My Foreign Service Life Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:20:49 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2404704 en-us © 2026 My Foreign Service Life yes e901528c-90ce-5218-9d0d-faed44fe366c Everhart Productions episodic false I've spent most of my career—that's 35 years—living and working overseas for the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service.  My coworkers and myself were responsible for carrying out U.S. foreign policy and helping U.S. citizens abroad.  With this podcast, I'm starting at the beginning - or really slightly before the beginning—to walk through what it was like being 27, with a small child, moving overseas to Africa for the first time. Join my son and I as in each episode, I read my story and we talk through the challenges overcome and the joys discovered in My Foreign Service Life.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Foreign Service, Careers, State Department, Expat, Everhart Productions https://storage.buzzsprout.com/av19v7h5w7kx3w1hhvl4294rk897?.jpg My Foreign Service Life https://www.buzzsprout.com/2404704 S4E1 - Cameroon: Farewell to Cameroon S4E1 - Cameroon: Farewell to Cameroon In which Christine talks about being usurped at work, warehouse sales, Juju, and working with local staff.

]]> In which Christine talks about being usurped at work, warehouse sales, Juju, and working with local staff.

]]> Christine Everhart, Matthew Everhart Buzzsprout-19666843 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:00:00 -0400 1238 4 1 full false Season 4 Coming Soon! Season 4 Coming Soon! Season 4 is coming August 17th!

]]> Season 4 is coming August 17th!

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-19595627 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 30 4 trailer false S3E12 Cameroon: Crazy last Year S3E12 Cameroon: Crazy last Year Christine talks about leaving Cameroon, boarding school woes, corrupt elections, and a possible apocryphal story of bare-chested grandmas. 

]]> Christine talks about leaving Cameroon, boarding school woes, corrupt elections, and a possible apocryphal story of bare-chested grandmas. 

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-19381676 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 1018 3 12 full false S3E11 Cameroon: Greeks in Africa S3E11 Cameroon: Greeks in Africa Christine talks about her experience as a Greek-American in Africa and the lovely community she found in Cameroon.

]]> Christine talks about her experience as a Greek-American in Africa and the lovely community she found in Cameroon.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-19346224 Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 1039 3 11 full false S3E10 Cameroon: Camping at Kribi S3E10 Cameroon: Camping at Kribi In this episode Christine and Matt remember the good times in coastal Africa. They discuss tandem couples, spousal hires, interning at the Embassy, and the Sea Turtle Incident.

]]> In this episode Christine and Matt remember the good times in coastal Africa. They discuss tandem couples, spousal hires, interning at the Embassy, and the Sea Turtle Incident.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-19298416 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 1696 3 10 full false We're Not Done Yet! An Update. We're Not Done Yet! An Update. We're not done yet, we just have run into the Not-Enough-Time problem! We'll be back later this year with more episodes!

In the meantime, check out my new kids podcast, History Snacks.

]]> We're not done yet, we just have run into the Not-Enough-Time problem! We'll be back later this year with more episodes!

In the meantime, check out my new kids podcast, History Snacks.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-18896442 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400 29 3 bonus false S3E9 Cameroon: Evaluations, Promotions, Suspensions S3E9 Cameroon: Evaluations, Promotions, Suspensions In this episode, Christine talks about getting suspended, having a friend in the home office who knows your plight, and promotion strategies.

]]> In this episode, Christine talks about getting suspended, having a friend in the home office who knows your plight, and promotion strategies.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-18241353 Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 1504 3 9 full false S3E8 Cameroon: Settling Into Yaoundé S3E8 Cameroon: Settling Into Yaoundé Christine talks about her first days in Cameroon, including short hand, serving coffee, security violations, a platoon of misbehaving Marines, and friends in the right places.

