Getting Unstuck – Cultivating Curiosity

Jeff Ikler
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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. 2D AGO

    How Do the Experiences of War Echo Across Generations?

    Guest Matthew Collins is a writer, speaker, and voice coach whose career spans British television, travel writing, prison education, and Shakespeare. A former BBC presenter, he now leads voice and public speaking workshops and teaches Shakespeare to students ranging from ex-prisoners to members of the Women's Institute. His approach is non-academic. He encourages students to explore Shakespearean texts using spoken voice exercises - and to feel the effects they can have on the mind and body. (And soul...)  Matthew also gives entertaining talks. And last year, he launched the podcast "We Sons of World War II Vets," which explores the stories and remembrances of World War II veterans as told to their sons and daughters.  Summary In this episode, Jeff speaks with Matthew Collins—former BBC presenter, prison educator, and host of We Sons of World War Two Vets—about his podcast where he interviews the sons (and now daughters) of WWII veterans. Sparked by reflections on his own father's wartime experience and the stories left partially untold, Collins began recording conversations with baby boomers whose fathers fought in the war. Although many of these veterans "didn't really talk about it," their children absorbed attitudes shaped by hardship, stoicism, discipline, and emotional restraint. Matthew explores recurring themes: the cultural gap between pre-war fathers and post-war sons, delayed gratification versus modern immediacy, emotional desensitization born of trauma, and the quiet heroism often discovered only after a parent's death. Through stories ranging from aristocratic war heroes to working-class POWs, Matthew highlights how wartime experiences reverberated across generations—shaping parenting styles, masculinity, and family dynamics. Ultimately, the project preserves fading history while inviting younger generations to reconsider resilience, community, and the cost of freedom in an era that may no longer take peace for granted. A key reflection We often don't fully understand our parents until after they're gone, so try to explore their past now through gentle probes. Social Media & Referenced Website: https://www.matthewcollins.com/ Podcast: https://www.matthewcollins.com/we-sons-of-ww2-vets Elizabeth Keating interview: https://www.queticocoaching.com/blog/338-asking-essential-questions-to-uncover-and-preserve-family-history

    57 min

  2. FEB 24

    What Do Artifacts Explain About the History of the West?

    Guest Paul Knowles has not followed a conventional path. Originally from Texas, he worked in Downtown Dallas as a financial advisor for the world's largest private wealth manager. He then served as marketing director for a highly successful Colorado regional bank and later for one of the nation's top real estate offices. However, it was after stepping away for a year and a half that Paul stumbled onto his true calling, and for the past ten years, he has been the Assistant Director of the Museum of Northwest Colorado, located in Craig, Colorado Summary In this episode, I visit with Paul to explore Western history through various artifacts. From a massive dinosaur footprint recovered from a coal mine to a 1,700-year-old "burden basket" woven by the Indigenous people living in the area at the time, to the Winchester rifle, the first reliable repeating rifle, the museum reveals a layered history stretching from prehistoric swamps to the era of outlaw drama. Paul challenges Hollywood's myth of the violent, gun-slinging West, reframing firearms as tools of survival rather than symbols of chaos. Through objects like annotated copies of Charles Kelly's The Outlaw Trail, prison-made spurs crafted by inmate John Cox, early Colorado brand books, and a letter referencing Butch Cassidy, we'll encounter a West both harsher and more nuanced than legend suggests. At center stage in the museum stands "Western Reflections," the world's largest watercolor, symbolizing remoteness, resilience, and the central importance of water. Ultimately, our conversation highlights the grit, interdependence, and adaptability required to survive in the historic West. A key takeaway Artifacts tell truer stories than myths; when we examine physical evidence, Hollywood's caricature of the West gives way to a more human, complex reality. A Video Tour of the Museum is available in the show notes for this episode on my website: https://www.queticocoaching.com/blog

    1h 11m

  3. FEB 17

    How Does Animal-Assisted Education Improve Student Focus and Mental Health?

    Guest Barbara Vokatis is a professor at the State University of New York an Oneonta, keynote speaker, award-winning author, and therapy dog partner. She is an author of books in dog therapy in educational settings ("Teachers and Therapy Dog Teams: Innovative Collaborations to Make a Difference for Children") and a children's book ("Carmel Goes to School") with the therapy dog theme. Her latest book is titled "Unshakable: Parenting through Autism with Love, Courage, and Purpose." Summary In this episode, Jeff Ikler speaks with Dr. Barb Vokatis about the role of animal-assisted intervention—especially therapy dogs—in supporting student well-being, engagement, and learning. Dr. Barb explains that her work began when she observed the powerful, calming, and relational impact her dog had on her autistic child, which led her to develop a certified therapy dog program in schools. She describes how structured classroom visits from therapy dogs can reduce anxiety, increase focus, improve classroom behavior, and encourage participation—especially among shy or reluctant students. Teachers reported that students became calmer and more attentive when the therapy dog was present, without disrupting instruction. Dr. Barb shares examples of students who became more expressive, more willing to speak, and even newly motivated to write after interacting with the dog and hearing her story. She emphasizes that therapy animals are not gimmicks or tools, but relationship catalysts that help build trust, kindness, and emotional safety. The conversation broadens to educational reform, arguing that student mental health and kindness should be more intentionally integrated into the school system. Dr. Barb calls for teacher training, professional development, and scalable models that responsibly expand therapy animal programs. The Critical Takeaway Schools should treat student well-being and academic learning as inseparable, with animal-assisted programs as one practical pathway. Social Media/Referenced https://www.instagram.com/dr.barb.educator/ https://www.facebook.com/barbara.vokatis https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-vokatis-ph-d-530649a/ https://barbaravokatis.com  Book recommendation: The Path of Powerful Kindness

