Global Development Interrupted Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Protecting Others, Protecting Ourselves Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

At just under two years old, Cathy Nguyen left Vietnam with her mother. On the very day Saigon fell, they landed in Hawaii, where they reunited with her father, who was studying for a master’s in public health on a USAID scholarship. That moment of upheaval and new beginnings shaped her family’s life and her own lifelong commitment to service.

Cathy’s story weaves together family legacy, global challenges, and the quiet power of giving back. Drawing on over 20 years of experience advancing humanitarian and public service programs across Africa, Asia/Pacific, and the U.S., she has served as a USAID staffer, PEPFAR Coordinator, and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. With deep roots in Honolulu and a family history shaped by displacement and opportunity, her commitment to service runs deep.

She shares personal stories about her family’s journey, the transformative role USAID scholarships played in their lives, and the core values of community, responsibility, and public service that have guided her path. Together, we explore USAID’s critical work in global health—from supporting HIV/AIDS programs and vulnerable families to pandemic preparedness—and the lasting impact these efforts have on communities worldwide and at home.

Cathy also reflects on the current challenges facing foreign aid, the consequences of funding cuts, and the small but meaningful ways individuals can contribute to positive change.

Tune in for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation about resilience, global interconnectedness, and the enduring spirit of giving back.

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Children, Caregivers & the Fight for a Future Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

As a child on Chicago’s South Side, Lauren Murphy dreamed of becoming a nun to help others. Decades later, she found herself working for USAID, supporting the U.S. government’s global efforts to care for children orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.

In this conversation, Lauren reflects on what it meant to serve communities affected by HIV — designing programs that kept children healthy, safe, stable, and in school, while supporting caregivers with dignity, not pity. She shares stories from South African townships, lessons in Ubuntu, and the radical belief that the best solutions come from within communities themselves.

Lauren also opens up about the abrupt and devastating dismantling of USAID’s work, and the profound sense of betrayal felt by thousands of local leaders and colleagues left behind.

This episode explores what happens when systems collapse, what community truly means, and how small acts can still hold up a future.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit globaldevinterrupted.substack.com/subscribe