A Slight Change of Plans

About A Slight Change of Plans

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 (https://www.instagram.com/drmayashankar/?hl=en) and read her free newsletter at changewithmaya.com (http://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 (https://www.pushkin.fm/join-pushkin). Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin (http://apple.co/pushkin) Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus (https://www.pushkin.fm/join-pushkin)

Publisher

Pushkin Industries

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 May 2021

Latest episode

3 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

60 of 203 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   3 Nov 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Adam Grant on How to Vibe with Just About Anyone

   Psychologist and author Adam Grant shares with host Maya how to cultivate and sustain good vibes for stronger connections in relationships.

2. 

   27 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   A Theranos Whistleblower (Who Really Could See Everything)

   Host Maya Shankar interviews Theranos whistleblower Erika Cheung about her courageous decision to expose the company's fraudulent practices.

3. 

   20 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Letting Go of Control Through Tiny Experiments

   Neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff shares with host Maya how to embrace uncertainty by developing an experimental mindset and letting go of rigid plans.

Inside a recent episode

Adam Grant on How to Vibe with Just About Anyone

Published 3 Nov 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] You can evolve towards global security over time. But then to your point, based on your own internal state, you can be deeply securely attached to one person, but then you're in an airport, jet lagged, irritated, annoyed. And that same person can evoke insecure attachment behaviors from you. […]

Who has been a guest on A Slight Change of Plans

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Adam Grant
• Erika Cheung
• Anne-Laure Le Cunff
• Kelly Corrigan
• Amir Levine

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

812,267

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

1,981 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

1,361 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 96 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

96

Social presence

97

YouTube

93

Engagement

100

Contact A Slight Change of Plans

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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• 

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  Hidden Brain

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  Dare to Lead with Brené Brown

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  We Can Do Hard Things

• 

  The Science of Happiness

Questions about A Slight Change of Plans