A Slight Change of Plans - podcast cover

A Slight Change of Plans

Pushkin Industrieswww.pushkin.fm

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.

Follow @DrMayaShankar on Instagram.

Episodes

The Science of Quitting (Rebroadcast)

Annie Duke believes we should be quitting things more often, a skill she honed during her lucrative years as a professional poker player on the world stage. Annie talks about the science of quitting, and shows us how to get out of our own way and learn to quit when we should. You can follow the show on Instagram @DrMayaShankar . If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . See omnystudio.com/listener...

Oct 24, 202234 minSeason 1Ep. 42

The Art and Science of Gathering

Priya Parker is an expert in group dialogue and conflict resolution, and she uses her unique background to rethink how we come together. Priya teaches us how to turn our gatherings into opportunities for more meaningful connection with others. You can follow the show on Instagram @DrMayaShankar . If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 17, 202242 minSeason 1Ep. 41

A First Responder's Call for Help

As a firefighter, Christy Warren made rescuing people her life's work. Her toughness earned her praise from her peers. But after decades of rescuing others, suddenly Christy became the one who needed saving. You can follow the show on Instagram @DrMayaShankar . If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 10, 202244 minSeason 1Ep. 40

The Science of Regret

Author Daniel Pink teaches us how to transform our relationship with regret so that we can live happier, more fulfilling lives. You can follow the show on Instagram @DrMayaShankar . If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 03, 202243 minSeason 1Ep. 39

A 6 Year Old Changes History

Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges is our guest today. She shares what it was like to be the first African-American student to attend an all-white elementary school in Louisiana in 1960. Ruby was just six years old at the time, and it would be years before she fully appreciated her role in advancing civil rights in America. You can follow the show on Instagram @DrMayaShankar . If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email lis...

Oct 03, 202244 minSeason 1Ep. 38

Sneak Peek: Season 5 of A Slight Change of Plans!

Hey Slight Changers! (drumroll please…) We’re back with Season 5 of A Slight Change of Plans next Monday! Each week, we’ll hear stories of change from remarkable people and learn more about the science of change so we can live happier, healthier lives. Here’s a sneak peek. You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . See omnystudio.com/listener ...

Sep 26, 20222 min

Maya's Slight Change in Perspective

Hi Slight Changers — I recently recorded a deeply personal essay with my friends at Meditative Story. It's about my philosophy on life and existence. This essay took months to pull together because it required revisiting my childhood, as well some challenging years I had in early adulthood. But it was so worth it — this episode is so close to my heart and I hope you enjoy listening to it. As always, reach out to me with any reflections or thoughts at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. For more episode...

Jul 28, 202231 min

A Theranos Whistleblower

You can follow the show on Instagram @DrMayaShankar . Erika Cheung’s first job out of college was as a scientist at the now infamous biotech company, Theranos. Erika realized early on that the company’s proprietary technology was not delivering accurate blood results to patients. And even though she had so much to lose by speaking out, she saw no other option. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin....

Jul 11, 202247 minSeason 1Ep. 37

The Science of Motivation

You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. Dr. Ayelet Fishbach is a professor of psychology, and an expert on the science of motivation. She'll teach us how to set smarter goals, and give us science-based strategies to help us reach them. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 05, 202233 minSeason 1Ep. 36

A Holocaust Survivor's Story

You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. Edith Eger was just 16 years old when the Nazis forced her and her Jewish family onto a cattle car to the Auschwitz concentation camp. Today, Edith is 94 years old, and a psychologist who specializes in post-traumatic stress disorder. She shares how learning to control her own mind helped her to survive the Holocaust. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email lis...

Jun 27, 202231 minSeason 1Ep. 35

Jeopardy! Changed My Life

You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. Scott Menke never thought he had a particularly compelling personality, but he did feel he stood out in at least one way: he had a natural ability to learn and remember interesting facts. He put that knowledge to the ultimate test as a contestant on the TV trivia game show Jeopardy! Scott was surprised when viewers responded not just to his performance but to who he was as a person. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from th...

Jun 20, 202238 minSeason 1Ep. 34

The Science of Our Inner Voice

Psychology professor Ethan Kross is an expert on the science of introspection, and the role our inner voice plays in shaping our sense of well-being. While our inner voice has a lot of benefits, it can sometimes turn negative and lead to what Ethan calls “mental chatter.” In this episode, we discuss science-based strategies for how to rein in our mental chatter so we can live happier, healthier lives.  You can follow the show at  @DrMayaShankar  on Instagram. If you&rs...

Jun 13, 202243 minSeason 1Ep. 33

Does Everything Happen for a Reason?

Kate Bowler certainly thought so, until her entire belief system was thrown into question when she was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer at age 35. You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jun 06, 202238 minSeason 1Ep. 32

"I Don't Feel Like a Boy, I Am a Boy"

Jodie Patterson’s son came out as transgender when he was just shy of three years old. Jodie knew her son would face many changes ahead, but what she didn’t anticipate was how much she would change too.  You can follow the show at  @DrMayaShankar  on Instagram. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure  to  sign up for our email list  at Pushkin.fm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

May 31, 202243 minSeason 1Ep. 31

Headspace x Dr. Maya Shankar: Understanding Change

Hey Slight Changers — I’m guest-hosting the Radio Headspace Podcast all week! It was a really special collaboration and I wanted to share the first episode of the series with you. To check out the rest of the episodes this week, you can head to  headspace.com/podcast . If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list  at Pushkin.fm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

May 24, 20225 min

Sneak Peek: Season 4 of A Slight Change of Plans!

