From Political Insider to Global Humanitarian: Finding Purpose in Crisis Zones.

Would you leave a life of luxury to work in a war zone?

Ann-Marie Wilcox did just that - trading Australian politics and beachfront comfort for refugee camps, disaster zones, and some of the world’s most dangerous conflict areas. In this episode, she shares what it really takes to build a meaningful career in humanitarian aid - and why discomfort is sometimes the sign you’re on the right path.

For the past 14 years, Ann-Marie has worked with UN agencies, NGOs, and humanitarian organizations in Palestine, Pakistan, Nepal, Turkey, and more. If you’ve ever wondered how to pivot into humanitarian work or feel a pull to do something that truly matters, this conversation is for you.

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00:00 – Why Ann-Marie left Australian politics
02:30 – Realizing she didn’t belong in her high-status life
05:45 – Taking the leap: moving to Jerusalem to start fresh
08:15 – Early aid work with UNRWA and Doctors Without Borders
11:00 – What life is really like in crisis zones
13:30 – What keeps her going: mission, meaning, and community
17:10 – The human cost of funding cuts in humanitarian work
18:40 – Next stop: Afghanistan - why she’s still going
20:15 – Advice for getting into aid work (without moving abroad)
23:00 – Mental health challenges and how she manages them
26:30 – The unexpected upside of discomfort
29:15 – Why you need to demystify the process - and how

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