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The Shift with Sam Baker

sam baker
Aging
Mental Health
Menopause
Motherhood
Body Image
Feminism
Women Empowerment
Perimenopause
Creativity
Women's Health
Identity
Grief
Divorce
Writing
Social Media
Personal Growth
Women's Rights
Fashion Industry
Midlife
Anxiety

The Shift is a podcast that aims to tell the truth about being a woman post-40, created and hosted by writer and broadcaster, Sam Baker. Did you ever wonder why you stop hearing so many women's voices once they pass 40? That's where The Shift comes in - a frank, funny, sometimes heartbreaking, always honest look at what it means to be a woman in midlife and beyond. Work, life, love, health, sex, m... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes297Founded6 years ago
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Society & CulturePersonal JournalsHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for The Shift

Latest Episodes

My guest today is the woman who put Cleanse & Polish cleanser and muslin cloths in bathroom cabinets all over the country, Liz Earle.

Back in the 1980s, Liz started her career as a beauty editor, before going on to found a skincare empire that start... more

My guest this week is a historian columnist television presenter and vocal advocate for better sex for women!

I first encountered Dr Kate Lister when I stumbled across her brilliant instagram account @whoresofyore, along with half a million others. more

YouTube

My guest this week is Maria Semple the author of one of my favourite books of all time, Where’d you go bernadette,.

Once encountered, Bernadette Fox is never forgotten. I wasn’t alone, Bernadette was translated into 40 languages, sold over 200k copi... more

YouTube

Today’s episode will take you ricocheting back to the 90s - in all the ways.

Canadian singer, songwriter, photographer and producer Melissa Auf der Maur is best known as the bassist of Hole throughout the  mid/late 90s, and consequently had a front ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Liz Earle
Author and founder of Cleanse & Polish, longevity advocate
Cleanse & Polish / author
Episode: Liz Earle: 'Much of what we've been told about ageing as women is wrong'
Dr Kate Lister
Historian, columnist, television presenter, author of Flick, A History of Female Pleasure
Horses of Yaw, Betwixt The Sheets
Episode: Dr Kate Lister: Most women could benefit from 'pleasure education'
Maria Semple
Author of Go Gentle and Bernadette, former TV writer
Author
Episode: Maria Semple knows all the dirty little secrets of midlife!
Melissa Auf der Maur
Canadian singer, songwriter, and photographer; former bassist of Hole
Musician and Artist
Episode: Melissa Auf der Maur on surviving the 90s and her big midlife resurrection
Katriona O'Sullivan
Dr. Katriona O'Sullivan, psychologist, professor and author
Maynooth University / National Centre for Inclusive Higher Education
Episode: Katriona O'Sullivan on women's bodies, hunger & why women shrink
Siri Hustvedt
Acclaimed writer and author of Ghost Stories
Author; lecturer in psychiatry
Episode: Siri Hustvedt on living on when the love of your life dies
Margaret Busby
Pioneering publisher, editor, writer, and advocate for women and Black writers
Allison and Busby; publisher and editor
Episode: Margaret Busby: Britain's first black female publisher on the power of passing it on
Abi Morgan
Stage and screenwriter, memoirist
Self/Industry
Episode: Abi Morgan on rebuilding just about everything in your 50s - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Elif Shafak
Writer and academic
Author of The Island of Missing Trees
Episode: Elif Shafak on the power of older women & why menopause can be the end of shame - THE SHIFT REVISITED

Host

Sam Baker
Host of The Shift with Sam Baker

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 876 ratings
  • Really enjoying

    Relatively new listener to The Shift and really enjoying it. In the latest Bryony Gordon interview Sam says that the topic of ‘people pleasing’ comes up in most of her interviews. I would love to hear a discussion about this that acknowledges the biological drive to please others - we are social creatures, we need the approval of others to survive, we need others to like us in order to combat loneliness etc. As a woman in midlife I totally get the problems associated with 40+ years of people ple... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amberanon
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Love it all!

