Claim OwnershipA Slight Change of Plans
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© 2026 Pushkin Industries and Maya Shankar
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What happens when life doesn’t go according to plan? In this award-winning podcast, cognitive scientist Dr. Maya Shankar explores how we experience change and strategies we can use to better navigate moments of upheaval.
Maya’s life took a dramatic turn when an injury ended her career as a violinist and inspired her to study the science of change.
Named Apple Podcasts’ Best Show of the Year, A Slight Change of Plans features deeply personal stories and scientific insights about who we are and who we become in the face of a big change.
Past guests include Kacey Musgraves, Brené Brown, Ruby Bridges, Amanda Knox, Adam Grant, Angela Duckworth and more.
Whether it’s a sudden pivot or a slow transformation, each episode reveals how change can give us an opportunity to reimagine who we are and unlock greater possibility.
You can follow Maya on instagram @DrMayaShankar and read her free newsletter at changewithmaya.com.
Get early, ad-free access to episodes of A Slight Change of Plans by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows.
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165 Episodes
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3Journalist Jennifer Wallace believes we can make the world a better place through small actions that help people feel like they matter. She’s written a book about this idea, called “Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose.” In today’s episode, she reveals why even those in high-stakes professions might not realize they matter, and what that gap can teach us about how to make others feel truly seen. In case you missed it—Maya’s new book, “The Other Side of Change,” is officially a bestseller! Order your copy at changewithmaya.com/book, or wherever you like to buy books.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In today’s episode, “Moneyball” author Michael Lewis (and Maya’s friend) flips the script and interviews her—in front of a live audience in San Francisco. They discuss her new book in a candid conversation about identity, loss, and what happens when the thing that once defined you falls away. Did you hear? “The Other Side of Change” was an instant New York Times bestseller! Order your copy at changewithmaya.com/book, or wherever you like to buy books. New to A Slight Change of Plans? Start HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2026 is off to a hectic start for Maya as she tours the country promoting her book, “The Other Side of Change.” To recenter, she’s revisiting a conversation with her friend and mentor, Yale Professor Laurie Santos, who studies the science of happiness. Together, they explore why the things we chase often don’t bring the joy we expect - and why sometimes it's the most unexpected things that do. Order “The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans” at changewithmaya.com/book, or wherever you like to buy books.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Maya’s book, “The Other Side of Change”, is officially out! To celebrate, we’re sharing an exclusive excerpt with our community – about what first sparked Maya’s interest in change, and the story of a woman named Olivia Lewis. Order “The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans” at changewithmaya.com/book, or wherever you like to buy books.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Booklist awarded Maya’s upcoming book, The Other Side of Change, one of its coveted starred reviews, saying “It’s impossible not to be moved.” The Other Side of Change hits shelves on January 13th and is filled with a rare combination of scientific wisdom and powerful stories (not featured on this podcast!) that will help you enter 2026 with greater strength and optimism about the road ahead. ORDER The Other Side of Change TODAY for you or someone you love at the links below. Amazon: https://a.co/d/2o1QEM4 Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/2186/9780593713686See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Therapist Meg Josephson learned early on to put others’ needs before her own. It was a way for her to stay safe in a home that didn’t feel emotionally stable. But over time, she saw that her people-pleasing habits were eroding her sense of self, and straining the very relationships she was trying to protect. On today’s show, we explore how we can stop asking ourselves if other people are mad at us. Who can we become when we stop trying to please everyone else? If you liked this episode, you’ll want to check out our episode with Sunita Sah, called, “How To Say No.” Don’t forget to pre-order Maya’s book, “The Other Side of Change,” at changewithmaya.com/book.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After a turbulent adolescence and decades of reinvention, Zarna Garg found her voice somewhere she never expected: stand-up comedy. On today’s episode, she tells Maya why she believes courage is a skill you can learn, and how failure has been a key to her success on stage and off. Register for Maya’s virtual book event with Brene Brown at changewithmaya.com/launch. Spots are limited, and the deadline to sign up is December 14th. Don’t forget to pre-order Maya’s book, “The Other Side of Change,” at changewithmaya.com/book.