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Artwork for A Slight Change of Plans

A Slight Change of Plans

Pushkin Industries
Mental Health
The Other Side Of Change
Change
Cognitive Science
Identity
Psychology
Resilience
Motherhood
Relationships
Parenting
Change Management
Self-Compassion
Empathy
Wealth
Addiction
Friendship
Success
Personal Growth
Stress
Happiness

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes179Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for A Slight Change of Plans

Latest Episodes

Earlier this year, Maya did a bunch of interviews for the launch of her book, “The Other Side of Change.” Today, we’re sharing one of those conversations, from the podcast “Soul Boom,” with the actor and comedian Rainn Wilson — best known as Dwight f... more

To feel more loved in our relationships, we often think we need to change ourselves or wait for others to change. But happiness scientist Sonja Lyubomirsky shares a better approach in her book, How to Feel Loved. Today, Sonja joins Maya to talk about... more

Helena de Groot spent the majority of her life assuming she would never have kids. But as she got older, people's criticism of that choice started to intensify. Then, a few years into her marriage, she was forced to confront it in an unexpected way. ... more

Last week, Maya talked to author Michael Pollan about his newest book, “A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness.” He says that the seeds for this book were planted by his exploration of psychedelics – a topic that he and Maya covered last time ... more

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Recent Guests

Sonja Lyubomirsky
Psychology professor and happiness scientist at UC Riverside; co-author of How to Feel Loved
University of California, Riverside / Book: How to Feel Loved
Episode: How to Feel More Loved
Helena de Groot
Radio producer
Media
Episode: What If Closure Never Comes?
Michael Pollan
Author of A World Appears
Author, Professor of Science and Society
Episode: Michael Pollan on the Mind-Blowing Idea of Consciousness
Jersey Garcia
Divorced mother of two, therapist-in-training, storytelling guest
The Moth episode storytellers
Episode: Some Life Advice from “The Moth”
John Paul Bramer
Author and illustrator, Ola Papi advice columnist
The Moth / Ola Papi
Episode: Some Life Advice from “The Moth”
Rachel Gross
Award-winning science journalist
New York Times / National Geographic
Episode: “I Felt Like an Alien Impersonating Myself”
Christy Warren
Former firefighter and paramedic who spoke about her PTSD and recovery
Fire Department (Berkeley)
Episode: The Cost of Being the Strong One
Barry Schwartz
Social psychologist and emeritus professor at Swarthmore, author of Choose Wisely
Swarthmore College
Episode: Finding Satisfaction in a World of Endless Choice
Brené Brown
Social scientist known for her research on shame, vulnerability, and resilience
Episode: Brené Brown and Maya Talk “Heated Rivalry,” Mental Spirals, and Moral Beauty

Host

Maya Shankar
Cognitive scientist and host exploring how we experience change and personal growth; doctorally grounded in psychology.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 3.9k ratings
  • I stopped listening!

    I found the episodes with Amanda Knox pretty disturbing. It felt like Maya positioned herself as a subject matter expert, bringing her back again and again. I have limited time, so I prefer to spend it on content that feels more valuable and insightful. Because of that, I stopped following and listening to the podcast. I hope they become more mindful about what they present, and I also hope listeners don’t just accept everything at face value but take the time to do their own research!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    HuriMatt
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love this podcast

    This is my favorite podcast. Without fail, these stories will get to me. Even when I couldn't imagine identifying with a particular guest. Maya is a most excellent interviewer, engaging and interesting and drawing out the best in people. Just an absolute delight.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Naomiruth
    United States3 months ago
  • Listening to Maya is like listening to a good friend!

    I get so excited for new episodes to come out every week!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    christinadc4495
    Canada5 months ago
  • Wonderful Insights

    Zamil was a great guest and I loved your conversation. Her story teaches all of us so many lessons but her advice and insights are the icing on the cake. I always walk away from listening with tangible ideas for my own life. Thank you for doing this work, Maya, and I’ll look forward to the next episode after the break.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GriefRabbit
    United States5 months ago
  • Thank you

    Maya,

    I really love your guest, I think her name was Zarns. She is from India and she is a comedian.. I’ve seen her comedies special before she is hilarious. I really enjoyed getting the full backstory on her. Thanks again.

    Have a great break

    Alison Schuback

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ali Schuback
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise empathetic, deep conversations and insightful guests.
Many appreciate the blend of personal storytelling with science.
Some listeners feel certain episodes lean into general life-advice rather than stories.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What If Closure Never Comes?
Q: What gave you the energy to keep interrogating your beliefs over the years?
She explains a combination of deep curiosity, a belief that effort can reveal truth, and a professional habit of exploring people's lives to understand how they want to keep living, which kept her questioning her stance.
What If Closure Never Comes?
Q: Tell me what it was like to tell David this news.
She describes a moment of hopeful expectation followed by a deep emotional reaction from her partner; his initial happiness contrasts with her own certainty that the decision would be hard on the relationship, highlighting the emotional weight of shared choices.
Michael Pollan Changes His Mind
Q: What are the risks and how do researchers mitigate them in clinical contexts?
Risks are mostly psychological and depend on preparation and environment; using trained guides, controlled settings, and emphasis on set and setting reduce danger, while there is no lethal dose for classic psychedelics and addiction potential is low when used in controlled trials.
Michael Pollan Changes His Mind
Q: Could you share examples of the therapeutic benefits that can be conferred by psychedelics, particularly for people facing existential distress?
Pollan describes cancer patients who underwent psilocybin trials, experiencing profound, life-affirming shifts, including acceptance of death, renewed engagement with loved ones, and a sense of meaning that persisted beyond the experience; he notes increases in openness and reductions in existential anxiety, with a caveat that effects vary and require careful, controlled settings.
Brené Brown and Maya Talk “Heated Rivalry,” Mental Spirals, and Moral Beauty
Q: How do you distinguish between healthy, real-time emotional processing and maladaptive rumination?
The line is blurry, but if thoughts degrade your well-being and loop endlessly, it may indicate you're in a maladaptive state.

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?

A thoughtful interview show that centers on personal and professional pivots, resilience, and the psychology of change. Episodes feature high-profile researchers, writers, and activists who share intimate stories about identity, ambition, and navigating life when plans shift—paired with science-driven insights to translate upheaval into growth. The program often emphasizes storytelling, emotional nuance, and practical strategies for living more adaptively, making it appealing to listeners who value empathy, self-improvement, and real-world applications of behavioral science.

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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. Hidden Brain
4. Good Life Project
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 179 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on A Slight Change of Plans?

Recent guests on A Slight Change of Plans include:

1. Sonja Lyubomirsky
2. Helena de Groot
3. Michael Pollan
4. Jersey Garcia
5. John Paul Bramer
6. Rachel Gross
7. Christy Warren
8. Barry Schwartz

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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