Subscribe on iTunes. 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 Mor ..read more

Subscribe on iTunes. 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. Transcript: Posh Corps Podcast Ep. 19 Transcript Credits: Produced and recorded by Siobhan Neela-Stock. Editorial Advisor: Alan Toth   ..read more

Subscribe on iTunes. 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 Preside ..read more

Subscribe on iTunes. 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 level ..read more

Subscribe on iTunes. 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 empl ..read more

Subscribe on iTunes. 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 Burk ..read more

Warning: This story contains references to and descriptions of sexual violence. Subscribe on iTunes. 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 me ..read more

Subscribe on iTunes. 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 ..read more

From Left to Right: Rhian Carreker-Ford, Adrienne Hall, Olivia Oxley, Portia Boykin, Steven Ellison Subscribe on iTunes. 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. Credits: 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 ..read more

Subscribe on iTunes. 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. Credits: Produced and recorded by Lauren Schwartzman. Editorial A ..read more