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 you may think. On this week's episode, Jane Haines talks about her service as community economic development (CED) volunteer in the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

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 relationships after Peace Corps, when your significant other isn't a volunteer.

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 she served 20 years ago, her memories are fresh and her fondness for her community is strong as the day she left the island.

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.

This episode is something a little different. Today, I talk about calling your friends and family in your community of service once you become an RPCV.

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 Peace Corps offers, the climate and culture of Azerbaijan, about his numerous projects, and much more. Sevindirir!

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, Sena was reassigned to Zambia. We talk about village weddings, poaching, and serving in Africa as an African volunteer.

"I worked with another PCV to train Nazmi Rushiti's team for Model UN Albania. Our team represented Burkina Faso. I worked on a side project of trying to start a community radio station for Peshkopi and our local region. There had been attempts at a similar idea before me, and there were several residents and many students very interested in the project, but we did not succeed in getting together a Board of Directors willing and able to stick with it."

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 shape his life. On this week's episode, we learn about Chris's service in Suriname, his work with rain collection and water access, and how his service helped create his career.

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 Training Officer for the Middle East (1967-1968).