]]> Christine talks about her first days in Cameroon, including short hand, serving coffee, security violations, a platoon of misbehaving Marines, and friends in the right places.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-18159214 Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 1517 3 8 full false S3E7 Cameroon S3E7 Cameroon In this episode Christine talks about life in Cameroon, traveling with toddlers, secret societies of Ambassador's secretaries, and saying grace as white man.

]]> In this episode Christine talks about life in Cameroon, traveling with toddlers, secret societies of Ambassador's secretaries, and saying grace as white man.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-17916589 Sun, 28 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 2095 3 7 full false S3E6 DC: The End of an Era S3E6 DC: The End of an Era In this episode Christine contemplates her next move after DC. Should she go back to Africa with an uncertain working environment, or try some place else? Childcare, spouse jobs, and familiarity all go into the decision.

]]> In this episode Christine contemplates her next move after DC. Should she go back to Africa with an uncertain working environment, or try some place else? Childcare, spouse jobs, and familiarity all go into the decision.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-17843513 Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 1445 3 6 full false S3E5 DC: Janneke S3E5 DC: Janneke Christine talks about getting an au pair in the US and Matt discusses his super normal plans for a commune.

]]> Christine talks about getting an au pair in the US and Matt discusses his super normal plans for a commune.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-17770717 Mon, 01 Sep 2025 22:00:00 -0400 938 3 5 full false S3E4 DC: Kudos and International Press S3E4 DC: Kudos and International Press Christine talks about the negotiations with Namibia, Angola, South Africa, and Cuba for the Tripartite Accords in 1988, and awards in the Foreign Service.

]]> Christine talks about the negotiations with Namibia, Angola, South Africa, and Cuba for the Tripartite Accords in 1988, and awards in the Foreign Service.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-17726573 Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 1365 3 4 full false S3E3 DC: Treaty Negotiations in Angola and Namibia S3E3 DC: Treaty Negotiations in Angola and Namibia Christine talks about working in the Office of Southern African Affairs including treaty negotiations, typing up letters of sanction, straphangers, and leaving your only daughter's christening.

]]> Christine talks about working in the Office of Southern African Affairs including treaty negotiations, typing up letters of sanction, straphangers, and leaving your only daughter's christening.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-17686335 Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 1389 3 3 full false S3E2 DC: AF-S and the Birth of Emily S3E2 DC: AF-S and the Birth of Emily In this episode, Christine talks about joining the Bureau of African Affairs in DC and having her third (and best?) child.

]]> In this episode, Christine talks about joining the Bureau of African Affairs in DC and having her third (and best?) child.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-17656550 Mon, 11 Aug 2025 21:00:00 -0400 1002 3 2 full false S3E1 DC: Back to Washington DC S3E1 DC: Back to Washington DC Christine talks about working from Main State, finding childcare, the expense of being in the DMV and teases a future episode.

]]> Christine talks about working from Main State, finding childcare, the expense of being in the DMV and teases a future episode.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-17608353 Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 1307 3 1 full false S2E12 Senegal: King Matthew's Triumphant Return S2E12 Senegal: King Matthew's Triumphant Return In this episode, Christine talks about transporting a fresh baby internationally. She discusses nursing, two hour lunches, domestic help, and Matthew's first trip to Africa. This is the end of Season 2! But Season 3 will start 8/4/25.

]]> In this episode, Christine talks about transporting a fresh baby internationally. She discusses nursing, two hour lunches, domestic help, and Matthew's first trip to Africa. This is the end of Season 2! But Season 3 will start 8/4/25.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-17454197 Mon, 07 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 1141 2 12 full false S2E11 Senegal: Matthew: The Biggest Pain S2E11 Senegal: Matthew: The Biggest Pain Christine talks about delivering a baby in a different decade from the last with an OBGYN who refused (??) to give any anesthetics (???). She also talks about baby supplies shipments to post, and "birth coaches".

]]> Christine talks about delivering a baby in a different decade from the last with an OBGYN who refused (??) to give any anesthetics (???). She also talks about baby supplies shipments to post, and "birth coaches".

