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In this episode of the podcast, Ulrike Nagel delves deeper into her grandfather’s history. Until the fall of the Berlin Wall, he was a member of the SED, the ruling party in the GDR. Together with her father, she takes a walk through her hometown on the Baltic Sea. There, Ulrike learns more about her grandfather’s role as an officer in the East German army and his beliefs about socialism. She uncovers new stories, such as his involvement in the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961. And what was the Netherlands’ role in the Cold War? Ulrike discovers that there was significant trade going both ways.

In this episode, journalist Ulrike Nagel takes us back to her native East Germany, where she investigates the influence of the Stasi. Ulrike hears personal stories from people who lived under the strict surveillance of this secret police force, including the story of “Helga,” who was forced to spy for the state. She speaks with her own family members about their experiences and discovers how the Stasi controlled daily life. Did her own family also engage in espionage? She also explores the aftermath of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Are there still traces of Dutch espionage and double agents to be found? Historian Beatrice de Graaf also shares her insights on the GDR.

In this episode, journalist Ulrike Nagel travels to Berlin to delve deeper into her past. Together with her mother, she visits historic sites such as the socialist cemetery and meets up with old friends. Slowly, she uncovers the dark and complex history of the GDR. She wonders to what extent her family was involved with the regime. Was the Stasi present in her life without her knowing it? The search for answers brings to light both new insights and old memories. In the Netherlands, too, you can still see reminders of the Cold War. Raphaël Smid takes us to a Cold War-era bunker in Gouda. In the event of a nuclear conflict, this would function as a military command center.

In this episode, journalist Ulrike Nagel takes us back to her childhood in the GDR. She looks back on the gray concrete blocks, the mandatory Pioneer uniforms, and the typical socialist upbringing. Despite the many rules, her childhood felt safe and close-knit. Now, 35 years after the fall of the Wall, she wonders how her time in East Germany shaped her. How do her friends from back then remember those days? Ulrike returns to Berlin to find answers.