    I found my way to this podcast via Sam Baker’s riveting Substack newsletter. Both are brilliant and desperately needed in the expanding conversation around midlife for women. I loved the episode about women’s (repressed) anger but all of the guests and interviews are top notch and have lead me to some personal breakthroughs….

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ZevaBellel
    Francea year ago
  • How many f's do you give?

    5! Because this is the most genuine, refreshing, thoughtful, freaking smart, thought-provoking and sometimes heartbreaking podcast there is. As is Sam Baker. Best interviews, best questions, best conversations, and best guests.

    And I'd give it another 100 f's for being the best weekly inoculation against internalized misogyny, and a balm for the wounds inflicted by all types of misogyny, too..

    Thank you Sam Baker and all your guests!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dausmaus
    Canada2 years ago
  • Love it

    I have been listening for a couple of years now- I love it. The guests are so interesting, it is by far the best list of guests of any podcast. Sam is such a skilled interviewer- asks interesting questions (always super prepared) and listens and let the guest speak! I found so many wonderful women and stories through this podcast. Love the list of questions at the end- if there is ever a space for another one I would love to to hear a holiday spot recommendation- I am sure I would discover some ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aniabew6
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Great podcast

    Absolutely loving these wonderful interesting conversations thank you! Ive enjoyed every one Ive listened to so far and am looking forward to continuing catching up on the past episodes whilst waiting for the new ones to drop!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MissyPK
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is a vital, uplifting space for women in midlife, praised for authenticity and depth.
Guests are consistently engaging and bring diverse, insightful perspectives on aging, work, and empowerment.
Listeners praise the host's preparedness, thoughtful questioning, and rapport with guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Maria Semple knows all the dirty little secrets of midlife!
Q: What motivated you to explore stoicism as a personal practice?
Stoicism offered a practical path to happiness by focusing on what is in your control and letting go of what isn't, which she began applying during Hollywood's chaotic development period.
Maria Semple knows all the dirty little secrets of midlife!
Q: How did Go Gentle originate for you?
It started with Adora, the stoic protagonist, and grew from a desire to write a woman unapologetic about her intellect who could challenge conventional female stereotypes.
Abi Morgan on rebuilding just about everything in your 50s - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Q: What advice would you give younger women about navigating a demanding career and personal upheaval?
Don't dial down your light; use it to illuminate the path for others, keep learning from books and writers you admire, and push forward with your own voice even when the terrain is rough.
Christie Watson on menopause, mischief and midlife - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Q: How would you describe the emotional journey of midlife and menopause?
The guest talks about a spectrum from terror to awe, the sense of losing one's sense of self, and the possibility of finding meaning and spirituality through this transformation.
Christie Watson on menopause, mischief and midlife - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Q: What led you to therapy and how did that change things for you?
She explains feeling overwhelmed, sleep-deprived, and overwhelmed by life as a single parent; therapy helped her confront unresolved trauma and navigate the perimenopause with professional support, highlighting privilege and access to care.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Gender Skew
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Shift

What is The Shift about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A candid, thoughtful show centered on women navigating midlife and beyond, covering work, health, relationships, aging, body image, and personal reinvention. Conversations with acclaimed authors, journalists, artists, and activists come from a place of honesty, humor, and resilience, often exploring trauma, empowerment, and the changing cultural scripts for women over 40. The episodes consistently spotlight reinvention, mentorship, and the realities of aging—delivering practical insights for listeners seeking meaning, community, and inspiration in midlife. A standout trait is the host's focused curiosity and ability to draw intimate, life-changing moments from a diverse slate of guests, making it a resonant resource for listeners and potent... more

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How many listeners does The Shift get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Shift?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Shift:

1. How To Fail With Elizabeth Day
2. Postcards From Midlife
3. Therapy Works
4. The Clearing with Katherine May
5. The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan

How many episodes of The Shift are there?

The Shift launched 6 years ago and published 297 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Shift?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Shift?

Recent guests on The Shift include:

1. Liz Earle
2. Dr Kate Lister
3. Maria Semple
4. Melissa Auf der Maur
5. Katriona O'Sullivan
6. Siri Hustvedt
7. Margaret Busby
8. Abi Morgan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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