The End of East Germany: A Communist Family’s Journey Through Change (409)

Cold War Conversations Podcast

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 27 June 2025

⏱️ 65 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This is the story of a Communist family in East Germany whose world was turned upside down by the implosion of the GDR. The story is told by Katja Hesse, whose father was a Vice Admiral in the Volksmarine, the East German Navy. We start the episode with Katja crossing into West Berlin on the night of 9th November 1989 and journey through the emotional landscape of certainties overturned by the opening of the Berlin Wall. Using her father’s diaries Katja shares in detail her memories and reflections. From her father’s shock upon learning she crossed into West Berlin, to the complexities of navigating a new reality in a reunified Germany. It’s an intimate glimpse into the struggles of her family as she recounts the legacy of the GDR and the profound impact it had on her upbringing and identity. Buy Katja's book here https://www.engelsdorfer-verlag.de/Belletristik/Romanhafte-Biografien/Ostprinzessinnen-tragen-keine-Krone::7605.html Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode409/ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a 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. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Threads ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Love history? Join Intohistory ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
0:06.0	Ironheart has arrived on Disney Plus.
0:08.7	What is going all with you?
0:10.6	From Marvel Television, an executive producer Ryan Coogler.
0:13.5	I wanted to build something undeniable, but now I'm in trouble.
0:16.5	Don't miss the sixth episode of Vand.
0:18.4	I joined a crew of criminals, and now I'm about to get killed
0:21.7	by a deranged man in a cake.
0:23.5	Be the first to experience the all-new series.
0:26.3	You've bitten off a hell of a lot more
0:27.6	than you can chew.
0:28.4	I can chill a lot.
0:29.3	Marvel Television's Iron Hard.
0:31.2	Now streaming, only on Disney Plus.
0:33.5	18 plus subscription required.
0:34.9	Decent Cs and Cs Apply. 18 plus subscription required, decencies apply. There are days when you're hungry for McDonald's.
0:39.9	Then there are days when you're Big Arch hungry for McDonald's.
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0:45.8	New Big Arch for Big McDonald's hunger.
0:51.3	Until 9th of September, from 11 a.m.,
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0:56.2	And under no circumstances, would my father have sworn a new oath on the flag of the Federal Republic.
	...

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