Swimmer Yusra Mardini grew up in Syria and dreamed of one day representing her home country at the Olympics. But when the civil war in Syria intensified, she fled the country and had to put that dream on hold. After escaping to Europe, she faced an unexpected opportunity. Yusra tells Maya the harrowing story of how she made it to safety, and then to the Olympic stage.

Sign up for Maya's new newsletter here https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ and follow her on instagram @DrMayaShankar.

Swimmer Yusra Mardini grew up in Syria and dreamed of one day representing her home country at the Olympics. But when the civil war in Syria intensified, she fled the country and had to put that dream on hold. After escaping to Europe, she faced an unexpected opportunity. Yusra tells Maya the harrowing story of how she made it to safety, and then to the Olympic stage.
Sign up for Maya's new newsletter here <a href="https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ" data-stringify-link="https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ</a> and follow her on instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drmayashankar/?hl=en">@DrMayaShankar</a>.

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

What happens when life doesn&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo; 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, Bren&eacute; Brown, Ruby Bridges, Amanda Knox, Adam Grant, Angela Duckworth and more.
Whether it&rsquo;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 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drmayashankar/?hl=en">@DrMayaShankar</a> and read her free newsletter at&nbsp;<a href="http://changewithmaya.com/" data-stringify-link="http://changewithmaya.com" data-sk="tooltip_parent">changewithmaya.com</a>.
&nbsp;
<hr>
Get early, ad-free access to episodes of A Slight Change of Plans by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/join-pushkin">Pushkin.fm</a>. Pushkin+ subscribers can access ad-free episodes, full audiobooks exclusive binges, and bonus content for all Pushkin shows.&nbsp;
Subscribe on Apple: <a href="http://apple.co/pushkin">apple.co/pushkin</a> Subscribe on Pushkin:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/join-pushkin">pushkin.fm/plus</a>

A Slight Change of Plans

A Syrian Refugee Fights for Olympic Dreams

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/59089d66-136e-49aa-94c3-b1a6010c24e8/transcript

Amazon editors just chose Maya’s new book, “The Other Side of Change,” as one of the Best Books of 2026 So Far! To celebrate, we’re sharing a chapter from the audiobook with you today. 

Journalist Matt Gutman spent years reporting live from high-pressure situations all over the world. Calm and collected on camera, he was privately dealing with panic attacks behind the scenes. Then, after an on-air mistake jeopardized his livelihood, Matt fell into a seemingly endless cycle of negative thoughts. 

Order “The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans” at changewithmaya.com/book, or wherever you like to buy books. If you’ve already read “The Other Side of Change,” leave a quick review here: 

Check out some of Maya’s favorite episodes of “A Slight Change of Plans” here. 
A Black Musician Takes on the KKK- Daryl Davis (Spotify) (Apple)
Wired for Change - John Elder Robinson (Spotify) (Apple)
“Grieving the Man I Thought My Husband Was” - Susan Messing (Spotify) (Apple)
A Theranos Whistleblower- Erica Cheung (Spotify) (Apple)
The Science of Regret - Daniel Pink (Spotify) (Apple)
The Science of Making (and Keeping) Friends - Marisa Franco  (Spotify) (Apple)
How Awe Transforms Us - Dacher Keltner (Spotify) (Apple)
Brené Brown on Our Flawed, Imperfect Selves - Brené Brown (Spotify) (Apple)

Looking for more? Explore six years of inspiring stories of change and science-backed insights for a happier, healthier life here.

