SoftPower/FulStories
Christopher WurstEpic 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
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 70 | Founded | a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CulturePlaces & Travel | |||
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Latest Episodes
(This episode originally aired on September 12, 2025.)
In case you missed it: Betsy Small grew up aware of both her privileged place in the world and her family's rapid rise from poverty and persecution. Both left a mark, resulting in decades of emp... more
Dateline: 1 July 2026
July 1, 2025, marked the inglorious (and highly dubious) end of USAID. To mark its passing, we asked Sara Sullivan, a USAID alumna who has been speaking out from the very beginning of the end, to "The Average American," to deli... more
On February 3, 2025, Elon Musk posted this on X: "We spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper. Could gone [sic] to some great parties. Did that instead."
It's safe to say that no one needed Musk's savage imagery. It's also worth pointin... more
"Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable." – Banksy
Laura Migliorino is an artist and long-time art instructor based in Minneapolis. She has--from the beginning of her long career in art--believed in the power of memory. Now, as... more
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Reviews
- Inspiring and Informative
A font of amazing, true stories! A joy to listen to and learn from.
Apple Podcasts5Bachri M.
United States5 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 Podcasts5Fly MoscowUnited States7 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 Podcasts5WacunciusUnited States9 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 Podcasts5dataylor1United States10 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 Podcasts5D DeneauxUnited States10 months ago
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Apple Podcasts | #33 |  Finland/Society & Culture/Places & Travel |
Apple Podcasts | #116 |  Israel/Society & Culture/Places & Travel |
Apple Podcasts | #171 |  Mexico/Society & Culture/Places & Travel |
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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. Sources & Methods
2. The NPR Politics Podcast
3. The Opinions
4. Pod Save America
5. Consider This from NPR
How many episodes of SoftPower/FulStories are there?
SoftPower/FulStories launched a year ago and published 70 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. Nicholas Enrich
2. Laura Migliorino
3. Tina Martin
4. John Limbert
5. Andrea Cristancho
6. Sean Cotter
7. Kao Kalia Yang
8. Paul E. White
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