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/li...
Aug 26, 2024•46 min
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 pr...
Aug 19, 2024•35 min
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 exper...
Aug 05, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 81
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 omn...
Aug 05, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 80
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 ." I...
Jul 29, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 79
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 M...
Jul 22, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 78
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/lis...
Jul 15, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 77
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....
Jul 08, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 76
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 ...
Jul 01, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 75
We recently shared a conversation between Maya and Brené on A Slight Change of Plans where they talked about Maya's appearance on Brené's podcast, Dare to Lead . Today we are sharing that conversation with you! In this episode of Dare to Lead, Brené and Maya discuss how unexpected changes can disrupt our paths, challenge our identities, and require us to build new ways of navigating the world. They delve into the science behind change and its impact on how we live, love, and lead. Check out Bren...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Brené Brown is a bestselling author and social scientist known for her work on complex emotions like shame and vulnerability. She opens up to Maya about the evolution of some of her most important identities: big sister, recovering perfectionist, and reluctant public figure. She also shares how COVID affected her marriage, her struggles with social media, and how she's redefining ambition. If you liked this episode, check out Maya on Brene’s podcast Dare to Lead . See omnystudio.com/listener for...
Apr 29, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 74
In part two of Maya’s conversation with writer Suleika Jaouad, they talk about Suleika's epic road trip following her cancer treatments and her friendship with a man who spent half his life on death row. She also shares how she's choosing to live her life in light of a recent diagnosis that's left her in a more uncertain place than ever before. Sign up for Maya's new newsletter here https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ and follow her on instagram @DrMayaShankar . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
Apr 22, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 73
Suleika Jaouad was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia when she was 22 years old. In this special two-part conversation, she talks with Maya about why she sees survival as a creative act, the problem with narratives that frame illness as a "hero’s journey," and the messy space that exists between illness and wellness. 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....
Apr 22, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist known for her popular parenting advice. She talks with Maya about how shifting to a mindset that children are “good inside” can improve parent-child relationships and make for long-lasting behavior change. Becky explains why her approach can help us navigate all kinds of relationships in our adult lives—with our co-workers, friends, and family members—thanks to simple practices like the "most generous interpretation." If you enjoyed this episode, you ...
Apr 15, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 71
Alison Gopnik is a developmental psychologist who studies childrens' brains. She talks with Maya about how kids' exploratory approach to problem-solving can show us how to better tap into our creative potential. 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....
Apr 08, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Shortly after Laura Cathcart Robbins had her second child, she developed a crippling anxiety disorder and severe insomnia. Within a few years, she was addicted to sleeping pills. Laura was ashamed because she felt like motherhood came so much more easily to her friends. And so, for years, she kept her addiction a secret. Then one day she reached a breaking point. If you enjoyed this episode, try this one from the archive: “ Jason Isbell Finds Peace With His Past .” Sign up for Maya's new newslet...
Apr 01, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 69
We're back with new episodes starting April 1. Brené Brown joins Maya for a fireside chat about their messy, flawed selves. Psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy reveals a game-changing strategy for fostering better relationships. Plus, we share inspiring stories of change from people weathering difficult transitions, including a writer diagnosed with cancer in her early twenties and a new mom struggling with addiction. Their stories are full of candor, awe, and hard-won wisdom, and we can't wait to sh...
Mar 25, 2024•3 min
We're not great at knowing what makes us happy, says Laurie Santos, host of "The Happiness Lab." Laurie joins Maya for a wide-ranging conversation about the latest happiness research and her favorite happiness-boosting strategies. They also discuss how much of our happiness is hard-wired, if there's such a thing as thinking about happiness too much, and what you should know if you ever feel guilty feeling happy, given the state of the world. For more on Laurie, check out her podcast "The Happine...
Mar 21, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Unexpected change like an accident, an illness, or a relationship that suddenly ends is inevitable -- and disorienting. On this heartfelt and optimistic episode of TED Talks Daily, Maya shares how these challenging moments can inspire transformation, offering three questions to ask when facing uncertainty, so you can let go of rigidity and embrace change. TED Talks Daily is a daily podcast that sparks your curiosity. Every weekday, host and journalist Elise Hu brings you thought-provoking ideas ...
