Available Worldwide

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 value...

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 Gl...

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 Ste...

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...

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 constant...

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 corpora...

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, Mic...

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 na...

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 art...

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 Wo...

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 boo...

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 t...

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...

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 a...

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...

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...

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 an...

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 s...

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 priori...

In this episode, we meet Kavanaugh Livingston who in her first year as an EFM making a difference in supporting EFM (Eligible Family Member) careers in her community. Like many EFMs, she had to pause her career while her spouse serves as an FSO with the State Department. Kavanaugh organized an event to educate other post EFMs about the benefits of in mission employment, including both current and...

Paula, her husband, Jason, and their two sons just completed an around-the-world journey, which saw them taking a year of LWOP (leave without pay) to visit 19 countries, including Paula's home country of Colombia. In this interview, Paula shares some of the valuable lessons they learned about communication, kindness and self-growth during their trip. She also talks about her own struggles with anx...

This summer we're taking a break from interviews to bring you a series of themed episodes especially relevant to newly minted EFMs — spouses whose partners have just joined the Foreign Service or who are about to be posted abroad for the first time. You'll hear from your hosts— Lauren Steed and Stephanie Anderson —as well as from a smattering of other accompanying partners who left voicemails to s...

This summer we're taking a break from interviews to bring you a series of themed episodes especially relevant to newly minted EFMs — spouses whose partners have just joined the Foreign Service or who are about to be posted abroad for the first time. You'll hear from your hosts—Lauren Steed and Stephanie Anderson—as well as from a smattering of other accompanying partners who left voicemails to sha...

This summer we're taking a break from interviews to bring you a series of themed episodes especially relevant to newly minted EFMs — spouses whose partners have just joined the Foreign Service or who are about to be posted abroad for the first time. You'll hear from your hosts—Lauren Steed and Stephanie Anderson—as well as from a smattering of other accompanying partners who left voicemails to sha...

This summer we're taking a break from interviews to bring you a series of themed episodes especially relevant to newly minted EFMs -- spouses whose partners have just joined the Foreign Service or who are about to be posted abroad for the first time. You'll hear from your hosts--Lauren Steed and Stephanie Anderson--as well as from a smattering of other accompanying partners who left voicemails to...