123 episodes
A Slight Change of Plans Pushkin
-
- Society & Culture
-
-
4.7 • 1.8K Ratings
-
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."
-
Real Talk: The Transition to Motherhood
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. -
Pushkin+ Early Listen: A Novel Approach to Treating Chronic Pain
You can hear this episode for free starting Monday, July 29th. To learn more about Pushkin+ offerings, like ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and early access, visit pushkin.fm or the show page on Apple.
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.” -
A Syrian Refugee Fights for Olympic Dreams
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. -
“Surrender is not in my DNA”
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. -
What Comes After Gold, With Olympian Missy Franklin
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. -
Maya on Brené Brown's Podcast
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 Brené's Dare to Lead podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Customer Reviews
Inspirational ❤️🙏
By chance, I came across Maya’s work thanks to Adam Grant and am so grateful for her beautiful and inspirational content. I just listened to her podcast, ‘Maya's Slight Change in Perspective’
It's truly touching and brought me to tears. Despite having a long day ahead, I can't wait to listen to another episode.
Informative, relatable podcast
Super informative podcast about managing life’s ups and downs. Maya is a calming and unbelievably knowledgeable host who seamlessly leads discussions on a wide range of topics. Highly recommend.
A lifetime of secrets
This show is always awesome, but I just finished Apr 1 2024 Freedom after a lifetime of secrets.
As a hmmm not so much a reluctant parent but one whose heart is not fulfilled by being a parent, it was so good to hear the commentary on “wanting to want to do stuff with the kids” and that that is just an incredibly impossible standard that we imagine is the rule. Thank you. I try hard to be the “good” parent but it does not come naturally as it does to my ex. I’m glad I’m not alone.
Top Podcasts In Society & Culture