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The Shift with Sam Baker
The Shift with Sam Baker
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... more

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Episodes

Baroness Lola Young: "you can't be what you can't see, but somebody has to go first"

My guest today is one incredible woman. Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey is an actress, academic, campaigner for social justice and... more

19 Nov 2024 · 1 hour, 2 minutes
Jennifer Cox: why women are furious (and getting angrier)

My guest today is the forensic psychotherapist Dr Jennifer Cox. She trained at the Tavistock and now has an extensive... more

12 Nov 2024 · 54 minutes
Louise Doughty on the unrealised potential of older women

My guest today is Louise Doughty, the woman behind some of the knottiest thrillers to grace our bookshelves and TV... more

05 Nov 2024 · 59 minutes
Kate Weinberg on the kindness of women & living with a mother-shaped hole

Today’s guest is a personal favourite. I first met Kate Weinberg (the bestselling author of The Truants) when I was... more

29 Oct 2024 · 1 hour, 3 minutes
Vanessa Feltz on divorce, dating and finally shaking off her inhibitions at 62

My guest today is the broadcaster Vanessa Feltz. Ever since the mid-90s, Vanessa has been a fixture on British TV... more

22 Oct 2024 · 56 minutes
Jane Campbell on reinventing herself at 40 – and again at 80!

If you sometimes worry you’ve left it too late to follow your heart, today’s guest should give you hope. At... more

15 Oct 2024 · 49 minutes
Marianne Power: how to build a happy single life

My guest today knows a thing or two about being single, and she’s hear to tell you that there’s more... more

08 Oct 2024 · 1 hour, 4 minutes
Louise Minchin: why midlife is the time to take more risks

My guest today is author, endurance athlete and ex BBC breakfast presenter Louise Minchin. Louise is, of course, best known for... more

01 Oct 2024 · 58 minutes
Moon Unit Zappa: "We're all just growing each other up"

Today’s guest is the American actress, writer and singer Moon Unit Zappa. Moon shot to fame in her early teens when... more

24 Sep 2024 · 1 hour, 1 minute
Carol Vorderman on finding her voice (and how!) at 60

My guest today is a woman who has truly come into her own in middle-age. A broadcaster, engineer, statistician and... more

17 Sep 2024 · 54 minutes
Bella Mackie: "Nobody tells you motherhood is a choice"

My guest today is Bella Mackie. Until her mid-30s Bella was a journalist, then she wrote a book called Jog... more

10 Sep 2024 · 57 minutes
Ruth Crilly: "This is my face, I don't want to tweak it"

My guest today is the award-winning… well what is she? Writer? Content creator? Blogger? Influencer? Ruth Crilly is all of... more

03 Sep 2024 · 56 minutes
Deborah Harkness on witches, wising & the cancer diagnosis that upended her life

My guest today is the creator of the global bestseller and smash hit TV adaptation, The Discovery of Witches, Deborah... more

27 Aug 2024 · 56 minutes
Fearne Cotton on the joy of embracing her second chapter

Today’s guest is the queen of embracing the second chapter. Fearne Cotton started young. She became a children’s TV presenter... more

20 Aug 2024 · 1 hour, 1 minute
Lindsay Nicholson on resilience, recovery and the pursuit of perfection

I have known today’s guest for quite some time. Decades in fact. To begin with she didn’t really know me,... more

13 Aug 2024 · 1 hour, 2 minutes
Taffy Brodesser-Akner: "Everyone taught me to be afraid of middle age - I wish I could have started in it!"

If there’s anything more daunting than interviewing a professional interviewer it’s interviewing an award-winning professional interviewer. Today’s guest Taffy Brodesser-Akner is... more

06 Aug 2024 · 51 minutes
Zandra Rhodes: the legendary fashion designer on ageing uncompromisingly

I can’t be cool about today’s guest, so I’m not even going to try. Ever since I started The Shift... more

30 Jul 2024 · 51 minutes
Terri White on work, class and mental health - FROM THE ARCHIVES

In the last of our FROM THE ARCHIVES episodes, I'm revisiting one of the most important conversations I think I've... more

23 Jul 2024 · 49 minutes
BONUS EPISODE! Katie Price on taking back control of her own life at 46

There are plenty of famous women who we think we know all there is to know without ever having met... more

17 Jul 2024 · 41 minutes
Kate Mosse: Why caring is a feminist issue - FROM THE ARCHIVES

I'm not sure there's anyone quite like Kate Mosse. The driving power behind the Women's Prize for Fiction which is... more

