Claim OwnershipA Slight Change of Plans
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© 2024 Pushkin Industries and Maya Shankar
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You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram.
Apple Podcasts’ Best Show of the Year 2021 Editor's Note: Maya Shankar blends compassionate storytelling with the science of human behavior to help us understand who we are and who we become in the face of a big change. Maya is no stranger to change. “My whole childhood revolved around the violin, but that changed in a moment when I injured my hand playing a single note,” says Shankar, who was studying under Itzhak Perlman at the Juilliard School at the time. “I was forced to try and figure out who I was, and who I could be, without the violin." Maya soon discovered a new path in the field of cognitive science, where she earned her PhD as a Rhodes Scholar studying how and why we change. Her insights into human behavior ultimately led her to create A Slight Change of Plans—Apple Podcasts’ Best Show of the Year in 2021. You’ll hear intimate conversations with people like Tiffany Haddish, Kacey Musgraves, and Riz Ahmed, as well as real-life inspirations, like John Elder Robison, who undergoes experimental brain stimulation to deepen his emotional intelligence, Daryl Davis, a Black jazz musician who inspires hundreds of KKK members to leave the Klan, and Shankar herself, who had her own “slight change of plans” earlier this year. The show also explores the science of change with experts like Adam Grant and Angela Duckworth. "What I love most about this show is that the content is evergreen," says Shankar. "You can listen to episodes in any order and at any time."
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1It's the season of giving: colorful paper and shiny bows, sure, and charitable giving, too. In this special episode, Jacob Goldstein, the host of What's Your Problem, gets smart about donating. Did you know that spending money on others makes you happier than spending money on yourself? Or that altruistic nerds have discovered four of the most impactful charities in the world (per dollar spent)? Have you ever wondered how poker players think about giving? Dr. Laurie Santos from The Happiness Lab, Elie Hassenfeld of GiveWell, and Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova from Risky Business talk about how to maximize your giving – and why you’ll be happy you did. Link to donate: https://givingmultiplier.org/happinesslab Listen to The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos Listen to Risky BusinessSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Happiness Lab’s Dr. Laurie Santos brings together other Pushkin hosts to mark the International Day of Happiness. Revisionist History’s Malcolm Gladwell talks about the benefits of the misery of running in a Canadian winter. Dr. Maya Shankar from A Slight Change of Plans talks about quieting her mental chatter. And Cautionary Tales host Tim Harford surprises everyone with the happiness lessons to be learned from a colonoscopy. Hear more of The Happiness Lab HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Charles Duhigg is a journalist who is interested in what makes for a good conversation. He talks to Maya about some science-backed techniques we can try to improve our conversational skills, including the art of asking deep questions. To learn more, check out Charles' book, “Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection.” If you enjoyed this episode, you might like our episode with champion debater Bo Seo, "Let's Agree to Disagree More." Connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShankar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Writer Safiya Sinclair grew up on the north coast of Jamaica in a Rastafari family. Her father was the head of the household and he made Safiya and her siblings follow a strict interpretation of Rastafari, a religious and social movement. But as Safiya grew older, living under her father’s rules became suffocating. She talks to Maya about how she broke free from her father's influence and charted her own path. Connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShankar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We have a lot of misconceptions about young people and their developing brains, says psychologist David Yeager. It’s true that young people’s brains are underdeveloped, but that’s not the only factor behind their decision making. It’s also because they have different goals than adults. David argues that if we can better understand these goals, we can bridge the gap between young people and older people. For more on David, check out his latest book, "10 to 25: the Science of Motivating Young People." Connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShankar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kristin Neff is a psychologist and the author of "Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself." Her pioneering research busts cultural myths about self-compassion and shows it’s an effective motivational tool. In this episode from the archives, Kristin talks with Maya about how to get past the idea that caring for ourselves is selfish and offers simple practices for being kinder to ourselves. If you enjoyed this episode, we recommend this one from the archives: “The Science of Our Inner Voice.” Connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShankar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For many years, writer Jennifer Romolini prided herself on her work ethic. She climbed to the top of every corporate ladder and worked 60 hours or more every week. But after an unexpected health crisis, Jennifer realized her ambition had turned toxic. Maya and Jennifer discuss the perils of aiming for a one-size-fits-all version of success and the benefits of redefining ambition for yourself. For more about Jennifer, check out her memoir, "Ambition Monster." You can follow Maya @DrMayaShankar on Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Soon after giving birth, writer Sarah Ruhl developed a severe case of facial paralysis. The left side of her face drooped, she couldn’t blink or raise her eyebrows, and she could no longer smile. Sarah shares what it was like to lose her smile and how her relationship to her face, and with her loved ones, has changed over the years. You can follow Maya @DrMayaShankar on Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A few years ago, Maya experienced a heartbreaking change in her personal life, while on her way to trying to become a mom. Two days after it happened, she felt the need to process it out loud, like so many of her guests have done on her show. In this episode, Maya asked her producer, Tyler, to interview her about her own “Slight Change of Plans.” You can follow Maya @DrMayaShankar on Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tommy Caldwell’s near-death experience unlocks a completely new state of mind that propels him to become a record-setting big wall climber. We'll be back with new