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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
The Artist's Way
Midlife Reevaluation
New York Downtown Art Scene
Mexican Golden Age

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes285Founded6 years ago
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Personal JournalsHealth & FitnessSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Shift

Latest Episodes

This episode of The Shift revisited was first aired in February 2023.

I first met today's guest, Canadian singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright, when I interviewed her in Glasgow at the end of 2022. We got talking about the nuts and bolts of midlife i... more

YouTube

Somehow it’s the end of our 20th season and I’m delighted to say that my guest today is a woman who has spent the last decade giving us a masterclass in ageing. One of my very own old bird role models, Prue Leith.

Now 86, Prue has lived a multitude ... more

YouTube

This week I’m delighted to welcome back the powerhouse Poorna Bell. Poorna is a journalist, author and speaker known for her advocacy on body image and diversity. And now she’s adding ageing to the list of things she is not about to shut up about.

W... more

YouTube

My guest today doesn’t really need an introduction. Elizabeth Gilbert is many things - an internationally bestselling author of the global phenomenon, Eat Pray Love, a Time 100 most influential person, a speaker and a teacher, with millions of online... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Martha Wainwright
Canadian singer-songwriter, guest on episode
Musician
Episode: Martha Wainwright on music, motherhood & finding love in midlife - FROM THE ARCHIVES
Prue Leith
Chef, businesswoman, author, broadcaster; notable public figure
Prue Leith Ltd / Various ventures
Episode: Prue Leith: 'I've had HRT patches on my bum for more than 40 years!'
Poorna Bell
Journalist, author and speaker focused on body image and diversity, author of She Wanted More
Author, Journalist
Episode: Poorna Bell is rewriting the rules around ageing
Elizabeth Gilbert
Internationally bestselling author known for 'Eat Pray Love' and other notable works.
Episode: Elizabeth Gilbert: "It's quite radical, what happens to us as we get older"
Fatima Bhutto
Author and prominent speaker, known for her exploration of coercive relationships and family trauma.
Not specified
Episode: Fatima Bhutto: surviving a coercive relationship & letting go of shame
Catherine Newman
Author known for her significant works exploring women's experiences in midlife.
Episode: Catherine Newman on surviving the midlife sandwich – THE SHIFT LIVE
Amy Larocca
Award-winning journalist, author of How to Be Well, Actually
Episode: Amy Larocca: 'the wellness industry sets women up to fail'
Melani Sanders
Founder of the We Do Not Care Club and author of the Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook
Episode: Melani Sanders DOES NOT CARE - and she doesn’t care that she doesn’t care!
Dr. Gladys McGarey
A doctor, author, and speaker, known as the mother of holistic medicine, who emphasizes the importance of love, laughter, and living in the moment.
Episode: Dr Gladys McGarey: Life lessons from a 103 year old - FROM THE ARCHIVES

Host

Sam Baker
Writer, broadcaster, and host of The Shift, guiding wide-ranging conversations with women about aging, identity, and midlife.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 866 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
    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
    Canadaa year 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
  • 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 Zealand2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is valued for its honest, empowering look at midlife, with many calling episodes life-changing or deeply resonant.
Guests are consistently described as fascinating and diverse, contributing to a rich archive of inspiring stories.
Listeners praise the host's thoughtful interviewing and preparation, noting guests shine in open, insightful conversations.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Prue Leith: 'I've had HRT patches on my bum for more than 40 years!'
Q: What's your superpower?
Her witty answer: HRT; she frames it as a practical tool that helps her energy and well-being, while noting she has never relied on it as a crutch.
Prue Leith: 'I've had HRT patches on my bum for more than 40 years!'
Q: What is your emotional age?
Prue responds that she feels emotionally around 50 or 60, balancing maturity with remaining in touch and caring. She emphasizes that emotional aging is about wisdom to know what matters while staying engaged with life.
Elizabeth Gilbert: "It's quite radical, what happens to us as we get older"
Q: What does Elizabeth Gilbert want now? What does freedom look like?
Emotional autonomy, meaning that my emotional well-being is not dependent upon what anybody else is doing, thinking, saying, behaving, giving.
Fatima Bhutto: surviving a coercive relationship & letting go of shame
Q: What was the thing that you were ashamed of saying?
Bhutto expresses her shame over accepting being treated badly in a coercive relationship, despite believing herself to be strong and independent.
Fatima Bhutto: surviving a coercive relationship & letting go of shame
Q: Can we talk a little bit about what made you who you are?
Bhutto discusses her upbringing in the Bhutto family, her father's political legacy, and the emotional impact of her father's assassination on her life, shaping her identity and worldview.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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, often humorous exploration of what it means to be a woman post-40, with deep dives into aging, menopause, relationships, health, career shifts, and personal growth. Episodes center on intimate conversations with prominent women from literature, journalism, activism, and the arts, offering practical insights, redefining midlife agency, and challenging societal norms around aging. A notable strength is the diverse roster of guests and the host's interview approach, which tends to be thoughtful, well-prepared, and focused on empowering listeners to rethink the second half of life. The show stands out for its frank discussions, relatable storytelling, and a sense of community for women navigating midlife across multiple disciplines an... more

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How many subscribers and views does The Shift have?

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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. Begin Again with Davina McCall
3. The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan
4. Off Air with Jane & Fi
5. Happy Place

How many episodes of The Shift are there?

The Shift launched 6 years ago and published 285 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. Martha Wainwright
2. Prue Leith
3. Poorna Bell
4. Elizabeth Gilbert
5. Fatima Bhutto
6. Catherine Newman
7. Amy Larocca
8. Melani Sanders

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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