Unpacked- with Anna & Emma

Emma Somerville & Anna Skorobogatowa
  • 4.8 (6)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated fortnightly

Unpacked with Anna & Emma is a podcast for diplomatic partners navigating a life in constant transition. Each episode dives into the real, unfiltered experiences behind global moves- from identity and purpose to the moments of doubt and quiet growth along the way. If you’ve ever felt like you’re more than the supporting role or tired of shrinking to fit someone else’s story, this space is for you. We explore what it takes to feel grounded when life keeps shifting and how to start showing up fully, wherever you are in the world.

  1. 1 Sept

    EP 33: How Dr Aoife Kenny Took Her Next Confident Step to Make This Life Work for Her

    As we move on from our confidence series, we’re starting a new collection of conversations with inspiring people from within our community who are showing us the many different ways it’s possible to build a fulfilling life around a diplomatic and globally mobile life. We’ll be hearing real stories of confidence, career, identity, reinvention and the choices people have made to create opportunities for themselves, wherever in the world they find themselves. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Aoife Kenny, a New Zealander born to Irish parents and a self-described citizen of the world. Through her own career and her husband’s UN postings, Aoife has lived in nine different countries and has continually evolved her career alongside an incredibly mobile life. In this episode, we explore: The realities of UN diplomatic life and how it differs from embassy lifeHow Aoife has used her medical degree to create different opportunities across different countriesFinding ways to build a career that can evolve and move with youHow her experiences in medicine, international public health, humanitarian aid and yoga have shaped what she does todayAoife’s current work supporting women through perimenopause and menopauseHow she is building a global women’s health offering from BhutanAoife’s story is a wonderful example of what can happen when you stop trying to fit your life into one fixed definition of success and instead remain curious about what is possible. We hope these conversations will inspire you to see your own possibilities differently and remind you that there isn’t one right way to make this globally mobile life work for you. 🎧 Connect with AoifeInstagram: @draoifekenny Website: www.aoifekenny.com LinkedIn: Aoife Kenny Substack: https://substack.com/@draoife  ASK your questions on our anonymous link: https://tally.so/r/nP7zO5 🎧 Connect with your hostsAnna – Instagram: @notjustaspouse | notjustaspouse.com | anna@notjustaspouse.com Emma – Instagram: @thezestielife | emma@zestie.org | zestie.carrd.co

    EP 33: How Dr Aoife Kenny Took Her Next Confident Step to Make This Life Work for Her

  2. 18 Aug

    Ep 32: What’s Stopping You From Taking the Next Step?

    We’ve spent this confidence series talking about rebuilding your confidence, rediscovering who you are, and finding confidence beyond your job title. But what happens when you know what you want, yet still can’t quite bring yourself to take the next step? In this episode, we turn confidence into action and explore what it really means to have the courage to design a life that feels right for you, even when you don’t have all the answers. In this episode, we explore: Why we often wait to feel confident, ready, or certain before taking actionHow fear can hold us back from creating the life we actually wantUsing future self visualisation to get clear on what you really want This episode reminds us to stop waiting for certainty and start taking small steps towards the life you want. Designing your life doesn't mean having everything figured out, it means choosing what matters to you and having the courage to take the next step. And remember: You don't need to feel ready to begin. Sometimes, confidence comes because you began. 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

    Ep 32: What’s Stopping You From Taking the Next Step?

  3. 4 Aug

    Ep 31: How to Answer "What Do You Do?" with Confidence

    For many diplomatic and expat partners, four simple words can feel surprisingly difficult to answer: "What do you do?" Whether you're working, taking a career break, raising children, volunteering, studying, or still figuring out your next chapter, this question can leave you questioning your identity, confidence, and sense of purpose. In this episode, we unpack why this question feels so loaded and share practical coaching tools to help you answer it with confidence, no matter what season of life you're in. In this episode, we explore: Why we often tie our identity and self-worth to our job titlePractical ways to answer "What do you do?" with confidence and authenticity, whether you're working or not This episode is a reminder that your worth isn't determined by your job title or productivity. You are so much more than your career, and your story deserves to be told with confidence. We hope you'll leave this conversation feeling empowered to answer one of the most common questions in diplomatic life with authenticity and pride. 🌱 Want to go deeper? If today's episode resonated with you and you're ready to rediscover your confidence, identity, and purpose overseas, Emma would love to support you. Find out more about Roots & Wings: https://tinyurl.com/zestieRootsWings Or explore The Portable You: https://tinyurl.com/Zestieportableyou If you'd like to find out more about Anna's coaching sessions, send her a DM on Instagram @Notjustaspouse 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

