We journey to the heart of Mexico’s devastating crisis of the disappeared. With over 120,000 people officially missing — and experts estimating the number could be closer to 200,000 — the scale of human loss is staggering. Hollie recounts her recent reporting trip, where she met mothers who have dedicated their lives to finding their children, often at great personal risk and without any government support.

From cartel kidnappings to government complicity, this episode dives into the painful realities of life just south of the U.S. border. We also explore the implications of the U.S. labeling Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations and what, if any, hope that brings for the families left behind.

Heartbreaking, urgent, and often overlooked, this is a story of courage, corruption, and the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of unimaginable loss.

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In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a horrifying campaign is unfolding—one that targets not soldiers, but children. In this episode, we delve into the heartbreaking reality of Ukrainian children who have been forcibly deported, indoctrinated, and erased from their roots under the guise of "rescue missions."

From mass abductions to forced adoptions and identity erasure, we explore how these acts violate international law—and the deep emotional and cultural scars they leave behind.

We then take a personal and hopeful turn—into the intimate world of modern motherhood. From trauma of war reporting to the quiet magic of a toddler’s first words, we explore the transformative nature of parenting, the joy of watching a child blossom, and the challenges faced by mothers navigating broken systems.

This episode is a meditation on innocence—in peril and in progress—and why protecting children means protecting our shared humanity.

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This episode of "Dispatches with Hollie McKay" delves into the forgotten crisis of the Uyghur Muslim minority in China, detailing their mass disappearances into re-education and labor camps and the global silence, largely due to economic interests.

Dennis and Hollie then discuss a concerning trend of declining empathy worldwide, exacerbated by social media, where indifference is becoming normalized. Finally, they address the disturbing online hostility towards expressions of compassion for suffering children, particularly in conflict zones, highlighting the dangerous politicization of innocent lives.

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