Explore every episode of the podcast WCAPS Podcast

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.

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. 

Podcast 6 Bonnie Jenkins Discusses Nuclear Disarmament w/ Youth Leader Lucas Waterbury-Enriquez by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 5 WCAPS And UNA Event Redefining National Security Perspectives From Women Of Color. by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 4 YAP Of The Month Isabella Grullon Paz by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 3 WCAPS Member Niniola Soleye Discusses Her Work by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 2 WCAPS Launch Panel by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 1 Discussion With Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, Founder And President Of WCAPS by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

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.

Buckle up as Maryum Fatima Saifee takes us on a journey from Jordan’s Peace Corps outposts to the bustling streets of Cairo during the Arab Spring, with a pivotal pit stop in Seattle with AmeriCorps. Refusing the conventional blue suit on planes, Maryum embraced a path of vibrant diversity and relentless inquiry. A prodigy who started college at 15 at the University of Texas, she was inspired by Professor Sarah Weddington to let go of rigid plans and breathe life into her ambitions. From facing personal challenges as an FGM survivor to spearheading the renaming of a State Department cafeteria in honor of Ambassador Terrance Todman, Maryum’s story is a testament to leading with civility and embracing change. Dive into an episode filled with tales of institutional transformation, sibling antics, and a dedication to a brother who unwittingly set her on a path to finding her own identity. Maryum isn’t just part of the change; she’s making sure it happens.

Buckle up for a globe-trotting conversation with Ellen Tannor Richardson as she shares her journey from a Texas call center to high-stakes diplomacy in Djibouti, Cuba, and beyond. At 22, a random email changed everything—launching her into a life of international intrigue far beyond the travel perks of American Airlines. From answering calls to earning a coveted spot in a class of 24—where she found both a career and a husband—Ellen’s story is a testament to seizing every opportunity. Now, after 22 years and four long-term overseas tours, Ellen’s journey isn’t just about diplomacy—it’s about building your own seat at the table. Her children, each a piece of the world she’s explored, reflect the rich tapestry of a life shaped by global experiences. Join us as Ellen proves that with grit, adaptability, and a little luck, you can craft a legacy of adventure, impact, and influence.

Dive into the world of Fatema Sumar, a policy guru who turned a New Jersey upbringing off Exit 9 into a global career, proving you don't need a law degree to make waves in policy. From her early days at the ACLU tackling drug policy to decoding the bureaucracy of international relations, Fatema believes policy is not just professional—it's deeply personal. Join us as she discusses navigating decision fatigue, the journey of policy-making, and the crucial role of mentorship she wished she'd had. Fatema's story is a masterclass in making the most of every opportunity, whether it's training interns or steering national decisions. Tune in for a candid conversation that gets to the heart of the issues and the power of persistence.

As we close out this special series of what was one of the most important climate impact conversations, Maria asks our guests of their predictions of the future of climate change resilience, climate change activism and cultural preservation. Each in their own words, from their vantage point and through the lens of their community’s goals of survival and cultural strengthening and stability. The work does not end here, but with these words, we hope the path to mitigation success and defense is more clear and present as accomplishable- Now. Moderator: Maria Nailevu, FemLink Podcast

Staring with a baseline understanding is only the beginning, as Maureen Penjueli, Adi Vasulevu Merewalesi Levu, and Cressida Kuala have set the stage for climate change in color, through the careful articulation of their daily lived experiences and those of their neighbors, family, friends and wider distant communities; now we listen in on what’s working to curve the shock, minimize the impact and rebuild or preserve the land and the people. Interested in how to best position yourself and your community to better anticipate, react and respond? Push play. Moderator: Maria Nailevu, FemLink Podcast

