Journalist & Storyteller
Samantha Dixon
Giving a voice to stories of empowerment, injustice, resilience, and complexity.
I officially started my traineeship with Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ). A two-year program with mentorship and newsroom placements.
From self-doubt and uncertainty to finding clarity and passion through journalism at WAZ.
This isn’t a “newsletter”, it's The Draft
No spam. No schedule. Just stories.
You’ll receive letters from the edge of chaos, including essays, interviews, journal entries, and updates when something moves.
About
HI, I'M SAM
I’m a journalist-in-training for Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ) based in Germany and an aspiring author with a love for words and language.
Whether I’m writing essays, poetry, or reported pieces, my goal is the same:
To document complexity with empathy.
To create space for the stories that often go unsaid.
To remind us we’re never really alone in what we feel.
Mindfully Chaotic is for writers who feel too much and still want to write it all down, even when it’s messy, real, or terrifying.
What I Cover
I’m drawn to the untold
and overlooked stories, especially about people in crisis, unjust systems, resilience under pressure, empowerment, and the quieter human moments in conflict zones.
I believe journalism should not just inform, but connect. I want to give people space to tell their own stories, and to challenge the systems that silence them.
My Work
Warum sich ein Herner um die Situation in der Türkei sorgt
– Published in German in WAZ (April 2025). (Print title: “Herner sorgt sich um Situation in der Türkei”). I spoke with a Turkish-born resident of Herne about the political situation in Türkiye, Istanbul’s mayor, and recent protests. He shared his personal worries, his connection to both countries, and his questions around identity and belonging.
Velberter Familie gewährt Einblick in Ramadan-Fastenbrechen
– Published in German in WAZ (March 2025). (Print title: “Türkischer Tee und viel Selbstdisziplin”). This story follows a Turkish-Tunisian family during the month of Ramadan. I joined them for Iftar to learn more about their culture, traditions, and daily rituals during this sacred time.
Ein Tag im Rollstuhl: „Ich bin nur ein lästiges Hindernis!“
– Published in German in WAZ (December 2024) (Print title: “Perspektivwechsel öffnet die Augen”). To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I took part in a self-experiment—navigating everyday life with simulated impairments to better understand the barriers many disabled people face daily.