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Artwork for A Slight Change of Plans

A Slight Change of Plans

Pushkin Industries
Mental Health
Friendship
Cognitive Science
Psychology
Change Management
Personal Growth
Hidden Potential
Stress
Self-Compassion
Future Self
Financial Well-Being
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 monthlyEpisodes162Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for A Slight Change of Plans

Latest Episodes

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

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

It’s been more than a decade since Malala Yousafzai, then a 15-year-old student and advocate for girls education, survived an assassination attempt. Malala is 28 now, and she’s written an intimate new memoir called “Finding My Way,” revealing  sides ... more

When Dr. Vivek Murthy first appeared on the show a few years back, he and Maya discussed the science of loneliness and its impact on our long term health. Now, the former U.S. Surgeon General is back to share simple, practical steps we can take to nu... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Hidden Brain
Hidden BrainHidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
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Good Life ProjectJonathan Fields / Acast
The Science of Happiness
The Science of HappinessPRX and Greater Good Science Center

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
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?
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

Dr. Maya Shankar
Host and cognitive scientist exploring the science of change and navigating moments of personal upheaval through insightful conversations with a variety of guests.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 3.9k ratings
  • 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
    Canada9 days 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 States12 days ago
  • Murderer Amanda Knox?

    Excuse me? Come again? Amanda Knox? The murderer? What is actually going on at your pathetic podcast? We demand ANSWERS

    N * O * W * ! * ! * !

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    bgyvju7osdn5cqz1wp4k6xt80f3i2a
    United States3 months ago
  • Maya for President 2026

    Maya is the perfect blend of logic and heart. I’m obsessed with her interviews, her point of the view, and the way she brings such intelligence and light into the world. A Slight Change of Plans is where I go when I want to feel smart and get an audio hug.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    napsforever
    United States3 months ago
  • Breath taking stories

    What a beautiful podcast. I started from the very first episode and it feels like each episode is a build up to the next one. The empathy, humanity and care reflects in each episode. Stories that really makes you think and rethink your values and problems. Day to day stuff doesn’t look difficult at all after hearing some really hard stories. Thank you so much for finding these stories and sharing through such a beautiful podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rita Goodbody
    United Kingdom5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many express gratitude for how the show helps them reflect on their own life changes and challenges.
Critics occasionally mention the emotional or subjective nature of some episodes, suggesting they prefer more objective narratives.
Overall, the narrative occurs within a space of empathy, introspection, and the empowerment found through personal stories.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful, empathetic nature of the discussions and the deep insights shared by guests and the host.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Malala, On Losing Herself
Q: Did you ever feel a mounting pressure within yourself that came along with all of these people who are now following you and supporting you?
Malala expressed that more than societal pressure, it was her own expectations and sense of responsibility that created pressure to advocate for girls' education effectively.
Malala, On Losing Herself
Q: Malala, how long after you woke up from your coma did it register that people all around the world were rallying for you?
It took time in the hospital for Malala to process what had happened and to understand the support she was receiving internationally for her fight for girls' education.

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?

Focused on the human experience of change, this award-winning series led by a cognitive scientist examines how we navigate moments of upheaval and transformation. Exploring a wide range of deeply personal stories and scientific insights, episodes often feature guests who share their unique journeys and the pivotal changes they have faced. The conversations blend empathy with practical strategies, offering listeners a deeper understanding of resilience and self-discovery in the aftermath of unexpected life shifts. Notable guests include influential figures from various fields, reinforcing the podcast's commitment to illustrating how change can unlock new possibilities in life.

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How many listeners does A Slight Change of Plans get?

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How many subscribers and views does A Slight Change of Plans have?

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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. Hidden Brain
3. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
4. Good Life Project
5. The Science of Happiness

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

A Slight Change of Plans launched 5 years ago and published 162 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact A Slight Change of Plans?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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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. Jamil Zaki
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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