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Deborah Fisher spent 25 years inside the State Department shaping nuclear policy, inspecting Russian reactors, and helping write the reports that keep America informed about weapons of mass destruction. Her story is a rare inside look at how public servants quietly reduce risk, build trust, and prevent misunderstandings that could change the world.

When foreign policy ignores women, conflict gets harder to prevent, recovery gets harder to sustain, and entire systems get weaker. Bonnie Jenkins sits down with Tazreen Hussain, the former Women, Peace and Security Advisor at USAID, for a candid conversation about what the work actually looks like - and why losing it matters far beyond Washington. Tazreen shares how a childhood shaped by Bangladesh, Dallas, Florida, and 9/11 led her into public service, international development, and a career focused on gender equality, women's empowerment, and conflict prevention.

Diplomacy is not soft power fluff - it is how countries win without fighting, and this conversation shows exactly what happens when that expertise disappears. Bonnie Jenkins talks with Jimmy Wang, a former military officer and State Department foreign affairs specialist about multilateralism, the South China Sea, ASEAN, and why losing seasoned public servants creates real-world consequences for America. He explains how he moved from the Navy to diplomacy after realizing preventing wars is cheaper and smarter than fighting them, and why international institutions like ASEAN, NATO, the EU, and the UN give smaller countries a voice while exposing bullying from larger powers.

What happens when the State Department’s expertise is pushed out the door? Dan Murphy shares the inside story of being RIFed from public service, why that loss matters far beyond Washington, and how the ripple effects show up in everything from debt negotiations to U.S. credibility abroad.

Foreign policy fails when it forgets its basic, and that mistake has real consequences at home. Former State Department official Amanda Van Dort reveals how women's security, migration, fentanyl, democracy, and U.S global influence are all connected, and why the American talks about foreign policy may be part of the problem.

Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins sits down with Matthew Sharp, a physicist turned diplomat who spent about 16 years in the State Department navigating some of the toughest nuclear and nonproliferation issues in government. From graduate school physics at the University of Chicago to the Belfer Center, from AAAS fellowships to Vienna, Washington, and the NSC, Matthew traces the path that took him from the lab into the rooms where U.S. policy gets made and defended.

Ferdaouis Bagga, a former foreign affairs officer for the State Department walks through her journey at State and why addressing internal trust issues is crucial for restoring effective public service after RIFs.

Meet Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins—a trailblazer who turned skipping philosophy class into a career-defining moment. A New Yorker with South Carolina roots, she was raised by parents who valued education above all. From loving Head Start so much she asked to repeat it, to thriving in the Junior Sea Cadets and the Reserves, public service was always her north star. With a resume that spans the NYC Law Department, a law degree, the DoD, and arms control diplomacy, Ambassador Jenkins proves that “boring days” can lead to brilliant detours. Tune in for treaties, Yankee fandom, and how she built a system of her own—mic drop included.

Meet Apprecia Faulkner, whose journey began the day she walked onto a community college campus and never looked back. From the windy streets of Chicago to the halls of GW and CSU, she’s studied PoliSci, International Relations, and History—not just to understand the past, but to help write the future. Inspired by Peter Jennings and powered by justice (yes, the “J” in DEIJ), Apprecia has danced through the event circus and come out wiser, bolder, and funnier. Buckle up for a ride through identity, influence, and intentionality—with a Chicago flair and sisterly love as her tailwind.

Step into the world of Kristina Biyad, where the line between domestic daily life and U.S. foreign policy isn't just blurred—it's non-existent. With degrees from Roger Williams and American University, Kristina is not your average policy wonk. She's on a mission to reconstruct the architecture of global governance, with a knack for connecting community voices to high-level policy debates. From wrestling with architecture and pre-law to praising her mentor, Professor Elizabeth Thompson, Kristina breaks down barriers. Tune in as she dissects the Foreign Policy For America Scorecard and shares how local faith leaders and untraditional voices are crucial to crafting anti-racist, inclusive policies. It's time to get local, think global, and maybe, just maybe, reshape the world.

Listen in as Tahina Montoya, Georgetown’s Practitioner in Residence, navigates the tricky art of saying "no" while balancing a dance of opportunity and risk. Five years into her New Year’s resolution, Tahina is still mastering declines with grace. From her mom graduating college alongside her to deftly managing family expectations as a first-generation Colombian and Air Force officer, Tahina’s journey is as much about defining "yes" as it is about smart refusals. Dive into a candid chat about the pressures of always saying yes, the nuances of negotiation, and the calculated risks that propel us forward. Expect a hearty blend of life lessons, military humor (yes, she married Navy and he married up), and the wisdom that hard work—no matter the language—always resonates. Get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe even rethink your own "yes" and "no."

Dive into a riveting episode where Amber McIntyre shares how a twist of fate landed her and President Obama in the same freshman class, revealing the serendipitous paths to purpose and focus. We'll rocket through NASA's impact, where you don't need to be an astronaut to orbit the agency’s colossal influence. Plus, Amber unpacks her journey from a standout student at FSU to influencing U.S. African Affairs, tackling the tough questions of diplomacy and human suffering. Strap in for a journey through space, politics, and the resilience of the human spirit!

Listen in as Nassem Qader takes us on a profound journey from the colorful streets of Hyderabad, India, to the snowy paths of Utah, where being a novelty wasn't just a status—it was a daily reality. Growing up with a mother who shoveled snow in a sari and a family that turned heads, Nassem navigated isolation and stood out everywhere, from classrooms to corporate boardrooms. Today, as an advocate for women of color in leadership and a strategist for multicultural markets, Nassem is not just adapting but embracing her unique brand. "I’m still becoming," she says, transforming her experiences into a relentless pursuit of self-discovery and influence. Tune in for a story of identity, resilience, and the pride of voting as citizens, told with a blend of wisdom and reflection. Nassem’s toolbag? Do something unreasonable every day. Naseem's advice? Keep volunteering—because changing the world starts with challenging ourselves.

Join Natasha Christensen in a lively episode as she shares her journey from Elon University to Egyptian adventures, embodying the philosophy: "Practice your Practice." Natasha demystifies Middle Eastern politics with tales of experiential learning and the importance of seizing every opportunity—fellowships, volunteering, and studying abroad. Laugh and learn as she dismisses imposter syndrome as nonsense and champions curiosity as an undervalued superpower. From cultural barriers to the frontline emotional tolls, Natasha proves why she doesn’t just belong in the room—she leads it. Get ready for wit, wisdom, and a little magic on the margins.

Hop on a globetrotting adventure with Rachel Bowen Pittman, from the suburbs of Long Island through the vibrant streets of Memphis. With a business major from American University and a childhood in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood, Rachel’s life has been anything but ordinary. Her parents—educators at heart—set the stage for a life filled with diverse experiences, from interning at a Japanese bank to navigating the bustling corridors of Wall Street. Rachel’s journey isn’t just about international escapades; it’s about transforming every bit of exposure into opportunities and mentoring young minds about the vast career paths beyond the Ambassador’s desk. Join us as Rachel dives into her role in empowering underserved communities with UN internships, proving that impact doesn’t just happen—it's created. Tune in and get inspired by a leader who meets the world exactly where it stands.