Mar 14, 2024•14 min
Modupe Akinola is a psychology professor and an expert on stress. Modupe argues that a simple change in our mindset can turn short-term stress into a helpful resource. She walks us through strategies to better understand, and cope with, stress. Enjoy this rebroadcast (and take a few deep breaths while you listen!) and we’ll be back in March with new episodes. Sign up for Maya's new newsletter here https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ and follow her on instagram @DrMayaShankar . See omnystudio.com/listener for...
Feb 26, 2024•32 min
Psychologist Marisa Franco is an expert on friendship and talks with Maya about research-backed strategies to make new friends, deepen our existing relationships, and navigate friend breakups. This conversation was one of our most popular ones and so we’ve decided to revisit it during a time when it’s been hard to feel connected to others. We’ll be back in March with new episodes! For more on Marisa's work, check out her book, “ Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—...
Feb 19, 2024•36 min
Our daily habits are the key to reaching our long-term goals, argues writer James Clear. His bestselling book, "Atomic Habits," distills the most compelling research on how to break bad habits and form good ones. He talks with Maya about how our habits shape our identity—for better or worse—and how to design our habits so they actually stick. To explore more of James' work, including his book and newsletter, check out his website . Sign up for Maya's new newsletter here https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ an...
Feb 12, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Psychologist Adam Grant stops by to talk with Maya about his new book "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things." They talk about how to filter out unhelpful feedback, the benefits of imperfectionism, and why we need to give soft skills more respect. If you enjoyed this episode, check out Adam’s first time on the show: “ Adam Grant Thinks Again .” Sign up for Maya's new newsletter here https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ and follow her on instagram @DrMayaShankar . See omnystudio.com/listene...
Dec 18, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 66
When Banafsheh Rashidi gave birth to her daughter, Saba, she immediately conjured up vivid images of Saba's future: passing the driver's test, graduation, and maybe even a wedding. But when Saba received a significant medical diagnosis, Banafsheh's dreams were upended. She talks to Maya about how she redefined success for her family on her own terms. If you enjoyed this conversation, you might enjoy our episode with first responder Christy Warren. She’s another guest who started out as a listene...
Dec 11, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Gretchen Rubin is an author and podcaster with a passion for helping people become happier. One of the biggest lessons she's learned in her decades-long study of the subject is that there's no one-size-fits-all hack to finding happiness. Gretchen talks with Maya about how important it is to tailor our approach based on what she calls the "four tendencies," or personality types. If you enjoyed this episode, try this one from the archive: “ The Science of Our Inner Voice ” For a behind-the-scenes ...
Dec 04, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 64
Hal Hershfield is a psychologist who studies the emotional connection we have to our “future selves." He talks with Maya about tactics we can use to strengthen this connection, and why it matters. If you enjoyed this episode, try this one from the archive: “ The Science of Self-Compassion ” For a behind-the-scenes look at the show, follow @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 27, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Sonia Vallabh had just lost her mother to a rapid, mysterious brain disease. And then, she found out that the disease was genetic. Doctors told her there was a 50-50 chance she had inherited the same rare genetic mutation that killed her mom. Sonia tells Maya how she managed a torturous state of limbo, and how what followed led her to the cutting edge of science. Get involved at https://www.prionalliance.org/ For a behind-the-scenes look at the show, follow @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. See omnys...
Nov 20, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 62
For an extra dose of awe, we're revisiting our conversation with author Michael Pollan. He chats with Maya about the fascinating science of psychedelics and how plants have the power to change our minds. Michael also gives us a glimpse into his personal experience with psychedelic trips and tries to convince scaredy-cat Maya to give them a try. For a behind-the-scenes look at the show, follow @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 13, 2023•37 min
Dr. Shira Gabriel is a psychologist who studies the science of human connection. In recent years she’s turned her attention to collective effervescence, a feeling we get when we experience something transcendent with other people. If you've ever been to a concert or a political rally, you've probably felt this type of awe. Shira explains the many mental health benefits of collective effervescence and why it's easier to seek out than you might think (spoiler alert: you can still experience it eve...
Nov 06, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 61
When world-renowned musician Min Kym first picked up a violin, she knew immediately that it would define her. And it did…until one day, in a London train station, everything changed. For a behind-the-scenes look at the show, follow @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 30, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 60
