Hello! Welcome to the Shift. ✨
Hiya 🤗
A weekly newsletter by me, Nika Talbot, on culture, tech, walking, and writing.
I’m exploring what lights me up: travel and walking*, books, indie work and living well.
*My productivity OS. Because my feet are wiser than my head.
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. Amen to that 🙏
We’re seeing a massive shift in how media gets made and who controls it. No more gatekeepers—the audience decides. 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—and 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, and build community so we can figure this out together. We can achieve more collectively than alone.
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
A home for walking writers! Be part of the gang growing and shaping the Shift.
Free Tier
Public posts and Bold Types interviews.
Billy No Mates? Join our Writers’ Café (coworking and Walk & Talks)
Premium Subscription (Friends of TS)
An opportunity to go deeper, help me shape and grow the Shift, and support indie journalism.
Weekly(ish) letters + culture roundups
Access to the subscriber chat and comments
A juicy little archive
Founding Members
Publisher updates - every so often I send personal letters with some insights into the running of TS
A founders’ shoutout for supporting indie voices and being part of this sub movement
However you support, THANK YOU. It means the world.
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 a writer, creator, and proud mama of Julieta - just started at U of York so new beginnings for both of us.
Writing online since ‘99 - OG blogger - 12x book babies on health & wellbeing.
Outside the Shift, I run Firebird, a one-woman content studio.
I help tech + creator brands build authority with long-form art/content. Social Media Officer @ NUJ London Freelance Branch.
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.
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. 🤩
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