Women in the driving seat

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Join Erin Baker, Autotrader’s Editorial Director, award-winning motoring journalist, widow and mum of two, and Vicki Butler-Henderson, TV presenter, racing driver and also mum of two (@thecargirlvickibutlerhenderson), for a podcast series hosted by two old friends, devoted to putting women in the driving seat.

  1. 10h ago

    Vicki and Erin on the rise of the digital car

    *WARNING: This video contains 1000 jokes about buttons*In this episode of Women in the driving seat, Vicki and Erin dive into the latest motoring news. Vicki recaps her visit to the Paris Motor Show, highlighting standout concepts like the retro Citroën 2CV EV and Renault’s quirky designs, whilst Erin chats about why motor shows aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Then, Erin shares an emotional journey driving the all-new Range Rover Electric across the Scottish Highlands; proving that EVs can handle a fair few puddles and fancy hotels can be a bit expensive.The duo also tackle a growing debate in modern car design: have touchscreens gone too far? Critiquing research on digital driving distractions, they make an impassioned plea to bring back physical dials, chunky switches, and tactile buttons for the stuff you really need to be able to click without taking your eyes off the road.Women in the Driving Seat is hosted by motoring journalist Erin Baker and racing driver Vicki Butler-Henderson. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and let us know your opinion on physical buttons in the comments.

    Vicki and Erin on the rise of the digital car

  2. Oct 29

    "One Hour at a Time": Erin and Vicki on life and work in grief

    Reuniting after a prolonged pause, Vicki Butler-Henderson visits Erin Baker at home for a deeply moving and unfiltered conversation about navigating immense personal tragedy while maintaining a career in the automotive industry. Following the sudden death of her partner James from a terminal brain tumor, alongside the loss of her father and family dog within six months, Erin reflects on how profound grief alters every facet of daily life from the jarring financial reality and single-parent exhaustion to the emotional hurdles of returning to the workplace. Together, they discuss the overwhelming kindness of automotive industry colleagues, what compassionate bereavement policies should actually look like, and the small, meaningful ways friends and co-workers can offer support when time is measured an hour at a time. The pair also explore the solace found in writing, shifting perspectives on life and work and even the state of the UK car market. Please be aware this episode features sensitive material that may be unsuitable for some listeners.

    "One Hour at a Time": Erin and Vicki on life and work in grief

  3. Oct 22

    What is a limited-slip diff and who cares anyway?

    Recorded in March 2026, just a month before the death of Erin’s partner James, this episode opens with a candid snapshot of real life in all its messy reality - from a hibernating dormouse discovered in the shed to hungover morning workouts and missed school calls. Meanwhile, Vicki is gearing up to fly to Barcelona to test the electric Porsche Cayenne while leaning on her local support network to keep family life running.Erin and Vicki dissect whether you actually need a lifelong passion for cars to build a successful career in the industry. Erin shares her journey from national newsrooms to automotive journalism knowing virtually nothing about engine mechanics, arguing why storytelling, editorial integrity, and curiosity matter far more than knowing every Ford Focus specification by heart.The pair also tackle the shifting landscape of modern motoring, discussing why car manufacturers are pressing the government to soften the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate target, how consumer confusion is slowing the EV transition, and why topics like battery chemistry, lithium mining, and sustainability are creating entirely new entry points into the sector.Along the way, Vicki demystifies classic petrolhead jargon like limited slip differentials, oversteer, and torque using surprisingly simple bicycle analogies.Women in the Driving Seat is hosted by motoring journalist Erin Baker and racing driver Vicki Butler-Henderson. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, and share your thoughts on whether car knowledge really matters in the comments.

    What is a limited-slip diff and who cares anyway?

  4. Oct 15

    Erin scoots over for Vicki: "I never thought I'd do this"

    Recorded in March, just one month before the sudden death of Erin’s partner James to a brain tumour, in this episode Erin and Vicki discuss how Erin is coping with the early phases of James’s terminal brain-cancer diagnosis, the way the automotive industry responds to the crisis of one of its own, and how an industry that manufactures lumps of metal in factories can turn out to be the greatest source of warmth, humanity, empathy and comfort. Vicki and Erin also cover their hopes for the next phase of Women in the Driving Seat, explaining how their friendship and also their radical differences (Vicki is a racing driver: Erin hates all things motorsport) strengthen their plan to share the driving seat. There’s plenty of chat about cars and careers, mixing the personal and the professional to help us feel less alone. Plus, of course, the inaugural round of everyone’s favourite game: “Guess the Car on My Driveway”.

    Erin scoots over for Vicki: "I never thought I'd do this"

  5. Trailer

    Season 5 trailer

    Join Erin Baker, Autotrader’s Editorial Director, award-winning motoring journalist, widow and mum of two, and Vicki Butler-Henderson, TV presenter, racing driver and also mum of two (@thecargirlvickibutlerhenderson), for a podcast series hosted by two old friends, devoted to putting women in the driving seat.

  6. Mar 12

    Heels, Handshakes and Horsepower: getting behind the wheel

    This episode, Erin is joined by Yin Noe is the COO at RankBee.ai, and Sam Ward, Commercial Director at VansDirect. The episode reflects on everything from driving vans in heels and navigating electric vehicle realities, to the importance of trust, relationships and cultural understanding in a global industry. This is an Autotrader podcast

    Heels, Handshakes and Horsepower: getting behind the wheel

  7. Mar 5

    Data rich but information poor: how can AI help auto?

    This weeks episode of Women in the driving seat, the Autotrader podcast that shares both the personal and professional lives of women in the auto industry features  Harvey, Chief Revenue Officer at Keyloop and Farzana Kosar, Director of Pricing and FP&A here at Autotrader. This episode zeroed in on AI’s place in automotive, and how the industry is sitting on a treasure chest of unused data that can be optimised. We also considered alternate routes to success in finance and accounting outside of going to university, reflecting on how times have changed.This is an Autotrader Podcast

    Data rich but information poor: how can AI help auto?

  8. Feb 26

    Net zero: can batteries re-industrialise Britain?

    This episode of Women in the driving seat, the Autotrader podcast that shares both the personal and professional lives of women in the auto industry features  Prof. Isobel Sheldon OBE DSc (h.c) the Global CEO of Western CAM Inc and Valerie Jamieson, Development manager at The Fusion Cluster. This episode explores the future of energy and technology, with a particular focus on the UK and what we’re doing as a country to achieve net zero – and the steps needed to get there. We discussed environment, and where the most advantageous place to make materials is - especially if it’s an energy intense process. This is an Autotrader podcast

    Net zero: can batteries re-industrialise Britain?
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Join Erin Baker, Autotrader’s Editorial Director, award-winning motoring journalist, widow and mum of two, and Vicki Butler-Henderson, TV presenter, racing driver and also mum of two (@thecargirlvickibutlerhenderson), for a podcast series hosted by two old friends, devoted to putting women in the driving seat.

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