and monthly member match-ups to expand your network. Find all you need to know at https://availableworldwide.net/available-worldwide-network/

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-changing publishing landscape. Amanda Zelaya is an Indie Romance author and Ghostwriter who has published over fifty romance novels spanning multiple genres. As a ghostwriter, she has written two novels that became Amazon Kindle best-sellers, and as a solo indie writer, she has had a book hit the Top 100. While ghostwriting started as a way to make extra money for her wedding and break up the monotony of teaching middle school English, Amanda discovered a passion for creating stories and developed a lucrative side hustle that has allowed her to support her husband as he follows his career dreams. She has taken a break from ghostwriting and exclusively writes spicy mafia romances under her pen name, Kennedy Slope. Check out her books on Amazon and Join her mailing list for exclusive material . This episode is sponsored by Emily Cornell, Transition and Transformation Coach. Emily knows change. From seismic personal transformation to the neverending transitions of her own EFM life, she has experienced plenty. She knows that change—even the good kind—can often be hard and sometimes scary. That’s why Emily became a coach: to help other women tap into their courage, creativity, and strength as they move through transitions and transformations of their own. Emily holds an International Coaching Federation credential and is committed to a trauma-informed approach. Her virtual practice supports clients wherever they are in the world from wherever she is. Learn more at emilycornell.com

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 vulnerability, deep connections, and meaningful friendships despite the transient nature of diplomatic life. Erika shares her journey towards self-discovery, personal growth, and healing, particularly in overcoming long COVID and finding her calling as an integrative health coach. BIO After working just about every service industry job in Missoula, Montana during college, Erika started at a Public Relations consulting firm which led to doing outreach for a DC software start-up. Then, just as she was starting to get some experience under her belt, she went and married into the Foreign Service turning her career life on its head. Shortly after joining the FS and getting married, Erika had two children back-to-back. While raising kids, she’s worked at every Embassy they’ve served at. In between jobs and while being posted abroad, she’s collected multiple health and wellness certifications. Erika believes there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to health. With this in mind, she set out on a path of self-discovery to explore how her own habits and decisions have shaped her and how she can use her personal experience, growth, and self-healing to inspire others to set out on their own journey toward positive transformation. You can learn more about Erika’s work as an integrative health coach at: http://erikafureyintegrativehealthcoach.com/homehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/erikafurey/https://www.instagram.com/esfurey_healthcoach. This episode is sponsored by Career Valet EFMs have many different career paths – really too many to count: travel enthusiast, embassy workhorse, dog mom, children organizer, remote work trailblazer… But the one thing that we almost all have in common? Our paths aren’t straight or straightforward. And often it takes someone else to help us tease out our strengths, skills, and value. That’s what they do at Career Valet, an EFM-owned and entirely EFM-staffed career consultancy that works with you to tell your best narrative on paper and online, aligned with target jobs. They’ve worked with EFMs, FSOs, members of Congress, Fortune 100 leaders, nonprofit and technology professionals, just to name a few. Check out www.careervalet.com to read advice on their blog or subscribe to their newsletter. You can also sign up for a free call and learn about their customized packages, including a new entry-level package for any young professionals in your life. It’s your story. They amplify it. Find Career Valet at their Website or on LinkedIn

