The Shaw Report with Jessica Shaw

Kristen Johnston on Reinvention, Sisterhood, and Comedy After 50

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Emmy-winning actress Kristen Johnston joins us to talk about her new Netflix sitcom Leanne and why it feels so groundbreaking to see women over 50 at the center of comedy. In this wide-ranging conversation, Kristen shares how her real-life bond with co-star Leanne fuels the show’s sisterhood, why reinvention is such a powerful part of midlife, and how resilience and recovery have shaped her career. From her Third Rock from the Sun breakthrough to her cult-favorite role as Lexi Featherston on Sex and the City, Kristen reflects on the highs, the setbacks, and the freedom that comes with starting over.

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Lonely But Not Alone: Why Gen X Women Are Feeling It More Than Ever

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT

We’re diving into a topic so many Gen X women silently struggle with: loneliness. From aging parents and teens glued to their phones to career transitions and feeling invisible in midlife, Jessica Shaw is joined by author Melissa Hart to discuss Melissa’s powerful Dame Magazine article, "Older Women Are Battling a Loneliness Epidemic." Together, they explore the societal shift that’s left many women over 50 feeling forgotten—and how small acts of connection, unexpected adventures, and even friendship benches (yes, really!) can help rebuild community and meaning.

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From Tulum to The Big D: Reinventing Yourself at Midlife with Julie Golden

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT

What happens when your Hollywood career, your relationships, and your sense of self all hit a crossroads? For Julie Golden, it meant ditching the executive grind to become a stand-up comic and creator of The Big D - a hilarious, heartfelt dating show for divorced singles. In this laugh-out-loud and deeply relatable conversation, Jessica Shaw and Julie reminisce about belly chains on 90s yoga retreats, trauma bonding under the full moon in Tulum, and why your 40s and 50s are the time to rewrite the rules.

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Embeth Davidtz: Her Bold Second Act with ‘Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight’

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

What does it take to step into a bold second act? In this episode of The Shaw Report, Jessica sits down with actor-turned-director Embeth Davidtz to talk about her powerful directorial debut Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight (in theaters July 11). Based on Alexandra Fuller’s memoir, the film explores colonial Zimbabwe through the eyes of a child—raw, unflinching, and deeply human. Embeth shares how six years of writing and self-doubt turned into an extraordinary directorial journey, the lessons she carried from decades on set, and what it means to embrace fear as fuel for reinvention.

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From Vampire Diaries to We Were Liars: Julie Plec on Love, Loss, and Creative Reinvention

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 07:03:00 GMT

Julie Plec built a Hollywood empire on teen angst, high-stakes love, and unforgettable supernatural sagas—The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and now We Were Liars on Amazon Prime. But in this candid, funny, and emotional conversation with Jessica Shaw, Julie reveals the deeply personal truth behind her career pivots: how one college class almost stopped her from ever writing again, why she waited decades to direct, and how she learned to stop telling herself “I can’t.”

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And Just Like That, Nicole Ari Parker Found Her Next Act

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:59:58 GMT

Jessica and Nicole Ari Parker connect for a conversation about reinvention, resilience, and the power of the perfect audition outfit. Nicole talks about joining a beloved franchise and how aging, ambition, and identity collide on and off screen. New Episodes of And Just Like That air Thursdays on HBO Max

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7 Generations Are Traveling the World — Here’s Where Gen X Fits In - with Terry Ward

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT

On this week’s episode, Jessica catches up with travel journalist Terry Ward to unpack how seven generations—yes, seven!—are reshaping the way we travel. From the Silent Generation’s guided tours to Gen Z’s TikTok-fueled itineraries, we zero in on how Gen X is navigating travel in our 40s and 50s: spontaneous bookings, immersive culture, and a craving for purpose. If you're a Gen X traveler rethinking your next trip (or your whole career), this episode is your permission slip to embrace the adventure.

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Retrograde Rebels Podcast

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Listen to Retrograde Rebels, your definitive guide to surviving 2025 with a cosmic twist. This week, don't miss our special "Astrology Explains It!" series where we break down the latest celebrity drama and reveal how the universe had it written in the stars all along.

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Justine Lupe on Career Highs, Hilarious Fails and Staying Sane in Showbiz

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Actress, Justine Lupe (Succession, Nobody Wants This) joins for a candid, funny, and deeply relatable conversation about navigating the ups and downs of life in the spotlight. From audition disasters to the sweet spot of career stability, Justine gets real about success, anxiety and embracing the uncertainty. Nobody Wants This returns October 2025.

Jessica also recaps her time at ATX TV festival and fangirls over Christing Baranski's cream suit.

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The GenX Identity Crisis (and Why We Might Be the Cool Ones After All)

Thu, 22 May 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Gen X is having a moment—sort of. We’re the forgotten middle child of generations: too analog for Gen Z, too online for Boomers, and often left out of the conversation entirely. In this episode, Jessica Shaw explores the modern Gen X identity crisis, from unexpected layoffs and ageism to Vogue’s bold claim that we might actually be the cool ones now. She reflects on generational whiplash, parenting digital-native kids obsessed with ’80s music, and what happens when silence feels easier than speaking up. If you're navigating midlife with a sense of humor, a side of rage, and a Smiths playlist in the background, this one's for you.