    Ep 31: How to Answer "What Do You Do?" with Confidence

  4. 28 Jul

    Ep 30: Reinventing Yourself or Rediscovering Yourself Overseas

    Moving overseas can leave you questioning who you are. When your career, routines, friendships, and sense of familiarity are left behind, it's easy to believe you've lost part of yourself. Many diplomatic and expat partners feel the pressure to "reinvent" themselves with every new posting—but is that really what's needed? In this episode, we challenge the idea that every move requires you to become someone new. Instead, we explore how overseas life can be an opportunity to rediscover the strengths, values, and qualities that have been with you all along. In this episode, we explore: - The difference between reinventing yourself and rediscovering who you've always been - How our roles, careers, and routines can become intertwined with our sense of self - Reflective ways to reconnect with yourself Every posting adds to who you are rather than taking away from it. Sometimes, finding yourself overseas isn't about reinventing your life, it's about rediscovering the person who has been there all along. 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

    Ep 30: Reinventing Yourself or Rediscovering Yourself Overseas

  5. 14 Jul

    Ep 29: How Do You Stay Confident When You're Constantly Starting Over?

    Confidence can feel elusive in diplomatic life. Every move asks you to start again, rebuild your routines, redefine your identity, and step into unfamiliar environments. It's no wonder so many diplomatic partners question themselves along the way. In this episode, we unpack where confidence really comes from and why it isn't something you're born with, but something you build through experience, self-trust, and taking small courageous steps. In this episode, we explore: Why confidence often takes a hit when you move overseasThe myth that confident people never experience self-doubtWhy confidence grows through action, not before itWays to rebuild confidence, from celebrating small wins to learning to embrace being a beginnerHow self-compassion can help you navigate uncertainty and quiet your inner criticA simple reflection exercise to help you recognise just how much you've already overcome This episode is a reminder that confidence is about trusting yourself to navigate whatever comes next. Every posting, every challenge, and every new beginning is another opportunity to strengthen your confidence and become the person you're growing into. 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

    Ep 29: How Do You Stay Confident When You're Constantly Starting Over?

  6. 30 Jun

    Ep 28: Celebrating One Year of UNPACKED A Massive Catch Up and Reflection

    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

    Ep 28: Celebrating One Year of UNPACKED A Massive Catch Up and Reflection

  7. 16 Jun

    Ep 27: The Invisible Realities of Being Childfree or Parenting at a Distance in Diplomatic Life

    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 childrenWhat it means to parent from afar when children are at boarding school or universityThe emotional and practical load of supporting children across time zones, even when they are not physically at postHow 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

    Ep 27: The Invisible Realities of Being Childfree or Parenting at a Distance in Diplomatic Life

  8. 2 Jun

    Ep 26: Growing Up Globally A Teen’s Perspective on Diplomatic Life with Elina

    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 environmentsThe best parts of a globally mobile life and the opportunities it bringsThe harder moments including goodbyes, change, and navigating uncertaintyHow this lifestyle has shaped Elina’s perspective, identity, and outlook on the worldThe realities of building and maintaining friendships across countriesPractical 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

    Ep 26: Growing Up Globally A Teen’s Perspective on Diplomatic Life with Elina
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4.8
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Unpacked with Anna & Emma is a podcast for diplomatic partners navigating a life in constant transition. Each episode dives into the real, unfiltered experiences behind global moves- from identity and purpose to the moments of doubt and quiet growth along the way. If you’ve ever felt like you’re more than the supporting role or tired of shrinking to fit someone else’s story, this space is for you. We explore what it takes to feel grounded when life keeps shifting and how to start showing up fully, wherever you are in the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Emma Somerville & Anna Skorobogatowa
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Unpacked- with Anna & Emma

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