Ba Vojdaan با وجدان

We welcome to the show independent journalist Hollie McKay.

In this interview, Hollie discusses her diverse career, starting from her beginnings in the U.S. after studying in New York, to her time at Fox News, and her eventual shift to independent journalism after becoming disillusioned with the “clickbait factory” her work environment had become (her words ha ha).

Hollie shares her experiences reporting from global hotspots such as Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Sudan, emphasizing the challenges and importance of covering peoples around the world that otherwise are not given the time of day by the Gatekeepers of Polite Society aka “mainstream” media.

Together we explore the hardships of journalism, the need for a conscientious approach to journalism (or whatever work we are engaged in,) and the essential need for authentic, on-the-ground reporting on matters that affect the quality of life in the world’s most neglected regions.

Hollie also highlights the impact of her work on her personal life and the valuable lessons she's aiming to pass on to her 14-month old daughter.

We oftentimes ask ourselves, “What can I do?” when we hear of suffering around the world.

Supporting Hollie’s work is a great way to help people who are truly in need.

Hollie is a person who genuinely desires to improve the world through her work, and has shown tremendous Vojdaan, not to mention personal sacrifice, with her career choices.

Subscribe to Hollie’s free newsletter, and also consider supporting her work financially. This enables people who otherwise fall through the cracks from mainstream news reporting to get the attention they deserve, even if it’s a tiny fraction of the population.

A little Vojdaan goes a long way!

Episode highlights:

00:39 Hollie's Background and Career Beginnings

02:42 The Evolution of Digital Journalism

05:19 Hollie's Unexpected Path to Journalism

09:26 The Universal Language of Music and Soccer

14:29 Challenges in Mainstream Media

19:17 Transition to Independent Journalism

20:57 Experiencing the Fall of Kabul

22:33 Challenges of Freelance Journalism

25:10 Building a Niche in Journalism

31:28 The Reality of War-Torn Regions

37:33 Human Resilience Amidst Hardship

41:16 Supporting Independent Journalism

44:12 Parenting and Professional Life

46:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources Mentioned:

Dispatches with Hollie McKay

Today is part 1 of my interview with independent journalist Hollie McKay.

In this excerpt (the full interview is available for paid subscribers) Hollie recounts her experiences with Fox News during the early digital era, her first BlackBerry and the eventual rise of the iPhone.

Holly also discusses her initial passion for dance, which was interrupted by an injury that led her to pursue journalism. She describes the global travels and diverse experiences that have informed her career, as well as the universal languages of music and soccer.

We oftentimes ask ourselves, “What can I do?” when we hear of suffering around the world.

Supporting Hollie’s work is a great way to help people who are truly in need.

Hollie is a person who genuinely desires to improve the world through her work, and has shown tremendous Vojdaan, not to mention personal sacrifice, with her career choices.

Subscribe to Hollie’s free newsletter, and also consider supporting her work financially. This enables people who otherwise fall through the cracks from mainstream news reporting to get the attention they deserve, even if it’s a tiny fraction of the population.

Tune in tomorrow for Part 2 of my interview with Hollie. And remember you can listen to the interview in its entirety and without interruption by becoming a paid subscriber to the podcast!

Today we conclude our journey through James Allen’s short but powerful book, As a Man Thinketh.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish,” says the old proverb.

When things get tough, and obstacles appear insurmountable, it is our vision of the successful outcome that keeps us on the right path.

That and disciplined thinking, consciously setting aside negativity and focusing on the things that are worthy of our attention.

The entire audiobook is available uninterrupted if you choose to upgrade to a paid subscription.

We continue through James Allen’s classic book, As a Man Thinketh. Today’s excerpt focuses on the detrimental effects of aimlessness and the necessity of having a central purpose in life.

Strength of character and successful achievements are byproducts of focused and right thinking. The concept that individual thoughts shape one's achievements and failures forms a critical theme, promoting the development of self-control, resolution, and purity for spiritual and material success.

Much needed wisdom in this modern age if you ask me!

The entire audiobook is available uninterrupted if you choose to upgrade to a paid subscription.

As a Man Thinketh by James Allen is a timeless self-help classic that explores the profound impact of thought on personal character, circumstances, and destiny. Drawing on the principle that "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," Allen illustrates how thoughts shape habits, health, and success.

This concise, poetic work encourages readers to take responsibility for their inner life, fostering self-mastery and a purposeful, fulfilling existence.

Today is Part 2. Tune in the next couple of days as we complete the audiobook!

JN

As a Man Thinketh by James Allen is a timeless self-help classic that explores the profound impact of thought on personal character, circumstances, and destiny. Drawing on the principle that "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," Allen illustrates how thoughts shape habits, health, and success.

