Mourning the Loss: A Tribute to the Late Radio Spätkauf Host, City's Voice Echoing Softer
In the heart of Berlin, Maisie Hitchcock left an indelible mark on the city's English-speaking community as a co-founder and co-host of the popular podcast, Radio Spaetkauf. This podcast, a staple for expats and locals alike, has become a valuable resource for news and discussions relevant to the diverse international community in Berlin.
Hitchcock's passions, such as her love for Club Mate, East German architecture, Berlin's lakes, German music, and Deutschrap, often shaped the aural aesthetic of Radio Spaetkauf. Her unique perspective and dedication to the city were evident in every episode.
Maisie Hitchcock moved to Berlin in 2005, and her voice was the first heard on the podcast, marking a significant milestone in its history. Over the years, she contributed to shaping the podcast's content and tone, addressing a wide range of subjects, from local news to cultural events. Her involvement helped establish Radio Spaetkauf as a valuable resource for Berlin's international community.
In the summer of 2023, Radio Spaetkauf released a tribute to Hitchcock, titled Maisie's Voice. The tribute episode is a two-hour-long portrait of Hitchcock and the changes in Berlin over the last two decades. It includes audio recorded just weeks before Hitchcock's death, with Joel Dullroy, a fellow Berliner, traveling to London to record the audio in her hospital room.
Dullroy saw his role as getting out of the way to let Hitchcock tell as much as possible in the tribute episode. The last 30 minutes of Maisie's Voice is a profoundly eloquent portrait of Hitchcock's approaching death. Hitchcock announced her decision to stop treatment in the recorded audio and shared her honest thoughts about her diagnosis and the subtle symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Hitchcock's resilience and dedication to her work, even during challenging times, have left a lasting impact on Radio Spaetkauf and the broader community that listens to the podcast. Her contributions have established a platform that continues to engage Berlin's diverse community with news and discussions relevant to their lives.
Hitchcock's influence extends beyond Radio Spaetkauf, as she was an early defender of East German architecture and design. Her dedication to preserving and promoting the unique aspects of Berlin's history serves as a testament to her commitment to the city and its community.
Though Hitchcock died in August 2023 at the age of 47 due to ovarian cancer, her legacy in Berlin's media landscape continues to inspire. Joel Dullroy spent nearly a year stitching together the tribute episode, ensuring that Hitchcock's voice and spirit remain a part of Berlin's English-language media scene. Hitchcock's last words to Dullroy were "Give me a good eulogy, Joel!" And with Maisie's Voice, he has certainly done just that.
- Maisie Hitchcock's towering influence was not confined to Radio Spaetkauf alone, as she was an ardent advocate for East German architecture and design, using social media to discuss and promote its unique charm, thereby blending pop-culture discussions with her love for the city's history.
- The aural landscape of Radio Spaetkauf, which has been a significant entertainment source for Berlin's expats and locals, frequently delved into subjects beyond local news and cultural events, occasionally exploring celebrity lifestyles and pop-culture trends, reflecting Hitchcock's diverse interests, including the lives of celebrities and the evolving trends in popular culture.
