Some titles come with power. Others come with pressure. Tracy McDonald has held both.

She’s served as a U.S. Secret Service agent, a counterterrorism instructor, a global fraud consultant, and a Foreign Service spouse. But the moments that shaped her most weren’t the ones on paper — they were the ones behind closed doors, in countries few Americans will ever step foot in, when she had to ask herself: What now?

In this episode, Jessica Cumming and Tracy unpack:

• The truth behind the badge

• Why knowing when to leave is a leadership skill

• How to rebuild a career that aligns with your actual values

• Parenting through instability, repatriation, and reality checks

• What women really need to know about power, permission, and pivoting

It’s a conversation about grit, discernment, and trusting yourself to do the brave thing, even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else.

Key Takeaways:

• Your next chapter doesn’t require your last one’s permission

• The power isn’t in the job, it’s in how you carry it

• Leaving a role doesn’t mean leaving your impact behind

• Every shift builds skills you can’t learn in a classroom

• There is no blueprint for women who lead in unconventional ways

Power Quote:"You add value just by waking up in this world every day. You don’t have to earn it." — Tracy McDonald

Connect with Tracy McDonald:

🔗 ⁠LinkedIn⁠

📸 ⁠CarpeDamnCreative.com⁠ – Her blog of stories and photography from life abroad📅

Want more conversations like this? Follow Jessica on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicacumming04/