This Is Actually Happening

397: What if you forgave the neo-Nazi who killed your father?

Jan 27, 2026
Guest
Pardeep Singh Kaleka
Pardeep Singh Kaleka, clinical director and anti-hate advocate who lost his father in the Oak Creek Sikh Temple attack, shares his journey. He recounts arriving at the scene, grief and PTSD, and choosing relentless optimism. He describes partnering with a former neo-Nazi to teach youth about hate, forgiveness, healing, and community rebuilding.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Discovering His Father's Death

  • Pardeep recounts arriving at the Sikh temple scene and learning his father had been shot during the 2012 Oak Creek attack.
  • He describes phone calls from his mother hiding in a closet and discovering his father's final prayer before he died.
ANECDOTE

Six Minutes That Changed Lives

  • Pardeep narrates the six-minute massacre when Wade Michael Page opened fire at the Gurdwara, killing seven people.
  • He explains how officers returned fire, Page was shot, and then took his own life at the scene.
INSIGHT

Relentless Optimism As Practice

  • Pardeep explains Chardikhala as relentless optimism paired with action for peace and prosperity for all.
  • He frames optimism as a practice that coexists with struggle rather than naive denial of pain.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app