#38 Valerie Plame: Former CIA Officer, Twin Mom, Maternal Mental Health Advocate

On this episode, I welcome seasoned mom of twins and former career covert CIA operations officer, Valerie Plame. Valerie’s occupation and identity as a covert CIA officer had to be kept secret from even her closest family and friends. However, that all changed in 2003, when a conservative columnist, at the direction of senior White House officials, leaked her true identity, ending her covert career and igniting a political scandal that rocked the Bush/Cheney administration. All the while, Valerie and her then husband, Ambassador Joseph Wilson, were left to navigate this political maelstrom while also parenting 3-year-old twins. Valerie details this journey, along with her personal journey of experiencing postpartum depression after the birth of her children, in her New York Times best-selling memoir Fair Game: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House. Valerie’s book was also released as a major motion picture of the same name starring Sean Penn and Naomi Watts. In addition to publishing two other spy thrillers, running for Congress, and being the twin-mom of now college-aged children, Valerie has created what sounds like an amazing conference that I have now added to my bucket list, Spies, Lies, and Nukes. In this conference, Valerie and her highly decorated CIA colleagues, pull back the curtain on the reality of international espionage. Check out spiesliesnukes.com for more. Valerie, who never intended to be a public person, now uses her platform to advocate for a variety of causes, including the global elimination of nuclear weapons and perinatal mental health. All of that and more….next. www.motherhoodfeels.com https://www.valerieplame.com https://www.spiesliesnukes.com DISCLAIMER: Information on Hindsight is 20/20 is intended for general education and informational purposes only. Engagement in this podcast does not constitute a professional relationship and this content is not intended as an alternative or substitute for psychological support. Individuals are encouraged to pursue support through a licensed healthcare provider. If you are experiencing an emergency, please report to your closest emergency department or contact 988.