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-17415900 Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 1160 full false S2E10 Senegal: Baby Med-Evac S2E10 Senegal: Baby Med-Evac In this episode, Christine discusses what it's like having a baby at post and med-evac rules past and present. She's joined by both her sons to talk about spousal employment at post and what it's like to be at a new school for 3 months. 

]]> In this episode, Christine discusses what it's like having a baby at post and med-evac rules past and present. She's joined by both her sons to talk about spousal employment at post and what it's like to be at a new school for 3 months. 

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-17374285 Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 1636 2 10 full false S2E9 Senegal: Murder at WAIST S2E9 Senegal: Murder at WAIST In this episode Christine experiences a tragedy even while enjoying a beloved West African Expat tradition.

]]> In this episode Christine experiences a tragedy even while enjoying a beloved West African Expat tradition.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-17349418 Mon, 16 Jun 2025 22:00:00 -0400 1362 2 9 full false S2E8 Senegal: Goree Island and Some Sketchy Characters S2E8 Senegal: Goree Island and Some Sketchy Characters Christine explains what the embassy can do for you, an American citizen, and we visit one of the hot spots in Senegal. We learn about some more sketchy characters hanging around ex-pat Africa in the 80's including... Nina Simone???

]]> Christine explains what the embassy can do for you, an American citizen, and we visit one of the hot spots in Senegal. We learn about some more sketchy characters hanging around ex-pat Africa in the 80's including... Nina Simone???

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-16928196 Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 1259 full false S2E7 Senegal: Pregnant at Post S2E7 Senegal: Pregnant at Post Christine talks about the hardship of fertility treatments, being pregnant at post, the speed at which gossip travels, and holidays overseas.

]]> Christine talks about the hardship of fertility treatments, being pregnant at post, the speed at which gossip travels, and holidays overseas.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-16885528 Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 1041 2 7 full false S2E6 Senegal: Dakar Vignettes S2E6 Senegal: Dakar Vignettes Christine and her two guest sons talk about everything that happened in Dakar including, poorly thought through pranks, the downfall of a former wrestler, the different forms of security clearances, and love in the Foreign Service

]]> Christine and her two guest sons talk about everything that happened in Dakar including, poorly thought through pranks, the downfall of a former wrestler, the different forms of security clearances, and love in the Foreign Service

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-16853797 Mon, 24 Mar 2025 20:00:00 -0400 1609 2 6 full false S2E5 Senegal: Dancing in Dakar S2E5 Senegal: Dancing in Dakar Christine is joined by both of her guest-sons in this episode to talk about their new post: Dakar, Senegal. They talk about security in a foreign country, the cat distribution system, and topless beaches.

]]> Christine is joined by both of her guest-sons in this episode to talk about their new post: Dakar, Senegal. They talk about security in a foreign country, the cat distribution system, and topless beaches.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-16803280 Mon, 17 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 1486 2 5 full false S2E4 - Home Leave 1984 S2E4 - Home Leave 1984 Christine talks about the difficulties of leaving family behind as well as mandatory home leave.

]]> Christine talks about the difficulties of leaving family behind as well as mandatory home leave.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-16687397 Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 597 2 4 full false S2E3 - Bidding on Posts S2E3 - Bidding on Posts Christine talks about how bidding works and the ins and outs of choosing a post.

]]> Christine talks about how bidding works and the ins and outs of choosing a post.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-16687341 Mon, 03 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500 1821 2 3 full false S2E2 Zaire: Final Zaire Stories S2E2 Zaire: Final Zaire Stories Lots to cover here: confrontations with gendarmes, avoiding bribes, and economic collapse that leads to suitcases of money at dinner, secret codes over classified radio

]]> Lots to cover here: confrontations with gendarmes, avoiding bribes, and economic collapse that leads to suitcases of money at dinner, secret codes over classified radio

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-16587733 Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 1900 2 2 full false S2E1 Zaire: R and R and Other Tidbits S2E1 Zaire: R and R and Other Tidbits In this episode Christine talks R & R, which is neither restful or relaxing, home leave and crying in super markets.

