Finding Freedom Beyond Borders
What does it mean to live beyond borders? To unshackle yourself from the assumptions of place, nationality, and identity? These are the questions I’ll be exploring in The Breakaway Brief on my Substack—a space dedicated to living a life that isn’t confined by one set of rules, one country’s system, or one particular worldview.
As someone who has spent years navigating the intricate machinery of U.S. government policy, defense budgets, and international negotiations, I know firsthand how tightly tied we often are to our country of birth. But what happens when you decide to step outside those constraints? What happens when you realize that, just as nations draft their citizens, citizens can choose their nations?
I’ve started exploring the practical, legal, and philosophical dimensions of seeking second citizenship. Why? Because the world is larger than one passport, and the idea of being "from" somewhere doesn’t have to dictate where your opportunities, rights, or future belong. Whether you’re seeking a better life for your family, access to more global opportunities, or even an escape hatch from political instability, second citizenship offers an intriguing path.
But this isn’t just about paperwork and visas. This is about agency. It’s about creating optionality in a world that increasingly demands flexibility and resilience. And it’s about recognizing the ways in which borders, while often necessary, can also stifle the human potential to live and dream freely.
In The Breakaway Brief, I’ll talk about what it’s like to live abroad, why the idea of being "anti-American" is reductive (and entirely unhelpful), and how you can embrace the idea of global citizenship while still valuing the place you came from. Expect a mix of anecdotes from my personal journey, insights into the geopolitics of nationality, and practical tips on navigating the labyrinth of obtaining second citizenship.
This isn’t a step-by-step guide—there are plenty of those out there (and I’ll have my own at some point.) Instead, I want to invite you into the narrative as I explore it. The stories, the challenges, the moments of triumph, and the underlying philosophy of what it means to live borderlessly.
If you’ve ever considered a second citizenship, thought about relocating, or even just dreamt about breaking away from the norms you’ve always known, I hope you’ll join me on this journey. Let’s explore what it means to untether ourselves from borders and embrace a freer, more expansive way of living.