The Shift with Sam Baker

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, money, identity, body image... What does it all mean when everything around you (and inside you...) is changing? Each week, award-winning author and journalist Sam Baker asks a different woman how she got here, where she's going - and how it feels to be where she is right now. Expect intimate conversation, big laughs, occasional tears and an awful lot of ripping up the rule book and stamping on it... Past guests have included Nicola Sturgeon, Marian Keyes, Guilty Feminist Deborah Frances-White, Minnie Driver, Philippa Perry, Anita Rani, Tracey Thorn, Isabel Allende, Bobbi Brown, Barbara Blake-Hannah and many more, talking everything from confidence to career reinvention, mental health, menopause and so much more.If you enjoy The Shift podcast, and you'd like to show the love, you can buy me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theshiftwithsambakerAnd if you really love The Shift and would like to hear more conversations with women over 40, why not become a member of our community and receive a weekly newsletter, get exclusive transcripts, join The Shift bookclub and so much more, please visit https://theshiftwithsambaker.substack.com/For advertising enquiries, email sales@auddy.co

Tracey Thorn on being a woman in a bloke's world, hormones and going "statement grey" - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Apr 22, 2025 – 44:17
Maggie O'Farrell on Hamnet, imposter syndrome and why she didn't think she's the marrying kind: THE SHIFT REVISITED
Apr 15, 2025 – 43:39
The "other" Maggie Smith on her midlife reappearing act - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Apr 8, 2025 – 54:00
Lorraine Kelly on menopause, misogyny, toxic men in telly, being a granny, Botox, you name it!
Apr 1, 2025 – 01:07:30
Jenni Fagan: I'm 46, nobody thought I'd make it past 16
Mar 25, 2025 – 01:00:19
Ione Skye: I'm still working on being seen in the world – and I'm 50
Mar 18, 2025 – 56:16
Denise Lewis shares her secrets for adapting to a big life shift
Mar 11, 2025 – 01:00:13
Liz O'Riordan: When breast cancer surgeon becomes breast cancer patient
Mar 4, 2025 – 54:14
Martha Beck on creativity, anxiety & finding your life's purpose
Feb 25, 2025 – 01:07:41
Diana Evans on expectation, ageing & turning 50 without her twin
Feb 18, 2025 – 51:34
Kate Fagan on success, ambition and ageing alongside the L-word!
Feb 11, 2025 – 01:02:54
Miranda July on the unexpected wildness of ageing - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Feb 4, 2025 – 49:59
Ruby Wax on building an emotional toolkit for the second half of your life - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Jan 28, 2025 – 52:27
Dani Shapiro on family secrets and coming into your full potential at 60 - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Jan 21, 2025 – 54:06
Bryony Gordon on burnout, binge eating and perimenopause - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Jan 14, 2025 – 49:03
Sarah Knight: why selfish isn't a four letter word - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Jan 7, 2025 – 54:15
Dr Gladys McGarey: a 102-year-old shares her life lessons - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Dec 31, 2024 – 45:30
Barbara Kingsolver on why life gets better with every passing decade - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Dec 24, 2024 – 54:15
Katherine May: why we all need a little more wonder in our lives - THE SHIFT REVISITED
Dec 17, 2024 – 47:07
BONUS EPISODE: Neneh Cherry on love, loss & legacy
Dec 10, 2024 – 55:14
Bella Freud: "I've definitely got more daring with age"
Dec 3, 2024 – 01:00:48
Donna Ashworth on finding her calling in midlife
Nov 26, 2024 – 58:14
Baroness Lola Young: "you can't be what you can't see, but somebody has to go first"
Nov 19, 2024 – 01:02:12
Jennifer Cox: why women are furious (and getting angrier)
Nov 12, 2024 – 54:04
Louise Doughty on the unrealised potential of older women
Nov 5, 2024 – 59:01
Kate Weinberg on the kindness of women & living with a mother-shaped hole
Oct 29, 2024 – 01:03:40
Vanessa Feltz on divorce, dating and finally shaking off her inhibitions at 62
Oct 22, 2024 – 56:38
Jane Campbell on reinventing herself at 40 – and again at 80!
Oct 15, 2024 – 49:33
Marianne Power: how to build a happy single life
Oct 8, 2024 – 01:04:46
Louise Minchin: why midlife is the time to take more risks
Oct 1, 2024 – 58:59
Moon Unit Zappa: "We're all just growing each other up"
Sep 24, 2024 – 01:01:48
Carol Vorderman on finding her voice (and how!) at 60
Sep 17, 2024 – 54:49
Bella Mackie: "Nobody tells you motherhood is a choice"
Sep 10, 2024 – 57:04
Ruth Crilly: "This is my face, I don't want to tweak it"
Sep 3, 2024 – 56:15
Deborah Harkness on witches, wising & the cancer diagnosis that upended her life
Aug 27, 2024 – 56:57
Fearne Cotton on the joy of embracing her second chapter
Aug 20, 2024 – 01:01:05
Lindsay Nicholson on resilience, recovery and the pursuit of perfection
Aug 13, 2024 – 01:02:24
Taffy Brodesser-Akner: "Everyone taught me to be afraid of middle age - I wish I could have started in it!"
Aug 6, 2024 – 51:56
Zandra Rhodes: the legendary fashion designer on ageing uncompromisingly
Jul 30, 2024 – 51:48
Terri White on work, class and mental health - FROM THE ARCHIVES
Jul 23, 2024 – 49:59
BONUS EPISODE! Katie Price on taking back control of her own life at 46
Jul 17, 2024 – 41:08
Kate Mosse: Why caring is a feminist issue - FROM THE ARCHIVES
Jul 16, 2024 – 44:31
Gabby Logan on resilience, reclaiming middle age and why equality begins at home - FROM THE ARCHIVES
Jul 9, 2024 – 49:50
Kathy Lette’s midlife mantra: if it doesn’t spark joy, it’s time to toss it away!
Jul 2, 2024 – 46:05
Molly Roden-Winter on becoming an ambassador for polyamory in your 50s
Jun 25, 2024 – 01:03:24
Liz Jensen on learning to love life again after devastating loss
Jun 18, 2024 – 54:48
Emily Nagoski: what happens when a sex expert loses her sex drive?
Jun 11, 2024 – 56:59
Anna Cascarina: you’re never too old to wear what the hell you want
Jun 4, 2024 – 01:02:03
Jackie Kay on absence, adoption & the art of living together apart
May 28, 2024 – 01:00:06
Helen Lederer on anxiety, failure & living an “alarmingly truthful” life
May 21, 2024 – 54:31