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 impermanence. Natalie Kortum is Chief Technology Strategist for Data Analytics and AI working to develop the next great solutions from Dell. She is renowned in the world of marketing analytics for skills in investment optimization having optimized Dell’s $1.2 B marketing spend for multiple years. She has worked for a multitude of companies from all different verticals including Humana, IBM, Home Depot, BP, Sabre, Charles Schwab with 20 years spent in the data science and analytics space as an AI/analytics consultant and evangelist. She holds two US patents tor innovative modeling approaches and leads training efforts for Dell's internal salesforces to get them up to speed on AI. LinkedInWebsiteDownload the Sample LetterMore resources on Teleworking Official instructions from the GCLO2023 FAMER statistics This episode is sponsored by Career Valet EFMs have many different career paths – really too many to count: travel enthusiast, embassy workhorse, dog mom, children organizer, remote work trailblazer… But the one thing that we almost all have in common? Our paths aren’t straight or straightforward. And often it takes someone else to help us tease out our strengths, skills, and value. That’s what they do at Career Valet, an EFM-owned and entirely EFM-staffed career consultancy that works with you to tell your best narrative on paper and online, aligned with target jobs. They’ve worked with EFMs, FSOs, members of Congress, Fortune 100 leaders, nonprofit, and technology professionals, just to name a few. Check out www.careervalet.com to read advice on their blog or subscribe to their newsletter. You can also sign up for a free call and learn about their customized packages and interactive resume building course launching in March. It’s your story. They amplify it. Find Career Valet at their Website or on LinkedIn

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 figured out how to create a job share arrangement to improve her work-life flexibility. Michelle also shares how teleworking helped her slip back into a familiar role and feel connected to her "before" self when everything else was in flux as she first moved abroad for her spouse's job. BIO Michelle Neyland is a Civil Service Officer and Domestic Employee Teleworking Overseas (DETO) currently based with her family in Bucharest, Romania. She started working at the State Department in 2009, spending 10 years as a digital communications officer at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and then a congressional advisor at the Bureau of International Organization Affairs. In 2023, at a ceremony at the State Department, she received the Eleanor Dodson Tragen Award from the DACOR Bacon House Foundation for the advocacy she did to address a pay inequity and secure locality pay legislation for Civil Service DETOs across the entire U.S. federal government. Read more about Michelle's DETO advocacy work in 2 Federal News Network articles: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/pay/2023/01/hundreds-of-federal-employees-teleworking-overseas-set-to-receive-pay-bump-under-ndaa/https://federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-report/2023/12/feds-teleworking-overseas-got-a-pay-raise-state-dept-honors-an-employee-who-made-it-happen/. . . EPISODE SPONSOR As a company owned by and employing EFMs, Krozel Capital understands the unique financial challenges faced by U.S. Foreign Service families serving at home and abroad. Their team of tax professionals is well-versed in U.S. tax laws, multi-state and non-resident filings, and reporting income of working spouses while abroad. Krozel Capital is a virtual firm with services tailored to accommodate your unique circumstances, offering online consultation hours and secure document exchange, no matter where you are posted. They also offer fee-only financial planning services through their affiliated firm, Krozel Capital Management. Don't let tax season and financial concerns rob you of time with your family and friends. Contact Krozel Capital today at www.krozelcapital.com to learn more about their services.

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 successes and failures, and how she believes in saying yes to opportunities that come her way. Like many EFMs, she finds her unexpected success by stepping out of her comfort zone. Christy Kill is an award-winning abstract painter. She has exhibited in numerous locations in the DC area; and a pair of her paintings “On the Shores of Iceland” were featured in a slideshow during ArtBasel Miami in December 2017. They are now on permanent display at the Ocean Cluster in Reykjavík, Iceland. She has given proceeds and paintings to several NGO’s and charities serving children and the environment. Christy creates custom statement pieces of art and is inspired by the people she meets, in the countries she has lived - Norway, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Iceland, and now Uruguay - and will always be influenced by her native roots of the Southern U.S. In 2023, Christy was awarded the U.S. Department of State’s Professional Development Fellowship, and is currently taking a masterclass for artists as well as online courses through the Smithsonian Institute. You can find out more by visiting her website: www.christykill.com or following her on Instagram or Facebook @christykillart This episode is sponsored by Fierce After 45, Rediscover your energy and vitality with the support of health coach and personal trainer Patricia Linderman! She managed her own recovery from a tendency to a sedentary lifestyle, overweight, shame and self-blame. An EFM for 31 years, she offers affordable coaching in any time zone, using the power of self-love and compassion to transform your habits. Say goodbye to discomfort and hello to a more vibrant you. Visit Fierce After 45 to schedule your free Zoom consultation today. Find Patricia at Website and blog: www.fierceafter45.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FierceAfter45 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fierceafter45/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-linderman-63a83213/

