Getting Unstuck – Cultivating Curiosity

Jeff Ikler
  • 5.0 (31)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
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Curiosity sits at the intersection of creativity, effective human interactions, problem-solving and purposeful change. Unfortunately, the pace of life — at home, work, and school — often sidetracks our natural curiosity. So, let’s see the familiar from a different angle or something new as a possibility to consider.

  1. 5D AGO

    Teaching the Unthinkable: A Classroom Approach to Holocaust Education

    Guest Matt Ence is a teacher at Bountiful High School in Bountiful, UT. Matt retired from the military in 2017, when he began his teaching career. He teaches a course on the Holocaust, as well as courses in AP World History and US History. Matt became a Museum Teacher Fellow at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2023. Summary Matt discusses teaching a dedicated Holocaust course. He covers the chronology of events from Hitler's rise to post-liberation challenges using survivor testimonies, primary sources, and interactive activities. Matt emphasizes personalizing the Holocaust beyond statistics, exploring collaborators and bystanders alongside perpetrators, and connecting this history to other genocides to help students recognize warning signs and develop empathy for different groups. Three Important Takeaways Teaching chronologically helps students understand cause-and-effect relationships in Holocaust history, while personal testimonies humanize the statistics of 6 million victims. Holocaust education should include an examination of four groups: perpetrators, collaborators, bystanders, and rescuers, showing the complexity of human choices during this period. Connecting Holocaust history to other genocides helps students recognize warning signs and potentially prevent future atrocities through informed action. Contact/Social Media Matt’s email: matthew.ence@gmail.com U.S. Holocaust Museum’s website: https://www.ushmm.org/ Matt featured in Medium  Museum’s Social media: https://www.instagram.com/holocaustmuseum/ https://www.youtube.com/ushmm https://www.twitter.com/holocaustmuseum https://www.facebook.com/holocaustmuseum Yad Vashem

    50 min

  2. APR 15

    Rewriting the Peopling of the Americas: A Genetic Journey Through Time

    Guest Jennifer Raff is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Kansas.  She works with Indigenous communities and tribes across North America who wish to use DNA as a tool for investigating questions of recent and more distant histories. Her first book, “Origin: A Genetic History of the Americas,” is a New York Times bestseller and has won multiple awards, including the Phi Beta Kappa book award in science. In 2024 she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship (General Nonfiction) to support work on her second book. Why This Episode Matters Professor Raff discusses how genetic evidence has changed our understanding of the peopling of the Americas. Rather than a simple crossing of the Bering Land Bridge 13,000 years ago, DNA research suggests a more complex story involving population isolation during the Last Glacial Maximum (26,000-20,000 years ago), followed by multiple migration waves. Recent discoveries, like footprints at White Sands dating to 25,000+ years ago, continue to challenge existing theories. Three Important Takeaways Genetic evidence shows the ancestors of indigenous Americans descended from an isolated East Asian population that experienced gene flow with ancient North Siberians around 25,000 years ago. Beringia wasn't just a narrow "land bridge" but a lost continent twice the size of Texas, with its southern coast relatively habitable during the Last Glacial Maximum. Research in this field requires a multidisciplinary approach that respectfully incorporates indigenous knowledge and perspectives alongside scientific methods. Referenced Origin: A Generic History of the Americas https://anthropology.ku.edu/people/jennifer-raff

    47 min

  3. APR 1

    Find Your Niche and Your Secret—The Power of Differentiation

    Guest Reuben Swartz is the founder of Mimiran, the fun, anti-CRM for independent consultants. He founded Mimiran out of his experience as a sales and marketing consultant for the Fortune 500 who struggled with his own business development efforts. He's also the host and chief nerd on the Sales for Nerds podcast. Summary – Why this discussion matters This episode explores how solopreneurs can effectively differentiate themselves, refine their niche, and build meaningful relationships. Reuben shares insights on the importance of defining a unique "secret" that sets a business apart, the power of genuine conversations in client relationships, and why narrowing one's focus leads to greater success. He also discusses overcoming sales and marketing challenges, particularly for introverts, and how technology should support, rather than replace, human connection in business growth. Takeaways Solopreneurs Need a Unique "Secret" – Clearly defining what makes you different helps cut through the noise and attract the right clients. Conversations, Not Just Technology, Build Relationships – While digital tools help, authentic human interaction remains the foundation of trust and business growth. Narrowing Your Niche Increases Success – Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, focusing on a specific audience makes sales and marketing easier and more effective. Social Media Founder, Mimiran: the fun, "anti CRM" for solo consultants who love serving clients but hate "selling"  Host & Chief Nerd, Sales for Nerds Podcast  Blog | LinkedIn  Free Training: Simpler Messaging for More Referrals    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 "Getting Unstuck" is commercial-free. It’s brought to you by Jeff Ikler, his amazing guests, and Neil Hughes, the best engineer a podcaster could ask for. "Getting Unstuck" theme music: Original composition of "Allegro ben ritmato e deciso" by George Gershwin. Arrangement and recording courtesy of Bruno Lecoeur.

