I’m seeking support to offset the personal production costs of SoftPower/FulStories, my storytelling podcast and community-radio program designed to expand Americans’ understanding of U.S. engagement overseas.

As a former U.S. diplomat, I have seen—up close—how constructive American engagement improves lives and strengthens our place in the world. I also believe deeply in the power of stories. Throughout 2025, as the United States backed away from key foreign aid and diplomacy efforts, I began collecting first-hand stories from (now more than 100) practitioners of American soft power over the past six decades: ambassadors and diplomats, USAID alumni and Peace Corps volunteers, NGO leaders, activists, artists, scholars, and more.

They have volunteered, sacrificed, celebrated, and agonized alongside counterparts worldwide. My role as host is simple: I step back and let these storytellers speak in their own voices. The result is not political, and not academic — just a weekly reminder that even powerful nations need friends. And, hopefully, for those Americans unaware of our efforts overseas, an enlightening peek behind that curtain.

This project is happening against a real backdrop: the dismantling of USAID, the firing of respected colleagues at State, reductions in international exchanges, and a retreat from global leadership. After two decades in public diplomacy, I feel compelled to use those skills again — this time to reach Americans who may not think much about what we do overseas, or who may have misconceptions about it. These stories matter, and people deserve to hear them.

As one reviewer said, “The humanity you pull from the storytellers with your questions is so grounding and each time I listen, my hope for the country is restored.” Said another: “These are wonderful stories that take us around the world and through time with unexpected intimacy across cultural boundaries. We need stories like these now more than ever.”

I am launching this GoFundMe solely to recoup the out-of-pocket expenses of building and sustaining SoftPower/FulStories. I do not earn a dollar from the project. SP/FS is freely available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube, and it is also accessible to more than 200 community radio stations across the Pacifica Radio Network.

Even as a one-person production team, real costs add up.

Your support helps cover:

• Recording, software, and equipment

• Hosting, distribution, and website costs

• Design, production, and post-production tools

• Accessibility (transcripts, captioning, etc.)

The success of SP/FS will always be measured in ears, not dollars — but your contribution helps keep these stories alive and reaching people who need to hear them.

https://www.softpowerfulstories.org

With gratitude,

Christopher Wurst