{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Embodying change: Transforming power, culture and well-being for people in aid","title":"62. When chaos meets order with Jeanne Briggs","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2849,"description":"What does it take to stay calm when everything is falling apart? In this episode, Jeanne Briggs, an international development professional who thrives on bringing order to chaos, shares lessons from 24 years with USAID that are relevant to our situation today. We explore how to widen your window of opportunity, take a trauma-informed approach to crisis, find clarity in transition, and use peer support as an anchor in turbulent times.\nIntroduction\n\nWhen everything feels like it’s falling apart, who do you want by your side?\nFor many humanitarians and development professionals navigating sudden layoffs, political upheaval, and uncertainty, that person has been Jeanne Briggs. She’s a steady hand in the storm: the one who sees the bigger picture, brings calm to the chaos, and helps people make sense of their options without telling them what to choose.\nIn today’s episode, Jeanne shares her most recent journey from directing a $94M USAID portfolio in the Democratic Republic of Congo to co-founding with other women leaders the Aid Transition Alliance, supporting people in aid through one of the sector’s biggest crises in decades.\nWhat you’ll learn What embodying change looks like in times of personal and political upheavalThe concept of “windows of opportunity” in transitions, and how to widen them for yourselfWhy peer support groups can be an anchor in chaotic timesThe difference between “order Muppets” and “chaos Muppets” Practical steps you can take if you’re feeling overwhelmed, unmotivated, or unsure of what’s nextAbout our guest\n\nJeanne Briggs describes herself as an international development professional who thrives on bringing order to chaos. For 24 years, she served with USAID, most recently as Director of Democracy, Rights & Governance in the DRC, where she oversaw a $94M portfolio. Her career spans crisis responses from Ebola containment to Afghan evacuations.\nJeanne is known as a thoughtful listener who gives honest, gentle feedback, a catalyst for change...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/uFSdFlFuEElscNdIvJdBMv5_S5x37dqgu89IcXLzSs4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/Lzk3NTMvMTcwOTEx/MzY2Ni1hcnR3b3Jr/LmpwZw.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}