Anne-Marie Slaughter: She Felt Fungible in Her Dream Job. That Was the Beginning

Connect with Katherine DudtschakWebsite: Sincerely Inc.LinkedIn: Katherine DudtschakInstagram: Katherine DudtschakBook: Sincerely, KatherineConnect with Anne-Marie SlaughterWebsite: New AmericaLinkedIn: New AmericaInstagram: New AmericaBook: Unfinished BusinessAnne-Marie Slaughter: She Felt Fungible in Her Dream Job. That Was the BeginningEpisode DescriptionKatherine Dudtschak sits down with Anne-Marie Slaughter, globally recognised scholar, policy innovator, former Director of Policy Planning at the US State Department (the first woman to hold that role), former Dean of Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs, former CEO of New America, and author of nine books including Unfinished Business: Women, Men, Work, Family.Her 2012 Atlantic article “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All” became the most-read piece in the magazine’s history and sparked a global conversation about work, family, and leadership.Anne-Marie mapped her career in high school. She knew exactly what she wanted. Then she walked away from the law firm she had spent years planning to join because she realised she felt interchangeable — “fungible” — with every other associate.That moment began six years of drifting that produced everything she had not planned: a PhD, a professorship she never expected to love, and eventually a dream role at the State Department that also challenged her when it collided with family.This conversation explores the Belgian-American childhood that shaped her, the drifting years she rarely speaks about, the impact of telling the truth in The Atlantic, the care economy capitalism ignores, and what it will take to build a world centred on people.Key MomentsThe summer internship that made Anne-Marie realise she felt fungible and the beginning of everything she had not plannedThe six years between 26 and 32: a marriage ending, a PhD she never intended, and discovering she loved law through teachingThe husband she pursued for three years and the 33 years of marriage that followedThe Atlantic article editors thought was “same old, same old” and the global conversation that followedWhy we have a half-finished revolution: women doing jobs men traditionally did while still carrying the work women have always doneWhy capitalism measures achievement but ignores care, belonging, and familyQuotes to Remember“Never judge your insides by someone else’s outsides. In an age of social media where only the best side is shown, there’s plenty of pain and anger underneath.”“We have a half-finished revolution. Women are now doing jobs men have traditionally done and they are still doing all the jobs women have traditionally done.”Reflection for ListenersWhat surprised me most was not Anne-Marie’s career — it was the drifting years. The six years where the plan fell apart and she had to figure things out from the inside.She learned that when things fall apart, new doors can open that you never would have chosen. This conversation invites listeners to consider what might be growing in the space where their own plan changed.About the HostKatherine Dudtschak is the founder of Sincerely and author of Sincerely, Katherine. Through conversations, writing, and storytelling, she explores what it means to live and lead as whole human beings in a complex world. DisclaimerThis conversation is for reflection and perspective only and should not be relied on as therapy or professional advice. Please seek qualified support where needed. This content is subject to our full Terms and Conditions, available on our website.