The Shift: Stories from the new media world. ✨
Hiya 🤗
Welcome to the Shift: Stories from the new media (re)evolution.
A lively digital weekly for (and about) writers and creators building their own thing.
It’s written by me, Nika Talbot, an indie journalist who’s been writing online since ‘99 and making the Shift on Substack since 2020.
I’m exploring what lights me up: Culture, tech, creators—and where media is moving. Deeply obsessed with this space :)
Why the Shift?
Because media is chaotic. Journalism is a struggling industry, and freelance rates have been stagnant for YEARS, so it’s about building something new and networked—through Substack and beyond—that empowers writers financially and emotionally.
“If we can’t have a seat at the table, we better create our own damn table,” - Francesca Donner, The Persistent.
We’re seeing a big shift in how media gets made and who controls it—no more gatekeepers—the audience decides. Beyond pale, male and stale: legacy media reinventing itself and learning from creators (+ vice versa). Papers hiring Influencer Correspondents (Creator Correspondent sounds better—idk anyone who wants to be called an influencer). The Substack Motel. Journalists forming worker-owned collectives. The rise of silver creators…
It’s fast, messy and complicated—and the most exciting and trusted area of journalism imo. A two-way conversation. People are paying for it! I’m here for it.
I started the Shift to explore and help shape the future of journalism and media. Tell big-hearted stories about writers doing good work, share intel to help you stay ahead of the curve, and build community so we can figure this out together. Being a creator isn’t easy - burnout, loneliness—we don’t talk about that side of it enough.
I’m fascinated by the shift towards indie media, in service of culture, and the rise of entrepreneurship (the future of work), mobile offices, and portfolio careers—trying to make peace with my own!
These are heavy topics, so I promise you vintage gifs, jokes and joyscrolling too.
I want the Shift to be reader-powered, collaborative, and fun!
Love Nika
What You Get
Free Tier
Get new writing, bold ideas, useful links, and small biz, big life energy, direct to your inbox. Be part of the gang shaping the Shift.
Weekly-ish letters and Bold Types creator profiles (from Boomers to Gen Alpha - and their parents too). “It’s not easy being his mum!” - Sue, Isaac Elam’s mum said the other day. @Isaacexploress
Billy No Mates? Join our Writers’ Café (coworking club)
Paid Members
🎪 The Shift Media Diary: A social calendar of culture + media opps—get out and get inspired! I’ll send you an invite link and it shows up as a separate calendar in Gmail.
🔗 What I’m Reading… My weekly roundup and thoughts on current creator news and happenings.
🗞️ Deep dive into the archive: (200+ posts) on culture, tech, creative work.
Founding Members
My most generous readers. Everything above AND I’ll love you forever.
1:1 meetup: A virtual cuppa or irl if you’re sick of Zoom. Ask me anything about writing, publishing, or whatever you like.
Publisher updates: A few times a year I send personal letters with some insights into the running of TS.
Founders’ shoutout for supporting indie journalism and being part of this.
Founding Members
About Me
In a nutshell, I love a good story.
I believe in the power of writing to connect people and create a more compassionate world.
I’m a writer, creator, and proud mama to Julieta - just started at U of York so new beginnings for both of us.
12x book babies on sex, health & parenting.
Outside the Shift, I run Firebird, a one-woman content studio connecting brands with people and culture.
NUJ London Freelance Officer (social media & creator journalism).
Why Upgrade?
I’ve been writing this letter every week for five years. It’s evolved a lot, but my mission has stayed the same: valuing culture and creativity, ensuring writers get paid what they’re worth, and building better structures that don’t leave us feeling isolated and burned out. Bringing the soul back into business.
Creative entrepreneurship as a path to personal and financial freedom—more money and power for women YEAH (none of the women in my family have had that).
It’s an invitation to go deeper, co-create with me, and bring ideas and experiences to inform what I write next.
Wall of Love
They should frame this newsletter in the Louvre—simply a joy to read!—Eoin Whyte, Chief Revenue Officer & co-founder, Savvy.
Here to help with your content gaps! 💎
Nika writes a really helpful newsletter for the intersection of writing, the digital world and entrepreneurship, which can be a lonely place for many people. Her guidance is greatly appreciated.—Ann Marie McQueen, Founder & Editor, HotFlash Inc.
Nika has written 12 books relating to health and wellness. There is fun to be had as we make the Shift to work smarter and live better—recommended reading for Workforce Futurists!—Andy Spence, Founder, Workforce Futurist.
Gold star for reading this far. 🤩
However you support, THANK YOU. It means the world.
PS: New Service
📲 Pocket Editor: Your Writing Wingwoman for One Week.
Async writing and marketing support on Voxer to get ONE thing published.
