368: What We Make of Them
Understanding the meaning of freedom—one step, one grave, one name at a time.
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Guest
None today; just me reflecting on recent events.
Summary
After participating in New York City's "No Kings" march, I reflect on the urgency of defending democracy, drawing parallels between the current political climate and 1930s Germany. A conversation sparked by a protest sign prompts me to reflect on my father’s World War II contributions. Later, a chance visit to a bookstore uncovers Remember Us by Robert M. Edsel, deepening my appreciation for those buried at Margraten Cemetery in the Netherlands. This solo episode ultimately underscores how freedom is built on sacrifice—and how remembering the dead is a civic responsibility, not just a historical ritual.
You can read an essay version of this episode on my Substack.
Three Important Takeaways:
Historical Memory Is a Call to Action:
The march and its signs, especially those invoking fascism, reveal the importance of remaining vigilant against authoritarianism by remembering history and those who resisted it.
Freedom Is Not Just a Word:
The author challenges the overuse of “freedom,” urging a deeper understanding of its cost—measured not only in lives lost but in the potential and beauty those lives might have created.
Remembrance Is a Moral Duty:
Inspired by Dutch citizens who adopt and care for the graves of fallen American soldiers, the author reaffirms the responsibility of the living to honor those sacrifices through both remembrance and action.
About Jeff
Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government.
Jeff has hosted the “Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity” podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness.
Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.
Show Credits
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"Getting Unstuck" theme music: Original composition of "Allegro ben ritmato e deciso" by George Gershwin. Arrangement and recording courtesy of Bruno Lecoeur.