Revealing insights into the Iranian people and culture

"Another timely interview on what principled diplomacy is, as well as an informed appreciation of the Persian culture--generosity and poetry rarely highlighted in today's news cycle. His comment on th…"

A Lesson on Iran: Why Understanding Matters More than Power

"This is a very timely episode with Paul Barker, who was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Iran for five years and understands and appreciates this ancient culture. It's fascinating that his best student t…"

First-hand Account of the Importance of Diplomacy

"This episode provoked both admiration and frustration in me. John "Dink" Dinkelman, after serving 37 years in diplomacy , was laid off in a mass firing of 1300 civil service employees and diplomat…"

Claire St. Amant

"Claire's story is most timely and a needed reminder of the human cost we’ve let fade from view. Ukrainians have endured four relentless years of war, yet global attention has swung almost entirely to…"

Amazing Marian Rivman--"in the room where it happened"

"Somehow I missed this episode when it first aired, but it's one of the best! Marian Rivman from the Bronx was sent not to one of the 7000 islands in the Philippines but to an inland spot where she h…"

The Singing Ambassador

"What particularly resonated with me about Kate Byrnes' experience as a diplomat is how American popular culture resonated with those in other countries where the textbooks depicted American history …"

Ambassador Kate Byrnes

"With diplomacy unraveling in Ukraine and Iran, her clarity about what real service looks like cuts through the noise.Amb. Byrnes followed her father into the Foreign Service and spent 32 years on t…"

A voice from Minneapolis resonates on the effects of ICE's excesses

"This podcast poignantly illustrates what it's like to be a law-abiding citizen married to an immigrant whose efforts to get legal status have been to no avail, causing anguish in the family and in th…"

Mark Ward's Three Decades with USAID, an Idealist's Approach to a More Stable World

"I'm glad we didn't have to wait a full week for Part 2 of Mark Ward's story! One remarkable aspect of his humanitarian work was being able to eavesdrop on two former presidents, George HW Bush and …"

Can't Wait for the Second Part of Mark Ward's Story!

"I laughed when I heard that his majoring in African History and applying to the Peace Corps to go to some African country led to the PC inviting him to train for South Korea! (We RPCVs know all abo…"

Christine Herbert 's Peace Corps Experience in Zambia prepared her for a productive life as an author and storyteller

"As a former board member of Partnering for Peace and an RPCV, I appreciated Christine's role as a go-between her community and Rotary to bring clean water to an isolated community and her writing car…"

Contagious Enthusiasm for the New and Difficult

"Christine Herbert joined the Peace Corps and served in Zambia after what we call 9-11 and around the time the US attacked, invaded, and occupied Iraq, and the world is better for it! She relates her…"

Voices from Minneapolis

"This episode, SoftPower/FulStories, a podcast that beautifully illustrates the importance of peaceful US engagement with the rest of the world, lets us hear the voices of some people in Minneapolis …"

Paying It Forward: How Sierra Leone Shaped Chris Thomas’s Life of Service”

"While working with Plan International in Sierra Leone for several years, I always admired the Peace Corps Volunteers upcountry who showed a kind of grit and grace that stays with you for life. Chris…"

Building from the "Rupture" in the World Order

"If our country has been awakened by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech saying the world order is in rupture, not transition, the US needs to do something humane about that sharp break and use soft p…"

Our Hearts in Minnesota as Are Those of Chris Wurst and Hamse Warfa

"Even though I never lived in Minnesota as did Chris Wurst and Hamse Warfa, like thousands of people all over the world I am alarmed by what's happening in Minneapolis. Hearing Hamse Warfa describe t…"

A Compelling and Timely story on many levels!

"An important story of a Somali refugee whose life story demolishes the hateful rhetoric aimed at his community and stands tall against the climate of fear surrounding ICE in Minneapolis. From refugee…"

"Dr. Alonzo" shows Joy, Dedication, and wisdon

"Alan J. “Dr. Alonzo” Wind’s joy and unbeatable spirit come through immediately when he relates an exchange with Isaac Asimov and later when he describes being on the radio waves as a Peace Corps Volu…"

Alonzo Wind's Great Journey

"I was inspired and amazed by my parallel journey with Alonzo. Plan International was also one of my first jobs out of the Peace Corps and I worked for CARE and did some work with Esperanza based her…"

Another excellent interview

"So many important points are covered on the value of foreign service from a leader who has experienced a lifetime of contact with other countries. Thanks for another outstanding Softpower, full story…"

Jodi Olsen's experience reminds me of mine and others

"I just posted on my Facebook page that I look forward to the Friday podcast of SoftPower/FulStories, which shows why the USA should be engaged with people in other countries in a peaceful way. Ever…"

Lewis Lucke Is Quite a Good Ambassador!