This concise, poetic work encourages readers to take responsibility for their inner life, fostering self-mastery and a purposeful, fulfilling existence.

Today is Part 1. Tune in the next couple of days for the remainder of the audiobook!

JN

Today we welcome to the show Dr. Zachary Porcu, author of 'Journey to Reality: Sacramental Life in a Secular Age.'

The discussion begins with James sharing his journey into the Orthodox Church, partly influenced by Zachary's book. The conversation delves into the origins and needs that led Dr. Porcu to write his book, emphasizing the differences between ancient and modern Christianity.

James and Dr. Porcu explore the concept of 'Arche' and how it represents the cornerstone of Christian belief, transcending merely being a set of rules to being a worldview. The interview also touches upon the revolutionary nature of Jesus' teachings, the Reformation's impact on Christianity at large, and ultimately leading to the modern secular state.

The interview concludes with a discussion on the importance of sacraments in Orthodox Christianity. Far more than symbolic or ritualistic acts, these are genuine spiritual disciplines embodying the intersection of physical and spiritual truth.

Episode highlights:

00:35 Background of the Interview

02:25 Introducing Dr. Zachary Porcu

03:14 The Need for the Book

03:49 Challenges in Teaching Theology

05:58 Writing and Revising the Book

07:52 Understanding Christianity and Worldview

12:21 The Concept of Arche

22:47 Revolutionary Claims of Christianity

26:22 Modern Context of Christianity

34:44 Critique of the Reformation

42:35 Separation of Church and State

46:03 The Sacramental Way of Life

52:38 Conclusion and Farewell

Resources mentioned:

Journey to Reality: Sacramental Life In a Secular Age by Dr. Zachary Porcu

Unintended Reformation

What’s the worst kind of podcast out there?

One without a purpose.

This applies to any type of content creation.

Heck, even a job raking leaves.

All too often we do things by wrote, or simply mimicking someone that appears on the surface to have things put together.

Without asking ourselves why is it that those folks are having any type of success in the first place?

It has nothing to do with the superficial elements of their content. Those are the manifestation of what is stirring within.

That is the truly challenging part of being a content creator of any type.

It won’t come from buying the $99 course advertised on Facebook.

Nor will it come from mimicking “what’s working” from those who are having some success.

It will come from being honest with yourself, identifying the hill you’re willing to die on…

And then being willing to die on it.

Being consistent helps too.

Model; never mimic.

If you’re a content creator and want to talk things over with a second set of eyes, click the link below and let’s talk.

https://jamesdnewcomb.com/coaching

I was able to go to the Vikings Game today in Minneapolis.

The game went fine, but the simple act of getting into the stadium was quite arduous. I spent just under an hour waiting for about 10,000 people to go through one metal detector!

And this is before we even scanned our tickets to get into the stadium.

I share a little bit about the experience, and notably the lack of concern from anyone else in the line who was massively inconvenienced by a severely inefficient security process.

If no one else has claimed it, I hereby dub myself the distinction of creating the moniker “NFL Lull”.

You heard it here first, folks.

This episode is a replay of an interview I did circa 2017 with patent attorney Stephan Kinsella.

Kinsella is the author of "Against Intellectual Property," and in our time together, he argues that IP laws, particularly patents and copyrights, are incompatible with traditional property rights and hinder innovation and progress.

The conversation explores the origins of these laws, their impact on musicians and other creatives, and practical advice for navigating the current system while protecting artistic integrity.

The discussion also delves into Austrian economics and how it provides a framework for understanding the issues with IP laws. Kinsella foresees a future where the increasing ease of circumventing these laws will pressure the industry to adapt to more free-market principles.

Episode highlights:

00:24 Stefan Kinsella on Intellectual Property

02:43 Understanding Property Rights

06:45 Austrian Economics and Intellectual Property

20:08 The History and Problems of Copyright

26:59 Practical Advice for Musicians

42:13 Future of Intellectual Property

44:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources mentioned:

Against Intellectual Property by Stephan Kinsella

Stephan's website

About the guest:

Stephan Kinsella is an attorney and libertarian writer in Houston. He was previously General Counsel for Applied Optoelectronics, Inc., a partner with Duane Morris, and adjunct professor at South Texas College of Law Houston. A registered patent attorney, he received an LL.M. (international business law) from King’s College London, a JD from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University (LSU), and BSEE and MSEE degrees from LSU.

He has spoken, lectured and published widely on both legal topics, including intellectual property law and international law, and also on various areas of libertarian legal theory.

You've been listening to Ba Vojdaan!, with James D. Newcomb.

For more information about James, and to subscribe to the podcast, visit https://jamesdnewcomb.com. There you'll find a trove of materials available for immediate download.

And be sure to follow James' travels and adventures on social media. All the info can be found at https://jamesdnewcomb.com.

Thank you for listening!