My Peace Corps Story

My Peace Corps Story episodes:

• 03.22.2020

  The Peace Corps Coronavirus Evacuation

  On March 15, the Peace Corps announced it would temporarily suspend Volunteer operations and begin evacuating Volunteers from all posts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On this episode, five volunteers share their story of evacuation in the time of coronavirus.   Resources: Facebook...

  
• 03.01.2020

  Happy National Peace Corps Week – Return of the Podcast

  Happy National Peace Corps Week! This episode marks the return of the My Peace Corps Story podcast. After taking a few months off, I’m starting the show up again. The show will now be a monthly podcast for the time...

  
• 10.29.2019

  COSing – Tyler Lloyd, Peace Corps Podcast Host

  After 27 months of the My Peace Corps Story podcast, I’m closing this chapter of the podcast. The podcast isn’t over though. I plan to come back to the show with a new format. Producing weekly podcasts was an ambitious...

  
• 10.22.2019

  Teaching in the Bush – Katie McNamara, Namibia 2016-18

  Inspired by a former teacher, Katie set off to Peace Corps for an adventure and a chance to prove herself. She did both and more. This week, I talk with Katie McNamara about her time in Namibia, a country that’s...

  
• 10.15.2019

  101 Arabian Tales – Randy Hobler, Libya 1968-1969

    Photos from Randy’s Service   Randy Hobler’s Peace Corps Story Where and when did you serve? What did you do? Served in Libya from October 1968 thru most of October 1969. I, like all my colleagues, was a TEFL (Teaching English as a Second...

  
• 10.08.2019

  From Small Town to Smaller Town – Sharelle Ahrens, Mongolia 2018-2020

    Photos from Sharelle’s Service Sharelle’s Peace Corps Story Where and when did you serve? What did you do? Ghana, 2010-2012. Primary Assignment was Biology Teacher – also ended up being head of the ICT department at my school and training new PCVs on...

  
• 10.01.2019

  Health Resource Partners – Britany Ferrell, Ghana 2010-12

  Health Resource Partners (HRP) founder, Britany Ferrell, decided to join the United States Peace Corps during her last year of college at the University of Alabama. Shortly after her graduation in June 2010, she learned that she was going to...

  
• 09.24.2019

  Serving in the First Year – Addis and Jim Chapman, West Pakistan 1961-63

    Photos from Addis and Jim’s Service Addis and Jim Chapman’s Peace Corps Story Where and when did you serve? What did you do? We served in what was then West Pakistan from 1961-63. Ours was the first multidisciplinary project in PC — nurses,...

  
• 09.17.2019

  Tough Cookie – Tasha Prados, Peru 2011-2013

  Since leaving Peru, Tasha Prados founded Duraca Strategic, a business and marketing strategy company. Tasha wants organizations that are doing good for the world to have access to expertise from a skilled partner that can help those organizations. She recently...

  
• 09.10.2019

  Climbing Cotopaxi with the Warmis – Dana Platin, Ecuador 1997-2000

  In 2001 the first expedition of indigenous women reached the summit of Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world just shy of 20,000 feet. Four Andean women (Warmis) and two American women all joined together to climb in celebration...

  
• 09.03.2019

  Peace Corps Host Family – David Hernandez, Ecuador 2013-15

    Photos from David’s Service David Hernandez’s Peace Corps Story Where and when did you serve? What did you do? I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador from 2013-2015. I worked as an Environmental Education/Business volunteer. This sector had me doing many...

  
• 08.27.2019

  Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen, Tunisia 1966-1968

  Jody Olsen first heard of the Peace Corps during a presentation from a recruiter attending a sorority dinner. The following day she informed her fiancé that they were going to join the Peace Corps and 18 months later they were...

  
• 08.20.2019

  Pathogenic E. Coli – Podcast News and Excuses

  For the past two weeks I’ve been either rushing to the bathroom, doubled over in pain, or both. It reminded me a lot of Peace Corps actually. This was the first time I’ve had any major GI issues since Peace...

