54
Aug. 27, 2026
#54 - Jennifer Erie
"When you learn, teach. When you get, give." - Maya Angelou
Growing up in a Haitian-American family in Queens, NY, Jennifer Erie hoped the Peace Corps might send her to West Africa to learn more about her ancestors' origins. Instead, she ended up in South Africa, the first of many places — along with her time at USAID — where she found countless new people to champion, collaborate with, and befriend. Far from her original expat community, she became a part of countless others. Flash forward a
Growing up in a Haitian-American family in Queens, NY, Jennifer Erie hoped the Peace Corps might send her to West Africa to learn more about her ancestors' origins. Instead, she ended up in South Africa, the first of many places — along with her time at USAID — where she found countless new people to champion, collaborate with, and befriend. Far from her original expat community, she became a part of countless others. Flash forward a
53
Aug. 20, 2026
#53 - Paul Strasburg
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa
A routine trip to northern Thailand changed the course of Peace Corps volunteer Paul Strasburg’s life, even if he didn’t know it at the time. A simple request to help build a school became a successful challenge that, years later, would bloom into an NGO now called Thousand Currents, promoting interdependence and having a positive impact on tens of thousands of lives around the w
A routine trip to northern Thailand changed the course of Peace Corps volunteer Paul Strasburg’s life, even if he didn’t know it at the time. A simple request to help build a school became a successful challenge that, years later, would bloom into an NGO now called Thousand Currents, promoting interdependence and having a positive impact on tens of thousands of lives around the w
52
Aug. 13, 2026
#52 - Keisha Effiom
"Do not get lost in a sea of despair." - John Lewis
During her 18 years with USAID--mostly in Africa--Keisha Effiom worked in environments that most people will never fully understand, but was always deeply committed to the mission. And then it was gone. Not gradually. Not on her terms. Just gone. Yet, when USAID was immediately halted, the teams around the world were still in place. And the team that Keisha led needed answers. They needed reassurance. They needed leadership. This is that sto
During her 18 years with USAID--mostly in Africa--Keisha Effiom worked in environments that most people will never fully understand, but was always deeply committed to the mission. And then it was gone. Not gradually. Not on her terms. Just gone. Yet, when USAID was immediately halted, the teams around the world were still in place. And the team that Keisha led needed answers. They needed reassurance. They needed leadership. This is that sto
51
Aug. 6, 2026
#51 - Matt Brown
"A ship in harbor is safe. But that's not what ships are for." - John A. Shedd
When George Clooney decides to embark on a humanitarian mission to the frontlines of a deadly war in Sudan, it would normally take months of meticulous coordination to keep an A-list celebrity safe in a conflict zone. Matt Brown--our storyteller this week--had three days. Which is crazy. Thankfully, as a returned Peace Corps volunteer and seasoned journalist, he knew his way around Africa. But still--three days?!
When George Clooney decides to embark on a humanitarian mission to the frontlines of a deadly war in Sudan, it would normally take months of meticulous coordination to keep an A-list celebrity safe in a conflict zone. Matt Brown--our storyteller this week--had three days. Which is crazy. Thankfully, as a returned Peace Corps volunteer and seasoned journalist, he knew his way around Africa. But still--three days?!
50
July 30, 2026
#50 - Ambassador Maria Brewer
"People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou
Growing up, Maria Brewer knew what it felt like to be othered, to be treated as an outsider. The memories of those feelings never left, and she spent her diplomatic career--which included two ambassadorships--looking for inclusivity and ways to get to 'yes.' In fact, we suspect that it was her aversion to the word 'no' that fueled her spectacular career.
Growing up, Maria Brewer knew what it felt like to be othered, to be treated as an outsider. The memories of those feelings never left, and she spent her diplomatic career--which included two ambassadorships--looking for inclusivity and ways to get to 'yes.' In fact, we suspect that it was her aversion to the word 'no' that fueled her spectacular career.
July 28, 2026
SP/FS Classic: Hamse Warfa
(This episode originally aired on January 23, 2026.)
In case you missed it:
'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all abou
In case you missed it:
'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all abou
About the Host
Christopher Wurst
Christopher Wurst is the producer and host of the weekly podcast/radio program SoftPower/FulStories, which uses first-person narrative stories to highlight U.S. soft power efforts around the world for the past 60+ years. Previously, he served more than two decades as a U.S. diplomat, primarily as a cultural and press attaché, in seven countries across four continents—including Ireland, Italy, Slovenia, Zambia, India, Pakistan, and Guatemala. As the Senior Advisor for Innovation in the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs, he produced and hosted the award-winning podcast 22.33, utilizing storytelling to convey the positive impact of international exchange programs. In 2013, he was nominated as the Cultural Expat of the Year in Slovenia; in 2008, his team won the Global PEPFAR Public Diplomacy Award. He also received numerous Meritorious and Superior Honor Awards. Before joining the Foreign Service, he taught high school history and literature in Minneapolis and South Africa. He was a guest writer for the TV comedy show Mystery Science Theater 3000, where he also made his national television debut as a Moleman from outer space. As a photographer, he has had exhibitions in four countries. He currently splits his time between the United States and Slovenia, where his wife, Kjara, is a choreographer. Rex, their beagle-Aussie mix and Good Trouble rally veteran, has chased sticks in 10 different countries.