    50 min

  4. FEB 10

    How Do Writer Friendships Make the Creative Journey More Sustainable?

    Guest Hurley Winkler is a writer and editor from Jacksonville, FL. Her newsletter, "Lonely Victories," is among the top Substack publications in the Literature category. She teaches creative writing at Flagler College.  Summary In this episode, I speak with writer and teacher Hurley Winkler about journaling, creative practice, and building a sustainable writing life. Hurley traces her path to writing back to childhood anxiety and early journaling inspired by Harriet the Spy, and describes how writing eventually became her preferred independent art form after early interests in theater. She discusses her work as a writing teacher and how her philosophy balances encouragement with challenge while meeting students where they are. A central focus of the conversation is Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way, Hurley once interviewed Julia Cameron, including morning pages, artist dates, and creative accountability. Hurley shares how working through the program — especially with partners — helped her cultivate courage, clarify goals, and move forward with major creative and life decisions. The discussion also explores resistance, practical strategies for writing through it, and the value of containers like timed sessions and word counts. Finally, Hurley also reflects on leaving social media due to its addictive nature, how that decision led to an ADHD diagnosis and treatment, and how reclaiming attention is an ongoing process. Throughout, she emphasizes writing community, "lonely victories," and the importance of writer friendships in making the creative journey less solitary. The critical takeaway Writing may produce "lonely victories," but building writer friendships and community makes the creative journey more resilient and sustainable. Referenced The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron Website: https://hurleywinkler.com/ Substack: https://lonelyvictories.substack.com/ The language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie

    59 min

  5. FEB 3

    How Do Observing and Deep Listening Help Shape Strong Writing?

    Guest Heather Lende is the author of four books centered on her life in Haines, Alaska: If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name, Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs, Find the Good: Life Lessons from a Small-town Obituary Writer, and, most recently, Of Bears and Ballots, about her adventures in local politics. Heather served as Alaska Writer Laureate from 2021-2023, has an honorary Ph.D in Humane Letters from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and is the recipient of the Middlebury College Alumni Award.  Summary In this, my 400th episode, I sit down with writer Heather Lende to talk about how she approaches her craft and what it means to write from, and for, a real community. Living in the small town of Haines, Alaska (pop ~2000), Heather sees writing less as performance and more as an act of careful observation, listening, and responsibility. Our conversation touches on her long-running obituary column, which requires her to listen carefully, get the details right, and tell people's stories with humility and care. She sees herself as "an observer of life," while her careful attention to people and their details has earned her the label of "story catcher." We talk about what changes when you write about people you know—or at least know of. We explore what I call Heather's nonlinear writing process, her discomfort with neat conclusions, and how grief, memory, and daily observation shape her work. We also explore doubt, discipline, and the tension between creative ambition and ordinary life. Throughout the conversation, writing emerges as a way of staying connected—to place, to people, and to the small, meaningful moments that make up a life. We dive deeply into the story "Alaskans Dear" from her book, If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name, to understand her writing process and what it means to live in a small town. The Essential Point Storytelling for Heather is not just creative work, but a relational act that binds her to the community she serves. Social Media Website:https://www.heatherlende.com/ Referenced See the audio file of what Heather is reading in the show notes for this episode at https://www.queticocoaching.com/blog

    1h 15m

  6. JAN 27

    399: Why Do Public Lands Remain a Source of Controversy?