  
• 08.13.2019

  A Towering Task – Alana DeJoseph, Mali 1992-94

  Alana DeJoseph has worked in video and film production for over 20 years. She has worn many hats as producer, director, videographer, and editor, but her heart has always been in documentaries. Between 2003 and 2005, she was associate producer of...

  
• 08.06.2019

  From Volunteer to Emmy-Winning Filmmaker – Bryn Mooser, The Gambia 2001-04

  As a Volunteer in The Gambia, Bryn worked to rehabilitate the country’s highly deforested environment. He also volunteered outside of his community, helping to build two schools in nearby villages. But Bryn’s drive to serve didn’t end with the Peace...

  
• 07.30.2019

  The Land of Dragons – Abraham Kahasay, Indonesia 2016-2018

    Photos from Abraham’s Service Abraham Kahasay’s Peace Corps Story Where and when did you serve? What did you do? I served in Indonesia from 2016-2018 as an education volunteer. I taught at a local Madrasah middle school on the island of Java. What is...

  
• 07.23.2019

  Fresh off the Island – Chad Beatty, Vanuatu 2016-19

  Chad only recently returned home from his Peace Corps service in Vanuatu. With the sand barely out of his shoes, he talks about living two years on a remote island followed by a third year in Port Vila. Photos from Chad’s...

  
• 07.16.2019

  From Volunteer to Ambassador – Kathleen Stephens, South Korea 1975-1977

  Photos from Kathleen’s Service The Peace Corps Story of Ambassador Kathleen Stephens Korea has been part of Ambassador (retired) Kathleen Stephens’ life and career since she served in rural Korea as a Peace Corps volunteer and trainer, 1975-1977.  She again found herself...

  
• 07.09.2019

  Back to the Beginning – Episode 1 Rebroadcast

  On this Episode: * My friend Jordan Wicker, co-host of the Speaking Easy Podcast, joins the show to interview me * I talk a little about my Peace Corps service and my new book, Service Disrupted * We discuss the Peace Corps, storytelling, and...

  
• 07.02.2019

  Leaving her Fiancé for the Peace Corps – Jane Hale, Chad 1970-72

  Jane Hale served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Chad from 1970 to 1972. She was already proficient in French before applying to the Peace Corps. She began training in Quebec at Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatiere, and continued training in Niamey, Niger. Her...

  
• 06.25.2019

  Not all Green Hills and Fresh Coffee – Jane Haines, Colombia 2018-Present

  Americans have a lot of preconceived thoughts about Colombia, which range from drug running narcos deep in the jungle to rolling verdant hills filled with coffee plantations. Yet, as with many things, Colombia is far more complex and dynamic than...

  
• 06.18.2019

  Dating after Peace Corps – Michelle Long and Tyler Lloyd

  Michelle Long did not serve in the the Peace Corps. Yet, Peace Corps has become a big part of her life because she said yes to marrying me, Tyler Lloyd: RPCV and Peace Corps podcast host! We explore dating and...

  
• 06.11.2019

  Not Beach Corps – Megan Bordi, St. Lucia 1999-2001

  While some may think serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Caribbean is all white sandy beaches and coconuts, that’s not the case. On this week’s episode I talk with Megan Bordi about her service in St. Lucia. While...

  
• 06.04.2019

  Partying with Janis Joplin – Alan Dockterman, Brazil 1968-70

  Alan Dockterman served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in northeast Brazil from 1968 to 1970. He discusses his opposition to the Vietnam War as a primary motivation for joining the Peace Corps. He also talks about attrition during his group...

  
• 05.28.2019

  Call Home – Staying Connected with Your Community After Service

  This week, I talk about calling your friends and family in your community of service once you become an RPCV. I have been back almost five years now and I did a pretty good job in the beginning at keeping in...

