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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
Happiness
Addiction
Friendship
Success
Personal Growth
Stress

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes192Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for A Slight Change of Plans

Latest Episodes

Stephanie Wittels Wachs and her younger brother Harris were best friends. So when he confided that he was struggling with opioid addiction, Steph believed they’d find a way through it together, like they always had. But Harris didn’t survive his addi... more

YouTube

How can we find resilience, growth, and new possibilities within life’s more unpredictable moments? In this special episode from the podcast, TED Talks Daily, Maya joins journalist and author Simone Stolzoff to talk about how they’ve each explored un... more

While deployed to Afghanistan with the U.S. Air Force in 2014, psychologist Michael Valdovinos had an unexpected emotional breakdown. None of the diagnoses he knew best–like PTSD or depression–fit the crisis of conscience he was experiencing. Then he... more

YouTube

As the great Rocky Balboa once said about life: Iit will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.” But in this week’s episode from our friends at The Story Collider, two storytellers share stories of their strength of will... more

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Recent Guests

Stephanie Wittels Wachs
Author of Everything Is Horrible and Wonderful; creator of Last Day podcast
Author/Speaker on addiction
Episode: “I Have One Goal: Keep You Alive”
Simone Stolzoff
Journalist and author of How to Not Know
Author, How to Not Know
Episode: Can Uncertainty Be a Gift?
Michael Valdovinos
Air Force psychologist, moral injury expert
United States Air Force
Episode: The Hidden Wounds of Moral Injury
Emily Darling
Director of Coral Reef Conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society
Wildlife Conservation Society
Episode: Tenacity: Stories about perseverance | From The Story Collider
James Gordon
International award-winning author and poet, storyteller, and actor
Self/The Story Collider
Episode: Tenacity: Stories about perseverance | From The Story Collider
Deepika Chopra
Clinical psychologist
Episode: A Realist’s Guide to Optimism
Caitlin Meyer
Writer, poet, memorist who lost her inner narrator after a concussion
Writer/poet; author of Wiving, memoir text referenced in show notes
Episode: Caitlin Lost the Voice in Her Head
Greta Morgan
Songwriter, musician, and author who lost her singing voice to spasmodic dysphonia
Musician and memoir author of The Lost Voice
Episode: Caitlin Lost the Voice in Her Head
Catherine Price
Science journalist and author of The Power of Fun (How to Break Up with Your Phone)
Author and Journalist
Episode: The Science of True Fun

Host

Maya Shankar
Cognitive scientist, author, and host focused on change and identity; leads conversations blending science and personal narrative.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 4k ratings
  • Excellent

    Excellent, thought provoking

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    maxinec1
    United Kingdom21 days ago
  • Moral Injury episode

    Thank you Maya for provided me a explanation of a personal experience. When I retired from a position that has expectations against my moral values, I went through a six month “detox” in order to heal my moral compass. Best wishes to you and all your followers!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ohio Vick
    United Statesa month ago
  • Recommend

    Interesting and intelligent interviews

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sheila@theplace
    United States2 months ago
  • Thank you

    Maya,

    Thank you for including that excerpt from your book, it sounds fabulous. I of course, had no idea of Matt Gutman. However enables Me to have a lot more empathy for him. We are all just human being after all.

    (I think you just accomplished one more sale of your book)

    Alison

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ali Schuback
    United States3 months ago
  • 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 States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Most episodes feel insightful and compassionate, with interviews that balance empathy and rigor.
Some episodes polarize opinions when featuring controversial figures or debated topics.
Listeners praise the host's thoughtful questions and practical takeaways.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

“I Have One Goal: Keep You Alive”
Q: How did Harris's addiction change your understanding of what addiction is and how to approach it?
It reframed addiction as a disease requiring medical and compassionate response, not moral judgment; understanding relapse as part of the disease and recognizing the value of harm-reduction tools like Narcan changed how I think about treatment and support.
Can Uncertainty Be a Gift?
Q: From Anca A., Any specific tools to increase capacity to embrace uncertainty?
Affect labeling to name negative emotions and a short self-affirmation exercise to reinforce multiple, non-threatened identities, helping to maintain psychological balance during change.
Can Uncertainty Be a Gift?
Q: From Kim K., The Chinese symbol for chaos is also the symbol for opportunity—can you elaborate?
Apocalypse means revelation; change can reveal what we are capable of and shed light on aspects of ourselves previously unseen, allowing growth even through upheaval.
Can Uncertainty Be a Gift?
Q: From Michelle M., In a world that demands answers, what's the one question we can ask ourselves in the exact moment we don't know?
Ask what you want, whether you want to want that thing, and what your choice says about who you are; align decisions with your values and identity so you can stand by them even if outcomes aren't ideal.
A Realist’s Guide to Optimism
Q: What are some practical tools listeners can start using to build real optimism in daily life?
Practical tools include rewriting memories to alter reactions, creating a 'to-da' list to celebrate accomplishments, and structured worry time to contain anxiety while still addressing concerns.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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 show that centers on personal upheaval and the science of change, blending intimate storytelling with evidence-based insights. Across episodes, guests share experiences ranging from addiction recovery and coping with grief to uncertainty, resilience, and identity—often grounded in psychology, neuroscience, and public-facing storytelling. The host's empathetic interviewing style tends to elicit concrete takeaways and practical strategies for navigating life's upheavals. The format stands out for integrating rigorous research with human narratives, offering listeners both intellectual frameworks and real-world applications for personal growth and adaptability.

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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. ReThinking
5. The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant

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

A Slight Change of Plans launched 5 years ago and published 192 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. Stephanie Wittels Wachs
2. Simone Stolzoff
3. Michael Valdovinos
4. Emily Darling
5. James Gordon
6. Deepika Chopra
7. Caitlin Meyer
8. Greta Morgan

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