The Shaw Report with Jessica Shaw

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...

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 wo...

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 retre...

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...

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 wai...

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 rethin...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 a...

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, parentin...

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 i...

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 reflec...

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" moment...

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 fac...

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

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 t...

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....

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,...

Jessica checks in with an update Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.