SP/FS BONUS: Soft Powerful (Under-Told) Stories (Fred de Sam Lazaro)

Journalist Fred de Sam Lazaro created the Under-Told Stories Project more than three decades ago, bringing stories from some of the most remote parts of the world into the living rooms of PBS NewsHour viewers and classrooms of journalism students. He has reported from more than 60 countries and numerous US communities, always seeking the small, "under-told" story that compellingly illustrates larger themes. Here, he shares some favorites, weighs in on US soft power, and gives a peek behind the curtain of his long-running project.

Check out the Under-Told Stories Project website HERE.

Fred de Sam Lazaro

Fred interviewing His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Interviewing Jimmy Carter in South Sudan

With a U.S. border patrol officer in Warroad, Minnesota

Show Credits:

SP/FS Producer & Host: Christopher Wurst

Opening Voices: Dmitri Wurst, Elena Wurst, Kjara Wurst, Christopher Wurst

Show Artwork: Kate Furby

Voice of Dubious Aunt Deb: Cathy Zielske

Cold Open Music: BWM – The Brina Band

Dubious Ant Deb Music: Cass County Beauty Queen – Alan Singley

Episode Music:

The Cast and the Favor – Blue Dot Sessions

Golden Tilt – Blue Ember Angel

Cast in Wicker – Blue Dot Sessions

A Periwinkle Sky – Kjara Wurst

Will I Ever See Another Sunrise? – Kai Engel

Hallon – Christian Bjoerklund

Cool Vibes – Kevin MacLeod

Interview date: September 30, 2025