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SoftPower/FulStories

Christopher Wurst
Peace Corps
U.S. Disaster Relief
Financial Technology
Hello Alice
American Red Cross
Entrepreneurship
Sierra Leone
World War I
HIV/AIDS
Women's Empowerment
Bolivia
Haiti
Cold War
Julia Irwin
USAID
Micronesia
Guatemala
The Gambia
Yokohama
Tokyo

Epic weekly tales from every corner of the globe. Forget politics, academia, or the office, these are "soft, powerful stories" told by those who lived them. Is what happens in Kinshasa really important in Kansas? Should an Idahoan care about the problems of an Indonesian? (The answer is yes, but...) SP/FS gives the human story center stage. People can debate the virtues of global soft power, but n... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes14Founded4 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelSociety & Culture

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Artwork for SoftPower/FulStories

Latest Episodes

Flo Reed believes--no, she knows--that when people work together, they can overcome challenges and create significant change. Her work in Central America in the Peace Corps allowed her to see the threats that small farmers faced and gain insight into... more

Dr. Julia Irwin is the leading scholar writing about the history and impact of US disaster relief. In this fascinating conversation, she shares some entertaining and little-known stories to outline the evolution of American aid and the implications o... more

Warren Acuncius has seen a lot. His work for USAID as a disaster relief specialist took him all over the world. He saw the aftermath of cataclysmic tragedies and suffering on a scale that most cannot imagine. But he also saw what can be accomplished ... more

Before Alexa West became the quintessential Solo Girl traveler, inspiring a new generation of women to confidently explore the world on their own, she was a solo girl (Peace Corps) volunteer--still helping women, but from a very foreign village in re... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Dr. Julia Irwin
T. Harry Williams Professor of History at Louisiana State University, expert in U.S. disaster relief
Louisiana State University
Episode: SP/FS BONUS: Catastrophic Diplomacy (Dr. Julia Irwin)
Roland Merullo
An award-winning author of 28 books, including fiction and essays published in major outlets.
rolandmerullo.com
Episode: #6 - Roland Merullo
Betsy Small
Served in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone and has over 30 years of experience working with divided communities.
Author of Before Before
Episode: #5 - Betsy Small
Elizabeth Gore
Co-founder and president of Hello Alice, focused on empowering entrepreneurs.
Hello Alice
Episode: #2 - Elizabeth Gore

Host

Christopher Wurst
Host and producer with a focus on storytelling that highlights global perspectives and personal journeys. He is known for providing context and insight that connects international experiences to universal human themes.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 22 ratings
  • Stories with implications

    It’s wonderful to listen to these stories through the voice of those that had impact and represent the goodwill of the American people, guided by Chris’ masterful story arch. This podcast is preservation of history and a constant reminder of the importance of engaging in the world and of the human connection.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wacuncius
    United States14 days ago
  • Real power at many levels

    Great stories from Roland Merullo showing the value of cultural interaction, both at the individual level and the national level. More please!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dataylor1
    United States25 days ago
  • Eye opening tales

    I have found these stories fascinating, charming, poignant, heroic and disarming (and at times humorous.) The podcasts are professionally done with the soothing voice of Christopher Wurst providing context for each episode. I get teary thinking about what we lose when we gut programs such as USAID and the Peace Corps. Listen and be enthralled!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    D Deneaux
    United Statesa month ago
  • Essential stories for the current era

    The world is a better place when we’re exploring it together.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AndyReviewsThings
    United Statesa month ago
  • Powerful Soft Power Stories

    As the positive influence and reputation of the United States around the world decline, it is crucial to hear stories from people who have successfully promoted American values globally. American soft power complements hard power by building goodwill toward the United States. Positive attitudes from other nations create opportunities for the U.S. government, the American private sector, educational institutions, nonprofits, and individuals, facilitating the exchange of ideas, knowledge, goods, a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PJelena
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The content is seen as both educational and entertaining, bridging the gap between personal stories and broader societal themes.
Listeners praise the storytelling quality and the depth of personal experiences shared.
Reviews consistently highlight the engaging and relatable narratives that provide insight into global issues.
Many appreciate the emphasis on human connection and understanding across cultures, making complex topics accessible.
The host is often commended for his engaging delivery and ability to weave compelling tales that resonate with audiences.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

SP/FS BONUS: Catastrophic Diplomacy (Dr. Julia Irwin)
Q: The notion of the transactional quality of disaster relief, what are your thoughts about that?
Disaster relief has humanitarian motivations but is also recognized as a national interest for the United States.
SP/FS BONUS: Catastrophic Diplomacy (Dr. Julia Irwin)
Q: In the evolution of our disaster relief, was there a moment where that kind of became the template?
There was learning and knowledge, with references to historical disasters informing more systematic responses starting after World War II.
SP/FS BONUS: Catastrophic Diplomacy (Dr. Julia Irwin)
Q: When you said there were arguments about foreign assistance, what were the arguments back then against foreign assistance?
Many believed the U.S. had too many problems at home and should focus on domestic issues rather than aid abroad.
SP/FS BONUS: Catastrophic Diplomacy (Dr. Julia Irwin)
Q: Was there ever a sense that this was a message for the American people to be proud about using our wealth and our influence?
Yes, many Americans saw this as a way to define the United States as a new type of world power, good world power on the international stage.
#4 - Ambassador Pamela White
Q: Shouldn't the United States fix its own house before trying to fix the world?
AID is the face of America around the world. And Soft Power means it's a part of our national defense system.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About SoftPower/FulStories

What is SoftPower/FulStories about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Featuring engaging narratives from diverse backgrounds, the episodes focus on the power of human connections across borders, with personal stories from individuals involved in humanitarian efforts, cultural exchanges, and exploration. The content revolves around themes such as international aid, cultural understanding, and the experiences of individuals from different nations, including those who served in the Peace Corps or worked with USAID. Listeners are likely to appreciate the emphasis on empathy, social justice, and the significance of soft power in building global relationships, inviting them to reflect on their place within these global narratives.

Episodes highlight the challenges faced by aid workers and travelers, encouraging wo... more

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Which podcasts are similar to SoftPower/FulStories?

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1. Pop Culture Happy Hour
2. This American Life
3. The Daily
4. Fresh Air
5. Stuff You Should Know

How many episodes of SoftPower/FulStories are there?

SoftPower/FulStories launched 4 months ago and published 14 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on SoftPower/FulStories?

Recent guests on SoftPower/FulStories include:

1. Dr. Julia Irwin
2. Roland Merullo
3. Betsy Small
4. Elizabeth Gore

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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