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It Was Never a Job

Chris Saenger 9 Episodes Jun 30, 2026

A podcast about life overseas with USAID. Former USAID Foreign Service Officers recall moments of danger, traveling to monitor remote projects, hosting VIP visitors, how moving to a new country every few years impacted their families, and more. Their stories are harrowing and hilarious, heartbreaking and joyful. Because USAID service was never a job. It was our life.

Episodes

Connecting with the Military Jun 30, 2026 2407 USAID people have a lot in common with military people: a wicked sense of humor, a sort of weird enthusiasm for hard problems, and a commitment to getting the job done no matter what. When USAID folks and military folks encountered each other in our overseas deployments, we bonded quickly, having both chosen a path of service, often in harm's way, and often far from our loved ones. USAID and DoD p

"Wow" Moments Feb 20, 2026 1468 Life and work with USAID offered amazing experiences. Visits to the wildest, most beautiful, most remote places in the world. Meetings in the Presidential palace or the White House. Real human connection across wide gulfs of language and culture. Seeing firsthand how our work helped families and communities live better lives. Service to the United States through service to the world. Next time you

Duty Officer Feb 13, 2026 1229 A US Embassy has no higher purpose than serving Americans overseas. When a fellow citizen loses their passport, ends up in jail, gets seriously ill, or dies in another country, specialized State Department officers are there to help them. Those State Department officers who focus on services for American citizens do plenty of work on nights and weekends, but they need a break sometimes. So when an

Diplomats of Color Feb 6, 2026 1431 This episode doesn’t need much of an intro or summary. It doesn’t have obscure government acronyms or a lot of Embassy inside baseball that needs explaining. USAID’s diplomats of color had different experiences, and this episode shares a few of them. Learn more and get in touch at www.itwasneverajob.com.

VIPs and Visitors Jan 30, 2026 1377 Embassy life can be pretty fancy. Diplomats meet with heads of state, CEOs, and Ambassadors. The President, Cabinet secretaries, and other Washington bosses visit. The only thing that’s a bigger deal than a VIP is a *V*-VIP. That’s of course a VERY very important person – usually code for the President, the Vice President, or the Secretary of State. Congressional delegations – abbreviated “Co-Dels

Family Jan 23, 2026 1895 The families of USAID’s foreign service staff had a tough job. They moved every few years, to new schools, new houses, new cultures and climates. Spouses and kids had to reinvent themselves in every place, looking for employment and new friends, trying to figure out soccer or dance class in a language they hadn’t learned yet. And after all that work to find a place, usually after more than their s

Field Visits Jan 16, 2026 1776 USAID's real work took place outside the capital city. The greatest needs and opportunities for development assistance were in the more remote, more disease-affected, more unstable areas. USAID folks would speak of visiting “the field” when going to see projects in these areas. Sometimes a visit to the field meant a simple drive or short commercial flight. Other times USAID’s teams rode military h

Danger Jan 11, 2026 1857 USAID didn’t work in easy countries. The Agency’s purpose was to help the United States, by helping others, in some of the toughest places in the world. USAID staff lived and worked in those places. In all but the most dangerous assignments, their families were with them, going to school and driving on the local roads. US diplomats, including the ones who served with USAID, are all under the prote

Trailer Jan 11, 2026 203 This podcast shares the stories of former USAID Foreign Service Officers, who recall moments of danger, traveling to monitor remote projects, hosting VIP visitors, how moving to a new country every few years impacted their families, and more. On this show, we’re not here to talk s*** about DOGE, or lament the changes to foreign assistance, or share again the earnest facts about the many lives USAI

It Was Never a Job

Episodes

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