Posh Corps Podcast - Posh Corps

This episode of the Posh Corps Podcast features two stories. The first segment takes place on Rabi Island, one of the easternmost islands of Fiji. It is one of the most remote places on earth, but even Rabi is not completely isolated from the global network that connects us all. Even at the ends of the earth, connections can tether Peace Corps Volunteers to their lives at home while distracting from service at site.

The second segment features a discussion between a mother and daughter, both of whom were Peace Corps Volunteers. Alex Matthews served in Peace Corps Morocco. Her connection to her life in the United States was both a blessing and a distraction. She sat down with her mother who served in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and discovered that disconnection has its own benefits.

Posh Corps Podcast Ep. 20 Transcript

Produced by Alan Toth and Alex Leeds Matthews

Additional Writing: Janet Leeds

Additional Audio: Janice Cantieri

Photos by Alan Toth, Alex Leeds Matthews and Janet Leeds

Siobhan Neela-Stock served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mozambique. After listening to a previous Posh Corps podcast (in which nobody fell in love), Siobhan was inspired to find and interview volunteers who married host country nationals. This episode tells the stories of two married couples who met in Lesotho and Mozambique respectively, and the challenges they faced in making their relationships work.

Posh Corps Podcast Ep. 19 Transcript

Produced and recorded by Siobhan Neela-Stock.

Editorial Advisor: Alan Toth

The election of Donald Trump for President of the United States has already had affected the countries where Peace Corps volunteers serve, and Trump will very soon be setting policy at Peace Corps itself.

Trump’s divisive rhetoric and much of his proposed agenda directly contradict the mission of the Peace Corps. Despite this, some returned volunteers supported Trump. Others initially opposed Trump’s statements, only to reverse course after the election.  The National Peace Corps Association, for instance, recently applied to march in the inaugural parade for President-Elect Trump on January 20th.

There was a time when Returned Peace Corps Volunteers did not so easily acquiesce to power. Before the National Peace Corps Association there was the Committee of Returned Volunteers (CRV). It was the first national Peace Corps alumni organization, and it was specifically created to oppose U.S. foreign policy.

The committee’s key opposition came on May 8th 1970. Several CRV members walked into Peace Corps Headquarters in Washington D.C., kicked the staff out of the building, and hung a Vietcong flag out of the window in protest of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. They occupied the office for two days.

Elaine Fuller was one of the returned volunteers who occupied Peace Corps headquarters in 1970. She tells her story in this episode of the Posh Corps podcast.

In addition, two returned volunteers on opposite sides of the political spectrum discuss their reactions to the election of Donald Trump.

National Peace Corps Association statement regarding their application to march in the inaugural parade (edited for length):

As we have done on previous occasions, NPCA and our local affiliate group, RPCVs of Washington, D.C., submitted an application on behalf of the Peace Corps community to participate in the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade on January 20, 2017. Our application was not chosen.

The application reflects the interests of a broadly diverse Peace Corps community to promote and celebrate the proud and ongoing legacy of Peace Corps by displaying the best America has to offer—altruism and service, innovation and idealism, patriotism and grit.

- Glenn Blumhorst

Posh Corps Podcast Ep. 18 Transcript

Produced and recorded by Alan Toth.

Images: © Marmaduke St. John / Alamy Stock Photo

Additional Audio: Donald J Trump for President, John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, US Peace Corps, WKSU-FM

Interviews with Elaine Fuller, Joe Stork, Gerald Schwinn, Mary Hollis, and Raymond Blakney

Karen Schwarz: What You Can Do For Your Country

Thomas F. Roeser: An RPCV Sit-In at the Peace Corps

Elizabeth Cobbs Hoffman: All You Need Is Love: The Peace Corps and the Spirit of the 1960s

P. David Searles: The Peace Corps Experience: Challenge and Change, 1969-1976

Stanley Meisler: When the World Calls: The Inside Story of the Peace Corps and Its First Fifty Years

Karen Schwarz: RPCVs and the FBI

Ramparts Magazine: Position Paper of the Committee of Returned Volunteers, September 1967

