Retrograde Rebels Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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 rethinking your next trip (or your whole career), this episode is your permission slip to embrace the adventure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 and fangirls over Christing Baranski's cream suit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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