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A Slight Change of Plans

A Slight Change of Plans

By: Pushkin Industries
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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 Slight Change of Plans features deeply personal stories and scientific insights about who we are and who we become in the face of a big change.

Past guests include Kacey Musgraves, Brené Brown, Ruby Bridges, Amanda Knox, Adam Grant, Angela Duckworth and more.

Whether it’s a sudden pivot or a slow transformation, each episode reveals how change can give us an opportunity to reimagine who we are and unlock greater possibility.

You can follow Maya on instagram @DrMayaShankar and read her free newsletter at changewithmaya.com.

Get early, ad-free access to episodes of A Slight Change of Plans by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows.

Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin
Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus

2025 Pushkin Industries and Maya Shankar
Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Kicking Off the New Year Right
    Jan 1 2026

    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 wisdom and powerful stories (not featured on this podcast!) that will help you enter 2026 with greater strength and optimism about the road ahead.

    ORDER The Other Side of Change TODAY for you or someone you love at the links below.

    Amazon: https://a.co/d/2o1QEM4

    Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/2186/9780593713686

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    2 mins
  • The People-Pleaser’s Recovery Guide
    Dec 8 2025

    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 straining the very relationships she was trying to protect. On today’s show, we explore how we can stop asking ourselves if other people are mad at us. Who can we become when we stop trying to please everyone else?

    If you liked this episode, you’ll want to check out our episode with Sunita Sah, called, “How To Say No.”

    Don’t forget to pre-order Maya’s book, “The Other Side of Change,” at changewithmaya.com/book.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    48 mins
  • Why It’s Never Too Late To Bet On Yourself
    Dec 1 2025

    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 to her success on stage and off.

    Register for Maya’s virtual book event with Brene Brown at changewithmaya.com/launch. Spots are limited, and the deadline to sign up is December 14th.

    Don’t forget to pre-order Maya’s book, “The Other Side of Change,” at changewithmaya.com/book.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    38 mins
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I have really enjoyed this podcast. I have been able to dive into episodes that I've found really valuable and interesting. I've also found myself taking notes about things I need to apply in my work or relationships.

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