  
• 05.21.2019

  The Sense of Adventure – Corey Jacobson, Azerbaijan 2012-14

  Almost every time I do an interview with a Peace Corps volunteer, I end up wanting to travel to their country of service. Corey Jacobson’s interview was one of those interviews. We talk about the general sense of adventure that...

  
• 05.14.2019

  Weddings, Poaching, and More – Sena Woldetensay, Zambia 2016-2018

  Sena Woldetensay wanted to serve in the Peace Corps since middle school. Born in Ethiopia, she originally had her sights set on Latin America, but when an earthquake changed her plans a month before she was to leave for Ecuador,...

  
• 05.07.2019

  Linguist in Peshkopi – Kenji Yamada, Albania 2007-2009

    Photos from Kenji’s Service Kenji Yamada’s Peace Corps Story Where and when did you serve? What did you do? Albania, 2007-2009. I served as an English Education volunteer in Peshkopi, a town in mountainous northeastern Albania. I worked with English teachers at Peshkopi’s...

  
• 04.30.2019

  Rain, Rain – Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Suriname 2000-2002

  Weather is often a notable aspect of a volunteer’s Peace Corps service. From snow to rain to lack-there-of, precipitation shapes the life of a volunteer and the communities they call home for two years. For Chris Maxwell-Gaines, weather continues to...

  
• 04.23.2019

  From the JFK Library – John W. Bing, Afghanistan 1964-67

  John W. Bing served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Afghanistan from 1964 to 1967 as an English teacher. Afterwards he worked on the Peace Corps staff in Afghanistan (1967), and at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C., as Regional...

  
• 04.16.2019

  Artists of Peace Corps – Gina Larson, Kosovo 2018-Present

  Looking for something to fill her time this past winter, as her fellow teachers in Kosovo were on strike, Gina Larson turned to Instagram. Rather than opting to fill her time with endless scrolling, she decided to create @artistofpeacecorps. Through...

  
• 04.09.2019

  Adventures Across Africa – Betsy Gallery, Cameroon 1963-1965

    Photos from Betsy’s Service Elizabeth (Betsy) Gallery’s Peace Corps Story Where and when did you serve? What did you do? Nkongsamba, East Cameroun 1963 What is one of your favorite Peace Corps memories? Seeing the tiny gazelle eating from our salad dishes in Yaounde where...

  
• 04.02.2019

  Introvert in the Peace Corps – Kate Martin, Peru 2006-2008

  Serving as a volunteer provides numerous unforeseen challenges and is a job that requires you to be “at work” 24/7. For even the most outgoing of volunteers, this can become tiring. For those who consider themselves introverts, it can leave...

  
• 03.26.2019

  Nicaraguan Pottery – Paul Henry Devoti, Nicaragua 1995-97

  NICA Ceramic Art was born out of the Peace Corps experience of founder Paul H. Devoti in the indigenous pottery pueblo of San Juan de Oriente, Nicaragua.  NICA Ceramic Art’s mission is to expose the world to the ceramic art...

  
• 03.19.2019

  Life in a Fish Bowl – Marta Block, Ghana 2002-2004

  “Toward the end of my service, I was made queen mother of development (Nkosuahemaa) in my village. It was an amazing day full of music, speeches, parading through the village & celebrations. I was given a beautiful piece of kente...

  
• 03.12.2019

  Bless Up – Mark Bryson, Jamaica 2010-2013

    Photos from Mark’s Service Mark Bryson’s Peace Corps Story Where and when did you serve? What did you do? I served in Jamaica from March of 2010 till June of 2013 as a volunteer in the Green Initiative Sector. I was partnered with...

  
• 03.05.2019

  Baba Dochia – Adam Lawrence, Republic of Moldova 2014-2016

  Adam’s desire to help others led him to the Peace Corps where he served as a business advisor in Moldova. While serving, he began building websites for the local governments and small businesses he worked with. Adam saw an opportunity...