Recent Reviews

Pam from New Hampshire

My review

Dear Sam, I am a 71 year old American woman. I adore your podcast. I love listening to all the strong, smart, informative, unapologetic women. I laugh, I cheer. I particularly love the older guests who are all so full of life and purpose. Best of luck in 2024. Pam Broadley
hoooo2394

Great guests

Edited to add: Ohmygod Curtis Sittenfeld’s vocal fry almost broke my car radio. Please never have her on again. The guests are great, really interesting and life-affirming podcast for women
YoukKnowWho

Great Guests and Intelligent, Honest Discussion

What a great podcast! It’s like an honest conversation with trusted friends. The guests are interesting and intelligent, and Sam does a great job of asking smart questions.
KiLoLo207

Great listen!

I just found this podcast and listened to the episode with Jane Fallon and it was a breath of fresh air from you both. Can’t wait to dive into other episodes!
Zoe D'Apollo

Exactly what I needed

I recently got into podcasts. I’ve always been a reader but never really had time for anything else. I found myself with free time during which I can’t read, I don’t like audio books so I started these. I came across your show and I am in love. I just turned 41 and I still don’t feel like an adult most days, especially when I’m with people my age. I definitely needed the encouragement and validation I get from you and your guests. I love the guests you choose, I love the questions you ask, and I definitely love that you ask for book recommendations! I’ve already written some down and ordered one. Keep being awesome!
Redgirrrrl

What a fantastic find!!

I literally stumbled across this podcast and fell in love! I have been exposed to so many women from across the world I was unaware of before. I can’t recommend this podcast enough. It’s hilarious and heartwarming and SO informative!! Fantastic!!!
ZJW100

Brilliant

I LOVE these podcasts. Such great conversations with such great women. The interviews feel like informal chats that are both empowering and sensitive. Since discovering this podcast I’ve literally binged the entire back catalogue! But my favorite - Isabel Allende!