episodes in your feed later this fall, but in the meantime, enjoy Maya's conversation with Tommy Caldwell, one of our favorite episodes from the archives. Connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShankar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Psychologist Jamil Zaki studies the science of human connection and he believes cynicism is holding us back. Cynicism isn't just harmful for our health, he says, it’s also misguided. He talks to Maya about a powerful, alternative mindset that can help: what he calls “hopeful skepticism.” For more on hopeful skepticism, check out Jamil Zaki’s book “Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sometimes, even when things go precisely as you hoped they would, change hurts. Writer Kelly Corrigan talks to Maya about wrestling with the reality that her daughters' childhood was ending, and that her role as their parent had to transition, too. In this conversation from the archives, Maya and Kelly reckon with the question of what parents and children owe each other. For more on Kelly, check out her podcast, "Kelly Corrigan Wonders" and her PBS show, "Tell Me More." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
U.S. track star Gabby Thomas recently won three gold medals at the Paris Olympics. To celebrate, we’re sharing Maya’s conversation with Gabby that took place shortly after the athlete’s Olympic debut in Tokyo. Gabby explains why her relationship with running isn’t as straightforward as you might think, and how competing interests have continually led her to question whether running is the path she wants to pursue. Connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShankar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Just a few days after Kelsie first talked with Maya for the podcast, Kelsie's husband, Chris, was rushed to the hospital after he didn’t wake up from a nap. He died a few days later, as a result of complications from ALS. Eight months later, Kelsie reached out to say she wanted to share what life has been like for her since then, as she handles a new phase of mourning—what she calls “quiet grief.” To hear more from Kelsey, check out her podcast, “Sorry, I’m Sad.” If you want to hear more experiences of caregiving, you might also enjoy our episode, “I Gave Up Asking 'Why Me'?” Connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShankar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Kelsie first met her co-worker Chris, she fell hard. They soon fell in love, got married, and had two kids. But then, Chris received a devastating diagnosis. In conversation with Maya, writer Kelsie Snow explores the complex grief of being both a wife and caregiver. Note: this is part one of two conversations with writer Kelsie Snow. It was recorded in September 2023. To hear more from Kelsey, check out her podcast, “Sorry, I’m Sad.” Connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShankar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A lot of chronic pain isn't actually caused by structural issues with the body, says psychotherapist Alan Gordon. Instead, it's often the brain misinterpreting safe bodily signals as dangerous. Alan joins Maya to explain a novel, research-backed approach to coping with chronic pain and guides her through an exercise to alleviate her persistent knee pain. To learn more about Alan's work, check out his book "The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain." If you liked this episode, listen to this one from our archive: “Getting My Silence Back.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Motherhood can be a time of profound internal upheaval, says clinical psychologist Molly Millwood. Molly offers an honest look at the transition into motherhood, drawing from scientific research, stories from her private practice, and her own experiences as a mother. She and Maya talk about how to navigate the grief, guilt, ambivalence, and other disorienting feelings that can often come up for new moms. For more on Molly, check out her book “To Have and To Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma.” If you liked this episode, we recommend listening to “The Devastation of Things Going Exactly to Plan.” Sign up for Maya's new newsletter here https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ and follow her on instagram @DrMayaShankar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Swimmer Yusra Mardini grew up in Syria and dreamed of one day representing her home country at the Olympics. But when the civil war in Syria intensified, she fled the country and had to put that dream on hold. After escaping to Europe, she faced an unexpected opportunity. Yusra tells Maya the harrowing story of how she made it to safety, and then to the Olympic stage. Sign up for Maya's new newsletter here https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ and follow her on instagram @DrMayaShankar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brad Snyder was part of the U.S. Navy’s most elite bomb squad. In his role, he was rewarded for his intense independence. But after a bomb blast left him blind, he had to relearn how to depend on others. He talks with Maya about how embracing vulnerability helped him reach his dreams. Sign up for Maya's new newsletter here https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ and follow her on instagram @DrMayaShankar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Swimmer Missy Franklin won four gold medals at her first Olympics. But as she trained for her second trip to the world stage, her mental health began to crumble. With so much to defend, the pool suddenly felt like a pressure cooker. She talks with Maya about coping with defeat and how she learned to value her identity outside of sports. To hear more from Missy, listen to her podcast with Katie Hoff, Unfiltered Waters. Sign up for Maya's new newsletter here https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ and follow her on instagram @DrMayaShankar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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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.
Oh my goodness what a great story, it was so inspiring! She is one of the wisest people that I know and has such a big heart. Our world needs more people like her ♥️
this was an amazing talk. thank you both so much
Girl, you need to stop thinking soo much and stop looking around for things to be unhappy about. You can overcome your addiction. Even without therapy groups. Seems your looking to be felt sorry for. Being an eore. I gained a lot of weight, am older and everyone treats me differently. Exactly the opposite of you. It is what it is. Be glad for better health not focused on weight. Your maki g your one life a miserable one. Start doing for yourself and doing what makes you happy. Live your best life and build great memories! This is too much what your doing to yourself mentally. Look into Dr. Wayne Dyer books and Ram Das. Or audiobooks on them. Congratulations on your successes, BTW. Now go! And don’t look back! 💪🏽👏❤️