Learn about the ways USAID Foreign Service Officer Jessica Morrison and the LGBTQI+ team at USAID supported queer communities around the globe and represented the United States as a beacon of hope in a world of uncertainty for marginalized populations.

This episode delves into the story of one of the many members of the Foreign Service who dedicate their lives to fostering understanding between peoples and how America's place in and impact on the world should not be taken for granted.

Dayan Reynolds, an expert on Eastern European democracy and lead for Belarus at the International Republican Institute, speaks with me about about how USAID implementing partners like IRI work with locals in Belarus to foster democracy in an authoritarian regime; background on geopolitics and culture in Eastern Europe; America's relationship with democracy as a global concept; and what people get wrong about American support for democratic activism abroad.

Tune in to learn more about an often overlooked part of Europe and Putin's only ally in the region.

Special thank to Open Gov Hub in Washington, DC for providing the studio for us to record in!

USAID Foreign Service Officer Taly Lind shares her story promoting democracy and human rights; preventing violent extremism; fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; and her plan to continue helping people in need here in the United States in a post-USAID world.

Listen in to hear about the merits of spreading democracy through peace and learn more about how USAID promoted positive values across the world.