Washington Post: Protesters Vacate Peace Corps Office, May 10, 1970

The New York Times: Peace Corps Group Petitions For Peace, June 4, 1970

The Times of India: Demonstrators occupy Peace Corps Hq, May 10, 1970

The Washington Post: Dissent and the Peace Corps, Jan 16, 1970

The Washington Post: Peace Corps Backs Protest Here, June 28, 1970

Glenn Blumhorst: When Our Peace Corps Values Matter Most

NPCA: The Peace Corps community in 2016, The New York Times, and Cuba for 2017

This story also available on PRX

Photos courtesy of Humans of Kiribati

Over the years, Peace Corps Volunteers have served in many nations that have endured revolution, war, and social turmoil, but Kiribati may be the first Peace Corps country to simply cease to exist.

Kiribati (Keer-ree-bahss) is a nation composed of 33 coral atoll islands spread over a vast area of the Pacific Ocean. Most of the islands of Kiribati are no more than two meters above sea level. Like many Pacific island nations, Kiribati is severely impacted by climate change and rising sea levels. Though Kiribati may not be completely submerged for another fifty years, the effects of climate change may soon render the islands uninhabitable.

Mike Roman served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kiribati from 2000 to 2002. In this episode of the Posh Corps Podcast, Mike explains the challenges facing his adopted country, and what he's doing to help Kiribati and other Pacific island nations.

To find out more about the projects mentioned in this podcast, check out:

Kiribati Keepers

Millennium Island

Posh Corps Podcast Ep. 17 Transcript

Produced and recorded by Alan Toth.

Images: Humans of Kiribati, Raimon Kataotao, Gonna Ketels

Additional Audio Used under a Creative Commons 4.0 License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0):

The London School of Economics and Politics: In the Front Line of Climate Change

izzykb (YouTube): 1.5C to stay alive change at COP21

Interviews with Mike Roman and Lulu DeBoer

Kenneth R. Weiss: The Making of a Climate Refugee

Joe Lo: Why can’t poor countries access the climate finance they were promised?

Luke Rawalai: Kiribati surveys land

Humans of Kiribati

Millennium Island

Left to Right: Chuck Ludlam, Paula Hirschoff, Sargent Shriver, Robert B. Textor

This episode of the Posh Corps Podcast investigates a fundamental flaw in Peace Corps policy which prevents the agency from embracing reform. This story is the fourth segment in The Reform Series, a four-part series about Peace Corps reform efforts.

A provision within the Peace Corps Act limits employment at Peace Corps to a term of five years. This provision is known as the "Five-Year Rule." Numerous assessments have found that the Five-Year Rule creates serious disincentives toward high employee performance. The dynamic between the Five-Year Rule and a high number of political appointees at Peace Corps produces a fundamental flaw in Peace Corps policy.

Chuck Ludlam and Paula Hirschoff served as Peace Corps volunteers in the Sixties, and they served again as volunteers in Senegal from 2005 to 2007. They found that Peace Corps had not matured as much as it should have over the years. They are among the very few volunteers who have successfully advocated for Peace Corps reform.

Posh Corps Podcast Ep. 16 Transcript

Produced by Alan Toth.

Recording by Alan Toth and Will Dickinson.

Assistance by Lauren Schwartzman.

Music: "A Tale" from the album Hang by Laura Inserra. Used under a license provided by iLicense Music.

Image: Photos by Wilma Scheuren, Robert B. Textor, and Alexander Boden

Special Thanks to Will Dickinson and Joanne Roll.

Interviews with Chuck Ludlam, Paula Hirschoff, Will Dickinson, Mike Sheppard, and Dr. J. Larry Brown.

Will Dickinson Films

US Senate Committee Channel: 2007 Senate Hearing Peace Corps Volunteer Empowerment Act, S. 732

C-Span: Peace Corps Volunteer Safety (2011)

Peace Corps: The Peace Corps, A Comprehensive Agency Assessment

Peace Corps Office of Inspector General: Impacts of the Five-Year Rule on Operations of the Peace Corps 

Robert B. Textor: The Peace Corps “In-Up-Out” Policy, Reflections on how it all happened

Peace Corps: Annual Volunteer Survey 2015 Data: Post Averages

Peace Corps: FY2003 – 2012 Early Termination Data by Country - Cohort Method

Dr. J Larry Brown: Peasants Come Last

U.S. Government Publishing Office: 2012 Plumb Book

Michael Sheppard: Early Termination in the Peace Corps

Chuck Ludlam and Paula Hirschoff: Plan to Strengthen and Expand the Peace Corps

Also available on PRX

This episode of the Posh Corps Podcast investigates Peace Corps' use of the anti-malarial drug Mefloquine. This story is the third segment in The Reform Series, a four-part series about Peace Corps reform efforts.

