It Was Never a Job
Claim This Podcastby Chris Saenger
Podcast Overview
<p>It Was Never a Job is a podcast about life overseas with USAID. You’ll hear former USAID Foreign Service Officers describe moments of risk and danger, traveling to visit remote projects, hosting VIP visitors, and how life overseas impacted our families.</p> <p>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 USAID saved.</p> <p>This show is about what life was like for those posted overseas with USAID, who served along with their loved ones all over the world. Their stories are harrowing and hilarious, heartbreaking and joyful. I think of these as these as an oral history of friends and colleagues. The experiences and emotions matter more than individual specifics, so you won't hear folks identified by name.</p> <p>Because USAID service was never a job. It was our life.</p> <p>Learn more and share your stories at www.itwasneverajob.com</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/11/2026
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Recent Episodes
February 20, 2026
"Wow" Moments
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’re with a former USAID person, ask them about a time when they said to themselves, “Wow. I can’t believe this is my job. I can’t believe I get to be here, in this place, with these people, and do this work.” You might see them smile or cry. Maybe both. Maybe at the same time. No other career offered the same opportunity to show American values, advance American interests, and learn so much about the world. Learn more and get in touch at www.itwasneverajob.com
February 13, 2026
Duty Officer
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 anxious family member or distressed tourist calls the Embassy late at night, the Marine on duty connects them by phone with the Duty Officer. All the diplomats in a US Embassy take turns serving as Duty Officer, usually for a week, to be the helpful voice at the other end of the phone after hours. Armed with only about an hour of training and a manual that describes how to handle typical situations, that week’s Embassy Duty Officer keeps the phone by their side day and night, to address whatever comes at them. USAID’s Foreign Service personnel took their turn alongside all the other members of the Embassy community as that first line of support for fellow citizens in need. Learn more and get in touch at www.itwasneverajob.com
February 6, 2026
Diplomats of Color
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.
8 total episodes available
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- What is It Was Never a Job?
<p>It Was Never a Job is a podcast about life overseas with USAID. You’ll hear former USAID Foreign Service Officers describe moments of risk and danger, traveling to visit remote projects, hosting VIP visitors, and how life overseas impacted our families.</p> <p>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 USAID saved.</p> <p>This show is about what life was like for those posted overseas with USAID, who served along with their loved ones all over the world. Their stories are harrowing and hilarious, heartbreaking and joyful. I think of these as these as an oral history of friends and colleagues. The experiences and emotions matter more than individual specifics, so you won't hear folks identified by name.</p> <p>Because USAID service was never a job. It was our life.</p> <p>Learn more and share your stories at www.itwasneverajob.com</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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