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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
Financial Well-Being
Future Self
Character Skills
Romantic Relationships
Coping Mechanisms
Identity
World Happiness Report
Mental Chatter
Change
Happiness
Decision Making

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 monthlyEpisodes164Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for A Slight Change of Plans

Latest Episodes

Booklist awarded Maya’s upcoming book, The Other Side of Change, one of its coveted starred reviews, saying “It’s impossible not to be moved.” 

The Other Side of Change hits shelves on January 13th and is filled with a rare combination of scientific... more

Therapist Meg Josephson learned early on to put others’ needs before her own. It was a way for her to stay safe in a home that didn’t feel emotionally stable. But over time, she saw that her people-pleasing habits were eroding her sense of self, and ... more

After a turbulent adolescence and decades of reinvention, Zarna Garg found her voice somewhere she never expected: stand-up comedy. On today’s episode, she tells Maya why she believes courage is a skill you can learn, and how failure has been a key t... more

The world feels especially heavy these days, and it’s easy to feel cynical. So today, Maya is revisiting her conversation with psychologist Jamil Zaki, who offers an alternative to cynicism: a mindset he calls “hopeful skepticism.” Jamil explains why... more

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Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Hidden Brain
Hidden BrainHidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
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Good Life ProjectJonathan Fields / Acast

Recent Guests

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
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?
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

Host

Maya Shankar
Cognitive scientist and host of the podcast, Maya Shankar examines how we experience and navigate change in our lives. She combines her scientific insights with personal stories to provide listeners with valuable tools for dealing with life's transitions.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 3.9k ratings
  • 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
    Canadaa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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
    Canada2 months ago
  • This podcast saved me

    This podcast came to me JUST when I needed it. 2025 has been one of the most difficult years of my life with some of the scariest lows I’ve ever felt. I found this podcast just in the nick of time. It has helped me look at the big changes in my life differently and helped me dig myself out of the darkest place. From the bottom of my heart Maya, thank you thank you thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BrittBC05
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners express concerns about the podcast veering into biased territory on controversial topics, though this is a minority opinion.
Listeners appreciate the deep emotional connection and insightful storytelling, often describing episodes as transformative and inspiring.
Many find the host's empathetic interviewing style refreshing and praise the overall quality of content and guest selection.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why It’s Never Too Late To Bet On Yourself
Q: What is your advice for those who need the courage or confidence to take that bet?
Courage is a learned behavior and you can learn to take small steps in the direction you want to go.
Why It’s Never Too Late To Bet On Yourself
Q: What advice would you have for people who might not have the genetic gift of fearlessness that you have who want to take that leap?
Do not lean on your genetics because they have not served many of us well. The more chances you take, the more you increase your chances of succeeding.
The People-Pleaser’s Recovery Guide
Q: What draws me to this person?
Often, we lean in more the more they pull back, which can signify reacting from a past wounded place.
The People-Pleaser’s Recovery Guide
Q: What does it look like to actually shift this pattern within ourselves?
Healing really starts with awareness in that these are unconscious patterns that are happening.
Malala, On Losing Herself
Q: What influenced your decision to say yes, you do want to get married?
Spending time with Asar made Malala realize her happiness and comfort with him was the right signal for her to consider marriage.

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?

This podcast explores the complex theme of navigating change in our lives, emphasizing both personal stories and scientific insights. Hosted by a cognitive scientist who transitioned from a career as a violinist due to an injury, the series showcases how we cope with unexpected life shifts and personal upheavals. Individual episodes feature guests from diverse backgrounds—including celebrities, educators, and influencers—each sharing powerful narratives about transformation, resilience, and identity amidst change. The focus on deeply personal stories combined with evidence-based strategies provides listeners with valuable tools to rethink their responses to life's inevitable challenges.

Notably, the podcast has garnered acclaim for its emp... 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: Getting Unstuck
2. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
3. Hidden Brain
4. Good Life Project
5. Kelly Corrigan Wonders

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

A Slight Change of Plans launched 5 years ago and published 164 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. Meg Josephson
2. Zarna Garg
3. Malala Yousafzai
4. Vivek Murthy
5. Felicia Hsu
6. Anna Sale
7. Chris Hemsworth
8. Jessica Slice

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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