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I Carried a Watermelon: Gen X, Midlife Panic, and the Power of Small Victories

Thu, 01 May 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Jessica Shaw is no longer TBD. Instead, she's back with a new show name to deliver a LOL, brutally honest take on what it means to be Gen X right now. From Friday night fatigue to midlife job uncertainty, financial anxiety, and the joy of early bird dinner reservations, Jessica dives into the messy, hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking realities of women in their 40s, 50s and beyond. Plus, she introduces a new segment- "I Carried a Watermelon"- a weekly ode to Gen X moments.

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Uzo Aduba on The Residence, defining roles and the importance of perseverance

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 05:21:00 GMT

When Uzo Aduba was offered the role that made her a household name, she had just decided to quit acting. In this heartfelt and candid conversation, Uzo sits down with Jessica to talk about that pivotal day, how she’s navigated the space between roles, and what continues to guide her as an artist and person.

Now starring as the brilliantly sharp Cordelia Cupp in The Residence on Netflix, Uzo reflects on the creative risks she’s taken, the moments that defined her path, and why asking for help — personally and professionally — has been one of her most powerful tools.

They explore how to stay open to the unexpected, what it means to evolve in your work, and how to find clarity when the next step isn’t clear. This episode is for anyone standing at a crossroads or craving deeper fulfillment in their life and work.

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Geri Halliwell on Reinvention: From Spice Girls to Storyteller

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 07:47:00 GMT

Geri Halliwell, aka Ginger Spice, joins us to talk about reinvention, resilience, and the power of embracing failure. From her Spice Girls days to becoming a bestselling author, Geri shares how she navigated career pivots, faced rejection, and found her creative voice through writing. Plus, we dive into her latest book, Rosie Frost: Ice on Fire and why embracing the "beautiful oops" moments in life might just be the key to success.

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A Different Direction: Tess Sanchez on Reinvention and Finding Purpose

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 09:15:00 GMT

What happens when the career you love is suddenly taken away? Former Hollywood casting executive Tess Sanchez knows the feeling all too well. In this candid and inspiring conversation, Tess shares the journey behind her new book, We've Decided to Go in a Different Direction, and how she navigated an unexpected career shift, personal upheavals, and the search for new purpose. If you’ve ever faced a layoff, questioned your identity beyond work, or wondered how to bounce back stronger, this episode is for you. Tune in for raw honesty, humor, and empowering insights on resilience, reinvention, and embracing life’s "painful favors."

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Bold Moves that Change Everything with Lola Ogunnaike

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:50:00 GMT

What was supposed to be a 10-day trip to Nigeria turned into a life changing journey. In this episode Lola Ogunnaike joins Jessica to discuss one woman's decision to relocate, balancing career, family, and identity in a new country. She shares the challenges and unexpected joy of embracing a fersh start and what t means to redefine home, success, and belonging.

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Invisible, Overlooked & Overloaded: Women at the crossroads of midlife with Leah Ruppanner

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 05:43:00 GMT

Why do so many women in their 40s, 50s and 60s feel like they're disappearing just as they hit their stride? In this episode, we explore the intersection of gender, age and societal expectations with sociologist and host of the MissPerceived podcast, Leah Ruppanner. From career challenges to caregiving pressure, we unpack why midlife can feel like a perfect storm and how women are navigating the turbulence.

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Accidentally Brave: When Life Forces You to Rewrite Your Story with Maddie Corman

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 07:31:00 GMT

When actress Maddie Corman's life was shattered by her husband's arrest for possessing child pornography, she found herself facing an unimaginable crisis in the public eye. In this raw and intimate conversation, Maddie shares the journey that inspired her one-woman show and film "Accidentally Brave," discussing how she navigated shame, betrayal trauma, and rebuilding her identity. With unexpected humor and profound honesty, Maddie reveals how she transformed her pain into purpose - becoming a writer, coach, and advocate for others experiencing betrayal.

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Gabby Bernstein’s Advice for Reinventing Yourself

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 08:29:00 GMT

Jessica is joined by Gabby Bernstein- bestselling author, speaker, podcast host and a big reason why this podcast exists (even if she didn't know it at the time!). They dive into what happens when life pulls the rug out from under you- whether it's losing a job, facing unexpected chaos, or feeling completely untethered. Gabby shares her wisdom on embracing change, the power of willingness, and how necessity can sometimes be the push we need to rewrite our story. Plus, the beauty of starting over, the energy we bring to tough moments, and how Gabby's unwavering confidence inspired Jessica to take the leap into podcasting.

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Aloha!

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 07:51:00 GMT

Jessica checks in with an update

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This is Jessica Shaw is TBD

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 02:57:58 GMT

Jessica's Shaw's life is full of TBD moments. Each week, she'll dive into the messy, funny, and deeply human experience of figuring it all our when all of a sudden, nothing is the same as it was yesterday, last year, or even last decade.

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