  
• 02.26.2019

  Boredom Will Not Kill You – Deborah Moskovitz, Honduras 1992-1994

  Photos from Deborah’s Service Deborah Moskovitz’s Peace Corps Story Where and when did you serve? What did you do? I served with the Peace Corps in Concepcion, Intibuca, Honduras 1992-1994, as an Agricultural Extension Volunteer. We had a longer training of five months,...

  
• 02.05.2019

  Finding Community in a Gym – Kelly Branyik, China 2014-2016

    Photos from Kelly’s Service Kelly Branyik’s Peace Corps Story Where and when did you serve? What did you do? I served in Chongqing, China and taught Oral English to High School students in a vocational tourism school. What is one of your favorite Peace...

  
• 01.01.2019

  Happy New Year from Tyler Lloyd

  Happy 2019! Thank you for another year of Peace Corps stories. I’m going to be taking a break for the month of January to plan for more volunteer stories and to work on a new project of mine, Louisville CBD...

  
• 12.25.2018

  Celebrating the Holidays in the Peace Corps (Rebroadcast)

  The holidays can be difficult for Peace Corps Volunteers. At a time when much of the celebration is centered around friends and family, many volunteers find themselves thousands of miles away from their loved ones. The traditions they grew up...

  
• 12.18.2018

  Peace Corps Pup – Michelle Claus (and Sipi), Uganda 12-14

  Michelle Claus didn’t go into Peace Corps expecting to have a pet, but after her house was broken into she thought getting a dog would be a good idea. You know, for security. But, she’d only have her dog during...

  
• 12.04.2018

  Jedd and Michelle Chang

  Jedd and Michelle Chang’s Peace Corps Story Where and when did you serve? What did you do? We served in Jamaica 2012-14. Michelle did literacy tutoring at a rural primary school while Jedd helped start up a brand new community center in...

  
• 11.27.2018

  Invested interests – Chris Norris, Costa Rica ’09-11

  Chris Norris’s Peace Corps Story Where and when did you serve? What did you do? Costa Rica, 2009-2011, Youth and Economic Development – taught business classes to teens and adults, taught English, did multi-use court infrastructure project, soccer tournament, wrote grant to...

  
• 11.20.2018

  Artezanz – Born in the Peace Corps: Stephen McBay and Kevin Ryterski, Paraguay 2015-2017

  Stephen McBay and Kevin Ryterski served as Community Economic Development volunteers in Paraguay. After their service, they found a way to continue to serve. Through their company Artezanz, they are working with the Artisan Community, both established and up and coming,...

  
• 11.06.2018

  Bob Vila – Peace Corps Panama to This Old House

  Before Bob Vila begin his life in broadcasting, he served as a Peace Corps volunteer, building houses and communities in Panama. Mr. Vila even built the very house he lived in during his service! We talk about his service, being...

  
• 10.23.2018

  Born a Backpacker – Nia Chauvin, Mozambique 2007-09

  Nia Chauvin served as an English teacher in small northern town in Mozambique from 2007-2009. While serving, she fell in love with her now husband and fell deeper in love with traveling. Now, Nia continues to travel the world with...

  
• 10.16.2018

  Ramadan with Meryl Streep – Olivia DiNucci, Morocco 2013-17

  Peace Corps Volunteers come away form their service with amazing stories, like the time when Olivia DiNucci broke her fast for Ramadan with Meryl Streep and later met Michelle Obama. Yet, the things that mean the most to volunteers aren’t...

  
• 10.09.2018

  Facing Fears and Chikungunya – Michaela Sanchez, Nicaragua 2014-16

  Michaela Sanchez served in a village in Nicaragua where she taught English in a community center started by a former volunteer and worked with Nicaraguan English teachers to improve their teaching abilities. Hear her story on this week’s episode of...

  
• 10.02.2018

  Former Peace Corps Director – Ron Tschetter, India 1966-68

  It all started in the mid 60’s when Ron Tschetter saw a Peace Corps ad and said to his wife, “We’re going to do this work stuff the rest of our lives. Let’s go out and see if we can...