393: Which Podcast Episodes Did You Listen to the Most in 2025?
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Summary
This coming February, Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity will start its eighth year. My goal with this podcast is to host guests who will make us think, “I didn’t know anything about that,” or “That’s something I hadn’t considered,” or “I might be able to apply that to some aspect of my life.” In each case, “that” refers to the topic being discussed.
And the topics will vary widely. Unlike other shows that focus on a single topic, such as politics, entertainment, or leadership, Getting Untuck’s focus is eclectic. This year, I offered episodes about how to inspire student curiosity, the healing powers of fly fishing, writing, the Holocaust and World War II, marketing, and a score of other topics.
Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity continues to rank in the top 3 percent of all podcasts globally, where just over 4 million options are vying for your ears’ attention. We just published our 392nd episode, which is notable given that most podcasts don't reach ten episodes.
I say “we” because a special thanks goes to my engineer, Neil Hughes. He manages all the back-end publishing logistics and makes every episode sound professional. He also welcomes me to pull up a virtual chair for periodic emotional therapy when needed. To say I would be lost without him doesn’t begin to do his services justice.
As we approach the end of the year, I want to thank you, my listeners. I wouldn't be able to continue doing this show without your interest and support. Thank you.
I’m going to recap 2025 in three parts:
Part One: The three episodes that you listened to the most.
Part Two: The one episode that was particularly special to me.
Part Three: The three most popular backlist episodes.
Part One: The three episodes that you listened to the most.
(In no particular order.)
1. Episode 344 - “Earthrise”—What Apollo 8 Should Have Taught Us
This episode reflects on the Apollo 8 mission's iconic "Earthrise" image in late December 1968 and the turbulent year that preceded it. It highlights enduring lessons on inequality, collective problem-solving, and environmental stewardship. The episode urges renewed respect for history and a commitment to addressing modern challenges with the same ingenuity that defined the space race. This episode’s popularity doesn’t surprise me, so I’m going to devote next week’s episode to replaying it.
2. Episode 348 - Breaking Barriers: Men, Vulnerability and Emotional Growth
In this episode, I talked with Bob Reece, a mental health counselor and fly fishing guide, about his work addressing the mental health of men and at-risk teens. We discussed overcoming societal stigmas around vulnerability, providing men with tools to manage emotions, and the transformative impact of connecting with nature through fly fishing to improve relationships and professional lives. Bob emphasized the need to normalize vulnerability among men, challenging traditional notions of masculinity and fostering healthier emotional expression. This episode’s popularity did not surprise me, given what I’ve read about the crisis single white men are experiencing.
3. Episode 369 - From Heart Attack to Health: A Plant-based Transformation
In this episode, I talked with Byron Edgington, a Vietnam Veteran and commercial helicopter pilot. Byron shared his journey to a whole food, plant-based diet after a heart attack. He and his wife experienced dramatic health improvements almost immediately, including weight loss and the elimination of prescription medications. Our conversation expanded to explore the environmental impact of meat production, animal cruelty in factory farming, and how food choices can shape personal health and global sustainability.
Two other episodes deserve mention.
Episode 345 - Living with Purpose—Eastern and Western Insights Into Habits and Growth
In this episode, Dr. Tamsin Astor, an author and habit scientist, discussed her approach to habit formation and the integration of Western and Eastern philosophies to promote wellness.
Episode 363 - Decoding LinkedIn–Optimizing Your Digital First Impression
The popularity of this episode should surprise no one. Here, “LinkedIn Profiler” Tony K. Silver shared LinkedIn optimization strategies focused on capturing attention quickly, using strategic keywords, and creating high-quality, engaging content with clear calls to action for professional success.
Part Two: The one episode that was particularly special to me.
Episode 368 - What We Make of Them
After participating in New York City's "No Kings" march last spring, I reflected in this episode on the urgency of defending democracy, drawing parallels between the current political climate and that of 1930s Germany. When the march ended, I slipped into a bookstore to warm up and dry off. There I found Remember Us by Robert M. Edsell. The title of the book comes from a moving poem by Archibald MacLeish: “The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak.” A few stanzas carry the meaning.
