Gymnastics and Pills: An East German Childhood (339)

Gymnastics and Pills: An East German Childhood (339)

Sirka offers a comprehensive exploration of life in East Germany, detailing the experiences of growing up in Neubrandenburg, the influence of the East German state and the Stasi, and the societal impacts of Mikhail Gorbachev's policies leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall. She also talks of her intensive gymnastics training and being given pills by her trainer... Sirka also describes the transition to reunification, highlighting the challenges of adapting to a new economic system and the mixed feelings toward sudden exposure to Western consumer culture. Additionally, it includes a reflective conversation on post-reunification life in Germany, discussing Sirka's and her family's adjustment to the changes, including the effects on employment, homeownership, and personal political histories. Video and photo extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode339 The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and viaa simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. Connect with us on social media for more Cold War content: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations For the perfect gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life, visit our store at https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ If you love history, check out Into History at https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod 00:00 Preview 00:22 Welcome to Cold War Conversations 00:36 Life in East Germany: An Insider's Perspective 01:50 Circa's Childhood and Family Life in Neubrandenburg 03:33 The Impact of World War II on Family Histories 05:42 Navigating Post-War East Germany 07:53 The East German Regime Through a Family's Eyes 10:31 Cultural and Educational Experiences in East Germany 23:23 The Challenges of Consumer Goods and Entertainment 25:39 School Life and Education in East Germany 34:17 Extracurricular Activities: Singing Club and Gymnastics 44:58 The Intensity of Gymnastics Training in East Germany 46:15 The Secret Gymnastics Pills 48:14 The Grueling Training Regime and Its Impact 49:46 The Power of Music and Discipline in a Regimented Society 50:38 The Harsh Realities of Military-Style Training 51:39 Life Under an Autocratic System: Acceptance and Adaptation 55:26 The Transition to College and the End of Gymnastics 55:56 Exploring Moscow: A Glimpse into the Space Race 01:03:37 Witnessing the Winds of Change: The Fall of the Berlin Wall 01:14:21 Navigating the New World: Post-Wall Challenges and Reflections 01:25:05 A Journey Back in Time: Revisiting Memories and the Stasi Files Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jaksot(443)

Gunfire in the Woods: A foiled escape and imprisonment in Cold War East Germany  (308)

Gunfire in the Woods: A foiled escape and imprisonment in Cold War East Germany (308)

This is part two of Henrik’s story. You can hear the first part in episode 307. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode307 It’s the late 1980s and Henrik and his friends plan to escape from East Germ...

8 Syys 20231h 29min

Growing up in Cold War East Germany's Valley of the Clueless (307)

Growing up in Cold War East Germany's Valley of the Clueless (307)

Henrik was born in the late 1960s near Dresden in East Germany. The area was sarcastically known as the Tal der Ahnungslosen or Valley of the Clueless, as the area generally was not able to receive TV...

1 Syys 20231h 14min

Flying the Cold War A10 Tankbuster Part 2 (306)

Flying the Cold War A10 Tankbuster Part 2 (306)

You are listening to part 2 of my chat with Joe who joined the USAF in 1981 and was trained to fly the A10 Warthog a single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft designed to provide close air support to grou...

25 Elo 202349min

Flying the Cold War A10 Tankbuster Part 1 (305)

Flying the Cold War A10 Tankbuster Part 1 (305)

Joe’s father served in World War 2 in the USAF. His service inspired Joe to try and join the USAF or the Naval Air Force despite having no flying experience. It’s the aftermath of the Vietnam War so f...

18 Elo 202353min

A Cold War Polish childhood near Wroclaw (304)

A Cold War Polish childhood near Wroclaw (304)

Tom lived in western Poland in an area that had been part of Germany until the end of World War 2. He describes how his grandmother settled in this area and the strangeness of taking over formerly Ger...

11 Elo 20231h 29min

Soviet MIG shoots-down a US RB-47H reconnaissance plane (303)

Soviet MIG shoots-down a US RB-47H reconnaissance plane (303)

On 1 July 1960, a United States RB-47H reconnaissance plane was shot down by the Soviet Air Defence Forces while performing signals intelligence in the Barents Sea, near the Kola Peninsula, off the Ar...

4 Elo 202349min

The rise and fall of East German leader Erich Honecker (302)

The rise and fall of East German leader Erich Honecker (302)

Honecker emerged as an ambitious political player and became the shadowy mastermind behind the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, a crucial moment in twentieth-century history. Author Nathan Mor...

28 Heinä 20231h 13min

US Army tank platoon commander in 1980s Cold War Korea (301)

US Army tank platoon commander in 1980s Cold War Korea (301)

Tom Sullivan was a tank platoon commander in Korea in the early 1980s responsible for six tanks and their crew We hear why he joined the US Army, his training, and his first impressions of Korea in th...

21 Heinä 20231h 2min

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