A Slight Change of Plans returns next week with guests who will help us think differently about change so we can live happier, more fulfilling lives. Here's a sneak peek of the upcoming season! You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list  at Pushkin.fm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

May 23, 20223 min

A Conversation About A Slight Change of Plans

Hi Slight Changers! We’re back at the end of this month with Season 4 of A Slight Change of Plans! In the meantime, we wanted to share a very special conversation Maya had with Max Linsky for his podcast, Longform. Maya talks to Max about her life story and her inspiration for A Slight Change of Plans. We hope you enjoy it! If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at  Pushkin.fm . See omnystudio...

May 18, 202254 min

The Thai Cave Rescue

Dr. Richard "Harry" Harris is an anesthesiologist and expert cave diver who was tasked with a seemingly impossible mission: to rescue a boys' soccer team trapped 2.5 miles deep within a flooded cave in Thailand. He talks with Maya about his decision to heed the call. You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . Learn more about your ad-choices a...

Apr 18, 202249 minSeason 1Ep. 30

Lessons From a Grief Therapist

Julia Samuel is one of the world’s leading grief therapists. She joins Maya to talk about why it’s important to engage with our grief, and offers strategies for how to do that. You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 11, 202239 minSeason 1Ep. 29

Losing Dixie

Quinn Lewis’ sister Dixie was 19 years old when she tragically died in a car accident. In the months that followed Dixie’s death, Quinn was left to grieve the loss of her little sister and the future relationship she had envisioned for them. You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcas...

Apr 04, 202242 minSeason 1Ep. 28

The Science of Connection

Dr. Dixon Chibanda, a psychiatrist in Zimbabwe, has been on a mission for years to help people gain access to mental healthcare in his community, where there's only one psychiatrist for every 1.5 million people. To bridge the gap and provide people with the help they need, Dixon turned to a rather unorthodox group for help: grandmothers. You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign ...

Mar 28, 202233 minSeason 1Ep. 27

Captured in North Korea

Korean-American journalist Euna Lee was captured by North Korean soldiers in 2009, and forced into captivity for 140 days. While Euna’s time in North Korea was harrowing, there was one aspect of her experience that surprised her and challenged some long-held beliefs she had about 'the enemy.' You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . Learn mo...

Mar 21, 202239 minSeason 1Ep. 26

How Psychedelics Can Change Our Minds

Author Michael Pollan chats with Maya about the science of psychedelics — what’s going on in our brains that give rise to the extraordinary experiences people describe. Michael also gives us a glimpse into his personal experience with psychedelic trips. You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www....

Mar 14, 202238 minSeason 1Ep. 25

Life After Surviving Stage-Four Cancer

When we first talked to Scott (E10 “The Life-Changing Diagnosis”), he was in the midst of treatment for stage four bone cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. Since then, he has successfully completed his treatment and shares what it’s like to adjust to life back home. You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . Learn more about your ad-...

Mar 07, 202237 minSeason 1Ep. 24

Turning the Page with Well-Read Black Girl

Sharing a sneak preview of Pushkin's new show, Well-Read Black Girl. Glory Edim started the Well-Read Black Girl book club in 2015, and since then it's exploded into a passionate, worldwide reading community. She aims to amplify the voices of BIPOC writers and celebrate their literary achievements, using the power of conversation to help members connect and grow. On the Well-Read Black Girl podcast, Glory has deep, honest conversations with authors of color about the art, craft and power of the ...

Mar 04, 20225 min

A Blind Cook Becomes a Master Chef

Christine Ha fell in love with cooking in college when she tried to recreate the Vietnamese dishes her mother had cooked for her as a child. But when a rare neurological condition left Christine legally blind by age 24, she worried she might never be able to cook again. You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to sign up for our email list at Pushkin.fm . Learn more about your ad-choice...

Feb 28, 202237 minSeason 1Ep. 23

New Slight Change Episodes Coming Soon!

A Slight Change of Plans returns February 28 with guests who will help us think differently about change so we can live happier, more fulfilling lives. Here's a sneak peek! You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. If you’d like to keep up with the most recent news from this and other Pushkin podcasts be sure to subscribe to our email list here . Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 21, 20223 minSeason 1Ep. 3

Heartbreak: A Journalist Studies the Science of Divorce

Hi Slight Changers -- We'll be back with fresh episodes for you on Feb 28th!! In the meantime, I wanted to share a new audiobook from Pushkin, the company behind A Slight Change of Plans. It’s called Heartbreak and it’s written and read by Florence Williams. Florence is a science journalist, and when her husband of 25 years broke up with her, she set out to understand what was happening to her, emotionally and physically, after the divorce. The result is an immersive listening experience that's ...

Feb 01, 202221 min

Listening to Negative Emotions with The Happiness Lab

Sharing something special this week while we’re working on new episodes. It’s a preview of the new season of The Happiness Lab, hosted by Maya’s friend Dr. Laurie Santos. On The Happiness Lab, Laurie shares evidence-based research that will challenge your understanding of means to live a happy life. Based on the popular psychology course she teaches at Yale, you’ll hear inspiring, surprising stories that will make you think differently about your own happiness. This season, she’s helping us navi...

Jan 10, 20225 minSeason 1Ep. 26

A Mother's Fight for the Truth

Shapearl Wells' son Courtney Copeland was fatally shot in 2016. He was 22 years old. Shapearl wanted answers to what had happened to her son in his final moments, but when she wasn't getting them, she decided to take matters into her own hands. You can follow Maya @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 13, 202137 minSeason 1Ep. 25
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