The Center for Naval Analyses’ 2023 Advancing Women, Peace and Security: Building Inclusive Resilience in the Pacific conference hosted in Suva, Fiji brought together some of the Pacific Islands leading women voices and activists to not only educate and share lessons learned but to encourage the discussion beyond headlines and into the preservation of culture, way of life, tradition and conservation for generations to come. Listen in as we hear from the front line in a conversation moderated by our FemLink partner Maria Nailevu with guest speakers- Maureen Penjueli, Coordinator of Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), Adi Vasulevu Merewalesi Levu, Executive Director of Transcend Oceania and Cressida Kuala, Founder of the Porgera Red Wara Women's Association (PNG). Oftentimes the lens by which we view the world can become clouded by our experiences, our exposure, our bias. Oftentimes, we decide for others based on these constraints with the understanding that our way, our thoughts, our view is golden and complete. Well, what happens when we all come to this conclusion on the same topic, when we all see the solution through our lens and yet a way forward is not so clear…we call a draw and lean into the views of those, whose current and future immediate experiences are their everyday, not a headline occurrence. In concert, we agree that proximity is the ultimate advantage and we simply listen to Maureen Penjueli, Adi Vasulevu Merewalesi Levu, and Cressida Kuala and ask the question, how does climate change and food stability impact security and stability. Moderator: Maria Nailevu, FemLink Podcast

Have you heard? The WCAPS Podcast is Back! Hear from top women leaders as they dive into the truths of peace, security and conflict transformation. From failed aid in Haiti, Code-switching in the workplace, and survivor stories related to gender based conflict, this is a season you don’t want to miss! In the meantime be sure to subscribe and stay tuned for our first episode.

Podcast 85: Unexpectedly Empowered by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

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.

Resources to learn more about human Trafficking in Nigeria and globally https://www.naptip.gov.ng/ https://polarisproject.org/ Pathfinders Social Media Website: https://pathfindersji.org/ ig and Twitter- pathfindersji, Facebook - Pathfinders Justice Initiative, Barr Evon's ig handle - findyrpath Books and Publications mentioned in the podcast: https://revonidahosa.medium.com/see-me-see-you-a-spoken-word-for-all-my-brothers-f40ed23619d9 https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Let+Your+Life+Speak%3A+Listening+for+the+Voice+of+Vocation-p-9780787947354

Podcast 83: Latin American and Carribean Working Group Panel Discussion in Spanish by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 82: A Seat at Our Table Part 4 by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 81: Discussion with the Latin America and Carribean Working by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 80: A Discussion On Burma by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 79: Info Session with National Defense University, CWMD Graduate Fellowship by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Federal News Network: Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins Talks About WCAPS by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 78: Kara Hernandez Speaks with Lubna Allam of Small Arms Survey by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 77: Community Organizing and Engagement in NYC by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 76: Conversation with Jessica Lee and Dr. Rachel E. Odell on East Asia Policy by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

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.

Podcast 75 A Seat At Our Table Series Part 3 by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 74 A Conversation With Cyber Security Expert Sean Shank by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 73 Launch Of WCAPS Climate Change Working Group by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 72 Launch Of The WCAPS Ghana Chapter by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 71 Joaquin Castro, House Foreign Affairs Committee, The Race For Chair by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 70 WCAPS International Development Working Group Members' Paths To The Field by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 69 A Conversation With LA Times Arts Reporter Makeda Easter by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 68 WCAPS Defense And Intel Working Group, How You Join The Intel Community by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 67 Launch Of The WCAPS SWANA Working Group by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 66 A Conversation With Kidan Araya by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

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.

Podcast 65 WCAPS France Launch Event 'How To Talk About Race In France' by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 64 WCAPS WG Townhall Hosted On September 3rd, 2020 by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 63 WCAPS Anniversary Discussion, September 21st 2020 by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 62 WCAPS Chapter Townhall, 14th September 2020 by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 61 Alumnae Trailblazers Forging A Path For Women In Law by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 60 A Seat At Our Table Part 2 by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 59 A Conversation With Sudanese Artist, Designer And Professor Malaz Elgemiaby by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 58 The CFFP Summer Event Series July 2020 by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security

Podcast 57 A Conversation With Maritime Security Consultant Ron Thomason by Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security