    Guest Adam Bronstein grew up exploring the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York and knew from a young age that he wanted to work to protect wild places. He received a BS from SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry in Environmental Studies and Geographic Information Technologies. Adam first joined the Western Watershed Project staff in 2020. Outside his capacity at WWP, Adam hosts and produces Our Public Lands podcast, advocates for Wilderness, and is a dedicated public lands hunter and angler—always looking for that elusive cow-free habitat. Summary In this episode of Getting Unstuck: Cultivating Curiosity, Jeff speaks with Adam Bronstein, Oregon Director of the Western Watersheds Project and host of the Our Public Lands podcast, about long-standing and emerging threats to America's public lands. Adam places today's controversies—grazing, land sell-offs, road building, logging, and political pressure on land-management agencies—within a deeper historical context, showing that these conflicts are not new but recurring. Much of the conversation centers on livestock grazing in the arid West, which Adam argues is ecologically unsustainable, heavily subsidized, and responsible for widespread watershed and habitat degradation, despite supplying only a small fraction of the nation's beef. The discussion also explores how language such as "restoration" and "ecosystem health" is often used to justify extractive practices that further damage public lands. Adam highlights brighter spots, including dam removal and beaver restoration, as examples of how ecosystems recover when human pressures are reduced. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes that public lands belong to everyone and that meaningful reform will require public vigilance, political engagement, and a willingness to rethink how these landscapes are managed. The critical takeaway The central takeaway is that many of today's public-lands crises stem from entrenched, subsidized extractive practices—and that ecosystems recover most effectively when lands are protected, pressure is reduced, and the public actively defends its shared ownership. Referenced Websites https://westernwatersheds.org/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-public-lands/id1752585783 https://wildernesswatch.org/ https://johnmuirproject.org/ https://www.backcountryhunters.org/ https://www.standingtrees.org/ Articles/Substacks https://open.substack.com/pub/westernwatersheds/p/a-backdoor-land-grab-signed-in-plain?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email https://open.substack.com/pub/morethanjustparks/p/everything-the-trump-administration?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web Books Battle for the Wilderness: https://a.co/d/h2C43MK This America of Ours: https://a.co/d/jc832WT A Wilderness Original–The Life of Bob Marschall: https://a.co/d/fXZ4RvX

    1h 4m

  7. JAN 20

    Why Do Internal Customers Matter as Much as External Ones?

    Guest April Obersteller is a people-centered leader, operator, and founder of And Not Or, a community and leadership platform built around the belief that we don't have to choose. She has led customer and employee experience across iconic consumer brands, including YETI and woom, and now leads community and experience at Recess. April also hosts The AND Podcast, where she shares real conversations about leadership, growth, and humanity. Summary In this episode, Jeff talks with April Obersteller, co-founder and CEO of And, about what it really takes to build companies that succeed by investing in people as much as products. Drawing on her experience at fast-growing brands like YETI and her work with startups and scale-ups, April challenges the false choice between caring for employees and driving business results. Instead, she advocates for an "and" philosophy—holding space for profitability and people, clarity and uncertainty, action and reflection. April explains why internal customers are often overlooked, how intentional care doesn't require flashy programs, and why culture can't be faked with posters or slogans. She also discusses brave leadership, emphasizing awareness, courage, and the willingness to act amid discomfort. Throughout the conversation, April highlights how focusing on employee success ultimately creates better customer experiences, stronger teams, and more resilient organizations. The episode offers a thoughtful exploration of leadership, scalability, and how curiosity and creativity emerge when leaders resist either-or thinking and instead embrace the complexity of building something meaningful. The Essential Point Sustainable business success comes from embracing "and" thinking—supporting people and performance together—rather than treating employee care as secondary to growth or profit. Social Media & Referenced LinkedIn Website

    43 min

  8. JAN 13

    Who and What's Behind the Continued Efforts to Sell or Transfer Our Public Lands?

    Guest Hal Herring is a long-time contributing editor and writer at Field and Stream magazine and has covered conservation and the environment for national and international publications for almost thirty years. His work was featured in the Patagonia documentary Public Trust in 2020, and he is at work on a book about the American public lands. Summary In this episode of Getting Unstuck: Cultivating Curiosity, Jeff speaks with writer and public-lands advocate Hal H. about renewed political efforts to weaken protections for America's public lands. The conversation centers on three major flashpoints: Senator Mike Lee's failed attempt to sell off federal lands under the guise of affordable housing, the Department of Agriculture's proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, and a quieter movement to transfer federal public lands to state control. Hal explains how these efforts fit into a long historical pattern of privatization attempts, driven by ideology and commercial interests rather than public benefit. He walks through why the Roadless Rule was created—highlighting watershed protection, crumbling road infrastructure, wildfire risk, and taxpayer cost—and why the evidence overwhelmingly supports keeping it in place. Throughout the discussion, Hal emphasizes that public lands are a uniquely American idea, central to clean water, wildlife, recreation, and democratic access. The episode closes with a reminder that public voice matters: citizen pressure has stopped land grabs before, and continued vigilance is essential to protect lands held in common for future generations. The three takeaways Efforts to sell, develop, or transfer public lands are not new—they are part of a long-running campaign to privatize shared resources. The Roadless Rule protects watersheds, wildlife, and taxpayers by limiting costly, damaging road construction that agencies cannot maintain. Public lands endure only when citizens actively defend them; public pressure has proven effective in stopping harmful policies. References / Links Hal's website

    58 min
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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.

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