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SoftPower/FulStories

Christopher Wurst
Peace Corps
USAID
Diplomacy
Sierra Leone
Soft Power
U.S. Disaster Relief
HIV/AIDS
Iran
Afghanistan
Hello Alice
Financial Technology
American Red Cross
United States
Guatemala
Immigration
Entrepreneurship
Haiti
World War I
Climate Change
Education

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 weeklyEpisodes81Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelSociety & Culture

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Artwork for SoftPower/FulStories

Latest Episodes

“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 t... more

YouTube

"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 ... more

YouTube

"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 ke... more

YouTube

"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 tho... more

YouTube

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Keisha Effiom
Former Mission Director for USAID in Rwanda; CEO and co-founder of the Imara Advisory Group
Imara Advisory Group
Episode: #52 - Keisha Effiom
Matt Brown
Storyteller, journalist, and former Peace Corps volunteer who led trips with George Clooney to Sudan
Enough Project (former), Peace Corps (former)
Episode: #51 - Matt Brown
Maria Brewer
US Ambassador, leadership coach and author
Former US Department of State
Episode: #50 - Ambassador Maria Brewer
Joe Lurie
Executive Director Emeritus, UC Berkeley International House
UC Berkeley International House
Episode: #49 - Joe Lurie
Jennifer Butler
Reverend, founder of Faith in Public Life
Faith in Public Life (FPL)
Episode: SP/FS Classic: Reverend Jennifer Butler
Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
Bradford M. Freeman Managing Director of Global Policy at the Bush Institute
Bush Institute
Episode: #48 - Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
Corey Taylor
Peace Corps volunteer in Benin (1997-1999)
Episode: SP/FS Bonus: Peace Corps Story Slam (with the Museum of the Peace Corps Experience)
Will Dreyer
Peace Corps volunteer in Madagascar
Episode: SP/FS Bonus: Peace Corps Story Slam (with the Museum of the Peace Corps Experience)
Katie Hamann
Peace Corps volunteer in Mali
Episode: SP/FS Bonus: Peace Corps Story Slam (with the Museum of the Peace Corps Experience)

Host

Christopher Wurst
Host and producer of Soft Powerful Stories; focused on soft power, storytelling, and cross-cultural exchange.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 48 ratings
  • Fascinating

    I wish I knew about This podcast earlier

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sarita7981
    United States2 months ago
  • Inspiring and Informative

    A font of amazing, true stories! A joy to listen to and learn from.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bachri M.
    United States7 months ago
  • A Glimmer of Good

    Today when so much of what we hear and see is heartbreaking, it is a relief to have heartwarming truths available. It provides the hope of better times to come.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fly Moscow
    United States9 months ago
  • 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests' firsthand experiences and candid reflections are seen as both informative and emotionally engaging.
The host's thoughtful framing and structure are repeatedly highlighted as a strength.
Listeners praise the show for heartfelt storytelling and immersive, human-centered perspectives on global issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#52 - Keisha Effiom
Q: What was your inspiration for development when you started seeing it from the field rather than a Washington desk?
Her inspiration came from partnering with governments and communities, shifting from being a fixer to becoming a true partner in solving problems that countries themselves identify as priorities.
#52 - Keisha Effiom
Q: Did you have a sense of what you wanted to do when you grew up?
She initially wanted to be a lawyer to stand up for people facing injustice, but later realized the role would involve confronting systemic issues and bullies, guiding her toward public service.
#51 - Matt Brown
Q: How did you prepare for the Clooney trip and manage safety in a conflict zone?
I relied on UN support and my own network, but we had to be adaptable when the UN pulled out; I quickly rebuilt logistics, secured ground transport, and coordinated with local teams to keep everyone safe and connected.
#50 - Ambassador Maria Brewer
Q: The more our problems mount here in the US, the less I think we can help other countries. That's just common sense, right?
The guest argues that helping at home and abroad isn't an either/or choice; global threats require a both/and approach to ensure national security and prosperity for Americans as well.
#48 - Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
Q: Can you talk a little bit about the importance of showing up?
Showing up is foundational to diplomacy; it signals commitment, builds trust, and creates opportunities for meaningful engagement with leaders, communities, and allies. It's about being present in both positive and challenging contexts and letting your actions reflect American values in a tangible way.

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?

The collection showcases intimate conversations with people who have lived global experiences, often tying personal journeys to broader themes like language, migration, humanitarian work, diplomacy, and climate action. Episodes center on human stories—translations of literature, refugee journeys, Peace Corps service, public diplomacy, and grassroots activism—highlighting how individual choices ripple into cultural exchange and soft power. Noteworthy are the strong emphasis on personal narratives, ethical complexities of foreign aid, and a consistent thread of empathy, resilience, and cross-cultural understanding that makes distant topics feel immediate and relevant for listeners who value global perspectives.

The show stands out for its hu... more

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Which podcasts are similar to SoftPower/FulStories?

These podcasts share a similar audience with SoftPower/FulStories:

1. Hidden Brain
2. Fresh Air
3. This American Life
4. SmartLess
5. Freakonomics Radio

How many episodes of SoftPower/FulStories are there?

SoftPower/FulStories launched a year ago and published 81 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. Keisha Effiom
2. Matt Brown
3. Maria Brewer
4. Joe Lurie
5. Jennifer Butler
6. Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
7. Corey Taylor
8. Will Dreyer

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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