]]> In this episode Christine talks R & R, which is neither restful or relaxing, home leave and crying in super markets.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-16587728 Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 1484 2 1 full false Season 2 Incoming! Season 2 Incoming! Season 2 will be out Feb 17th! Watch the feed for more life in the Foreign Service.

]]> Season 2 will be out Feb 17th! Watch the feed for more life in the Foreign Service.

]]> Everhart Productions Buzzsprout-16619691 Thu, 13 Feb 2025 18:00:00 -0500 36 2 trailer false S1E12 Zaire: Ex-Pat Life in Kinshasa S1E12 Zaire: Ex-Pat Life in Kinshasa In this episode Christine talks about the party life of Kinshasa along with kids school, pets, and R&R.

This is the final episode of season 1--watch this space for season 2 

]]> In this episode Christine talks about the party life of Kinshasa along with kids school, pets, and R&R.

This is the final episode of season 1--watch this space for season 2 

]]> Christine Buzzsprout-16258915 Tue, 10 Dec 2024 22:00:00 -0500 1282 1 12 full false S1E11 Zaire: Mountains of the Moon S1E11 Zaire: Mountains of the Moon Christine and Derald attempt to climb the Rwenzori Mountains with some friends and encounter small prop planes, malaria, altitude-induced euphoria, and the would-be final resting place of one Californian.

]]> Christine and Derald attempt to climb the Rwenzori Mountains with some friends and encounter small prop planes, malaria, altitude-induced euphoria, and the would-be final resting place of one Californian.

]]> Christine Buzzsprout-16204289 Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 1548 1 11 full false S1E10 Zaire: Money S1E10 Zaire: Money In this episode we get a look at what living through an economic collapse looks like, and the connection between campaign finance and ambassadorship.

]]> In this episode we get a look at what living through an economic collapse looks like, and the connection between campaign finance and ambassadorship.

]]> Christine Buzzsprout-16166244 Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 1329 1 10 full false S1E9 Zaire: Little Letho's Birthday S1E9 Zaire: Little Letho's Birthday In this episode, we learn the advantages of the French school system as young Gabe gets an invitation to the Dictator's house. Not knowing it was an invitation that should have been refused, Christine and family head over for a party.

]]> In this episode, we learn the advantages of the French school system as young Gabe gets an invitation to the Dictator's house. Not knowing it was an invitation that should have been refused, Christine and family head over for a party.

]]> Christine Buzzsprout-16000906 Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 1337 1 9 full false S1E8 Zaire: Onward and Westward S1E8 Zaire: Onward and Westward In this episode, Christine and family move to a new post in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). She gets into how schools worked for diplomatic expats and the pain of moving throughout your childhood when email wasn't a thing.

]]> In this episode, Christine and family move to a new post in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). She gets into how schools worked for diplomatic expats and the pain of moving throughout your childhood when email wasn't a thing.

]]> Christine Buzzsprout-16000862 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 1978 1 8 full false S1E7 Burundi: My First Big Mistake S1E7 Burundi: My First Big Mistake Christine learns that living in a small community of expat means if you mess up, it affects everyone. And this was the 80's so a VCR was involved.

]]> Christine learns that living in a small community of expat means if you mess up, it affects everyone. And this was the 80's so a VCR was involved.

]]> Christine Buzzsprout-16000772 Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 995 1 7 full false S1E6 Burundi: A Wedding in Bujumbura S1E6 Burundi: A Wedding in Bujumbura Though Christine absconded to Africa a single woman with a small child, she left Burundi married. She talks about the effort to navigate the Burundi matrimonial system as well as building a family as an ex-pat.

]]> Though Christine absconded to Africa a single woman with a small child, she left Burundi married. She talks about the effort to navigate the Burundi matrimonial system as well as building a family as an ex-pat.

