A few years ago, Maya gave a commencement address to graduates of the Juilliard School of Music’s pre-college program. In honor of commencement season, with students around the world embarking on the next chapter of their lives, we’re sharing it again. In it, Maya gives lessons she’s learned about embracing life’s unexpected changes.

A few years ago, Maya gave a commencement address to graduates of the Juilliard School of Music&rsquo;s pre-college program. In honor of commencement season, with students around the world embarking on the next chapter of their lives, we&rsquo;re sharing it again. In it, Maya gives lessons she&rsquo;s learned about embracing life&rsquo;s unexpected changes.

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

Maya’s Advice to New Grads

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a4132b17-5036-4f3e-a4af-b44f001d634f/transcript

While deployed to Afghanistan with the U.S. Air Force in 2014, psychologist Michael Valdovinos had an unexpected emotional breakdown. None of the diagnoses he knew best–like PTSD or depression–fit the crisis of conscience he was experiencing. Then he came across the concept of moral injury. 

On today’s episode, Michael and Maya explore what happens when our deepest values are violated, the different ways it can occur in everyday life, and how we can start to heal.

Check out Michael’s book, “Moral Injuries: When Good Conscience Suffers in a World of Hurt.”

If you enjoyed our conversation with Michael and want to hear more from A Slight Change of Plans, we recommend our episode “A Theranos Whistleblower” with Erika Cheung.

While deployed to Afghanistan with the U.S. Air Force in 2014, psychologist Michael Valdovinos had an unexpected emotional breakdown. None of the diagnoses he knew best&ndash;like PTSD or depression&ndash;fit the crisis of conscience he was experiencing. Then he came across the concept of moral injury.&nbsp;
On today&rsquo;s episode, Michael and Maya explore what happens when our deepest values are violated, the different ways it can occur in everyday life, and how we can start to heal.
Check out Michael&rsquo;s book, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/moral-injuries-michael-valdovinos?variant=43947396235298" data-airgap-id="11">Moral Injuries: When Good Conscience Suffers in a World of Hurt.</a>&rdquo;
If you enjoyed our conversation with Michael and want to hear more from A Slight Change of Plans, we recommend our episode &ldquo;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/a-theranos-whistleblower" data-airgap-id="12">A Theranos Whistleblower</a>&rdquo; with Erika Cheung.

The Hidden Wounds of Moral Injury

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f70f1de9-ff98-4aff-ab61-b49000e95ef1/transcript

As the great Rocky Balboa once said about life: Iit will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.” But in this week’s episode from our friends at The Story Collider, two storytellers share stories of their strength of will and persistence to keep going despite the scientific challenges.

Part 1: Coral reef conservationist Emily Darling is at loss when a journalist asks her if she still has hope for coral reefs. Dr Emily Darling is a coral reef scientist at the Wildlife Conservation Society and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto. Her research has won international awards and been featured on National Geographic, Forbes International, CNN, and PBS Nature. She is passionate about the importance of underwater science and works closely with scientists around the world to measure the impact of coral reef conservation. In her spare time, she is (still) learning to sail.

Part 2: James Gordon readies himself for another one of his daughter’s heart surgeries. James Gordon is an international award winning author and poet, champion storyteller, and acclaimed actor. James can be seen on Chicago Med as Kent Taylor, Detective Smiley on Amazon's The G, and PA Flanders in Background Extras.

Find The Story Collider wherever you get your podcasts.

As the great Rocky Balboa once said about life: Iit will beat you to your knees and keep you&nbsp;there permanently if you let it.&rdquo; But in this week&rsquo;s episode from our friends at The Story Collider, two storytellers share stories of their strength of will and persistence to keep going despite the scientific challenges.
Part 1: Coral reef conservationist Emily Darling is at loss when a journalist asks her if she still has hope for coral reefs. Dr Emily Darling is a coral reef scientist at the Wildlife Conservation Society and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto. Her research has won international awards and been featured on National Geographic, Forbes International, CNN, and PBS Nature. She is passionate about the importance of underwater science and works closely with scientists around the world to measure the impact of coral reef conservation. In her spare time, she is (still) learning to sail.
Part 2: James Gordon readies himself for another one of his daughter&rsquo;s heart surgeries.&nbsp;James Gordon is an international award winning author and poet, champion storyteller, and&nbsp;acclaimed actor. James can be seen on Chicago Med as Kent Taylor, Detective Smiley on&nbsp;Amazon's The G, and PA Flanders in Background Extras.
<a href="https://bio.site/storycollider">Find The Story Collider wherever you get your podcasts.</a>

Tenacity: Stories about perseverance | From The Story Collider

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6213a1fb-959b-4247-ae27-b46b01585943/transcript

Deepika Chopra, a clinical psychologist, has a problem with the way optimism is often defined. Real optimism, she says, shouldn’t be about always expecting the best, because sometimes the bad thing will happen. Instead, she wants us to expect the best from ourselves. 

On today’s episode, Deepika joins Maya to talk about the deeply personal experience that changed her understanding of optimism – and how to hold onto hope while staying planted in reality. 

Check out Deepika’s book, “The Power of Real Optimism: A Practical, Science-Based Guide to Staying Resilient, Curious, and Open Even When Life Is Hard.”

If you enjoyed our conversation with Deepika and want to hear more from A Slight Change of Plans, we recommend these episodes:
“You Have More Influence Than You Think” with Vanessa Bohns
“Why We Avoid Conversations That Would Make Us Happier” with Nick Epley
“How to Build Empathy and Avoid Burnout” with Jamil Zaki

Deepika Chopra, a clinical psychologist, has a problem with the way optimism is often defined. Real optimism, she says, shouldn&rsquo;t be about always expecting the best, because sometimes the bad thing will happen. Instead, she wants us to expect the best from ourselves.&nbsp;
On today&rsquo;s episode, Deepika joins Maya to talk about the deeply personal experience that changed her understanding of optimism &ndash; and how to hold onto hope while staying planted in reality.&nbsp;
Check out Deepika&rsquo;s book, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Power-of-Real-Optimism/Deepika-Chopra/9781668081129">The Power of Real Optimism: A Practical, Science-Based Guide to Staying Resilient, Curious, and Open Even When Life Is Hard</a>.&rdquo; If you enjoyed our conversation with Deepika and want to hear more from A Slight Change of Plans, we recommend these episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">&ldquo;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/you-have-more-influence-than-you-think">You Have More Influence Than You Think</a>&rdquo; with Vanessa Bohns</li>
<li aria-level="1">&ldquo;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/why-we-avoid-conversations-that-would-make-us-happier">Why We Avoid Conversations That Would Make Us Happier</a>&rdquo; with Nick Epley</li>
<li aria-level="1">&ldquo;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plans/how-to-build-empathy-and-avoid-burnout">How to Build Empathy and Avoid Burnout</a>&rdquo; with Jamil Zaki</li>
</ul>

A Realist’s Guide to Optimism

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/76ca785c-45b3-45eb-ad90-b47f017c7226/transcript

Maya’s Advice to New Grads

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