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Artwork for A Slight Change of Plans

A Slight Change of Plans

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes174Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for A Slight Change of Plans

Latest Episodes

In 2024, science journalist Rachel E. Gross had a stroke. Her recovery mostly followed the path doctors predicted, but there were also some strange, ongoing glitches that she couldn’t explain. So Rachel did the one thing she knew to do in situations ... more

In honor of International Women’s Month, Maya is revisiting a conversation with Christy Warren—a former firefighter and paramedic who spent decades showing up for people on some of the worst days of their lives. Christy and Maya talk about the hidden... more

Social Psychologist Barry Schwartz is an expert on decision making. His new book, (00:01:48) “Choose Wisely,” explores how the very tools we rely on to make “good” decisions can steer us wrong — and why endless options may be making us less satisfied... more

YouTube

For years, Brené Brown’s research has shaped how millions of us understand concepts like shame, vulnerability, and resilience. So, as Maya prepared to launch her new book, The Other Side of Change, there was one person she knew she had to talk to. In... more

YouTube

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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
Stephanie Yates-Anyabwile
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Episode: How to Accept the Messiness of Love
Laurie Santos
Psychology professor at Yale and leading expert on happiness
Yale University
Episode: How To Be Happier This Year
Meg Josephson
Therapist and author of the New York Times Best Seller, Are You Mad at Me? How to Stop Focusing on What Others Think and Start Living for You
Author
Episode: The People-Pleaser’s Recovery Guide
Zarna Garg
Comedian and author
Episode: Why It’s Never Too Late To Bet On Yourself
Jamil Zaki
Psychology professor at Stanford and author of Hope for Cynics
Stanford University
Episode: How to Stay Hopeful (When It Feels Impossible)
Malala Yousafzai
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and activist for girls' education
Malala Fund
Episode: Malala, On Losing Herself
Vivek Murthy
Former US Surgeon General and advocate for community health
Episode: What If Finding Community Wasn't So Hard?

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
  • 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 States2 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
    Canada3 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 States3 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 States4 months ago
  • Biased but some good thoughts

    This podcast is good when people tell their story in the realest sense. But sometimes people come on that are spreading biased information about events and politics, which skews the collective sense of reality. Stick to your experience please, not your perception of world events.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Gobrail
    Canada4 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.

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.
Brené Brown and Maya Talk “Heated Rivalry,” Mental Spirals, and Moral Beauty
Q: What's the best thing we can do to help a friend or loved one who's in the midst of unexpected change and struggling to get to the other side of it?
Providing support requires deep, deliberate listening, without imposing your own mental framework onto the person's experience.
The Invisible Weight of Olympic Gold
Q: What steps did you take after realizing you needed help with your mental health?
Missy sought help from a doctor and sports psychologist, who diagnosed her with depression and anxiety, prompting her to take steps toward healing.
The Invisible Weight of Olympic Gold
Q: How did you handle the pressures of the 2016 Olympic Trials and what was your mental state like?
Missy admitted she was terrified and felt immense pressure, ultimately leading to a rocky start where she didn't make the team in her primary events, resulting in feelings of embarrassment and shame.
The Invisible Weight of Olympic Gold
Q: Can you tell me about the challenges you faced during your transition from being an Olympic Champion to preparing for Rio?
Missy described that upon returning from London, she felt pressure to prove that she wasn't a one-hit wonder, which led to intense training under new expectations, and ultimately contributed to her mental health struggles.

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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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.

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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. We Can Do Hard Things
5. Good Life Project

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

A Slight Change of Plans launched 5 years ago and published 174 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. Barry Schwartz
2. Brené Brown
3. Stephanie Yates-Anyabwile
4. Laurie Santos
5. Meg Josephson
6. Zarna Garg
7. Jamil Zaki
8. Malala Yousafzai

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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