logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
4m 19s

Headspace x Dr. Maya Shankar: Don’t Chan...

Headspace Studios
About this episode
Cognitive Scientist Dr. Maya Shankar is guest-hosting all week! We’re often so hard on ourselves for what we view as our “negative qualities.” Today, Dr. Shankar explores how to see the silver linings in our faults and learn to embrace those aspects.  If you'd like to hear some great stories about personal change and the science of human behavior, check out ... Show More
Up next
Today
Get Curious Before You Judge Yourself
When Dora noticed herself getting frustrated during meditation, her first instinct was to fix the problem. But the more she judged herself for being distracted, the further she got from understanding what she needed. Eventually, she tried a different approach: instead of asking w ... Show More
5m 39s
Oct 28
Why Do I Always Feel Like I'm Not Enough?
Dora has been thinking about what it means to be a good partner, and how easily that desire can turn into pressure to be the best one. More attentive, more patient, more present. No matter how much she gives, there's always another version of herself she could be striving toward. ... Show More
5m 27s
Oct 26
Stop Editing Yourself To Fit In
Think about something you love but feel tempted to hide because it doesn't fit the image of who you're trying to become. Maybe it's your music, your sense of humor, or the way you naturally express yourself. Dora once tried to leave her love of hardcore rap behind because it didn ... Show More
4m 10s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2022
What Motivates Us: Cognitive Scientist Dr. Maya Shankar on the Power of Change, Habit Formation, And Behavioral Science
<p>On this week’s episode, Dr. Maya Shankar – a cognitive neuroscientist and creator and host of the podcast, A Slight Change of Plans – sits down with VP of Performance Kristen to how to change our patterns of behavior when it comes to our health. Maya shares the secrets of stay ... Show More
39m 4s
Apr 2022
Maya Shankar: The Power Of Slight Changes (And Why We Do What We Do)
In today’s episode, cognitive neuroscientist & former Senior Advisor in the Obama White House, Dr. Maya Shankar joins Rich to talk about the science behind growth & transformation. This is a conversation about navigating change, igniting professional growth, and managing grief th ... Show More
2h 32m
Aug 2024
The Science of Handling Uncertainty | Maya Shankar
<p><em>New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.</em></p> <p>---</p> <p>Cognitive scientist Maya Shankar talks about how to get comfortable with uncertainty in an ever-changing world. </p> <p>It seems li ... Show More
59m 47s
Jul 2022
The joy of being an unwilling traveler through life, by Maya Shankar
Maya Shankar is a cognitive neuroscientist and host of the award-winning podcast A Slight Change of Plans. As a girl, she struggles with taking things too seriously: herself, the sufferings of others, the hypothetical misfortunes she imagines for the future. She turns to her fath ... Show More
30m 51s
Jun 2025
The Two Words That Saved Mel Robbins (From A Slight Change of Plans)
We’re bringing you an episode of A Slight Change of Plans hosted by Dr. Maya Shankar - the behavioral scientist who also happens to be a former student of Dr Laurie. Maya sits down with bestselling author and popular podcast host Mel Robbins to talk about letting go of perfection ... Show More
37m 30s
May 2025
The joy of being an unwilling traveler through life, by Maya Shankar
Maya Shankar is a cognitive neuroscientist and host of the award-winning podcast A Slight Change of Plans. As a girl, she struggles with taking things too seriously: herself, the sufferings of others, the hypothetical misfortunes she imagines for the future. She turns to her fath ... Show More
30m 51s
Jul 2021
How to Deal With Change (feat. Dr. Maya Shankar)
Dr. Maya Shankar completed a post-doctoral fellowship in cognitive neuroscience at Stanford, after receiving a Ph.D. from Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship and a B.A. from Yale in cognitive science. She is currently the Senior Director of Behavioral Economics at Google. Previously s ... Show More
45m 16s
Jun 2022
The Science of Handling Uncertainty | Maya Shankar
<p><em>New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.</em></p> <p><em>---</em></p> <p>It seems like a design flaw in our species that we live in a world of constant change yet most of us are not comfortable w ... Show More
59m 30s
Dec 2021
The Science of Grit
We're taking off this week for the holidays, but wanted to share with you another of our favorite podcasts. A Slight Change of Plans is hosted by our friend Maya Shankar, who you might remember as our nudge theory expert from earlier this season. In her series, Maya looks at the ... Show More
37m 8s