Volunqueers

LGBTQI RPCV
  • 5.0 (1)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Volunqueers is a monthly podcast brought to you by the LGBTQI+ RPCV affiliate group. Each episode we will interview an LGBTQI+ RPCV to learn about their Peace Corps service, what it was like to live abroad as a queer person, and how Peace Corps has impacted them. We hope you will enjoy our content and join our growing community at www.lgbtqirpcv.org

  1. 3D AGO

    Episode 14: Lauren Cashmore (RPCV Georgia)

    In this episode, we are joined by Lauren, an English Education volunteer whose service in Georgia was anything but "by the book." After a snap decision on a train and a quick "Hey Siri" to find her destination on a map, Lauren arrived as a seasoned LGBTQIA+ advocate—only to find herself back in the closet in a country where the lines of safety were shifting daily. When a landmark police raid on a queer-safe nightclub sparked nationwide protests, Lauren had to navigate a delicate dance: fielding blunt questions from her community while orchestrating a first-of-its-kind task force in Georgia to protect her fellow volunteers. Tune in to hear how she helped turn a summer camp into a thriving international NGO and why Lauren believes the Peace Corps must evolve to protect its queer voices. ------ If you enjoy this LGBTQI+ RPCV content please consider joining our growing community at www.lgbtqirpcv.org. If you have questions about our community please contact us at podcast@lgbtqirpcv.org or lgbtqirpcv@gmail.com All opinions presented in this podcast are those of the individual and do not represent official positions or statements by the US Peace Corps, the National Peace Corps Association, or any other affiliated organizations.

    48 min

  2. FEB 1

    Episode 13: Syd Merz (RPCV Armenia & Philippines)

    In this episode, we are joined by Syd Merz, a double-tour RPCV who served in both Armenia and the Philippines. Syd’s journey began with a thick envelope and a country she couldn’t place on a map, landing in a Soviet-era airport that felt more like a scene from Star Trek than a welcome gate. But one service wasn’t enough. With only a whirlwind 11-day break, Syd swapped the snowy mountains of Armenia for the tropical heat of the Philippines, facing a whole new spectrum of challenges! Tune in to hear how Syd managed two full tours back-to-back and why their advice on bringing your "Best Self" instead of your "Authentic Self" might completely change how you view advocacy abroad. ------ A recording with a transcript of this episode is available via Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also download a written transcript from ⁠⁠https://lgbtqirpcv.org/stories/⁠⁠. If you enjoy this LGBTQI+ RPCV content please consider joining our growing community at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.lgbtqirpcv.org⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have questions about our community please contact us at ⁠⁠podcast@lgbtqirpcv.org⁠⁠. All opinions presented in this podcast are those of the individual and do not represent official positions or statements by the US Peace Corps, the National Peace Corps Association, or any other affiliated organizations.

    38 min

  3. JAN 1

    Episode 12: Bea Russo (RPCV Ecuador)

    In this episode, we are joined by Bea, who served as a Youth and Families Development Volunteer in Ecuador. Bea had her bags packed for the remote island nation of Timor-Leste, but a sudden notification in her Peace Corps portal rerouted her. She faced a new set of hurdles: navigating "machismo" culture as a queer woman, fielding blunt questions from students about her gender, and balancing a new romance in uncharted territory. Tune in to hear how she navigated the local chisme (gossip) and why a simple question from a 10-year-old became her most profound moment of advocacy. ------ A recording with a transcript of this episode is available via Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also download a written transcript from ⁠⁠https://lgbtqirpcv.org/stories/⁠⁠. If you enjoy this LGBTQI+ RPCV content please consider joining our growing community at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.lgbtqirpcv.org⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have questions about our community please contact us at ⁠⁠podcast@lgbtqirpcv.org⁠⁠. All opinions presented in this podcast are those of the individual and do not represent official positions or statements by the US Peace Corps, the National Peace Corps Association, or any other affiliated organizations.

    45 min

  4. 12/01/2025

    Episode 11: Edward van Luinen (RPCV Republic of Guinea)

    In this episode, we are joined by Edward van Luinen, who served as a TEFL Volunteer in the Republic of Guinea. Edward had his life meticulously mapped out: he was going to finish his Master's in French and become a diplomat. But a chance encounter with a recruiter in a dark college library late one night derailed everything. He found himself in West Africa instead, navigating two intense journeys simultaneously: one as a terrified teacher finding his professional voice, and the other as a closeted man silently finding his truth. Tune in to hear how those "parallel tracks" finally converged to shape a 35-year career in leadership... ------ A recording with transcript of this episode is available via Apple Podcasts. You can also download a written transcript from ⁠⁠https://lgbtqirpcv.org/stories/⁠⁠. If you enjoy this LGBTQI+ RPCV content please consider joining our growing community at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.lgbtqirpcv.org⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you have questions about our community please contact us at ⁠⁠podcast@lgbtqirpcv.org⁠⁠. All opinions presented in this podcast are those of the individual and do not represent official positions or statements by the US Peace Corps, the National Peace Corps Association, or any other affiliated organizations.

