62. When chaos meets order with Jeanne Briggs

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.IntroductionWhen everything feels like it’s falling apart, who do you want by your side?For 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.In 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.What 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 guestJeanne 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.Jeanne is known as a thoughtful listener who gives honest, gentle feedback, a catalyst for change who specializes in helping people understand their options without dictating their choices. Her superpower? Staying up all night to create frameworks that help others find the clarity they need to make well-informed decisions for themselves.Today, she co-leads the Aid Transition Alliance, providing support, career guidance, and knowledge preservation for a humanitarian and development workforce in flux.Resources and links mentionedOrganization: Aid Transition Alliance [LINK]Organization: OneAID Community [LINK]Book: “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk [LINK]Book: “Widen the Window” by Elizabeth Stanley [LINK]Organization: Green String Network (trauma-informed peacebuilding) [LINK]Resource: EMU/STAR Model for Breaking the Cycles of Violence [LINK]Organization: KonTerra Group [LINK]Article: Chaos Theory: A Unified Theory of Muppet Types [LINK] Resource: Georgetown University’s Pivot With Purpose Program [LINK]Episode 59: The power of structured peer support with Carrie Santos [LINK]Episode 37: Get in the “growth zone” with Cindy Rocha [LINK]Article: “You are not alone: Preventing Suicide in a Time of Crisis” [LINK]Join the conversationWhat kind of Muppet are you?  Order or Chaos?  Share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn. Support the showIf you found this conversation helpful, please follow the podcast and leave a quick rating or review.  It helps more people like you to consider Embodying Change. 

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