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SoftPower/FulStories

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

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 weeklyEpisodes34Founded7 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelSociety & Culture

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Artwork for SoftPower/FulStories

Latest Episodes

SP/FS is proud to share the new episode of Global Development Interrupted, a podcast and Substack page we follow enthusiastically. You may remember that GDI's founder and host, Leah Petit, was featured on SP/FS #18 (go find it if you haven't yet list... more

He left the U.S. as Allan J. Wind, but by the time his Peace Corps stint in Ecuador ended, he had been rechristened as "Dr. Alonzo" - which is what his driver's license now says. From being an unlikely radio star, to a health minister's good luck cha... more

Jody Olsen called her Peace Corps memoir 'A Million Miles' - and while the distance from her traditional Mormon upbringing in Utah and a rural Tunisian health clinic may not have been a literal million miles, it likely felt like even more. But those ... more

Let's face it, 2025, things could have gone a whole lot better. But it was the birth year for SP/FS, and on this special bonus episode, virtually the entire SP/FS Class of '25 storytellers return with reflections on the year past and wishes for 2026.... more

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Recent Guests

Fred de Sam Lazaro
Executive Director of the Undertold Stories Project
PBS NewsHour
Episode: SP/FS BONUS: Soft Powerful (Under-Told) Stories (Fred de Sam Lazaro)
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 of Soft Powerful Stories, Christopher Wurst is known for his engaging storytelling style that emphasizes the human side of international relations and cultural exchange.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 26 ratings
  • 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 States2 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 States4 months 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 States4 months 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 States4 months ago
  • Essential stories for the current era

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AndyReviewsThings
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Positive feedback highlights the podcast's role in fostering understanding and compassion between different cultures.
The storytelling is described as engaging, with many commending the host's insightful narrative style.
Reviews emphasize the podcast's ability to provide hope and positivity in a challenging global context.
Listeners appreciate the heartfelt and inspiring stories that highlight cultural connections around the world.

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?

The content captures a wide array of personal narratives that celebrate cross-cultural experiences, revealing the power of human connections and storytelling across various global contexts. Episodes feature guests who share transformative stories about their adventures in diverse regions, often highlighting themes of empathy, social justice, and global engagement. By prioritizing personal accounts over political discourse, the discussions focus on the importance of understanding and appreciating different cultures, especially through the lens of humanitarian efforts and volunteer experiences like those with the Peace Corps.

Noteworthy is the podcast's emphasis on soft power, showcasing how storytelling can foster goodwill and understanding... more

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Which podcasts are similar to SoftPower/FulStories?

These podcasts share a similar audience with SoftPower/FulStories:

1. Fela Kuti: Fear No Man
2. Fresh Air
3. Pod Save America
4. The Daily
5. Pod Save the World

How many episodes of SoftPower/FulStories are there?

SoftPower/FulStories launched 7 months ago and published 34 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. Fred de Sam Lazaro
2. Dr. Julia Irwin
3. Roland Merullo
4. Betsy Small
5. 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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