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The world feels especially heavy these days, and it’s easy to feel cynical. So today, Maya is revisiting her conversation with psychologist Jamil Zaki, who offers an alternative to cynicism: a mindset he calls “hopeful skepticism.” Jamil explains why hopeful people are more resilient, more successful in accomplishing goals, and more willing to tackle societal problems head on. For even more from Jamil, check out our other episode with him: “How to Build Empathy and Avoid Burnout.” Don’t forget to pre-order Maya’s book, “The Other Side of Change,” at changewithmaya.com/book.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s been more than a decade since Malala Yousafzai, then a 15-year-old student and advocate for girls education, survived an assassination attempt. Malala is 28 now, and she’s written an intimate new memoir called “Finding My Way,” revealing sides of her the world has never seen before. In today’s episode, Maya sits down with Malala to explore the tension that exists between the different versions of ourselves that we carry — who the world expects us to be, who our families raised us to be, and who we’re still in the process of becoming. Watch the full video version of this interview here: https://youtu.be/q3y_-BP2Rmk?si=gVYmk-eTIOMzLP-L Don’t forget to pre-order Maya’s book, “The Other Side of Change” at changewithmaya.com/book. “Finding My Way: A Memoir” is out now. You can find it wherever you buy books. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Dr. Vivek Murthy first appeared on the show a few years back, he and Maya discussed the science of loneliness and its impact on our long term health. Now, the former U.S. Surgeon General is back to share simple, practical steps we can take to nurture more meaningful relationships—and why making even small changes can help us feel more connected. To hear Maya’s first conversation with Vivek Murthy, go to www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/the-science-of-loneliness. To watch the full video version of this interview, go to www.pushkin.fm/slightchange. For more from Vivek on how to create meaningful relationships in our lives, check out bit.ly/recipes4connection. Sign up for Maya's free newsletter here: changewithmaya.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the run up to the release of her book, The Other Side of Change, Maya is starting an Ambassadors Program! Ambassadors will get access to all sorts of exclusive content – like a companion journal, an invitation to an intimate conversation with Maya, sneak peaks of the book, and more. Join a community of people who are passionate about change and want to help bring the book's message into the world. Sign up to be a Launch Ambassador at changewithmaya.com/join. Pre-order The Other Side of Change at changewithmaya.com/book.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Felicia Hsu grew up dreaming of becoming a doctor. Years of relentless dedication brought that dream within reach, but the toll it took left her wondering whether it was finally time to let it go. Have you had a slight change of plans you think we should know about? Send us a voice memo or an email at slightchange@pushkin.fm. Sign up for Maya's free newsletter here: changewithmaya.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Anna Sale is what you might call a professional “haver of hard conversations”. As the creator of the podcast “Death, Sex, & Money,” she’s spent years exploring the big questions and taboo topics people tend to shy away from. In this episode, Anna reflects on what she’s learned from all of those conversations – what’s helped, what hasn’t, and what she’s still figuring out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s not every day that Maya gets to coach a literal superhero…but tomorrow is that day! Tune in Friday, August 15, to see Maya featured as a neuroscience expert on Chris Hemsworth’s TV show, “Limitless: Live Better Now”. The series streams on Disney+ and Hulu. Curious to hear what it was like to film with Chris? Want to hear more about brain-boosting techniques? Join Maya for a behind-the-scenes Q&A on Instagram, this Friday, August 15 at 10:30am PST / 1:30 pm ET: www.instagram.com/drmayashankar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jessica Slice spent years working towards the day when she might actually like herself. If she just tried a little harder, achieved a little more, ate a little healthier, she thought she could earn her own self-respect. But after experiencing a sudden health crisis, Jessica was forced to put all that work on indefinite pause, and to remake her relationship with herself. On today’s show: who we can become when we let go of society’s standards of goodness. If you’re interested in learning more about the books that shaped Jessica’s thinking on difference, disability and mental health, check out the list below: “The Minority Body: A Theory of Disability” by Elizabeth Barnes “Brilliant Imperfection: Grappling with Cure” by Eli Clare “Exile and Pride” by Eli Clare “Feminist, Queer, Crip” by Alison Kafer “The Disabled God: Toward a Liberatory Theology of Disability” by Nancy Eiesland “Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick” Maya Dusenbery See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A few weeks ago, Maya joined former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for a deeply reflective, intimate conversation in front of a live audience in San Francisco. The event was hosted by City Arts & Lectures, which hosts longform conversations with everyone from Bruce Springsteen, to Yuval Noah Harari —— onstage, and on their podcast. For more on City Arts & Lectures in person programming, visit www.cityarts.net. For more episodes of the City Arts & Lectures podcast, visit www.cityarts.net/audio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