Amazon editors just chose Maya&rsquo;s new book, &ldquo;The Other Side of Change,&rdquo; as one of the Best Books of 2026 So Far! To celebrate, we&rsquo;re sharing a chapter from the audiobook with you today.&nbsp;
Journalist Matt Gutman spent years reporting live from high-pressure situations all over the world. Calm and collected on camera, he was privately dealing with panic attacks behind the scenes. Then, after an on-air mistake jeopardized his livelihood, Matt fell into a seemingly endless cycle of negative thoughts.&nbsp;
Order &ldquo;The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans&rdquo; at&nbsp;<a href="http://changewithmaya.com/book">changewithmaya.com/book</a>, or wherever you like to buy books. If you&rsquo;ve already read &ldquo;The Other Side of Change,&rdquo; leave a quick review <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/231404078-the-other-side-of-change">here</a>:&nbsp;
Check out some of Maya&rsquo;s favorite episodes of &ldquo;A Slight Change of Plans&rdquo; <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6BYaS1el1q5ZZc5zVYTnJq?si=SGZJiBDdQRCnxyAKtWFXdA">here</a>.&nbsp;
<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/a-black-musician-takes-on-the-kkk">A Black Musician Takes on the KKK</a> - Daryl Davis (<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Mb984im8pAkAEoNDKjT2H?si=4874c8c4d1ec4453">Spotify</a>) (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-slight-change-of-plans/id1561860622?i=1000522271417">Apple</a>)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/wired-for-change">Wired for Change</a> - John Elder Robinson (<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/37ZUg9B0LfN3gxMekkOQ7Q?si=6ae73d2d57484004">Spotify</a>) (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-slight-change-of-plans/id1561860622?i=1000543071488">Apple</a>)</li>
<li>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/opening-pandoras-box">Grieving the Man I Thought My Husband Was</a>&rdquo; - Susan Messing (<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0vP7xzJomT8IKWvUf3ceLO?si=7b0fc3158721430f">Spotify</a>) (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-slight-change-of-plans/id1561860622?i=1000543072252">Apple</a>)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/a-theranos-whistleblower">A Theranos Whistleblower</a> - Erica Cheung (<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vcjkq4jYCDnzkL4D34TUG?si=1eb92a02124c4829">Spotify</a>) (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-slight-change-of-plans/id1561860622?i=1000568454048">Apple</a>)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/the-science-of-regret-daniel-pink">The Science of Regret</a> - Daniel Pink (<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2cyHkRTeXh6sve74PEg1jw?si=1a6fd0b244ec4ad2">Spotify</a>) (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-slight-change-of-plans/id1561860622?i=1000581065417">Apple</a>)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/the-science-of-making-and-keeping-friends">The Science of Making (and Keeping) Friends</a> - Marisa Franco&nbsp; (<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/44kLRR7jUGMsSTf2P7a8hY?si=8aefd52198d749ec">Spotify</a>) (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-slight-change-of-plans/id1561860622?i=1000606770347">Apple</a>)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/how-awe-transforms-us">How Awe Transforms Us</a> - Dacher Keltner (<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0fNFgnQcLuQ2DIxB2Y2pPC?si=72f25fcbd9d84026">Spotify</a>) (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-slight-change-of-plans/id1561860622?i=1000630457801">Apple</a>)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/brene-brown-on-our-flawed-imperfect-selves">Bren&eacute; Brown on Our Flawed, Imperfect Selves</a> - Bren&eacute; Brown (<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6aNdDWnS84p0vonodwpXRK?si=c30bf70da2434864">Spotify</a>) (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-slight-change-of-plans/id1561860622?i=1000652984538">Apple</a>)</li>
</ol>
Looking for more? Explore six years of inspiring stories of change and science-backed insights for a happier, healthier life&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans">here</a>.

When Panic Takes Over – And How to Break Free

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3b658844-c8e4-476d-9632-b46b0011a016/transcript

Today we’re bringing you an episode from Proxy, a show built around a simple idea: Whatever you might be going through — no matter how specific or hard to explain – you’re not alone. There is someone else out there, somewhere, who truly gets it – and they might have just the advice you need to hear. 

In this episode, a writer who loses her inner narrator grapples with what happens when you can’t do the thing you love the most anymore — the thing you’ve built your whole life and identity around — and gets help from another artist who’s gone through something similar.

You can find more episodes of Proxy at https://www.proxypodcast.com/, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Today we&rsquo;re bringing you an episode from Proxy, a show built around a simple idea: Whatever you might be going through &mdash; no matter how specific or hard to explain &ndash; you&rsquo;re not alone. There is someone else out there, somewhere, who truly gets it &ndash; and they might have just the advice you need to hear.&nbsp;
In this episode, a writer who loses her inner narrator grapples with what happens when you can&rsquo;t do the thing you love the most anymore &mdash; the thing you&rsquo;ve built your whole life and identity around &mdash; and gets help from another artist who&rsquo;s gone through something similar.
You can find more episodes of Proxy at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.proxypodcast.com/">https://www.proxypodcast.com/</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Caitlin Lost the Voice in Her Head

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/df9ebb5c-7a34-4837-83da-b464000aa090/transcript

As adults, it’s easy to think of fun as a luxury – something we’ll get around to after everything else is done. But science journalist Catherine Price says fun is essential to our wellbeing. On today’s episode, Catherine joins Maya to talk about the difference between true fun and fake fun, and how making space for the real thing can leave us feeling more energized and restored.

Check out Catherine’s book, “The Power of Fun: How To Feel Alive Again.”

If you enjoyed our conversation with Catherine, we recommend our episode with Priya Parker, “The Art and Science of Gathering.”

As adults, it&rsquo;s easy to think of fun as a luxury &ndash; something we&rsquo;ll get around to after everything else is done. But science journalist Catherine Price says fun is essential to our wellbeing. On today&rsquo;s episode, Catherine joins Maya to talk about the difference between true fun and fake fun, and how making space for the real thing can leave us feeling more energized and restored.
Check out Catherine&rsquo;s book, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/669961/the-power-of-fun-by-catherine-price/">The Power of Fun: How To Feel Alive Again</a>.&rdquo;
If you enjoyed our conversation with Catherine, we recommend our episode with Priya Parker, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/the-art-and-science-of-gathering">The Art and Science of Gathering</a>.&rdquo;

The Science of True Fun

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/78f52e61-b185-4e37-8051-b45e001c096c/transcript

A Syrian Refugee Fights for Olympic Dreams

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