Episodes

"I was sued for $7 by a drunk ice cream salesman in the village that I worked in." - Elizabeth Ault.

When Jaclyn Zoccoli reflects back on her Peace Corps service in Liberia 50 years ago, she asks herself, "What were we able to accomplish?" When she posed that same question to her fellow volunteers of Liberia IX, they were quick to respond. Hear their response and more on this episode of the My Peace Corps Story podcast.

Greg Emerson began his Peace Corps journey in Morocco but was evacuated from the country before swearing in, when the US invaded Iraq. Months later, he flew to Peru, where he would spend two years working high in the Andes mountains.

I'm excited to share with you the first thematic My Peace Corps Story episode where I talk with four Peace Corps volunteers who served across the globe during different decades. They share their holiday Peace Corps stories and reflect on their time abroad.

It was hard for Charles McKinney not to stick out when he served as a person of color in the predominantly Caucasian country of Macedonia. Learn how this impacted and shaped his Peace Corps service.

A week before Katherine is to hold her first big event as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine, things didn't look good. The only performers she had for the Youth Center's Christmas Concert were the English Christmas Carol Club and with no budget for decorations, everything had to be made by hand. But, in true Peace Corps fashion, everything falls into place at the last moment. Hear this story and the rest of Katherine's Peace Corps story.

You've had Black Friday and Cyber Monday, now take part in Giving Tuesday. On this episode, learn more about the National Peace Corps Association and why you should donate today.

During a decade defined by the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and rock 'n' roll in the US, Ray found himself in India training future teachers, building kitchens, and learning to play the drums with new friends.

Days from the end of her service, Taylor's house was set on fire, sending a clear message that someone no longer wanted her there. That feeling, however, was only shared by one person in Fiji, a community that loved her as much as she loved them.

Lizzie Pelz, an LGBTQ+ volunteer, served in Ethiopia from 2012 to 2014. While her experience is not the same as all LGBTQ+ PCVs, we talk about going back into the closet, finding support, and the difficulties faced while serving in the Peace Corps.

Christine Blackburn, a 3-time Moth Story Slam winner, renowned storyteller and podcaster, tells the story of her time in Tonga.

Jennifer Bangoura served in Mali from 2008 to 2012, first as an Environment Specialist in a village of 1,000 people nine hours north of Bamako, then in Bamako where she worked on a USAID-funded education contract as a Communications Specialist. We talk about a few of our shared interest, the Peace Corps and photography, and learn more about her Peace Corps story.

Cindy Handle served in Uganda as a Community Economic Development volunteer. Her love of volunteerism started when working with Amnesty International in undergrad and continued to grow into a passion for helping others. On this episode, she reflects on her service, a year after returning home.

I interview Yadezi Abreu about her time in Peace Corps Colombia, thus far, as a Colombian American. Not only is she Colombian, her family is from the region where she serves, and her grandfather lives close by. Yet, her service has not been without struggle, and much of that struggle comes from being Colombian.

After reading my Peace Corps memoir, Sheev had several questions and comments that he sent me. This started the idea to have in on the show, both as a guest and as a host. We talk about the writing process, my service, and my unfiltered, raw account of my time in the Peace Corps.

How would you sum up two years of service abroad filled with highs, such as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and a handful of lows. Sheev and I discuss his time as a Clinic Health Volunteer in Botswana, the highs, lows, and in-betweens.

Blake and Helen started Tiny House Coffee Roasters while serving as Peace Corps Volunteers in Nicaragua, to work hand in hand with members of their communities. They collaborate directly with local producers, sharing more work and more benefits.

Catherine Cottam served in South Africa in 2013. She was medically separated five months into service when she developed depression and eventually Bipolar Disorder. Yet, her service should be defined by more than mental health issues.

Could you find Georgia on a map? No, not the state, the Republic of Georgia. This episode, I talk with Scott Skinner about his time in Georgia as an Education and Youth Development Volunteer. While he did hone his wood chopping skills in the far northern region Georgia, he learned many other skills and lessons that he uses each and every day.

This episode, I take some time to talk about the My Peace Corps Story podcast and share a little more about my service in Burkina Faso. In this bonus, I confront my lifelong fear of reading aloud (sort of) and read the first two chapters of my book, Service Disrupted, with the addition of a few added soundscapes. I'd love to know what you think. Enjoy!

Liz Fanning served in Morocco from 1993 to 1995 as Parks, Wildlife and Environmental Education volunteer. Twenty years after serving, she founded CorpsAfrica, which offers the same transformative experience as the Peace Corps to emerging leaders in Africa - giving them the chance to be a part of the solution for their own countries.

Travis Hellstrom served in Mongolia, 2008-2011, where he met his wife Tunga. He has a passion for happiness, simplicity, love, authenticity, and optimism. We talk about his service, meeting his wife, and his work to spread optimism.

While in training, Haley Erickson was Administratively Separated from the Peace Corps, kicked out before she swore in and began her service. She talks about her short time in Guatemala and what happened.

While Chris Cannito is Primary Literacy volunteer serving in the Eastern Caribbean, his service is more than empowering students to read. After class, he puts down the books and laces up his cleats, to help coach the national rugby team. Listen to Chris's Peace Corps story, as he finishes his second year of service and prepares to extend for a third and final year in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.