A Slight Change of Plans

4.7 (1.9K)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
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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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4.7

out of 5

1,879 Ratings

Excellent is an understatement!

Nov 7

sam48m

I’m grateful for this show, life can be really hard. In the face of that, too often there is pessimism, anger, or toxic positivity. Dr Maya Shankar’s depth of compassion, curiosity, empathy, and optimism are so needed in this world right now. Thank you for sharing your story and other’s stories of how they face seemingly impossible changes of plans.
Insightful

Aug 30

veteran podcast listener

Every parent should listen to the episode Empty Nesting with Kelly Corrigan
Outstanding in every way!

Aug 12

AnnieDNoahP

Have listened to this wonderful podcast from its inception. It’s supported me through Covid losses, the loss of my son, lost homes, lost identities. You’ve validated my grief through all these transitions, helped me feel not so alone. Just listened to parts 1 & 2 of A Million Little Losses, re a woman caregiving her ALS husband, and was reminded of Pauline Boss. Pauline wrote and developed the concept of “ambiguous loss.” It’s a state of loss and grief occurring when we grieve loved ones whose bodies are missing ?as in wars or 9/11), or when your loved one is disappearing before your eyes (physically present but mentally gone), as in Alzheimer's. It’s a special kind of excruciating grief. I highly recommend reading Boss’s books for caregivers, to go along with A Slight Change In Plans. Wonderful, supportive stuff meeting a silent need for so many people. Thank you so very much…
An excellent podcast

Aug 9

Queenie101954

Always an intelligent, honest discussion. Maya treats her guests with respect and empathy. I highly recommend this podcast.

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."