This Wasn't the Plan by Maya Kurien
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This Wasn’t the Plan (But It’s the Next Chapter)
This wasn’t the plan. But it’s the next chapter. I’ve launched Main Street Wisdom, and I’m still writing my way through what it means to build something…
Oct 30
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Maya Kurien
1
Job Security, Equity, and the Future of Public Affairs
We’ve long been told that meaningful work offers protection. But in public interest careers, job security is eroding and not everyone is affected…
Oct 23
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Maya Kurien
Tech Can Scale the Message. Only People Can Build Trust.
AI is changing how we work in public affairs but even the smartest tools can’t replace judgment, trust, or human connection. This piece explores what we…
Oct 16
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Maya Kurien
1
Whose Future Is Secure Anymore?
We used to think doing good work was enough to stay secure. But purpose doesn’t always come with protection. What happens when even the most…
Oct 9
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Maya Kurien
1
The Future of Work: Reclaiming the Table in a Digital Age
Thinking beyond “leaning in” in public affairs, this piece explores how the future of work requires us to reclaim authenticity, build inclusive spaces…
Oct 2
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Maya Kurien
1
September 2025
The Pressure That Builds Us
Two sayings from a middle school soccer field still echo in my mind: Repetition is the mother of skill. Necessity is the mother of invention. This week…
Sep 25
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Maya Kurien
3
The Failure File
On the stories we tell ourselves when things go wrong and what failure does (and doesn’t) mean.
Sep 18
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Maya Kurien
1
The Courage No One Claps For
Not all courage is loud. Some of it looks like showing up to an event alone, sending one more email, or simply staying kind when you're tired.
Sep 10
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Maya Kurien
2
2
Professional with a Punchline
Public affairs is serious work but that doesn’t mean we have to take ourselves so seriously all the time. In the middle of layoffs, burnout, and…
Sep 4
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Maya Kurien
2
August 2025
On Forgiveness (and Everything That Comes Before It)
Forgiveness doesn’t always begin with peace. Sometimes it starts with anger, grief, and the quiet decision to let go not for them, but for yourself.
Aug 28
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Maya Kurien
1
Diplomacy Is Not a Dirty Word
Diplomacy often gets mistaken for avoidance or softness. But in the workplace, it’s one of the sharpest tools you can have. A reflection on what it…
Aug 21
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Maya Kurien
3
Reading the Fine Print (and Learning the Hard Way)
I’ve managed campaigns and negotiated MOUs but consulting solo meant learning to navigate contracts without a legal team (and sometimes the hard way).
Aug 14
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Maya Kurien
1
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