We ask each of our guests a simple yet profound question: "Whose life story from your own family would you most want to have documented on film?"
Today's guest: Kjartan Jansen, cofounder of Graddha, a wealth dynamics coaching firm.
Kjartan's pick: His paternal grandfather, Jan Holst Jansen
Sound Bites
- "It's fascinating to have this time to talk about."
- "Norwegians aren't particularly good at talking about feelings.
- "He was very stressed out."
If you prefer, you can listen to the show on any of the major podcast platforms. Or use our RSS Feed to subscribe to your preferred platform. Be sure to subscribe to ensure you receive the latest episode every two weeks.
Summary
In this conversation, Jamie Yuenger and Kjartan Jansen explore the life of Kjartan's grandfather, a resistance fighter during World War II in Norway. They discuss the impact of war on personal identity, the complexities of family history, and the lessons learned from past experiences. Kjartan reflects on his grandfather's legacy and how it inspires him to stand up for what is right, while also considering the trauma that may have influenced his grandfather's decisions. The conversation delves into the importance of storytelling and understanding one's roots, as well as the aspirations for future generations.
About Kjartan
Originally from Norway, Kjartan is the co-founder of Graddha, a wealth dynamics coaching firm, which he runs alongside his wife, Marlis. After two decades in finance, he now helps clients define their values and navigate the complex relational landscape of significant wealth and families. He lives in the San Francisco Bay area and is a passionate surfer, skier, and mountain biker.
On this episode, Kjartan will be talking about his paternal grandfather, Jan Holst Jansen. His grandfather passed away many years ago when Kjartan was young. But the story goes that his grandfather Jan was part of the Norwegian resistance during World War II, meaning his grandfather, along with many other young men, nearly 5,000 of them, fled into the Norwegian forest to evade orders to register for service under Germany during the Second World War. After the war, his grandfather was a judge. He disagreed with how many innocents were thrown in with the sympathizers and collaborators, so he quit his law practice and took over his father's furniture shop.
Kjartan has been so curious about what those years and his grandfather's life were like. In fact, in preparing for this conversation, he and his father finally visited the resistance museum in Oslo.
Takeaways
- Kjartan's grandfather was a resistance fighter during WWII.
- Norwegians historically struggle to discuss their feelings.
- The trauma of war can have lasting effects on identity.
Join Us
Visit us at storykeep.com/podcast to learn more about how StoryKeep is preserving family histories. Subscribe on your favorite platform to catch new episodes released bi-weekly, available in both audio and video formats.
Join me, Jamie Yuenger, as we go on a journey of remembrance and discovery, celebrating the stories of those we cherish. Don’t miss our enriching journey—subscribe today and be part of "Who We Remember."
Credits
Produced by Jamie Yuenger and Piet Hurkmans. Our show’s musical intro and outro is taken from the track “Thursday” by the independent artist Nick Takénobu Ogawa. You can listen and support his music on bandcamp here