What was it really like to serve in the Peace Corps during its earliest days?
Thu Feb 05 2026
What was it really like to serve in the Peace Corps during its earliest days?
In this episode, Gary R. Lindberg author of " The Vegetable Grows and the Lion Roars: My Peace Corps Service" shares extraordinary stories from his time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Ivory Coast during the 1960s — a bold era shaped by President John F. Kennedy’s vision of global service. From building school gardens and working in remote villages to breaking down in the middle of nowhere, encountering camels, and traveling to legendary places like Timbuktu, Gary’s journey is one of courage, curiosity, and cultural discovery.
We explore:
Life as an early Peace Corps Volunteer
Daily village life in West Africa
Adventures, challenges, and unexpected lessons
How service shaped his life and career
Gary Lindberg, a UC Berkeley graduate during the Free Speech Movement and a longtime human resources professional, reflects on how his Peace Corps experience influenced his worldview and lifelong path.
This is a heartfelt, eye-opening conversation about service, adventure, and the power of stepping into the unknown.
http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/2526kpp2.mp3
AMAZON
https://garyrlindberg.com/
https://www.kingpagespress.com/
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What was it really like to serve in the Peace Corps during its earliest days? In this episode, Gary R. Lindberg author of " The Vegetable Grows and the Lion Roars: My Peace Corps Service" shares extraordinary stories from his time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Ivory Coast during the 1960s — a bold era shaped by President John F. Kennedy’s vision of global service. From building school gardens and working in remote villages to breaking down in the middle of nowhere, encountering camels, and traveling to legendary places like Timbuktu, Gary’s journey is one of courage, curiosity, and cultural discovery. We explore: Life as an early Peace Corps Volunteer Daily village life in West Africa Adventures, challenges, and unexpected lessons How service shaped his life and career Gary Lindberg, a UC Berkeley graduate during the Free Speech Movement and a longtime human resources professional, reflects on how his Peace Corps experience influenced his worldview and lifelong path. This is a heartfelt, eye-opening conversation about service, adventure, and the power of stepping into the unknown. http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/2526kpp2.mp3 AMAZON https://garyrlindberg.com/ https://www.kingpagespress.com/