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Artwork for A Slight Change of Plans

A Slight Change of Plans

Pushkin Industries
Mental Health
Friendship
Cognitive Science
Psychology
Change Management
Personal Growth
Hidden Potential
Stress
Self-Compassion
Financial Well-Being
Future Self
Character Skills
Romantic Relationships
Coping Mechanisms
Identity
World Happiness Report
Mental Chatter
Change
Happiness
Empathy

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 S... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes159Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for A Slight Change of Plans

Latest Episodes

When Dr. Vivek Murthy first appeared on the show a few years back, he and Maya discussed the science of loneliness and its impact on our long term health. Now, the former U.S. Surgeon General is back to share simple, practical steps we can take to nu... more

In the run up to the release of her book, The Other Side of Change, Maya is starting an Ambassadors Program! 

Ambassadors will get access to all sorts of exclusive content – like a companion journal, an invitation to an intimate conversation with Ma... more

Felicia Hsu grew up dreaming of becoming a doctor. Years of relentless dedication brought that dream within reach, but the toll it took left her wondering whether it was finally time to let it go.

Have you had a slight change of plans you think we s... more

Anna Sale is what you might call a professional “haver of hard conversations”. As the creator of the podcast “Death, Sex, & Money,” she’s spent years exploring the big questions and taboo topics people tend to shy away from. In this episode, Anna ref... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Vivek Murthy
Former US Surgeon General and advocate for community health
Episode: What If Finding Community Wasn't So Hard?
Felicia Hsu
An aspiring doctor who faced challenges during her medical training and made the decision to leave the profession.
Episode: A Dream, Revisited
Anna Sale
Creator and host of the podcast Death, Sex, & Money
Episode: How To Talk About Hard Things
Chris Hemsworth
Actor known for his role in 'Limitless' and other blockbuster films
Episode: Maya Is Chris Hemsworth’s Brain Coach!
Jessica Slice
Author who writes about living with disability.
Episode: “I Feel So Wildly Lucky To Like Myself”
Dr. Judith Joseph
Founder of a research lab focusing on novel treatments for mental health conditions, psychiatrist, and professor at NYU
NYU
Episode: When Productivity Becomes Pathological
Tommy Caldwell
An accomplished rock climber and adventurer known for his incredible perseverance and pursuit of extreme challenges.
Episode: One Trauma, Two Different Paths
Beth Rodden
Professional climber who was kidnapped during an expedition in Kyrgyzstan.
Episode: A Climber Loses Her Grip
Glennon Doyle
Best-selling author and host of the podcast We Can Do Hard Things
We Can Do Hard Things
Episode: Glennon Doyle on How to Be Broken

Host

Dr. Maya Shankar
Host and cognitive scientist exploring the science of change and navigating moments of personal upheaval through insightful conversations with a variety of guests.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 3.8k ratings
  • Murderer Amanda Knox?

    Excuse me? Come again? Amanda Knox? The murderer? What is actually going on at your pathetic podcast? We demand ANSWERS

    N * O * W * ! * ! * !

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    bgyvju7osdn5cqz1wp4k6xt80f3i2a
    United States2 months ago
  • Maya for President 2026

    Maya is the perfect blend of logic and heart. I’m obsessed with her interviews, her point of the view, and the way she brings such intelligence and light into the world. A Slight Change of Plans is where I go when I want to feel smart and get an audio hug.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    napsforever
    United States2 months ago
  • Breath taking stories

    What a beautiful podcast. I started from the very first episode and it feels like each episode is a build up to the next one. The empathy, humanity and care reflects in each episode. Stories that really makes you think and rethink your values and problems. Day to day stuff doesn’t look difficult at all after hearing some really hard stories. Thank you so much for finding these stories and sharing through such a beautiful podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rita Goodbody
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Amazing

    I don’t leave reviews often but I just listened my first episode and wow. Truly beautifully done and the conversation are everything that’s missing from every other interview podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dianni faith
    United States5 months ago
  • Genuine connectedness

    This podcast is absolutely one of my favorites. It helps me recenter and focus. Each episode offers a new way to understand myself but also how I see the world around me. It is a breath of fresh air when I am struggling. I cannot fully articulate how appreciative I am of this show, but, I hope the entire Slight Change of Plans team knows that they make a difference in my life and I will forever be grateful. The world today is more difficult, but this podcast offers introspection and reflection t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    M-Beautyinthebreakdown
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many express gratitude for how the show helps them reflect on their own life changes and challenges.
Critics occasionally mention the emotional or subjective nature of some episodes, suggesting they prefer more objective narratives.
Overall, the narrative occurs within a space of empathy, introspection, and the empowerment found through personal stories.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful, empathetic nature of the discussions and the deep insights shared by guests and the host.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#187
United States/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#100
Canada/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#212
Australia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#54
Singapore/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#111
India/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#112
Mexico/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Dream, Revisited
Q: How did your colleagues respond?
Felicia discusses the social pressure she faced from co-residents after considering leaving the program, feeling shunned and guilty about her decision.
A Dream, Revisited
Q: How did that compound the stress?
She describes the intense pressure and fear faced during early residency amidst a pandemic, including the emotional toll it took on her health and family.
A Dream, Revisited
Q: What was your mindset going into residency?
Felicia reflects on her excitement but also the overwhelming stress as COVID-19 began to have a significant impact on her life and her father's health.
A Dream, Revisited
Q: What kind of resources and time did you invest in this process?
Felicia discusses her journey through pre-medical training, the dedication and sacrifices required over many years to achieve her goal of becoming a doctor.
When Productivity Becomes Pathological
Q: If they are listening to this conversation and thinking, oh my God, Judith, I definitely have high-functioning depression. What recommendations do you have for treatment?
Dr. Joseph suggests starting with validation and acknowledging feelings, followed by venting emotions intentionally.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About A Slight Change of Plans

What is A Slight Change of Plans about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the human experience of change, this award-winning series led by a cognitive scientist examines how we navigate moments of upheaval and transformation. Exploring a wide range of deeply personal stories and scientific insights, episodes often feature guests who share their unique journeys and the pivotal changes they have faced. The conversations blend empathy with practical strategies, offering listeners a deeper understanding of resilience and self-discovery in the aftermath of unexpected life shifts. Notable guests include influential figures from various fields, reinforcing the podcast's commitment to illustrating how change can unlock new possibilities in life.

Where can I find podcast stats for A Slight Change of Plans?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for A Slight Change of Plans. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to A Slight Change of Plans and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does A Slight Change of Plans get?

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What are the audience demographics for A Slight Change of Plans?

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How many subscribers and views does A Slight Change of Plans have?

To see how many followers or subscribers A Slight Change of Plans has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to A Slight Change of Plans?

These podcasts share a similar audience with A Slight Change of Plans:

1. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
2. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
3. Good Life Project
4. Hidden Brain
5. We Can Do Hard Things

How many episodes of A Slight Change of Plans are there?

A Slight Change of Plans launched 5 years ago and published 159 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact A Slight Change of Plans?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for A Slight Change of Plans?

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What guests have appeared on A Slight Change of Plans?

Recent guests on A Slight Change of Plans include:

1. Vivek Murthy
2. Felicia Hsu
3. Anna Sale
4. Chris Hemsworth
5. Jessica Slice
6. Dr. Judith Joseph
7. Tommy Caldwell
8. Beth Rodden

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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