Mefloquine, also known by the brand name Lariam, is an anti-malarial drug that has been prescribed to Peace Corps Volunteers since 1989. Mefloquine is effective at preventing malaria, but some believe that the adverse side effects of the drug may be just as dangerous as malaria itself.

Sara Thompson served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Burkina Faso from 2010 to 2012. She experienced serious adverse side effects from Mefloquine use during service, and the side effects did not end when she stopped taking the drug. 

Posh Corps Podcast Ep. 15 Transcript

Produced and recorded by Alan Toth.

Recording and editorial assistance by Lauren Schwartzman.

Music: "A Tale" from the album Hang by Laura Inserra. Used under a license provided by iLicense Music.

Interviews with Sara Thompson and Dr. Remington Nevin

A lesson learnt: the rise and fall of Lariam and Halfan

Journal of Travel Medicine, Volume 6, Number 2: Mefloquine for Malaria Chemoprophylaxis 1992-1998, A Review

FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA approves label changes for antimalarial drug mefloquine hydrochloride due to risk of serious psychiatric and nerve side effects

CDC: Medicines for the Prevention of Malaria While Traveling Mefloquine

AP: Elite Army Units to Stop Taking Anti-Malarial Drug

Sara Thompson VS. Peace Corps

Thomas Wilkinson: The Positive Deviant, Forget what others are saying, and decide for yourselves

Peace Corps Technical Guideline 840 PREVENTION OF MALARIA

JAMA: Effectiveness and Tolerance of Long-term Malaria Prophylaxis With Mefloquine Need for a Better Dosing Regimen

JAAPL: Psychiatric Side Effects of Mefloquine: Applications to Forensic Psychiatry

Dr. Remington Nevin: Letter To Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet

Warning: This story contains references to and descriptions of sexual violence.

Radio version of this story on PRX

This episode of the Posh Corps Podcast investigates Peace Corps' mismanaged implementation of the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act. This story is the second segment in The Reform Series, a four-part series about Peace Corps reform efforts.

Kate Puzey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin. She was murdered after blowing the whistle on sexual misconduct by a part-time Peace Corps contract employee. Kate Puzey's parents worked with the members of the advocacy group First Response Action to advocate for the Kate Puzey Volunteer Protection Act. The Kate Puzey Act required Peace Corps to implement new procedures for volunteer victims of sexual assault, and whistle-blower protections for volunteers. The Kate Puzey Act also required Peace Corps to hire a victim advocate to help volunteer victims and agency management understand the rights of victims.

Kellie Greene was the first victim advocate hired by Peace Corps. Kellie says that Peace Corps was resistant to the reforms mandated by the Kate Puzey Act, and that agency management forced her out of her position at Peace Corps.

Posh Corps Podcast Ep. 14 Transcript

Produced and recorded by Alan Toth

Recording and Editorial Assistance by Lauren Schwartzman.

Music: "A Tale" from the album Hang by Laura Inserra. Used under a license provided by iLicense Music

Photos: Kate's Voice, Kellie Greene

Interviews with Kellie Greene, Casey Frazee Katz, and Danae Smith

Aaron Case: Murder in Benin

House Foreign Affairs Committee Testimony of Catherine Lois Puzey

Peace Corps Office of Inspector General: Semiannual Report to Congress (2009)

C-Span: Peace Corps Volunteer Safety (2011)

Kate's Voice

First Response Action

Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011

Danae Smith Interrupted Service Memo

Peace Corps Office of Inspector General: Management and Performance Challenges (2015)

Memorandum: Peace Corps to Kellie Greene, Proposed Removal

Nina Ren: Written Reply to Notice of Proposed Removal for Kellie Greene

Memorandum: Peace Corps to Kellie Greene, Suspension Notice

Items below from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs:

Insyte Partners: Compilation of All Interview Quotes - Kate Puzey Act and Peace Corps Sexual Assault Response and Risk Reduction Program

Expert Consultants Kate Raftery, Lee Lacy, and Jen Markowitz: Final Report - Review of Key Office Coordination and Collaboration in the Effective Provision of Response and Support for Victims of Sexual Assault and Other Crimes.