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 face and advocates for better support for Foreign Service family members. Read his excellent article at https://afsa.org/quest-reasonable-civ-mil-parity . BIO Adam Pearlman [https://www.lexpatglobal.com/staff_trusted/adam-pearlman/] launched Lexpat Global Services with another EFM so they would have a portable platform to continue doing the work they loved. Adam had spent most of his career as a lawyer and advisor in government service with the U.S. Departments of Justice, Defense, and State, in the White House, and with the federal judiciary. A contraction between the Latin “lex” and “expatriate,” Lexpat’s name is emblematic of the business model Adam and his team deliver – skilled international lawyers, peace and security experts, rule of law practitioners, and security professionals, based globally, delivering premium service to clients to accomplish their missions and goals anywhere in the world. Lexpat’s team and partners – which proudly feature several EFMs – boast particular expertise in security and development-related issues. For industry clients, they provide risk assessment and management services; strategic reviews, assessments, and planning; and investigations, litigation, and compliance expertise. Their services for public sector clients include program design and monitoring and evaluation, as well as providing subject matter expertise in various fields connected to peace and security, governance, and the rule of law. . . . This episode is sponsored by US History for Expats whose mission is to provide top-quality history courses for the kids of Mission personnel living overseas. What makes US History for Expats unique? Their middle school and high school classes are accredited and 100% reimbursable via the Supplementary Instructional Allowance. Check out a new history course for middle school students starting Feb 5, 2024, covering early cultures through the Civil War. And don’t miss out on their new Elementary program with rolling admissions for less than $200! Enroll and start in fewer than 5 minutes at https://www.ushistoryforexpats.com/

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 doing? Buy us a coffee by donating at Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/availableworldwidepodcast

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 own spaces and eventually transition to interior design. During a posting in Algeria she renovated a community center as a project manager and decided to make the switch full time. You'll hear Emily describe her process of working remotely with clients, using 3D models and shared Pinterest boards to exchange design ideas. She highlights the importance of reflecting a client's personality in their space and shares examples of common mistakes people make when designing their homes abroad. Emily also provides practical tips for improving living spaces abroad, such as replacing dingy drapes, anchoring rooms with large rugs, and considering paint colors to set the right mood. ____ Emily Walker is the founder of Next Dinner Party Designs, a virtual interior design company aimed at helping Foreign Service folks create comfy, stylish, and vibrant spaces brimming with personality. Living in Yemen, Spain, Jerusalem, Morocco, and Algeria has helped her develop a colorful and patternful Global Eclectic style that seeks to spice up the often bland government digs diplomats move into abroad. She's also an avid home cook, cocktail mixer, dinner party host, and writer. She's written about her overseas adventures, design projects, marriage, and cultural differences since 2012 on her blog, The Next Dinner Party. She's also written an (as yet unpublished) novel set in her first post, Yemen. Podcast listeners can reference code "AvailableWorldwide2023" and receive 10% off a Next Dinner Party Designs Special. https://nextdinnerpartydesigns.com/services/ -Next Dinner Party Designs https://nextdinnerpartydesigns.com/ -The Next Dinner Party blog https://thenextdinnerparty.com/ -Instagram: @nextdinnerparty

