We're celebrating one year of the UNPACKED podcast. What started as honest conversations about the realities of diplomatic life has become a space for connection, reflection, and community for partners navigating this unique lifestyle around the world.

In this special anniversary episode, we have a massive catch up and reflect on what has happened in the last few months and where we find ourselves midway through this one.

In this episode, we explore:

Emma's reflections on the first 13 weeks of motherhood since welcoming her new baby

Anna's update on life since her evacuation from Lebanon and where she and her children are now

The challenges, surprises, and moments of joy that have defined this transition in our lives

The intentions we are setting as we move into the next chapter of the year and the next year of UNPACKED

Whether you've been listening since episode one or have recently found our podcast, thank you for being part of this incredible community and for unpacking diplomatic life with us.

ASK your questions on our anonymous link: https://tally.so/r/nP7zO5

🎧 Connect with your hosts:

Anna – Instagram: @notjustaspouse | notjustaspouse.com | anna@notjustaspouse.com

Emma – Instagram: @thezestielife | emma@zestie.org | zestie.carrd.co

As we close our parenting series, we turn to the experiences that are often less visible but just as important to acknowledge within diplomatic life. Not all parenting or personal responsibilities can be seen at post.

In this episode, we explore the often overlooked experiences of those who are childfree, parenting from a distance, or supporting adult children while living overseas.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why inclusion matters when social life at post often centres around families and children
• What it means to parent from afar when children are at boarding school or university
• The emotional and practical load of supporting children across time zones, even when they are not physically at post
• How adult children may still rely on parents

This episode brings our parenting series to a close with a reflection on the many different ways care, responsibility, and family show up in diplomatic life, and a reminder that every experience deserves to be seen, valued, and supported.

ASK your questions on our anonymous link: https://tally.so/r/nP7zO5

🎧 Connect with your hosts:

Anna – Instagram: @notjustaspouse | notjustaspouse.com | anna@notjustaspouse.com

Emma – Instagram: @thezestielife | emma@zestie.org | zestie.carrd.co

In this special episode, we are joined by Elina, Anna’s daughter, who shares her perspective of growing up in a globally mobile diplomatic life. Through her experiences of moving between countries, schools, and communities, she offers an honest and thoughtful insight into what this lifestyle really feels like from a young person’s point of view.

This conversation gives space to both the beauty and the challenges of growing up across cultures and constant change.

In this episode, we explore:

• What it feels like to grow up moving between countries and starting over in new environments
• The best parts of a globally mobile life and the opportunities it brings
• The harder moments including goodbyes, change, and navigating uncertainty
• How this lifestyle has shaped Elina’s perspective, identity, and outlook on the world
• The realities of building and maintaining friendships across countries
• Practical things Elina does to support herself through transitions and new beginnings

ASK your questions on our anonymous link: https://tally.so/r/nP7zO5

🎧 Connect with your hosts:

Anna – Instagram: @notjustaspouse | notjustaspouse.com | anna@notjustaspouse.com

Emma – Instagram: @thezestielife | emma@zestie.org | zestie.carrd.co