Nevertheless they are heard in the still houses:
Who has not heard them?
They say, Our deaths are not ours; they are yours:
They will mean what you make of them
They say, Whether our lives and our deaths were for peace
And a new hope or for nothing we cannot say: it is you who must say this.
We were young, they say. We have died.
Remember us.
Two of the poem’s lines moved me so much that I took the episode title from them.
“Our deaths are not ours; they are yours:
They will mean what you make of them
Remember Us documents twelve lives connected to the American Military Cemetery near the small village of Margraten, Netherlands. Approximately 8,300 Americans who helped liberate the Netherlands from the Nazis and the grip of fascism during World War II are buried there.
The cemetery is remarkable because Black American soldiers, who were generally restricted to non-combat support roles, dug the graves under horrific weather conditions. The cemetery is also notable because local Dutch citizens have adopted each grave and visit it weekly. This practice reflects the citizens’ ongoing gratitude for the soldiers, affirming that they have heard the voices of the dead. Their visits ensure that the soldiers are always remembered for their sacrifice.
Part Three: The three most popular backlist episodes.
(Titles that aired before 1/1/25.)
1. Episode 93 - Reclaiming Our Students
I’m not surprised that this episode continues to track after almost five years. Based on their mega best-selling book, Reclaiming Our Students: Why Children Are More Anxious, Aggressive, and Shut Down Than Ever―And What We Can Do About It, authors Hannah Beach and Tamara Neufeld Strijack alerted us to what’s going on with today’s youth. I’m going to do a separate episode update in two weeks, but for our purpose here, two of the questions we discussed in the episode were
Why are our kids in the position today of being more anxious, aggressive, and shut down than ever before?
What has been the impact of children losing time for free play – and of entertainment becoming the substitute for free play?
2. Episode 316 - Fishing the Good Fight—Healing on the Stream for Men with Mental Health Issues
Jim Flint is the Executive Director of “Fishing the Good Fight,” an organization that uses fly-fishing retreats to help men navigate the complex intersection of masculinity and mental health. As a fly fisher, I was thrilled with the reception of this episode and with two other very popular episodes on the spiritual power of fly fishing
Episode 315 - Susan Gaetz is the executive director for Casting for Recovery, a national nonprofit using the therapeutic sport of fly fishing to serve women with breast cancer.
Episode 330 - Sylvia Huron is the co-founder and Executive Director of Reeling in Serenity, a non-profit that uses fly fishing to support addiction recovery through free retreats.
3. Episode 321 - You Have a Story to Tell—The Art of Memoir Writing
This episode explores the art of memoir writing with author and teacher, Cindy House. Our conversation delved into the genre’s rising popularity and its essential elements. Cindy emphasized curiosity as the foundation of writing and how memoir differs from autobiography by focusing on one or more specific aspects of one’s life rather than a comprehensive account. Our conversation also covers the major elements of memoirs, including the importance of a central dramatic question, its supporting thematic framework, and the structure that holds everything together.
Two other episodes deserve mention.
Episode 88 - Leading in a Time of Crisis: Part 10
I conducted this interview with the then-Principal of the Baltimore Design School, Zaharah Valentine, in April 2020. The crisis, of course, was COVID-19, and Zarharah offered suggestions on how faculty could weather it. This episode has probably surged recently because educators are once again in crisis. Teachers and administrators are leaving the field due to burnout, low pay, lack of support, political pressures, and challenging student behaviors.
Episode 324 - Cultivating Student Curiosity and Engagement in the Thinking Mathematics Classroom.
This was one of my favorite episodes of the year. Dr. Peter Liljedahl is a Professor of Mathematics Education and has developed a unique way for students to learn math. Instead of sitting by themselves working out mind-numbing math problems, Dr. Liljedahl’s method has students working in triads at whiteboards on real-world problems. Process and thinking, here, are as necessary as the answer.
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.