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 coaching. She now coaches other women through transition and transformation. Guest Bio Emily Cornell, ACC is a storyteller, strategist, and coach. She helps Millennial and Gen X women tap into their courage and authenticity through transitions and transformations to feel more comfortable in their skin and bring their very best into the world. She blends a co-creative and intuitive approach with the skills and knowledge gained from more than 15 years working in and for advertising/marketing agencies, startups, and nonprofits. She also has an interest in trauma-informed spaceholding and brings that lens to her work. Emily is a third-tour EFM who thinks “home” is wherever her art is on the walls. You’ll find her in Delhi, India these days. emilycornell.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/emilycornell/unexpectedexpat.com. . . This episode is sponsored by Crystaline Randazzo, LLC. Crystaline is not just a storyteller, but a media creatrix who works magic with the science of storytelling. And like you, she's a Diplo spouse. After years of collecting stories as a humanitarian storyteller and filmmaker, Crystaline started wondering why storytelling could be so empowering for some people but re-traumatizing for others. Ultimately, she left humanitarian storytelling and now envisions a safer way to tell stories. She's crafted a process that goes beyond just storytelling. It integrates safer stories through community practice, boundaries, and somatic movement. Her eight-week course, "Transformational Storytelling, How to Tell Stories that Heal, Shift, and Transform," kicks off in February 2024. But Crystaline is also hosting a free training January 22nd-24th, "Find Your Voice, From Stuck to Storyteller: Empowering Changemaking Women to Uncover Their Story & Find Their Voice." To sign up for the FREE training, visit: https://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/stuck-2-storyteller To learn more about the 9 Week Live Group Cohort: Transformational Truthtelling: How To Tell Stories That Heal, Shift, and Transform (starting February 22, 2024),visit https://www.crystalinerandazzo.com/transformationtruthtelling-sales

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 coaching and leadership training.She shares insights on finding a niche in the coaching industry, and compares what she does as a professional leadership and cross-cultural management coach to other coaching avenues that EFMs might be suited for. We also talk about the highs and lows of following popular advice on social media marketing and whether it's worth hiring help to build your client base. About Susan Susan Shirley is a cross-cultural leadership coach. She works to increase the effectiveness of multicultural teams both by supporting expatriates as they transition to positions abroad and working with staff hired by international organizations in their own countries as they adapt to a new organizational culture. By helping individuals improve their emotional and cultural intelligence, they become more effective leaders, create more cohesive teams, and deliver better results for their organizations. Susan Shirley founded Global View Leadership to ensure that cultural differences are never what keeps someone from success. Delivering one-on-one and group coaching, team development workshops, and training, Global View supports organizations and individuals as they work to improve internal and external communication. With an MBA in international business, Susan has lived and worked abroad for over 25 years, and has provided training and teambuilding workshops to support organizations in 22 countries. She began her career in project management in Egypt and focused on professional development when she learned that her passion was in training and supporting others. Global View Leadership WebsiteLinkedIn: Susan Shirley

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 eligibility and clearances—which will help secure better jobs in the US. Looking forward, Sumali wants to continue living her own purpose and sharing her wisdom and practices with other EFMs through her coaching to help them find opportunities that align with their purpose and bring them joy. . BIO Sumali Ray-Ross is Indian by birth, an American, and a citizen of the world. She is a Global Health and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Expert, an Intercultural Coach and Speaker, Mother and Spouse. Over the past 20 years, she has lived in 7 countries in Asia, Africa and the US. Her work has taken her to Central and Latin America, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa. Sumali has navigated the highs and lows of constant transitions from one country to another, re-engineering herself, over and over again, while meeting the needs of her CCK/TCK/biracial children and family both home and abroad. After returning back to the US right before COVID, Sumali went back to school to get certified as a Life and Leadership & Health and Wellness Coach. She is also a certified Holding Space and a Deep Coaching Intensive Practitioner and combines these coaching practices with meditation, mindfulness, tapping, and reiki to holistically support her clients. Sumali’s coaching motto is ‘Meeting you where you are in your life & wellness journey.’ She has combined her professional and personal experiences to coach clients on life and leadership issues in the U.S. and overseas. She helps women identify strategic volunteering or work opportunities, upgrade their skills/expertise to re-enter the workforce, and create a work/life balance that includes self-care practices. In doing so, they can meet the challenges of their ever-evolving lives with determination, grit, resiliency, and courage. . Connect with Sumali on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumalirayross/