16 Jul 2024 · 44 minutes
Gabby Logan on resilience, reclaiming middle age and why equality begins at home - FROM THE ARCHIVES

It's Gabby Logan's summer. First there's the Euros and then the Paris Olympics are hot on their heels. Plus, she... more

09 Jul 2024 · 49 minutes
Kathy Lette’s midlife mantra: if it doesn’t spark joy, it’s time to toss it away!

It's season finale time! And my guest today is the whirlwind also known as Kathy Lette. Australian Kathy smashed her way... more

02 Jul 2024 · 46 minutes
Molly Roden-Winter on becoming an ambassador for polyamory in your 50s

My guest today is the teacher, musician and writer Molly Roden Winter. Molly hit the headlines earlier this year when... more

25 Jun 2024 · 1 hour, 3 minutes
Liz Jensen on learning to love life again after devastating loss

CONTENT WARNING: There are many moments of joy in this conversation, but please be aware that Liz talks candidly about... more

18 Jun 2024 · 54 minutes
Emily Nagoski: what happens when a sex expert loses her sex drive?

I first came across today’s guest, Dr Emily Nagoski, on this very podcast, when my then guest Sarah Knight (creator... more

11 Jun 2024 · 56 minutes
Anna Cascarina: you’re never too old to wear what the hell you want

My guest today is a fashion editor on a mission to improve the representation of all women over 40 -... more

04 Jun 2024 · 1 hour, 2 minutes
Jackie Kay on absence, adoption & the art of living together apart

My guest today has blazed a trail through the British poetry scene ever since her work was first published in... more

28 May 2024 · 1 hour,
Helen Lederer on anxiety, failure & living an “alarmingly truthful” life

My guest today is the writer, actress and comedian Helen Lederer. Helen began as a stand-up comedian in the “comedy... more

21 May 2024 · 54 minutes
Miranda July on the unexpected wildness of ageing

Every so often you get the chance to interview someone whose work has fascinated you for, well, forever. And today... more

14 May 2024 · 49 minutes
Kate Muir on the menopause experience that turned her into an activist

My guest today is the writer, film-maker and women’s health campaigner Kate Muir. Until perimenopause struck, Kate was the chief... more

07 May 2024 · 58 minutes
Amanda de Cadenet on reframing ambition and success in midlife

My guest today has lived a lot of lives in her 50 years.  If you were knocking around in 1990, Amanda... more

30 Apr 2024 · 50 minutes
Minnie Driver on ageing, expectation and creased Brad Pitt! - THE SHIFT REVISITED

My guest this week is one of the most enduring movie actresses of our (by which I mean my!) generation.... more

23 Apr 2024 · 43 minutes
Mariella Frostrup on refusing to be "scrap-heaped" at 50 - THE SHIFT REVISITED

A couple of weeks ago, journalist and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup stepped down from her presenting role at Times Radio so... more

16 Apr 2024 · 47 minutes
Marian Keyes on HRT, Botox and learning to be shameless - THE SHIFT REVISITED

This week, Marian Keyes celebrates the publication of her 16th novel, My Favourite Mistake. So it seemed like as good... more

09 Apr 2024 · 45 minutes
Cathy Newman: "turning 50 feels like a superpower"

My guest this week is the first female main presenter of Channel 4 news, Cathy Newman. Cathy joined Channel 4 News... more

02 Apr 2024 · 52 minutes
Helen Garner on marriage, divorce and why she couldn't give a monkey's about the erotic gaze

My guest today is the writer Helen Garner. I’m pretty sure that right now you are either going, wow I... more

26 Mar 2024 · 49 minutes
Leslie Jamison on divorce, ambition & discovering the parts of ourselves we don't yet know

My guest today is the American author and essayist, Leslie Jamison. Leslie has the kind of CV that makes other... more

19 Mar 2024 · 49 minutes
Lyn Slater (aka Accidental Icon) on writing a new narrative for ageing

My guest today is a woman who knows all about reinvention. For 45 years, Lyn Slater was a professor of... more

12 Mar 2024 · 53 minutes
Karyn McCluskey on menopause, paying it forward & being the only woman in the room

Regular listeners have probably noticed that I’m trying a few different things with this series. I wanted to hear more... more

05 Mar 2024 · 57 minutes
Annie Macmanus on rebuilding her identity at 45

Last time Annie Macmanus came on The Shift she was about to make a MASSIVE change. Then, in her early... more

27 Feb 2024 · 58 minutes
Lucinda Chambers: the former Vogue fashion director gives us a midlife style masterclass

My guest today is a woman whose style I have admired for a very long time. To quote the fashion journalist... more