Communications from Peace Corps Chief of Staff Laura Chambers to Kellie Greene

Radio version of this story on PRX

This episode of the Posh Corps Podcast investigates the complex, frustrating, dysfunctional health care system available to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. This story is the first segment in The Reform Series, a four-part series about Peace Corps reform efforts.

Nancy Tongue, who served in Chile from 1980 to 1982, struggled to get serious illness covered through the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA). FECA, which is administered by the Department of Labor, is the only way for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to get compensation for their service-related medical issues. FECA is so dysfunctional, that many Returned Peace Corps Volunteers with serious post-service medical conditions are trapped in a medical limbo, unable to get the treatments they need, unable to work due to illness and unable to get help from Peace Corps. Nancy Tongue started a support group for these volunteers called Health Justice for Peace Corps Volunteers.

Posh Corps Podcast Ep. 13 Transcript

Produced and recorded by Alan Toth

Recording and Editorial Assistance by Lauren Schwartzman.

Music: "A Tale" from the album Hang by Laura Inserra. Used under a license provided by iLicense Music

Photos: U.S. Peace Corps & Alan Toth

Interviews with Nancy Tongue, William Harless and Howard L Grahm.

Recommendations to the Peace Corps Director from thePost Service Healthcare Task Force

Peace Corps Healthcare Fact Sheet

Government Accountability Office: Returned Peace Corps Volunteers: Labor and Peace Corps Need Joint Approach to Monitor Access to and Quality of Health Care Benefits (2012)

Government Accountability Office: Peace Corps: Long-Needed Improvements to Volunteers’   Health Care System (1991)

Press Release: Hawaii State Representative Jim Shon (1988)

RPCV Health Survey: Hawaii House of Representatives (1988)

Letter: Peace Corps Director Loret Miller Ruppe sends assurances (1985)

Letter: Acting Peace Corps Director Jody K Olsen sends assurances (2009) Page 1, Page 2

Newsletter: Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Oregon/Portland: Rehabilitation Center For RPCV's (1991)

Newsletter: Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Oregon/Portland: Health Insurance for Disabled RPCV's (1992)

Peace Corps Video: FECA February 2015

From Left to Right: Rhian Carreker-Ford, Adrienne Hall, Olivia Oxley, Portia Boykin, Steven Ellison

This episode features a discussion between five BPCV's (Black Peace Corps Volunteers) as they open up and pick apart the impact of race, physical appearance, and gender on Peace Corps service.

Produced by Lauren Schwartzman and Adrienne Hall.

Recorded by Alan Toth and Lauren Schwartzman.

Special thanks to: Portia Boykin, Olivia Oxley, Steven Ellison, and Rhian Carreker-Ford.

Additional consulting from Phebe Philips and Craig Chavis Jr.

Photo: Alan Toth

Music:

“Ulan Bator” from the album Mongolia by Frenic

“Tasabasaba” from the album Tasabasaba by To Life!. Used under a license provided by iLicense Music (ilicensemusic.com).

“Like Water” from the album Another Ride by Chad Farran. Used under a license provided by iLicense Music (ilicensemusic.com).

This episode of the Posh Corps Podcast is about Peace Corps relationships. Lauren Schwartzman chose not to date during her two years of service in Panama. She wondered if her decision was common, or if most volunteers dated during service. She interviewed volunteers from the Dominican Republic, Ukraine, and South Africa - hoping to discover whether or not there is such a thing as a typical Peace Corps relationship. Lauren also recorded one of the first dates she went on after returning to the United States.

Produced and recorded by Lauren Schwartzman.

Editorial Advisor: Alan Toth

Music: "Dor County" from the album Sangita by Fernwood. Used under a license provided by iLicense Music

Photo: Lauren Schwartzman