These days, psychiatrist Judith Joseph knows joy. It’s the feeling she has after eating a delicious meal, celebrating the completion of a successful study in her lab, or watching her children play happily together. But just a few years ago, things looked different. Or rather, felt different. On the outside, everything looked as it should, and that was the problem. On today’s episode: the masks we wear to hide how we feel inside. If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, help is available. Call 1-800-950-6264 for free, confidential support and resources. More information available at nami.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sahil Bloom spent years working in the financial industry, putting in long hours and cashing big paychecks. But even though he’d found career success, he started to question whether the life he was building was actually what he wanted. On today’s show: hitting pause on the rat race and defining success on your own terms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tommy Caldwell’s experience being held captive in Kyrgyzstan unlocks a new state of mind that propels him to become the greatest big wall climber of all time. This conversation first aired in 2021. It is a companion episode to the one we ran last week about Beth Rodden’s experience of the same trip: “A Climber Loses Her Grip.” Same “Slight Change of Plans”, but wildly different reactions. You can check out Tommy’s memoir here, and Beth’s memoir here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As a professional rock climber, Beth Rodden was taught to see pain as weakness. Fear and discomfort—mental and physical—were just things to be tolerated along the path to one record-breaking climbing feat after another. But when Beth was kidnapped on a climbing expedition in Kyrgyzstan, she had to confront the limits of that approach. On today's show: when the mindset that built you, starts to break you. Sign up for my free newsletter here: changewithmaya.com Get early, ad-free access to episodes of A Slight Change of Plans by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Maya, I can't even start to listen to this episode. I can't even give myself permission to do so. in my country, Iran, more than 16000 protesters have been killed in only two days. I can't be happy, I don't WANT to be happy. Tell me how to deal with this pain, brutality, and unfairness of the world...
I can't listen or download do you change your servers?
Thank you for making this episode. A lot of what's said really resonated with me and helped me get more insight into why I am a certain way. Hopefully I can take this advice into practice and free myself from these mental constraints I've placed on myself :)
I absolutely love 'A Slight Change of Plans'! The way the podcast explores how people adapt to life's unexpected turns is both insightful and inspiring. Each episode offers a fresh perspective and meaningful conversations that truly resonate. https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/rigidbox-masters-5798109/episodes/rigid-boxes-in-luxury-packagin-218306146
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why do the commercials repeat?
Insightful Q&A, thanks Dr. Maya! Your podcast opens my mind to parallels between feelings, values, and even retreat experiences with hallucinogens. 🧠🎙️
Impressive episode! Amanda Knox's openness and Maya's perspective truly highlighted the emotional journey.
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this is a really thought provoking episode about regret. Unfortunately there's a technical glitch at 37:46 which skips a whole thought. Mr Pink says : "I actually like the technique..." but then it suddenly cuts to Dr Maya speaking. I really wish I knew what technique he was about to describe.
I like this podcast, but one wonders who is the interviewer, Maya or Michael. sounds more like Michael
Thank you Maya for this show. It's soul refreshing
Despite the danger to her own life, she had the guts to speak up and defend what was right. Erika played a crucial role in prosecuting Holmes: https://quordle2.com
Thank you!
Incredible interview!
🙏🏻😅
Such a thoughtful, insightful interviewer. Amazing to hear about the brave personal and medical decisions made in this rescue and the resilience of those being rescued.
So beautiful and so sad...
This man's perspective assumes that you can change racists' perspective with logic. What do you do about the ones who could let him talk until he's blue in the face and then execute him without a second thought? What do you do about the ones who know everything he's saying is true but promote racial division because it benefits them financially? It sounds like he's just been lucky that he hasn't run into the wrong one yet.
Just as John came to see and feel and experience emotion through the TMS treatment, I too felt a sudden awareness of relating to the Adam and Eve creation story in Genisis of how in our humanness we experience good and evil.