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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes199Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for A Slight Change of Plans

Latest Episodes

Ever unexpectedly hit it off with someone you thought you had nothing in common with? Or met someone who seemed perfect on paper, only to discover you had no chemistry?

In this episode, psychologist and author Adam Grant talks with Maya about what m... more

YouTube

Erika Cheung’s first job out of college was as a scientist at the now infamous biotech company, Theranos. Erika realized early on that the company’s proprietary technology, marketed to the world by its founder, Elizabeth Holmes, was not delivering ac... more

Neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff was climbing the ranks at a big tech company, and had ambitious plans for her future—when a health scare made her rethink her relationship with control. 

In this episode, Anne-Laure explains why we cling to plans, ... more

YouTube

Writer Kelly Corrigan always knew her daughters would grow up and eventually move out. But knowing this chapter of parenthood would end didn’t make it any less heartbreaking when the time came. In today’s episode, we’re revisiting Maya’s conversation... more

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Recent Guests

Erika Cheung
Former Theranos lab associate and whistleblower who reported the company to regulators.
Theranos
Episode: A Theranos Whistleblower (Who Really Could See Everything)
Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Neuroscientist, educator, and author of Tiny Experiments.
Episode: Letting Go of Control Through Tiny Experiments
Kelly Corrigan
Writer and podcaster; author of Lift and The Middle Place
Author and host of Kelly Corrigan Wonders
Episode: Reckoning with the Empty Nest
Amir Levine
Neuroscientist and attachment researcher
Attachment research, author of Secure
Episode: Why We Crave Closeness — and Run From It
Vijay Gupta
Professional violinist, founder of Street Symphony
Street Symphony
Episode: Leaving the Life You Trained For
Michael Coy
Michael Coy, friend of Petra Mathers
Petra Mathers circle
Episode: Petra Mathers and Her Michael | From Death of an Artist
Michael Braske
Michael Braske, friend of Petra Mathers
Petra Mathers circle
Episode: Petra Mathers and Her Michael | From Death of an Artist
Marcia Etro
Marcia Etro, staff at Paramount Drug in Astoria
Paramount Drug
Episode: Petra Mathers and Her Michael | From Death of an Artist
Corey Gehrig
Corey Gehrig, police officer involved in case
Astoria Police Department
Episode: Petra Mathers and Her Michael | From Death of an Artist

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
  • The ads.

    I was so excited to start this podcast until there were ads for AI. (ChatGPT) To be honestly, not worth the listen if you’re earning a commission from something actively destroying the planet. Disappointed.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ItsSid23
    United States22 days ago
  • Like the show not the ads

    I felt compelled to write a negative review in response to the revolting ads in this podcast and all over social media. I would call it a moral injury by now. Having heard credit card and ai advertising come on during sensitive subjects just confirms how sick of a capitalistic, marketing, sterile country we are. No matter the subject matter now, these ads bring me back to how fake and superficial us Americans are. Oh btw we are creating a totally unnecessary war in West Asia as I write this. A... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Flameonyou
    United States2 months ago
  • Excellent

    Excellent, thought provoking

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    maxinec1
    United Kingdom3 months 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 States3 months ago
  • Recommend

    Interesting and intelligent interviews

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sheila@theplace
    United States4 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.

A Theranos Whistleblower (Who Really Could See Everything)
Q: How do you act on this letter? What do you do next?
Cheung consulted her network and learned she could report Theranos to regulators. She contacted CMS and filed a complaint that led to an investigation and the loss of Theranos' ability to operate a patient-testing lab.
A Theranos Whistleblower (Who Really Could See Everything)
Q: What were some of the red flags you noticed in the way Theranos was conducting its scientific research?
Cheung describes quality-control samples producing highly inconsistent results and staff deleting outliers to make tests pass before patient samples were processed.
Letting Go of Control Through Tiny Experiments
Q: What does it look like in practice to bring this experimental mindset into our daily lives, to start to think like a scientist?
She recommends choosing a small action and a limited duration, then doing it and reflecting on what was learned. She gives examples including meditating for 15 minutes daily for 15 days and studying one plant each week for 12 weeks.
Letting Go of Control Through Tiny Experiments
Q: You say that when we're faced with uncertainty, we often reach for something that will, in some way, restore our sense of control. We create new routines, we plan. Why do we have this impulse?
Anne-Laure says the impulse stems from survival: uncertainty makes people feel at risk, while the brain's inability to predict what will happen feels uncomfortable.
Reckoning with the Empty Nest
Q: Tell me what it felt like emotionally when it was revealed to you that you didn't know something about your daughters or that your initial conclusions were not the same as someone else's.
Corrigan describes moments of awe and frustration, recognizing that surprise can be thrilling yet maddening, and that being right often clashes with learning from the kids' own experiences.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Professions
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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 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. Kelly Corrigan Wonders

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

A Slight Change of Plans launched 6 years ago and published 199 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. Erika Cheung
2. Anne-Laure Le Cunff
3. Kelly Corrigan
4. Amir Levine
5. Vijay Gupta
6. Michael Coy
7. Michael Braske
8. Marcia Etro

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