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DISPATCHES with Hollie McKay

DISPATCHES with Hollie McKay

By: Hollie McKay
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About this listen

Dispatches with Hollie McKay is where on-the-ground reporting meets real talk, no fluff, no agenda—just raw, unfiltered stories from the far corners of the world. Every week, I dive into the headlines that should be making news, the hidden humanitarian crises, and the extraordinary resilience of people too often forgotten. Alongside risk analyst Dennis Santiago, we’ll unpack global events, challenge narratives, and throw in a few personal picks—because sometimes, after covering war zones, you just need a good book, a great song, or a killer recipe. Welcome to Dispatches—where empathy leads the conversation.

Follow Hollie on Instagram and X @holliesmckay


*This podcast is proudly brought to you by HumanizingGlobalPolicy.org

© 2025 DISPATCHES with Hollie McKay Personal Development Personal Success Politics & Government Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Dispatches: The Jinn of Marrakech and Lessons in Letting Go

    Dispatches: The Jinn of Marrakech and Lessons in Letting Go
    Sep 19 2025

    In this episode, journalist and author Hollie McKay reflects on a rare personal journey to Morocco—a trip meant for celebration, but one that also sparked a deeper reckoning with the relentless pull of news, social media, and digital noise. From wandering the mystical streets of Marrakech to confronting the addictive vortex of online life, Hollie shares candid insights on learning to disconnect, redefining her identity beyond breaking news, and rediscovering the creative writer within. Along the way, she explores authenticity, motherhood, and what it means to be truly present in a world that constantly demands our attention.

    Support the show

    Visit holliesmckay.substack.com
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    23 mins
  • Dispatches: Journalism in an Age of Risk and Renewal

    Dispatches: Journalism in an Age of Risk and Renewal
    Aug 28 2025

    Hollie reflects on the perils and purpose of modern journalism. From documenting imprisoned reporters abandoned by U.S.-funded outlets, to navigating the blurred lines between truth-telling and propaganda in a digital storm of influencers, Hollie and Dennis examine the shrinking space for press freedom worldwide.

    Hollie also shares how motherhood has reshaped her professional compass, balancing the risks of frontline reporting with the responsibilities of raising a child, the psychological toll of conflict reporting, and the enduring importance of human-centered storytelling in an era where virality often eclipses truth.

    Support the show

    Visit holliesmckay.substack.com
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    29 mins
  • Dispatches: On Pregnancy Loss, Grief, and the Lives We Didn’t Choose

    Dispatches: On Pregnancy Loss, Grief, and the Lives We Didn’t Choose
    Jul 24 2025

    In this deeply personal conversation, Hollie steps away from conflict zones to speak candidly about a private grief—her recent miscarriage. In a conversation with longtime friend and interviewer Dennis, Hollie reflects on the physical and emotional toll of early pregnancy loss, the unique form of grief it brings, and the silent weight many women carry.

    They explore the stigmas surrounding miscarriage, the biology of trauma, and how society rushes women to move on before they’ve had time to heal. Hollie also opens up about her evolving identity as a mother, the sacrifices of a life spent in war reporting, and the quiet question that lingers in the aftermath: Was it worth it?

    Raw, unflinching, and quietly hopeful, this episode is a meditation on loss, legacy, and the courage it takes to share what so often goes unspoken.


    Support the show

    Visit holliesmckay.substack.com
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    35 mins
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