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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.

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2025 Pushkin Industries and Maya Shankar
Social Sciences
Episodes
  • When Productivity Becomes Pathological
    Jul 7 2025

    These days, psychiatrist Judith Joseph knows joy. It’s the feeling she has after eating a delicious meal, celebrating the completion of a successful study in her lab, or watching her children play happily together. But just a few years ago, things looked different. Or rather, felt different. On the outside, everything looked as it should, and that was the problem. On today’s episode: the masks we wear to hide how we feel inside.

    If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, help is available. Call 1-800-950-6264 for free, confidential support and resources. More information available at nami.org.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    37 mins
  • Sahil Bloom: Building A (Truly) Happy Life
    Jun 23 2025

    Sahil Bloom spent years working in the financial industry, putting in long hours and cashing big paychecks. But even though he’d found career success, he started to question whether the life he was building was actually what he wanted. On today’s show: hitting pause on the rat race and defining success on your own terms.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    34 mins
  • One Trauma, Two Different Paths
    Jun 16 2025

    Tommy Caldwell’s experience being held captive in Kyrgyzstan unlocks a new state of mind that propels him to become the greatest big wall climber of all time.

    This conversation first aired in 2021. It is a companion episode to the one we ran last week about Beth Rodden’s experience of the same trip: “A Climber Loses Her Grip.” Same “Slight Change of Plans”, but wildly different reactions.

    You can check out Tommy’s memoir here, and Beth’s memoir here.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    38 mins
All stars
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Made me look at my regrets differently. This was informative for me. I will look at life and try to lose my grip the regrets that I wollow in. Excellent job.

A lot to think about.

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I love this podcast. It's a heart felt examination of what causes us to change and grow. Pure inspiration!

interesting

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