    40 min

  4. MAR 25

    Unlocking the World of Recipes and Cooking Through Technology

    Guests Jane Kelly founded Eat Your Books in 2009 with her sister Fiona Nugent because she wanted to easily find recipes in her extensive cookbook collection, and reasoned there are other cooks with the same need. She has spent the past 15 years building the site into a search engine for 2.6 million recipes found in cookbooks, food magazines, and online. Previously, she held senior roles in television and music for the Virgin Group in the UK. Katie Thacher leads CookShelf, which now manages Eat Your Books and is building the next iteration of the product. A lifelong cook and cookbook lover, Katie spent most of her career in product management for consumer tech products, most recently spending 6 years at Amazon working on Kindle and Amazon Music. After leaving Amazon, she wanted to combine her love of cooking with her love of building great tech products, which led her to reach out to Jane about working together on Eat Your Books. In addition, she co-owns a wine bar called Little Thing in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood. Episode Summary This episode explores how technology bridges the gap between physical cookbooks and digital resources by making more recipes available to cooks. Jane and Katie discuss their journey with Eat Your Books, a platform that helps home cooks easily find and utilize recipes from their personal cookbook collections and an almost endless array of digital resources. They also discuss the role of technology in reducing food waste and how their forthcoming app, CookShelf, will foster a deeper connection to cooking and culinary exploration. Social Media/Referenced https://www.instagram.com/cookshelf.app http://instagram.com/eatyourbookswebsite https://www.facebook.com/eatyourbooks 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 "Getting Unstuck" is commercial-free. It’s brought to you by Jeff Ikler, his amazing guests, and Neil Hughes, the best engineer a podcaster could ask for. "Getting Unstuck" theme music: Original composition of "Allegro ben ritmato e deciso" by George Gershwin. Arrangement and recording courtesy of Bruno Lecoeur.

    33 min

  5. MAR 18

    So, You Want to Be a Writer

    Guest Deborah Sosin, MSW, is a writer, editor, psychotherapist, and an instructor at GrubStreet, the Center for Creative Writing. Her essays have appeared in the New York Times, Boston Globe, Salon, Cognoscenti, Brevity Blog, and several literary magazines. She wrote the award-winning picture book Charlotte and the Quiet Place; and a workbook, Sober Starting Today. Debbie just completed This Is 70, a linked set of 70 micro-memoirs of 70 words each, written to mark her 70th birthday. She lives outside of Boston. Summary This episode explores Deborah’s journey of writing, creativity, and self-expression. She discusses her path to becoming a writer, the role of curiosity in storytelling, and the value of writing as both a personal and professional endeavor. She shares insights on diary writing, publishing challenges, and the significance of mindfulness in the creative process. Additionally, she reflects on her experiences with Substack, micro memoirs, and her children's book Charlotte and the Quiet Place, emphasizing how writing can be a tool for connection and personal growth. Three Takeaways The Power of Writing as Self-Discovery – Writing, whether through diaries, memoirs, or creative storytelling, serves as a means of exploring identity, emotions, and personal history. Mindfulness and Creativity – Mindfulness plays a critical role in writing by helping authors stay present and engage deeply with their thoughts, which can enhance storytelling. Overcoming Writing Resistance – Writers often struggle with self-doubt and perfectionism, but embracing the messiness of early drafts and writing without rigid expectations can unlock creativity. Social Media www.deborahsosin.com @deborahsosin.bsky.social https://deborahs27.substack.com/ 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.

