The Aid Worker Memoir
Season 1
Processing the loss of the humanitarian assistance sector
by Donna Stefano
Episode Number: E02 Release Date: Nov. 23, 2025 Guest Name: Adam Riddell Episode Summary In this episode I speak with a former colleague, Adam Riddell, about how aid practitioners are processing the loss and changes in our sector since January 2025. What works, what doesn’t, what gets in the way of the job search and why doom scrolling LinkedIn can be unhealthy at this time. Navigating Emotional Walls during the Job Transition (8:41) What the stages of Grief look like with the aid sector loss (14:47) Community resiliency and support for the aid worker (22:31) The Impact of the Loss across different career stages (26:09) Resources mentioned in this episode The Handel Group coaching: https://www.handelgroup.com Friends of USAID on Substack Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change by William Bridges The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter by Michael D. Watkins Call to action: Call your favorite aid worker today and check in on them! Or, if you need support, reach out. This is a community in mourning and there are a lot of empathetic ears ready to listen right now. Contact info Listen, rate, and subscribe! Substack: The Aid Worker Memoir Email: aidworkermemoir@gmail.com
I am joined in this inaugural episode by a former colleague, Jeanne Crump. We compare are education trajectories in this field, what benefited us the most, and we take a tangent into a discussion on the value of evaluation and research in this aid field. Jeanne also shares with me her career highlight.