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Artwork for It Was Never a Job

It Was Never a Job

Chris Saenger
USAID
Afghanistan
Yemen
Iraq
Libya
Philippines
Agriculture Projects
US Embassy
Ghana
Congo
Colombia
Guatemala
Civil War
Arab Spring
Tanzania
Honduras
Senegal
Tanganyika
Uzbekistan
Ukraine

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, connecting with the military, COVID, friendships, loss, and how life overseas impacted our families.

On this show, we’re not here to talk s*** about DOGE, or lament the changes to foreign as... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes11Founded6 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for It Was Never a Job

Latest Episodes

The experience of navigating health and health-care captures both the adventure and the mundane realities of everyday existence overseas with USAID. Mystery ailments and emergency room visits feel very different in unfamiliar languages and cultures. ... more

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was difficult for just about every person on the planet. We all have losses from that time, some large and tragic, others small but often long-lasting.

For those posted abroad with USAID, the experience varied tremendou... more

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... more

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. Se... more

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Host

Chris Sanger
Host and producer; central figure guiding conversations about USAID field experiences.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 50 ratings
  • Thanks for capturing these stories!

    Thanks for capturing these stories while they are still fresh in our minds. Keep up the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brant Silvers
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host brings a respectful, intimate tone that honors the experiences of field staff.
Listeners appreciate the candid, human storytelling that goes beyond policy wonkery.
The episodes offer a rare, frontline perspective on humanitarian work that's both informative and moving.

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Frequently Asked Questions About It Was Never a Job

What is It Was Never a Job about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This long-running introspective series centers on lives overseas with USAID, featuring former Foreign Service Officers who recount high-stakes fieldwork, field campaigns, and the personal toll on families. Episodes weave between harrowing moments, humorous misadventures, and moments of connection with local communities, illuminating how aid work shapes identities, values, and long-term worldviews. A standout element is the oral-history vibe: stories told with humility and without naming specifics, highlighting resilience, cultural exchange, and the human side of international development. The show often blends risk and reward, offering listeners a window into the realities of humanitarian diplomacy, program logistics, and the emotional afte... more

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How many episodes of It Was Never a Job are there?

It Was Never a Job launched 6 months ago and published 11 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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