A Slight Change of Plans

By: Pushkin Industries
  • Summary

  • You can follow the show at @DrMayaShankar on Instagram.

    Apple Podcasts’ Best Show of the Year 2021 Editor's Note: Maya Shankar blends compassionate storytelling with the science of human behavior to help us understand who we are and who we become in the face of a big change. Maya is no stranger to change. “My whole childhood revolved around the violin, but that changed in a moment when I injured my hand playing a single note,” says Shankar, who was studying under Itzhak Perlman at the Juilliard School at the time. “I was forced to try and figure out who I was, and who I could be, without the violin." Maya soon discovered a new path in the field of cognitive science, where she earned her PhD as a Rhodes Scholar studying how and why we change. Her insights into human behavior ultimately led her to create A Slight Change of Plans—Apple Podcasts’ Best Show of the Year in 2021. You’ll hear intimate conversations with people like Tiffany Haddish, Kacey Musgraves, and Riz Ahmed, as well as real-life inspirations, like John Elder Robison, who undergoes experimental brain stimulation to deepen his emotional intelligence, Daryl Davis, a Black jazz musician who inspires hundreds of KKK members to leave the Klan, and Shankar herself, who had her own “slight change of plans” earlier this year. The show also explores the science of change with experts like Adam Grant and Angela Duckworth. "What I love most about this show is that the content is evergreen," says Shankar. "You can listen to episodes in any order and at any time."

    2025 Pushkin Industries and Maya Shankar
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Episodes
  • Pushkin Loves Love Songs: Babyface, Broken Hearts, and the Best Genre for Love
    Feb 14 2025

    Nothing says romance like a perfect playlist—except, maybe, a special network-wide episode about love songs.

    In this Valentine’s Day special, Broken Record hosts Justin Richmond and Leah Rose make their cases: is R&B the undisputed sound of love? Are sad songs more romantic? Can country win the day?

    Plus, the legendary songwriter Babyface talks about how young love shaped his most enduring ballads, Malcolm Gladwell breaks down the perfect break up song, and Ben Naddaff-Hafrey writes a love song of his own.

    Whether you're mid-swoon or nursing a broken heart, this episode is our valentine to you.

    Listen to Broken Record’s interview with Babyface.

    Listen to a Revisionist History episode about sad songs.

    And hear more from Ben’s band, Rookin.

    Plus, our battle of the playlists continues… here’s Leah’s sad songs playlist. And Justin’s for love songs. Pick your fighter and… enjoy!

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    36 mins
  • How to be a more trustworthy person
    Feb 10 2025

    Trust is the glue that holds human connection together – but how do we earn it? Rachel Botsman, an expert on trust and human behavior, explores the subtle and powerful signals we send in relationships. Her new audiobook, How To Trust and Be Trusted, is full of insightful lessons, and today, we’re sharing one of our favorites: “How To Be a More Trustworthy Person.” Whether in work, friendships, or love, trust is everything – and Rachel’s wisdom will help you strengthen it.

    You can find Rachel’s book at Pushkin.fm, Audible, or wherever you get your audiobooks.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    33 mins
  • BONUS: Make your inner voice work for you
    Jan 27 2025

    Welcome back, Slight Changers! 2025 has already been quite the year. Whew. Because so many of us are feeling overwhelmed, we in the Slight Change family produced a compilation episode with wisdom from our past guests about how we can rethink our inner voice and the sometimes negative things it tells us. This episode tackles topics like rumination, stress, and self-compassion. We each found this episode to be a helpful resource on a personal level as we navigate hard times and we hope it helps you too :)

    If you liked the format of this episode, let us know! You can find me on instagram at @DrMayaShankar.

    If you want to hear more from the guests featured here, listen to their full-length episodes at the links below.

    Ethan Kross: The Science of Our Inner Voice

    Modupe Akinola: The Upside of Stress

    Kristin Neff: The Science of Self-Compassion

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    35 mins

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A lot to think about.

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.

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interesting

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

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