This is a really hard time to be an American public servant. This is the place where we get to know who they are, what experiences shaped them, why they chose a path of service, and how they're continuously reimagining their lives and careers. We want to know them on a deeper level, and maybe learn a thing or two about ourselves.
Maggie is a self proclaimed "bedazzled cockroach for democracy." She's a unicorn. She's all about connection - connecting skilled people to amazing experiences; connecting those less interested in foreign policy with relevant policy conversations through weirdly effective analogies; and connecting seemingly disparate ideas inside her unique, inspired brain. Maggie is an advocate for competent diversity in the field of national security and she's happy to talk about what she means by that. She's fun and real and you honestly never know what she's going to say, so buckle up for a little ride to Costco and leave with the appropriate degree of reverence for first chair clarinet.
Jill is a current public servant with a story to tell. She's sharing her winding path to service, her experiences with truly terrible bosses and wonderful bosses, and her persistent existential dread - a delightfully surprising discovery based on the stark contrast with her sunny disposition, which you can even hear in her voice. Together, Jill and I contemplated the definition of resilience, the gap between our national values and interests, and the possibility that we're in the middle of a great big national adolescence. We're just a couple of Deeply Feeling Kids, sorting through it together.
Farrell has done everything from driving a forklift, to teaching English in Egypt, to advising a four-star General and briefing the future Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to founding his own research agency in Bishkek, to creating and running his own brewery in Belgium. His curiosity has taken him around the world, and he's concluded that an investment in community on any scale is always worthwhile - especially when it can be done over a cold pint. Join us as we reconnect for our first live chat in 19 years and talk about imposter syndrome, math, project management, and pursuit of ikigai. You, too, will want to be friends with Farrell by the end.
Enrique Roig is the former Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the Department of State. He's spent his career learning from human rights defenders around the world, and advocating for freedom and democracy. He brings empathy, curiosity, and an entrepreneurial spirit to everything he does, and I hear he makes a mean paella. Invite him to your potlucks!
This week, Matt is resigning from the Foreign Service after 17 years of service, a stint as a Director at the National Security Council, and countless adventures. He's navigating his transition into the private sector with the same flexibility and optimism he brought to every new post. At the same time, he's saving space for all the feels: Grief, excitement, loss, and joy. This is Matt's story of service, faith, fatherhood, and a new journey into the unknown (any Frozen fans!?)... or more accurately, the private sector. Last year,Matt shared his journey into the Foreign Service on the Careers Explained podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/careers-explained/id1638844293?i=1000615347063