Split Level Studios Debuts The Forty Files, the Podcast Redefining Midlife, One Story at a Time
Madison, Jersey — May 30, 2025 — Real life doesn’t come with a script, but now it has a mic. Split Level Studios, a new independent production company built on storytelling that’s sharp, warm, and wildly relatable, is proud to announce its inaugural podcast: The Forty Files.
The Forty Files is a deeply personal, often hilarious storytelling podcast that examines the unfiltered realities of modern womanhood—from the suburbs to the sidelines, from high-functioning burnout to unexpected joy. Think memoir meets middle age with a dash of sarcasm and a lot of snacks.
At the heart of the show is a running narrative arc that invites listeners to follow host Katie Zurich’s self-declared mission to “do forty-ish differently.” Blending reflection, reinvention, and real talk, The Forty Files explores the honest (and sometimes absurd) ways women try to reclaim their time, their voice, and their spark.
The Forty Files: Forty Stories. Forty Chances. No More Waiting.
In lieu of a traditional bucket list, The Forty Files is a living, breathing file cabinet of unfinished business and unspoken dreams. It’s not about reinvention for show—it’s about reconnection on purpose. Listeners will follow Zurich through forty personal challenges, from reigniting creative passions to confronting long-ignored truths, all while balancing the chaos of everyday life.
“Middle age isn’t a punchline,” says Zurich. “It’s a pivot point. And I think a lot of us are done pretending we’re too busy or too tired to ask ourselves: Now what? That’s what The Forty Files is for.”
A Mic, a Mission, and Some Guests Along the Way
The Forty Files features guest appearances from friends, mentors, experts, and fellow travelers who add new dimensions to each episode’s theme. These aren’t celebrity cameos—though here’s hoping for one—they’re conversations that count.
Whether it’s navigating family dynamics, unpacking suburban myths, or simply figuring out how to make peace with a noisy minivan and a silent dream, The Forty Files makes space for stories that matter.
Follow The Forty Files This Summer
The Forty Files, produced by Split Level Studios, launches this summer on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms. To follow the journey, tune in each week and follow along on Instagram at @fortyfiles for behind-the-scenes moments, listener prompts, and the mess in between milestones.
Because sometimes influence has nothing to do with likes—and everything to do with living out loud.
The Forty Files 