Over the Wall Podcast – Episode 3 – Spying for the Stasi

Podcast-Over-De-Muur-Ulrike-Nagel - Aflevering 3 - Spioneren voor de Stasi

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.

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On Radio 1: German coalition ends in a bitter split

Ulrike Nagel, Duitslandkenner, aan het woord in de radiostudio van Bureau Buitenland op NPO Radio 1

There was never any real love lost between the German governing parties—the FDP, the SPD, and the Greens. But now that Chancellor Olaf Scholz has fired his Finance Minister Lindner, the end of the coalition seems inevitable. According to Scholz, Lindner is “selfish” and “disrespectful.” What’s behind this? And what does the collapse of the coalition mean for Europe and German support for Ukraine? Journalist and Germany expert Ulrike Nagel discusses this with Tim de Wit on Radio 1’s “Bureau Buitenland.”

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Over the Wall Podcast – Episode 2 – Over the Wall

Podcast-Over-De-Muur-Ulrike-Nagel - Aflevering 2 - Over de Muur

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.

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Over the Wall Podcast – Episode 1 – My Childhood in the GDR

1 - Mijn jeugd in de DDR

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.

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Ulrike Nagel on the NPO Zapp podcast “When I Was 12”

NPO Radio 1-aflevering "Toen was ik 12: de val van de muur" met Ulrike Nagel voor de Brandenburger Tor tijdens de val van de Berlijnse Muur

In the podcast series “When I Was 12,” Ulrike talks about life in the GDR and the fall of the Wall. This podcast by Willem Wever is aimed at children and features exciting stories based on real events. In the podcast “When I Was 12,” Ulrike Nagel shares her personal story about growing up in East Berlin in the GDR and the impact of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

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Radio 1: East Germans Give the Governing Coalition a Red Card

Ulrike Nagel, Duitslandkenner, aan het woord bij Bureau Buitenland op NPO Radio 1

The AfD has become the largest party in the German state of Thuringia. The far-right party also scored a landslide victory in neighboring Saxony, where it finished in second place. Meanwhile, the left-wing populists led by politician Sahra Wagenknecht are also gaining ground. Chancellor Scholz called the results of the state elections “bitter”: the ruling parties suffered significant losses.

Germany expert Ulrike Nagel spoke with Sophie Derkzen on Radio 1 about the discontent among East Germans and the call for change.

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