Available Worldwide

Crystaline is a storyteller and media creatrix who believes in the transformative power of stories. In this episode, we talk about how stories shape our reality, how moving back to DC gave her the "kick in the butt" she needed to rewrite her own narrative, and how even slightly reframing the stories we tell ourselves can lead to tremendous changes in our actions and outlook. She also shares helpfu...

Our latest episode reflects on how an EFM lifestyle can give you the freedom to pivot your journey, and how there is nothing "small" about any kind of small business or portable career. After weathering the challenges of the first few years of life as an EFM, Mustafa has a delightfully optimistic view on what those years taught him about life and business. What was my take home from this conversat...

Dominique Narciso is a Certified High-Performance Coach, Author of "Live Your New Story: Discover Your Best Self and Live Your Best Life," Speaker, and Host of The Positive Success Show. Join us as we discuss writing a new script for your life and giving yourself permission to live it! ** Ready to level up your life or career? Sign-up for a complimentary 60 minute 1:1 Strategy Session with Dom @ w...

Not all businesses are solo gigs. what does it mean to create a team and take on the responsibility for paying the salary of several people? In this episode, I talk with Melissa Mathews about collegiality, gathering good talent and creating a great team. She also discusses what works and what doesn't work when your business is mostly in the US, but your physical location is 7 to 10 hours ahead. Me...

In this episode, I talk with Leah Evans about the Around the World 5K, an annual charity run that brings together members of the Foreign Service family to support a variety of great organizations under the principle that "We have no rules." This amazing community feels like a family of support for runners and non-runners alike. Leah also talks about the ups and downs of business ownership, mention...

When Jodi's family decided to enter the Foreign Service, she was confident that her background as a licensed clinical social worker would translate well to a life abroad. Instead, Jodi learned to adapt her work to her new surroundings by building World Tree Coaching. Now, as she looks forward to moving back to the US, things are likely to change again. Join us as we delve into the realities of ret...

In this episode, Maryanna Koehring talks about the frustrations many Foreign Service partners feel at not being able to work in the professional fields in which they've trained and have experience. Maryanna shares her challenges and successes — both external and internal — and talks about how being a "tough cookie" is the best way to break through. BIO Maryanna Phillips Koehring grew up in Frankli...

In this episode you'll meet Patricia Linderman, an EFM who's "done everything." She and I talk about how New Year's Resolutions mirror the way that diplomatic partners recreate themselves every time they reach a new post, and how to create the kind of environment that will nurture the healthiest, happiest you. What goals did you set for yourself in 2022? While posted in seven countries with her FS...

As we say goodbye to 2021, we reflect on what we've accomplished in the first year of our podcast. Join Lauren Steed and Stephanie Anderson, your co-hosts, as we chat about what we've learned from starting a podcast, how we met our goals, and why we blew up Trailing Houses (the Foreign Service Facebook group) with a simple question. Thank you so much for your loyal support of Available Worldwide t...

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 spouses and helps solopreneurs and small busine...

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 how she became portable, but also provides important advice for diploma...

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 it can be reimagined and done with intention. Learn more about how Roote...

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 each post and how her foreign service life has provided unique opportunities that a creative life...

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 along the way. This is a public episode. If you wou...

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 a photography business in the US. You'll hear about what additional things EFM business owners...

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 twenty-five years. Highlights of Erica’s publishing career include position...

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. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit availableworldwide.substack.co...

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 four continents and is the Chinese language consultant for Word...

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 host country NGOs and the GCLO's professional development...

Join us as we chat with learning strategist Carlos Pompa. Listen as he explains how a helicopter is a good metaphor for sustaining a successful business while moving between countries. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit availableworldwide.substack.com

Stephanie Anderson, co-host of Available Worldwide, is also the owner of Global Nomad English. In this episode, find out what inspired her to work with non-native speakers of English in the diplomatic community and how her mission has changed over the last few years. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit availablew...

Join Stephanie Anderson as she chats with the co-host of the Available Worldwide podcast, Lauren Steed. Learn how Lauren has found her niche helping clients whose vision for their students matches her own optimistic outlook for Foreign Service college-bound kids. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit availableworld...

Join us as we chat with Tim Robinson of The REI Concierge about finding passion by working for yourself, hobbies, investments, and how friends can motivate you to start something new. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit availableworldwide.substack.com

Join us as we chat with Ladan about teaching piano in the Embassy community and online, and about finding your groove despite life's interruptions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit availableworldwide.substack.com

In this episode, we interview Dr. Elizabeth Shaffer, a 2012 SOSA Award for volunteerism recipient and a pediatric occupational therapist who has redefined herself to respond to the challenges she sees in the world around her, first by developing learning and training programs in her hose countries and then by starting a global community supporting parents as they help their kids find ways to succe...