]]> Christine Buzzsprout-16000764 Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 911 1 6 full false S1E5 Burundi: One Weekend in Buj S1E5 Burundi: One Weekend in Buj Spending the first weekend on post partying has it's consequences! Choices were made, bosses were encountered, and we all learn about Duty Officers.

In this episode Christine has a wild weekend on her first weekend on post and was not prepared to get home.

]]> Spending the first weekend on post partying has it's consequences! Choices were made, bosses were encountered, and we all learn about Duty Officers.

In this episode Christine has a wild weekend on her first weekend on post and was not prepared to get home.

]]> Christine Buzzsprout-15832817 Mon, 21 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 1293 1 5 full false S1E4 Burundi: An Embarrassment of Riches S1E4 Burundi: An Embarrassment of Riches Christine's first day in Bujumbura was hectic and filled with surprises, especially for someone not used to the bonuses of a hardship post.

In this episode Christine discusses the perks of going to a small post, hardship posts, and feeling fancy.

]]> Christine's first day in Bujumbura was hectic and filled with surprises, especially for someone not used to the bonuses of a hardship post.

In this episode Christine discusses the perks of going to a small post, hardship posts, and feeling fancy.

]]> Christine Buzzsprout-15832808 Mon, 14 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 1357 1 4 full false S1E3 Burundi: A Simple Misunderstanding S1E3 Burundi: A Simple Misunderstanding Arriving at her first diplomatic post in Bujumbura, Burundi, Christine didn't know what to expect and it lead to some misunderstandings. Welcome to Africa!

]]> Arriving at her first diplomatic post in Bujumbura, Burundi, Christine didn't know what to expect and it lead to some misunderstandings. Welcome to Africa!

]]> Christine Buzzsprout-15832803 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 1233 1 3 full false S1E2 Burundi: What now? S1E2 Burundi: What now? Getting the call that you are going to a country you've never heard of is an adventure for sure. So is living in a world where you have to find an atlas to figure out where that country is. Oh, the 80's.

In this episode Christine talks about the expectations of those in Brooksville, FL, upon the news of her imminent travel to Africa.

]]> Getting the call that you are going to a country you've never heard of is an adventure for sure. So is living in a world where you have to find an atlas to figure out where that country is. Oh, the 80's.

In this episode Christine talks about the expectations of those in Brooksville, FL, upon the news of her imminent travel to Africa.

]]> Christine Buzzsprout-15832795 Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 1307 1 2 full false S1E1 The Phone Call in Brooksville S1E1 The Phone Call in Brooksville Despite thirteen months of waiting, weeks of invasive tests, and a hiring freeze, Christine finally gets the call she's been waiting for - to join the Foreign Service. But first she had to answer an important question: Where would she least like to go?

She discusses her first assignment in the Foreign Service and how that process works, as well as how little she knew about Africa and the future.

]]> Despite thirteen months of waiting, weeks of invasive tests, and a hiring freeze, Christine finally gets the call she's been waiting for - to join the Foreign Service. But first she had to answer an important question: Where would she least like to go?

She discusses her first assignment in the Foreign Service and how that process works, as well as how little she knew about Africa and the future.

]]> Christine Buzzsprout-15832778 Sat, 28 Sep 2024 16:00:00 -0400 752 1 1 full false Trailer - Season 1 Bujumbura and Kinshasa Trailer - Season 1 Bujumbura and Kinshasa Join Christine in the beginning of her journey as she moves to Bujumbura, Burundi at 27, single, with a young child. Learning the ropes of the Service, being on post, and navigating a new country.

]]> Join Christine in the beginning of her journey as she moves to Bujumbura, Burundi at 27, single, with a young child. Learning the ropes of the Service, being on post, and navigating a new country.

]]> Emily Buzzsprout-15755595 Sun, 15 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0400 32 1 trailer false