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The Shift with Sam Baker

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

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, ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes310Founded6 years ago
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Personal JournalsArtsBooksSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Shift

Latest Episodes

My guest today is the writer and award-winning poet Rachel Eliza Griffiths.

Eliza is a woman who has been through A LOT in a short space of time. In September 2020, on the day she married her second husband, the globally renowned novelist Salman Rus... more

My guest this week is the actor, playwright, screenwriter, novelist and multi-award winner Dame Meera Syal.

Most of us have those people we grow up alongside and it feels like Meera has always been a fixture in my life, ever since I first saw her in... more

YouTube

My guest today is the fashion designer and entrepreneur turned novelist Tabitha Webb.

What can I tell you about Tabitha - other than her life makes mine look extremely dull?

She ran away from university, chased a hot surfer to America, was a roller... more

YouTube

My guest today is the Australian writer and thinker, Charlotte Wood.

Charlotte is the celebrated author of seven novels and three books of non-fiction. I first encountered her with her novel, The Natural Way of Things, which won the Stella Prize (th... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Meera Syal
Actor, playwright, screenwriter, novelist and multiple award winner
Dame Meera Syal
Episode: Meera Syal: 'I am now a Triple Bad Bet – Old, Female and Brown!'
Tabitha Webb
Fashion designer and entrepreneur turned novelist
Tabitha Webb brand / author
Episode: Tabitha Webb on being an older mum & the menopause-puberty collision
Charlotte Wood
Australian writer and thinker; author of The Weekend, Stone Yard Devotional, Love And Hunger
Author
Episode: Charlotte Wood: 'I don't fear ageing, but I do fear becoming a boring, annoying old person!'
Helen Thorn
Award-winning comedian and podcaster, co-creator of Scummy Mummies
Scummy Mummies, author of Get Divorced, Be Happy; How to Face Big Change and Come Back Stronger
Episode: Helen Thorn on how to bounce back from life's shittiest moments
Jennie Godfrey
Best-selling novelist discussed in-depth about midlife pivot and publishing success
Author (The List of Suspicious Things; The Barbecue at No9)
Episode: Jennie Godfrey: 'midlife is a powerful place if you lean into it'
Jane Green
Bestselling author and memoirist of Rewilding
Author, Rewilding
Episode: Jane Green on being a walkaway wife & rebuilding your life in your 50s
Sarah Hiscox
Counselor for NA and AA; memoirist
Self
Episode: Sarah Hiscox on self esteem, shame and overcoming addiction
Stacey Duguid
Journalist and author, formerly at Elle; author of In Pursuit of Happiness
Telegraph (columns) / Elle (former)
Episode: Stacey Duguid on coming back from midlife collapse - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Clare Grogan
Singer and actress known for Altered Images and Gregory's Girl
Altered Images / Gregory's Girl
Episode: Clare Grogan: Back on the road and better than ever at 60 THE SHIFT REVISITED

Host

Sam Baker
Host of The Shift with Sam Baker. Award-winning author and journalist guiding intimate conversations about being a woman in midlife.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 882 ratings
  • Great guests

    Edited to add: the sound on the recent Jane Green episode was really awful& hard to listen to

    The guests are great, really interesting and life-affirming podcast for women

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hoooo2394
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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 Kingdom4 months 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
    France2 years 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

Listeners Say

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

Some episodes polarize audiences, but overall the interviews are considered insightful and life-affirming.
The show is valued for honest, empowering conversations with inspiring women.
The archive is seen as a rich resource for midlife women seeking relatable stories and practical takeaways.
Listeners praise the host's preparation and the depth of 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.

Meera Syal: 'I am now a Triple Bad Bet – Old, Female and Brown!'
Q: What advice would you give younger women?
Always be financially independent and choose relationships for love and choice, not necessity; never stay in a situation just because you're afraid of being single.
Meera Syal: 'I am now a Triple Bad Bet – Old, Female and Brown!'
Q: What is your emotional age?
My emotional age fluctuates between five and forty-two, but I try to stay buoyant and curious, balancing enthusiasm with professional focus and family love.
Helen Thorn on how to bounce back from life's shittiest moments
Q: How did you move from shock to building a new life after the divorce?
By leaning into therapy, seeking honest conversations with friends, and gradually allowing herself to be vulnerable again, Helen rebuilt confidence and created a new life that fits her values, not the old relationship.
Jane Green on being a walkaway wife & rebuilding your life in your 50s
Q: What is your emotional age?
It might be around 427, reflecting a deep emotional shift and perspective gained over years.
Sabrina Pace-Humphreys: how running saved me from workaholism and alcoholism THE SHIFT REVISITED
Q: How did running begin to affect your mental health and recovery?
She describes starting with small steps, using run-walk segments to manage anxiety and depression, and gradually embracing long-distance running as a powerful tool for mental health, resilience, and identity.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Shift

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

A candid, woman-centered interview show exploring work, health, love, aging, and personal reinvention after 40. Across episodes, guests include writers, journalists, musicians, and activists who share intimate stories of menopause, career pivots, resilience, and self-definition. The host combines warm humor with sharp questioning, often guiding guests through practical takeaways on boundaries, creativity, and wellbeing. The format tends to blend memoir with actionable insights, attracting listeners who value honest conversations about midlife identity, empowerment, and community. A notable strength is the breadth of high-profile guests from literature, journalism, and entertainment, plus a recurring emphasis on authenticity and female solid... more

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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. Therapy Works
3. Begin Again with Davina McCall
4. Happy Place
5. Dial Emma

How many episodes of The Shift are there?

The Shift launched 6 years ago and published 310 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?

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What guests have appeared on The Shift?

Recent guests on The Shift include:

1. Meera Syal
2. Tabitha Webb
3. Charlotte Wood
4. Helen Thorn
5. Jennie Godfrey
6. Jane Green
7. Sarah Hiscox
8. Stacey Duguid

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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