    54 min

  6. MAR 11

    The Power of Objects—Sharing Stories and Creating Connections

    Guest Sarah Elkins is your guide to uncovering the right personal stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and effectively demonstrate their character, values, and vision. She is a storyteller, communication coach, author, and professional musician. As a Gallup-certified StrengthsFinder coach, Sarah uses that tool and story-sharing strategies as the foundation of her work with teams, improving communication to reduce tension and stress in the workplace. Why this episode matters This co-produced episode of “Getting Unstuck-Cultivating Curiosity” and “Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will” explores the power of objects to reduce division and foster connection. Podcast hosts Jeff Ikler and Sarah Elkins share the mic to discuss how objects hold deep personal significance, unlocking stories that help people relate to one another on a human level. They highlight how storytelling can be a tool for understanding and empathy, particularly in polarized times. Objects Hold Stories – Personal items often carry deep meaning and can serve as prompts for sharing stories that build connection and understanding. Storytelling Reduces Division – Sharing personal stories with the intention of connecting rather than persuading helps bridge divides in a polarized world. Listening is Key to Connection – Actively listening to others’ stories fosters deeper relationships and a greater appreciation for different perspectives. Social Media/Referenced Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will Breaking Bread Village Podcasthon

    41 min

  7. MAR 4

    Navigating the Challenges Facing U.S. Public Education

    Guest Julie A. Vitale, Ph.D. is the Superintendent of the Oceanside Unified School District. Her educational journey includes a Ph.D. in Urban Educational Administration from Claremont Graduate University, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration, and a Masters and Bachelor of Arts from the University of LaVerne. Dr. Vitale has been a faculty member at Concordia University since 2007, contributing to the development of their Ed.D. Program. Her dedication to education has earned her prestigious recognitions, including the Western Riverside County Association of School Managers Superintendent of the Year and the Urban Leadership Alumni Achievement Award from Claremont Graduate University. Notably, she was honored with the Lighthouse Award by the San Diego County Office of Education for her commitment to equity and inclusivity. Actively engaged in educational leadership beyond her district, Dr. Vitale serves on the Governing Boards for AASA. She also served on the governing board for the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), where she played a pivotal role in organizing the Lead with Pride Summit, focusing on LGBTQ+ inclusivity in schools. Why This Episode Matters This episode matters because it illuminates various challenges facing public education in the United States, including the: • push for patriotic-structured U.S. History lessons • de-emphasis/elimination of DEI and the restrictions of gender definitions • continued move toward the privatization of schools • escalation of gun violence • dislike in some political circles of social-emotional learning programs and • low morale among teachers and administrators Referenced CASEL website: https://casel.org/ Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/ 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.

    55 min

  8. FEB 25

    Looking Differently at Cattle Grazing, Soil Health, and Climate Change

    Peter Byck is an award-winning documentary film director helping to lead a $10 million research project comparing Adaptive Multi-Paddock grazing with conventional grazing. He is the director of the docuseries Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there), which is all about inventive farmers and maverick scientists building a path to solving climate change with hooves, hearts, and soil.  Byck is a professor at Arizona State University, where he teaches students to make short documentary films about sustainability solutions.  Summary Peter Byck discusses the potential of regenerative agriculture, specifically multi-paddock grazing, to combat climate change. He explores how improving soil health benefits farmers, consumers, and the planet. Peter shares insights from his research and documentaries, highlighting the role of cattle in soil regeneration and debunking common myths about sustainable farming. The conversation underscores the urgent need for systemic change in food production and how collective action can drive meaningful environmental improvements. Three Takeaways Regenerative cattle grazing—adaptive multi-paddock grazing—enhances soil health, leading to carbon sequestration and improved biodiversity. The common misconception that cattle grazing always harms the environment needs reevaluation. Sustainable food production requires collaboration between farmers, businesses, and policymakers. Social Media (paste these urls into your browser) www.carboncowboys.org www.rootssodeep.org Facebook, Instagram and Youtube: @carboncowboys

    56 min
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    About

    Curiosity sits at the intersection of creativity, effective human interactions, problem-solving and purposeful change. Unfortunately, the pace of life — at home, work, and school — often sidetracks our natural curiosity. So, let’s see the familiar from a different angle or something new as a possibility to consider.

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