20 Feb 2024 · 48 minutes
Bryony Gordon on burnout, binge eating and perimenopause

Today I’m delighted to welcome back one of The Shift’s very first guests, journalist and mental health campaigner Bryony Gordon. Bryony... more

13 Feb 2024 · 49 minutes
Jennifer Clement on women, art, creativity & why we love Frida Kahlo

My guest today has lived, well, a life like no other. The writer Jennifer Clement grew up in 1960s Mexico,... more

06 Feb 2024 · 43 minutes
DJ paulette: how perimeno knocked her sideways at 39 (39!)

My guest today is a true trailblazer. If you’ve ever been a clubber, DJ Paulette will need zero introduction. If... more

30 Jan 2024 · 48 minutes
Delia Ephron on getting a second chance at love in your 70s - THE SHIFT REVISITED

For the last of our January archive episodes, we're revisiting an emotional and uplifting chat with screenwriter Delia Ephron. Next... more

23 Jan 2024 · 46 minutes
Julia Cameron believes creativity is the answer, whatever the question - THE SHIFT REVISITED

Been meaning to get going on those Morning Pages since forever? Well, as part of our January motivation series, this... more

16 Jan 2024 · 38 minutes
Dr Sharon Blackie wants you to embrace your inner hag - THE SHIFT REVISITED

Yes, it's still January! And this week we're revisiting an episode with psychologist, folklorist, mythologist and all-round one-woman campaigner for... more

09 Jan 2024 · 47 minutes
Raynor Winn on the power of hope & becoming a public person at 60 - THE SHIFT REVISITED

It's January (Again! So soon!) so, rather than give up everything, this month we're revisiting a host of episodes that... more

02 Jan 2024 · 50 minutes
Lindsey Hilsum on menopause in a warzone and why going grey is NOT brave - THE SHIFT REVISITED

This week we're revisiting one of my favourite episodes from one of the first series. It was back in the... more

26 Dec 2023 · 40 minutes
Nina Stibbe on menopause, middle age and midlife sex scenes - THE SHIFT REVISITED

Last week, Nina Stibbe joined me on The Shift bookclub (if you're not a member, I've taken the "lock" off... more

19 Dec 2023 · 33 minutes
Miriam Margolyes on the power of living a life with no secrets

It’s the final episode of the season and all my podcasting dreams have come true. Because my guest this week... more

12 Dec 2023 · 50 minutes
Bee Wilson on how cooking helped her heal after divorce

My guest today is a food writer’s food writer. Beloved by such luminaries as Nigella Lawson, Diana Henry and Yotam... more

05 Dec 2023 · 52 minutes
Patricia Cornwell on how writing helped her take back control of her life

My guest this week is the crime writing legend, Patricia Cornwell. Patricia wrote her first novel about forensic pathologist kay... more

28 Nov 2023 · 44 minutes
Lindsey Kelk on grief, gynae hell and why she's had enough of ageism in romcoms

Anyone else feel in serious need a romcom right now? I know I do. And my guest today has your... more

21 Nov 2023 · 56 minutes
Dr Gladys McGarey: a 102-year-old shares their life lessons

A few months ago I read an article that took my breath away. The author was 102 years old and... more

14 Nov 2023 · 44 minutes
India Knight answers your midlife beauty questions

Today’s guest is the Sunday Times’ Style’s beauty columnist India Knight. Every week thousands of women turn to her column... more

07 Nov 2023 · 50 minutes
Tracy-Ann Oberman on the strong women who've shaped her

Today’s guest, Tracy-Ann Oberman has made a career out of defying expectations. After training as an actor she went straight... more

31 Oct 2023 · 43 minutes
The Shift LIVE: Trinny Woodall on how she learnt to fear less in her 50s

My guest for this very special live episode of The Shift is the entrepreneur, CEO, fashion and beauty expert, presenter... more

24 Oct 2023 · 49 minutes
Dr Louise Newson: I was "told off" for prescribing HRT

Today we’re celebrating Menopause Awareness month (now there’s a phrase I couldn’t have imagined saying four years ago when I... more

17 Oct 2023 · 1 hour, 3 minutes
Agony Aunt Philippa Perry is back!

I’m delighted to welcome back one of my most popular guests ever, Philippa Perry. Philippa is an artist, psychotherapist, agony aunt... more

10 Oct 2023 · 54 minutes
Grace Dent on balancing a Gen X body image with eating for a living

Today’s guest and I have lived parallel-ish lives. Growing up “ordinary” her in the north, me in the south, Grace... more

