WCAPS Podcast

Meet Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins—a trailblazer who turned skipping philosophy class into a career-defining moment. A New Yorker with South Carolina roots, she was raised by parents who valued education above all. From loving Head Start so much she asked to repeat it, to thriving in the Junior Sea Cadets and the Reserves, public service was always her north star. With a resume that spans the NYC Law Department, a law degree, the DoD, and arms control diplomacy, Ambassador Jenkins proves that “boring days” can lead to brilliant detours. Tune in for treaties, Yankee fandom, and how she built a system of her own—mic drop included.

Meet Apprecia Faulkner, whose journey began the day she walked onto a community college campus and never looked back. From the windy streets of Chicago to the halls of GW and CSU, she’s studied PoliSci, International Relations, and History—not just to understand the past, but to help write the future. Inspired by Peter Jennings and powered by justice (yes, the “J” in DEIJ), Apprecia has danced through the event circus and come out wiser, bolder, and funnier. Buckle up for a ride through identity, influence, and intentionality—with a Chicago flair and sisterly love as her tailwind.

Step into the world of Kristina Biyad, where the line between domestic daily life and U.S. foreign policy isn't just blurred—it's non-existent. With degrees from Roger Williams and American University, Kristina is not your average policy wonk. She's on a mission to reconstruct the architecture of global governance, with a knack for connecting community voices to high-level policy debates. From wrestling with architecture and pre-law to praising her mentor, Professor Elizabeth Thompson, Kristina breaks down barriers. Tune in as she dissects the Foreign Policy For America Scorecard and shares how local faith leaders and untraditional voices are crucial to crafting anti-racist, inclusive policies. It's time to get local, think global, and maybe, just maybe, reshape the world.

Listen in as Tahina Montoya, Georgetown’s Practitioner in Residence, navigates the tricky art of saying "no" while balancing a dance of opportunity and risk. Five years into her New Year’s resolution, Tahina is still mastering declines with grace. From her mom graduating college alongside her to deftly managing family expectations as a first-generation Colombian and Air Force officer, Tahina’s journey is as much about defining "yes" as it is about smart refusals. Dive into a candid chat about the pressures of always saying yes, the nuances of negotiation, and the calculated risks that propel us forward. Expect a hearty blend of life lessons, military humor (yes, she married Navy and he married up), and the wisdom that hard work—no matter the language—always resonates. Get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe even rethink your own "yes" and "no."

Dive into a riveting episode where Amber McIntyre shares how a twist of fate landed her and President Obama in the same freshman class, revealing the serendipitous paths to purpose and focus. We'll rocket through NASA's impact, where you don't need to be an astronaut to orbit the agency’s colossal influence. Plus, Amber unpacks her journey from a standout student at FSU to influencing U.S. African Affairs, tackling the tough questions of diplomacy and human suffering. Strap in for a journey through space, politics, and the resilience of the human spirit!