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 describes her superpower as the ability to persevere in her work even when success isn't immediately apparent. She credits her supportive EFM community with encouraging her to keep pursuing her dream in the face of challenges. BIO Sarah Buckley, a sleep researcher, made a career adjustment due to frequent relocations and growing family responsibilities. As a result, she decided to become a stay-at-home mother and use this time to explore her passions, including cooking, gardening, photography, and writing. Her dedication led her to create Frolic & Fare, a successful blog that focuses on wild food, foraging, and edible flowers. This experience taught her that it's possible to create your own dream job, and she hopes to inspire others to follow their passions. Keep up with Sarah's delicious recipes and beautiful photos on her website or follow her on Instagram. Website: https://frolicandfare.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frolicandfare/

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 calendar is now open for facilitators and presenters. This is truly an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, gain valuable insights, and take meaningful steps in your professional journey. So mark your calendars for November 1st to 4th, and let's move the needle together! Learn more at https://availableworldwide.net/symposium/

On this episode of Available Worldwide, Lauren chats with Mackenzie Carlson, our new social media manager and fellow plant lover. Mackenzie 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 she found in the EFM community both at post and via Available Worldwide. Mackenzie's fresh perspectives have already made a positive impact on our team as we continue to provide valuable resources for EFMs worldwide. McKenzie Lowe Carlson is a mother of two and a first-tour EFM in Guangzhou, China. McKenzie graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She taught third grade for one year and has since had the opportunity to stay home full-time with her kids, Bria and Tucker. With her youngest starting school this year she was ready to venture back into the world of professionalism, but being at a post with no bilateral work agreement meant she couldn’t teach. She is currently volunteering as a social media manager for Available Worldwide. She enjoys indoor & outdoor gardening, reading, and organizing & decorating her home.

In this episode of the Available Worldwide podcast, we are joined by Lexi Boudreau, an EFM (Eligible Family Member) with a diverse career as a stay at home mom, volunteer and, working with various agencies and businesses. She and her husband joined the Foreign Service later in life and spent 14 and a half years abroad, falling in love with the lifestyle. She reflects on her personal growth since starting this lifestyle and discusses her experiences working in Uganda and Jordan. For Lexi, thriving in this lifestyle requires focusing on the positives and managing challenges without being overwhelmed. There will always be the difficulties of constantly moving but that's balanced by the the resilience she and her children have developed. Lexi advises incoming EFMs to prioritize their own careers and do what is best for their families. --- Lexy Boudreau is returning to the U.S. after her family's fifth overseas post. At Embassy Amman she did media and communications in USAID's Education and Youth Office and took the lead with the Embassy's interagency DEIA events. Previously, Lexy led the PEPFAR Small Grants office at Embassy Kampala. In addition to being a Girl Scout Leader since 2009, she held a variety of volunteer positions with her four kids' schools and within the embassy community. During her EFM "career" she fully adopted the FS "it depends" mantra having learned to be flexible and reinvent herself during two evacuations, seven moves, sending three kids to college from overseas and now starting her first unaccompanied tour.

Evacuating from Ukraine was a turning point for Jessica. She'd been a Foreign Service accompanying partner for 20 years. She'd navigated single parenting during her husband's tour in Iraq and learned how community can help you thrive in the midst of chaos. She'd successfully sustained her law career during multiple foreign and domestic postings. But leaving Ukraine in 2022 shifted Jessica's priorities and, ultimately, her career. Learn more about Jessica's journey and how she looks at challenges as opportunities. Join us for an emotional conversation about the stresses and lessons learned navigating life abroad with dual careers and kids. BIO Jessica Hayden has been an EFM for the past 20 years. Her family has lived in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Ukraine, and The Netherlands, while her husband also served in Iraq. She has worked as both a lawyer and a writer and is the mother to 3 awesome kids. In January of 2022, she evacuated from Kyiv with her children while her husband stayed behind with the Embassy. That experience fundamentally changed her career and life trajectory. She is now focusing on refugee issues and working on several writing projects about parenting during times of crisis. Connect with Jessica:https://www.instagram.com/diplo.momma/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-hayden-1707884/