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The Shift with Sam Baker

sam baker
Aging
Mental Health
Menopause
Ageism
Perimenopause
Frida Kahlo
Grief
Creativity
Love
PEN International
Friendship
Cancer
Women's Health
Writing
Women's Rights
Healing Through Cooking
Midlife Reevaluation
The Artist's Way
Mexican Golden Age
New York Downtown Art Scene

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes260Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Personal JournalsHealth & FitnessSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Shift

Latest Episodes

(This episode was first published in November 2022.)

Today's guest is one of my personal heroes, Caryn Franklin. Caryn started her career in the 80s as a fashion editor before moving into TV where she presented, amongst other things, BBC’s The Cloth... more

YouTube

(This episode first aired in September 2022.)

Today’s guest is one of Britain’s best loved novelists, Lisa Jewell. Her career started with a smash hit debut novel Ralph’s Party - which she started writing as a bet at the age of 27 while she was unem... more

YouTube

Hello and welcome to the final episode of season 18. 18!!!!

My guest today is the cook, Thomasina Miers.

Despite being taught to cook as a child, Tommi didn’t really embrace her love of food until her late 20s when a trip to Mexico inspired a love ... more

YouTube

A few weeks ago, I was pootling around on substack where The Shift newsletter lives - theshiftwithsambaker.substack.com/ - and I noticed I had a DM from a new subscriber. It turned out to be from one of my favourite crime writers - the award ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Lisa Jewell
One of Britain's best loved novelists
Author
Episode: Lisa Jewell on hitting a golden seam of success in her 50s - FROM THE ARCHIVES
Thomasina Miers
Cook, MasterChef winner, and co-founder of Wahaca
Wahaca
Episode: Thomasina Miers on the midlife Mexican escape that rebuilt her
Laura Lippmann
Award-winning crime writer known for her novel 'The Lady In The Lake'
Episode: Laura Lippmann is having a second coming at 60
Betsy Lerner
Novelist and former editor/agent, known for her debut novel, Shred Sisters.
Episode: Betsy Lerner is on a mission to destigmatise mental health in her 60s
Glynnis MacNicol
Author of 'I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself' and advocate for women's agency in midlife
Episode: Glynnis MacNicol: everything you've been told about being a middle-aged woman is a lie
Steph McGovern
Award-winning broadcaster and author
The Rest Is Money
Episode: Steph McGovern on money, menopause & staying out of your lane
Alison Bechdel
Cartoonist best known for The Bechdel Test and her graphic novel Fun Home
Episode: Alison Bechdel on tarot, ageing & why men are scared of women who can do push-ups! - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Esther Freud
Novelist and playwright, author of I Couldn't Love You More
Author
Episode: Esther Freud on upending your life in your 50s - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Molly Jong Fast
Journalist, author, and political analyst
Vanity Fair
Episode: Molly Jong Fast: confessions of a bad daughter

Host

Sam Baker
Writer and broadcaster, creator and host exploring women's experiences post-40, with a focus on honesty and humor.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 846 ratings
  • 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
    France9 months 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
    Canada10 months 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 Kingdoma year 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 Kingdoma year ago
  • Brilliant!

    Hi Sam - I absolutely love your podcast! You interview such interesting people with fascinating stories to tell. Thank you for the great work you do. I have just ordered your book “The Shift” and hope it will help me to navigate my way through the highs and lows of being in my fifties. Sally

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SJ_NZ
    New Zealanda year ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, feedback reflects a deep sense of connection and empowerment drawn from the conversations, which significantly resonate with the audience's own journeys.
Many reviews specifically mention the host's skillful interviewing style, allowing guests to express themselves without interruption, fostering insightful dialogues.
Listeners appreciate the authenticity and depth of the discussions, often highlighting the relatability and support found in the narratives shared.
The podcast is praised for its exploration of underrepresented topics regarding midlife experiences, making it a valuable resource for women seeking understanding and community.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Lisa Jewell on hitting a golden seam of success in her 50s - FROM THE ARCHIVES
Q: How did you know that it was to do with your menopause?
I googled it and found that it was a common symptom of menopause.
Lisa Jewell on hitting a golden seam of success in her 50s - FROM THE ARCHIVES
Q: At what point did you start to come out of it or did you then go into... Did you go into menopause at the point when you had teenage daughters and it all, or what was the process?
It was a gradual process, every time my child became more independent, I had to do less for them and I could leave the house without having to organize a babysitter.
Sarah Perry on "becoming a woman who didn't have children"
Q: What advice would you give younger women?
Don't focus on the fact that you're young, just focus on the fact that you're here.
Sarah Perry on "becoming a woman who didn't have children"
Q: Do you think that has given you a healthy approach to aging?
Yeah, I think so. I turned the fact that I looked odd and dressed eccentrically into a delight.
Sarah Perry on "becoming a woman who didn't have children"
Q: When do you think you reached that point in yourself?
I found it very difficult in the MA; it created that self-doubt.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Shift

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

The content centers on the experiences and voices of women over 40, exploring various aspects of midlife including health, identity, relationships, and societal expectations. Each episode features intimate interviews with guests who share their personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs, providing listeners with relatable stories that resonate with their own lives. Key themes such as mental health, menopause, body image, and career reinvention are prevalent, making the discussions both insightful and empowering for women navigating the complexities of midlife and beyond. Through humor and honesty, the series aims to challenge societal norms surrounding aging and amplify women's narratives, establishing a community of support and understand... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Shift?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Shift. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Shift and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Shift get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Shift?

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How many subscribers and views does The Shift have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Shift has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Shift?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Shift:

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

How many episodes of The Shift are there?

The Shift launched 5 years ago and published 260 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Shift?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Shift from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Shift?

Recent guests on The Shift include:

1. Lisa Jewell
2. Thomasina Miers
3. Laura Lippmann
4. Betsy Lerner
5. Glynnis MacNicol
6. Steph McGovern
7. Alison Bechdel
8. Esther Freud

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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