    48 min

  5. TRAILER

    The Hiatus is Over: New Episodes & We Need You

    In this update: Life Update: Why I’ve been away (Med school is no joke!) The New Schedule: We are locking in consistency. New episodes will drop on the 1st of every month, starting December 1st. Call for Guests: We need your stories. Whether you are ready to be public or want to remain anonymous (Jane Doe/John Doe/Doe), your safety is our priority, but your experience is invaluable. 📅 Mark Your Calendars: Dec 1: Edward’s story from Guinea Jan 1: New Year, New Episode Feb 1: Continuing the momentum 🎙 Want to be on the show?We’ve made it super easy. Visit lgbtqirpcv.org Scroll down to "LGBTQI+ Service Stories" Click the red bubble: "Be a podcast guest" Or just email me directly at: podcast@lgbtqirpcv.org (Subject line: Podcast - [Your Name]) Let’s turn this new leaf together. See you on December 1st!

    3 min

  6. 09/29/2025

    Episode 10: Michael Del Rio (RPCV Ethiopia)

    In this episode, we are joined by RPCV Michael Del Rio, who served as an Agriculture Volunteer in Ethiopia. Michael set out to Ethiopia with a passion for the land—but he didn’t know that the soil there would plant the seeds of his life’s work. Tune in to hear how those roots grew into an unexpected mission back home in Massachusetts… ------ A recording with transcript of this episode is available via Apple Podcasts. You can also download a written transcript from ⁠⁠https://lgbtqirpcv.org/stories/⁠⁠. If you enjoy this LGBTQI+ RPCV content please consider joining our growing community at⁠ ⁠⁠www.lgbtqirpcv.org⁠⁠⁠. If you have questions about our community please contact us at ⁠⁠podcast@lgbtqirpcv.org⁠⁠. All opinions presented in this podcast are those of the individual and do not represent official positions or statements by the US Peace Corps, the National Peace Corps Association, or any other affiliated organizations.

    42 min

  7. 08/21/2025

    Episode 9: Jeremiah Johnson (RPCV Ukraine)

    In this episode, we are joined by RPCV Jeremiah Johnson, who served as an Education Volunteer in Ukraine from 2006-2008. Jeremiah joined the Peace Corps to serve in Ukraine—then a routine check derailed everything. Tune in to hear how what happened next reshaped his life—and the program itself… Some fun news clips of Jeremiah becoming an advocate for the next generation.  https://www.aclu.org/cases/hiv-advocacy-behalf-peace-corps-volunteer https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/peace-corps-public-health-school-continuing-aids-conversation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEaaWagTuUQ https://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=6320808&page=1 https://www.poz.com/article/Service-interruption-14814-5468 Recommended Documentary: How to Survive a Plague - 1h 49 min ------ A recording with transcript of this episode is available via Apple Podcasts. You can also download a written transcript from ⁠⁠https://lgbtqirpcv.org/stories/⁠⁠. If you enjoy this LGBTQI+ RPCV content please consider joining our growing community at ⁠⁠www.lgbtqirpcv.org⁠⁠. If you have questions about our community please contact us at ⁠⁠podcast@lgbtqirpcv.org⁠⁠. All opinions presented in this podcast are those of the individual and do not represent official positions or statements by the US Peace Corps, the National Peace Corps Association, or any other affiliated organizations.

    53 min

  8. 07/21/2025

    Episode 8: Ralph Cherry (RPCV Ghana)

    In this episode, we are joined by RPCV Ralph Cherry, who served as an Education Volunteer in Ghana in the early 1970s. Ralph shares his compelling journey to the Peace Corps—initially driven by a desire to avoid the Vietnam War draft—and how it evolved into a life-changing experience marked by both profound love and personal struggle. As a gay man serving during a time when his identity had to remain hidden, Ralph opens up about falling in love with one of his students, the emotional toll it took, and the moment he nearly chose to early terminate. What changed everything? Listen to find out! An image of Ralph from his service in Ghana is available in the show notes. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LB7e7chUglJVdOSZvVIg7FNQ4--IkhFG/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/13cvfRORuRXi-6Py99P0Bigvo5zZYG823/view?usp=sharing ------ A recording with transcript of this episode is available via Apple Podcasts. You can also download a written transcript from ⁠https://lgbtqirpcv.org/stories/⁠. If you enjoy this LGBTQI+ RPCV content please consider joining our growing community at ⁠www.lgbtqirpcv.org⁠. If you have questions about our community please contact us at ⁠podcast@lgbtqirpcv.org⁠. All opinions presented in this podcast are those of the individual and do not represent official positions or statements by the US Peace Corps, the National Peace Corps Association, or any other affiliated organizations.

    45 min
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Trailer

About

Volunqueers is a monthly podcast brought to you by the LGBTQI+ RPCV affiliate group. Each episode we will interview an LGBTQI+ RPCV to learn about their Peace Corps service, what it was like to live abroad as a queer person, and how Peace Corps has impacted them. We hope you will enjoy our content and join our growing community at www.lgbtqirpcv.org

Information

  • Creator
    LGBTQI RPCV
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © LGBTQI RPCV
  • Show Website
    Volunqueers