03 Oct 2023 · 59 minutes
Stacey Duguid on coming back from midlife collapse

Before I got to know today’s guest, Stacey Duguid, I thought she was a bit scary TBH. Fierce in all... more

26 Sep 2023 · 1 hour, 5 minutes
Sara Pascoe: what happens when a weirdo grows up!

This week’s guest is the comedian, writer, and all-round screen hogger, Sara Pascoe. Host of The Great British Sewing Bee,... more

19 Sep 2023 · 1 hour, 5 minutes
Natasha Walter on being a middle-aged activist

My guest today is the journalist and human rights activist, Natasha Walter. She is the author of two generation-defining books about... more

12 Sep 2023 · 56 minutes
Maggie Smith on her midlife reappearing act

Like most of the rest of the world, I first discovered today’s guest Maggie Smith (no, not the legendary British... more

05 Sep 2023 · 53 minutes
Helen Rebanks is flying the flag for invisible women

My guest today is the farmer, business woman, cook, conservationist, mother and now writer, Helen Rebanks. She has been cooking... more

29 Aug 2023 · 48 minutes
Dawn Butler is living proof that well-behaved women seldom make history

My guest today has made history – more than once. Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central was only the third... more

22 Aug 2023 · 45 minutes
Miki Berenyi on freeing yourself from the anxiety of youth

Today’s guest is the singer-songwriter Miki Berenyi. If you were a teenager in the late 80s or early 90s with... more

15 Aug 2023 · 1 hour, 6 minutes
Leila Slimani: It's time women started telling each other the truth

My guest today is the prize winning author, Leila Slimani. Leila was the first Moroccan woman to win France’s prestigious... more

08 Aug 2023 · 53 minutes
Andi Osho: I'm 50, get used to it!

Welcome to season 12 of The Shift! Season 12! How did that happen?! My guest today is the actor hyphen screenwriter... more

01 Aug 2023 · 54 minutes
Annie Macmanus: why middle aged women are a force to be reckoned with - THE SHIFT REVISITED

Back in season 4, I spoke to Annie Macmanus just as she was about to make the big leap from... more

25 Jul 2023 · 42 minutes
Emma Freud on mothering millennials and refusing to lie about her age - THE SHIFT REVISITED

Back at the very beginning, when The Shift was still a hair-brained idea, I sat in Emma Freud's kitchen chatting... more

18 Jul 2023 · 49 minutes
Alison Bechdel on her search for inner and outer strength - THE SHIFT REVISITED

This week we're revisiting cartoonist and creator of the Bechdel test, Alison Bechdel. This episode first ran back in season... more

11 Jul 2023 · 39 minutes
Barbara Blake Hannah on feeling new at 80 - THE SHIFT REVISITED

This week we're revisiting the legendary Jamaican journalist Barbara Blake Hannah. I spoke to Barbara at the start of last... more

04 Jul 2023 · 48 minutes
Tracey Thorn has got it all going on at 60 - THE SHIFT REVISITED

While we take our summer hiatus we're revisiting some classic episodes of The Shift with Sam Baker. Since I recorded... more

27 Jun 2023 · 43 minutes
Jo Whiley on menopause, finding your fashion mojo and... gardening - THE SHIFT REVISITED

To celebrate the DJ's 27th year of presenting Glastonbury on the BBC, we revisit one of the very first episodes... more

20 Jun 2023 · 48 minutes
BONUS EPISODE: Barbara Kingsolver on why life gets better with every passing decade

For this bonus episode of The Shift, I’m delighted to welcome a very special guest: the award-winning author of ten... more

15 Jun 2023 · 53 minutes
Lennie Goodings on ageism, bringing your A-game and the women who've shaped her

If 18-year-old Sam was here now, today’s episode would be a real pinch-me moment. Back in the mid-80s, I was... more

13 Jun 2023 · 52 minutes
Aasmah Mir on how she finally dislodged the pebble in her throat

My guest today is the award-winning broadcaster Aasmah Mir. Born and brought up in Glasgow, of Pakistani Heritage, Aasmah started... more

06 Jun 2023 · 58 minutes
Tanya Sarne on losing Ghost, surviving rehab and living life to the full

I’m pretty sure there isn’t a woman who was alive in the 90s who didn’t own one of this designer's... more

30 May 2023 · 48 minutes
The Shift with Sam Baker
BONUS EPISODE: Barbara Kingsolver on why life gets better with every passing decade
The Shift with Sam Baker
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Description

For this bonus episode of The Shift, I’m delighted to welcome a very special guest: the award-winning author of ten bestselling novels,... more