Hello! Welcome to the Shift. ✨
Hiya 🤗
A weekly letter from Nika Talbot on culture, walking, indie media, and writing.
I’m exploring what lights me up: travel, walking, books, creative work, and how to live well.
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 empower 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. Amen to that 🙏
We’re seeing a massive shift in how media gets made and who controls it. No more gatekeepers—opinions have been decentralised. Beyond pale, male and stale - legacy media learning from creators (and vice versa). Papers hiring Influencer Creator Correspondents, the Substack Motel, and the rise of worker-owned collectives.
It’s fast, messy and a bit Wild West—also the most exciting and trusted area of journalism imo. People are paying for it! I’m here for it.
I started the Shift in 2020 to celebrate culture, amplify creators, and help shape the future of media. Tell big-hearted stories, share intel to help you stay ahead of the curve—and build community so we can figure this out together. Being a solopreneur isn’t easy - burnout, loneliness, self-worth. 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.
Nika :)
What You Get
Free Tier
Be part of the gang growing and shaping the Shift.
Public posts and Bold Types interviews. Join our Writers’ Café (coworking and Walk & Talks).
Paid Members
🎧 Weekly letters and voice notes - listen while you walk.
🚶🏻♀️Walk & Talks - let’s connect and chat :)
Founding Members
All of the above plus publisher updates - a few times a year I send personal letters with some insights into the running of TS.
Founders’ shoutout for supporting indie voices and being part of this movement.
Founding Members
About Me
In a nutshell, I love a good story.
I believe in the power of writing and walking to connect people and create a more compassionate world.
I’m writer, walker, creator and connector. Proud mama to Julieta - just started at U of York so new beginnings for both of us.
I’ve been writing online since ‘99. 12x book babies on health and wellness.
Outside the Shift, I run Firebird, a one-woman content studio.
I help tech + creator brands build authority with long-form art/content.
NUJ London Freelance Officer (social media and creator journalism).
Why Upgrade?
Journalism ain’t cheap.
I’ve been writing this letter for five years. It’s changed a lot but my mission is the same: celebrating culture, sharing stories (especially women’s), and shaping the future of media and journalism - better infrastructure and proper pay!
It’s an invitation to go deeper, co-create this with me, and bring your 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 publishing support on Voxer to get ONE thing done.
