About My Peace Corps Story

Since the establishment of the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, more than 230,000 Americans have served 141 countries. The My Peace Corps Story Podcast aims to tell some of the many diverse and rich stories of volunteers, in their own words. This podcast will create an oral history of the varied experiences had by generations of Americans when they devoted two or more years of their life to national service abroad.

While often cited as a positive, life-changing experience, service in the Peace Corps is not easy. This show strives to portray Peace Corps service as it is, both the good and the bad. The host of the show, Tyler Lloyd, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer and would “gladly and proudly do it all again.” The difficulties and risks of serving abroad, however, should not be understated or taken lightly.

The My Peace Corps Story Podcast will captivate you with the personal stories of Americans working and living abroad. Each episode, we explore the cultures, communities, and people that make the Peace Corps an unparalleled experience, filled with stories worth telling.

Every volunteer has a story. What’s yours?

About the host of the My Peace Corps Story Podcast

Tyler Lloyd served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Burkina Faso from 2012 to 2014. He served as an agriculture and small business volunteer. Originally from Kentucky, he currently calls Washington, DC home. When not serving as a federal employee, Tyler enjoys exploring the city on his bike, drinking strong coffee, and telling stories through photography, video, podcasts, and the written word. Tyler has published a book about his time in Burkina Faso, Service Disrupted: My Peace Corps Story.

Why start a Peace Corps story podcast?

Over the past year, I wrote my Peace Corps story, a book about my time in Burkina Faso. During that process, I found it very cathartic to reflect on my service and the numerous great memories. As I talked with other Returned Peace Corps Volunteers in Washington, DC, I started hearing their unique and wonderful stories. That got me thinking. Not everyone wants to spend a year writing a book, but every volunteer has a story that should be shared. This podcast and website will give others a medium to share their story.

Goal of the My Peace Corps Story Podcast

My hope is that prospective, current, and returned volunteers will listen to the My Peace Corps Story Podcast. Prospective volunteers will gain a better understanding of the Peace Corps and the wide range of experiences one can have as a volunteer. With the podcast, I hope that prospective volunteers will be better prepared to serve. Current volunteers will take pleasure in hearing for other volunteers who served across the globe, and different decades. They will find comfort in the many unique experiences that span local and time, and hear how others overcame the difficulties they faced during their service.

Current volunteers will take pleasure in hearing for other volunteers who served across the globe and different decades. They will find comfort in the many unique experiences that span local and time, and hear how others overcame the difficulties they faced during their service. Returned volunteers will stay better connected with the Peace Corps community and their experience as they listen to the stories of others.

Lastly, the My Peace Corps Story podcast will provide an opportunity for friends, family, and anyone with access to the internet to learn more about the Peace Corps: the volunteers, projects, countries, and cultures.