"Though trepidation has haunted me every step of this journey, I have a trusted force that I cannot see."
—Michele Rigby Assad, Breaking Cover: My secret life in the CIA and what it taught me about what's worth fighting for
When faced with life-or-death situations on a daily basis, Michele Rigby Assad knew she had to turn to something greater than herself for support. Drawn toward international affairs as a child obsessed with reading National Geographic, she later spent 10 years working undercover in the CIA, interrogating terrorists while stationed in the most dangerous war zones across the Middle East.
Michele's journey is a fascinating one, and I loved our first conversation so much (listen here) that I asked her back for round two to celebrate her book, Breaking Cover, launching this week!! After a seven year journey with this project, we talk about finding courage in unexpected places, trusting that puzzle pieces are falling into place even when she felt stuck or blocked, and how allowing herself to "be shaped" has provided far greater blessings and guidance than she could have ever imagined.
View full show notes at PivotMethod.com/podcast/breaking-cover-2. Support the show by donating $1 an episode at Patreon.com/pivot.
More About Michele Assad
Michele Rigby Assad is a former undercover officer in the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Operations. Trained as a counterterrorism specialist, Michele served her country for ten years, working in Iraq and other secret Middle Eastern locations.
Upon retirement from active service, Michele and her husband Joseph (also a former agent) joined a group of Americans who wished to aid persecuted Christians. Their efforts resulted in the evacuation of a group from northern Iraq that was featured on ABC’s 20/20 in December 2015.
Michele holds a master’s degree in Contemporary Arab Studies from Georgetown University. Today she serves as an international security consultant, splitting her time between the Middle East, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
Resources Mentioned
Michele's Book: Breaking Cover: My secret life in the CIA and what it taught me about what's worth fighting for
Our first Pivot Podcast conversation: Finding Faith, Courage and Confidence as a Secret Agent
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