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Did you ever have to book a particularly complicated trip? Was it hard? Was it frustrating? Now imagine Carol Spahn's predicament. She returned from her service as Country Director in Malawi just 4 months before the Peace Corps' first-ever global evacuation due to COVID-19. She was part of a team that evacuated almost 7,000 volunteers from 64 countries in just 8 days--as borders were closing and flights were canceled. It was a massive effort. Oh, and two years later, she had nearly the same challenge again, only the other way around. This is her remarkable story... 'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.

In 2003, President George W. Bush announced the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which the world would come to know as PEPFAR—arguably the most successful foreign assistance program in history. How did that happen? Journalist John Donnelly has covered global health and HIV and AIDS in particular for decades—and has had a front-row seat for much of that time. His brand-new book, 'Lifeline: The Story of PEPFAR, the Greatest Humanitarian Initiative of Our Time,' is a fascinating, deeply researched look at the challenges, heroic characters, and unprecedented worldwide engagement that has, until now, saved tens of millions of lives. 'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.

Usually, on SoftPower/FulStories, our storytellers find themselves overseas, in situations foreign and frequently life-changing. Their stories remind us about our common humanity and our need to engage with others worldwide. This week, however, hits a little closer to home. Wesley Warshawer does have stories about living in India or being a Fulbright scholar in Korea, but his main journey—the one we will concern ourselves with this week—takes place within the US border, when—in the words of Paul Simon—he “walked off to look for America.” 'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.

When Hannah Peterson’s college friends were going off to jobs in business and finance, she chose a slightly different path. That is to say, she chose to go to work in a garbage dump—a literal garbage dump—in Nicaragua. And later, when she couldn’t find accurate stories about the lives of the people she was getting to know, she took it upon herself to write them. And, as USAID was being fed into a wood chipper, she was finishing her play. And when numerous colleagues found themselves suddenly jobless, her play suddenly had a cast. 'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.

When Derek Lowstuter joined the Peace Corps, he found the transition from Colorado to Ethiopia very easy... at least as far as the altitude went. Everything else? Way different. Becoming part of a community there came loaded with lessons. By learning to accept help, or reach beyond community, he strengthened his own place within it. 'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.

Lisa Cazacu may have waited a long time to follow her Peace Corps dream, but once she started, there was zero hesitation. She jumped right into life in Romania. She was a regular at the nearby outdoor market, weaving her way through the towering mountains of cabbage, and only occasionally carrying a big bunch of bananas. 'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.

Karl Stoltz continues to bring people together, after nearly four decades as a public diplomacy expert. As Co-President of the Public Diplomacy Council of America, he pays close attention to the many soft power tools the United States uses to win hearts and minds (which used to be a priority). As a diplomat, starting with the U.S. Information Agency, he deployed these tools, not least in Moscow, where his overseas career began and ended. 'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.

There's no doubt that Jason Carter is following in some big footsteps. His great-grandmother, for instance, joined the Peace Corps at age 66 and believed passionately in the importance of service. Or his grandfather, who wasn't content with merely being the President of the United States--he too built a decades-long legacy of service after he left the Oval Office. But there's also no doubt that Jason has answered the call, and then some. As a Peace Corps volunteer, as a lawmaker, as an attorney, and with the Carter Center. He is readily building a legacy of his own. 'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.

"When you learn, teach. When you get, give." - Maya Angelou Growing up in a Haitian-American family in Queens, NY, Jennifer Erie hoped the Peace Corps might send her to West Africa to learn more about her ancestors' origins. Instead, she ended up in South Africa, the first of many places — along with her time at USAID — where she found countless new people to champion, collaborate with, and befriend. Far from her original expat community, she became a part of countless others. Flash forward and "the world is in her bones." SoftPower/FulStories uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing.

“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 the time. A simple request to help build a school became a successful challenge that, years later, would bloom into an NGO now called Thousand Currents, promoting interdependence and having a positive impact on tens of thousands of lives around the world.  'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.

"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 gone. Not gradually. Not on her terms. Just gone. Yet, when USAID was immediately halted, the teams around the world were still in place. And the team that Keisha led needed answers. They needed reassurance. They needed leadership. This is that story. 'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.

"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 keep an A-list celebrity safe in a conflict zone. Matt Brown--our storyteller this week--had three days. Which is crazy. Thankfully, as a returned Peace Corps volunteer and seasoned journalist, he knew his way around Africa. But still--three days?! 'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.

"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 those feelings never left, and she spent her diplomatic career--which included two ambassadorships--looking for inclusivity and ways to get to 'yes.' In fact, we suspect that it was her aversion to the word 'no' that fueled her spectacular career. 'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.

(This episode originally aired on January 23, 2026.) In case you missed it: Hamse Warfa is the CEO of World Savvy, a non-profit organization that equips educators and students with the skills, perspectives, and global awareness needed to thrive in an interconnected world and drive positive change. In 2022, he became the first Somali-American presidential appointee in U.S. history, as a Senior Advisor in the U.S. State Department's Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights. Later this year, he is planning to publish a book about AI & Transformational Leadership. 'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.

"People generally see what they look for and hear what they listen for." - Harper Lee Joe Lurie, the Executive Director Emeritus of the University of California, Berkeley's International House, has a story, a proverb, or an eyewitness account for seemingly every occasion. Here's one from Ukraine: "You don't really see the world if you only look through your own window." From an early age, Joe has not only sought out new windows with different views, but has also made it his life's work to open these windows for as many others as possible. 'SoftPower/FulStories' uses first-person stories to explore why U.S. engagement in the world matters. Through conversations with diplomats, aid workers, Peace Corps volunteers, authors and artists, influencers, businesspeople, and more, SP/FS highlights how soft power and foreign aid and assistance strengthen America's security, prosperity, and global standing. But forget politics, policy, or punditry; this is all about the stories.