"How uplifting to hear the voice of Lewis Lucke, who from a very early age followed his passions! I think it was Emmanuel Kant who said in order to live contentedly we need someone to love, something…"

Softpower/fulstories is a highlight of my 80th year

"Instead of having a decade party as I did when I turned 40, 50, 60, and 70, I felt more like quiet contemplation this year when I turned 80, so I decided to reflect on people and entities that had en…"

Fruitcake defended by Aunt Deb

"Having just read Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory" and seen a live production with music of the story in which fruitcake plays prominently, I enjoyed hearing Aunt Deb both defend this often malign…"

PCV in Chile shows heart, humor, and reason

"This afternoon I told a friend from Chile about this episode, knowing that she would find it as compelling as I did. Denise Devereaux speaks with heart and humor of her experiences as a Peace Corps…"

Peter Hessler illustrates how the US benefits from non-military involvement abroad

"Peter Hessler is famous, and his illustrations for how the US benefits from soft power are compelling, as are those heard previously on this podcast. He explains how the US gained by sending Peace …"

Insightful Podcast

"Such thought-provoking comments by four Americans who have lived abroad. Good insights as we begin a new year."

Thankful for SoftPower/FulSTories' Inspiration

"I've been reviewing on Spotify, but every week I look forward to the next episode of your podcast, and on Thanksgiving week, I appreciate the multitude of reasons given for being connected to the re…"

Review of Steve Herman and This Is The Voice of America

"(Full disclosure: I am a friend of Steve’s and have given some pro bono advice for dismissed VOA employees.) As with Steve’s book, this is a an informative and very human account of both Steve’s life…"

Amazing show

"Chris, Fred, this kind of inspiring, solutions oriented journalism is exactly what the world needs. Change is possible - if we live our lives with understanding, repect for others and a never endin…"

Best Pod of Public Diplomacy

"Do you crave stories about people that have made a real impact around the world? This is the pod for you. Masterfully narrated and produced, you get immersed into life changing experiences from diplo…"

Important lessons on hope when we need it most

"Full of depth, variety and impact. A necessary listen for today’s world with bearing on all our futures."

Wonderful, Inspiring Stories

"SoftPower/FulStories is a wonderful podcast, full of inspiring and amazing stories. Chris Wurst is a gifted interviewer, who somehow manages to get people to talk freely and openly about the most in…"

Soft Power, Strong Voices

"This podcast is a revealing tapestry of human connection, where foreign aid is not a transaction but a relationship—and where Peace Corps voices like Glenn Blumhorst, Betsy Small, and Flo Reed illumi…"

Warren Acuncius embodies SoftPower Heroes

"In Episode 8 of SoftPower/FulStories, Warren Acuncius radiates the same energy and excitement that has characterized all the earlier guests — the kind that comes from being deeply connected to the wi…"

We Need This Inspiration!

"Christopher Wurst has given us a gift through these stories told by remarkable people who are truly engaged with the rest of the world and address the question of "Why care?" This podcast in unique …"

An opportunity to Time Travel

"These are wonderfull stories that take us around the world and through time with unexpected intimacy across cultural boundaries. We need stories like these now more than ever."

Inspiring Stories, Full of Heart

"Great podcast and exactly what I needed to hear today to counter the heaviness of the news. Christopher is a masterful storyteller who shines a light on people doing good work. I began with the Carl …"

A Moving Journey Across Borders and Hearts

"From the very first note, SoftPower/FulStories swept me away. As someone who occasionally dreads any moment of solitude: this podcast transformed those moments into intimate, inspiring journeys. Each…"

Human Stories That Bring the World Closer

"Soft Power/Ful Stories is a gem of a podcast. Christopher is a gifted interviewer who lets his guests’ stories shine, while thoughtfully weaving in context and background that make the conversations …"

This will Take me to Chicago!

"I listened to the first episode with Carl Henn. It took me from the doctor all the way home and made the trip so enjoyable. I often drive to Chicago (four hours) and I can't wait to get back to these…"

Power on Parade

"The heart of Wurst’s podcast resides in the power of human connections, what happens when people from different worlds and religions and backgrounds reach beyond their comfort zone to forge real conn…"