EPISODE · Jan 13, 2026 · 43 MIN
#146 - Maya Shankar on The Other Side of Change
from Evolving with Gratitude · host Lainie Rowell
What if change isn’t something to fear but something that can reveal who we really are? Cognitive scientist and podcast host Dr. Maya Shankar shares how to navigate uncertainty, redefine identity, and uncover growth on the other side of change. We talk about finding purpose when life takes an unexpected turn, why “possible selves” matter, and the surprising role distraction and gratitude play in resilience.Maya's Book:The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other PlansThrive Global Article:Maya Shankar on The Other Side of ChangeAbout Our Guest:Maya Shankar is a cognitive scientist and the creator, executive producer, and host of the podcast, A Slight Change of Plans, which Apple awarded as the Best Show of the Year 2021 and which received an Ambie award from the Podcast Academy in 2022. Maya was a Senior Advisor in the Obama White House, where she founded and served as Chair of the White House Behavioral Science Team. She also served as the first Behavioral Science Advisor to the United Nations under Ban Ki-moon, and as a core member of Pete Buttigieg’s debate preparation team during his 2020 presidential run.Maya has a postdoctoral fellowship in cognitive neuroscience from Stanford, a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, and a B.A. from Yale. She's been profiled by The New Yorker and been the featured guest on NPR's All Things Considered, Freakonomics, and Hidden Brain. She's a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music's pre-college program, where she was a private violin student of Itzhak Perlman.About Lainie:Lainie Rowell is a bestselling author, award-winning educator, and TEDx speaker. She is dedicated to human flourishing, focusing on community building, emotional intelligence, and honoring what makes each of us unique and dynamic through learner-driven design. She earned her degree in psychology and went on to earn both a post-graduate credential and a master's degree in education. An international keynote speaker, Lainie has presented in 41 states as well as in dozens of countries across 4 continents. As a consultant, Lainie’s client list ranges from Fortune 100 companies like Apple and Google to school districts and independent schools. Learn more at linktr.ee/lainierowell.Website - LainieRowell.comInstagram - @LainieRowellLinkedIn - @LainieRowellX/Twitter - @LainieRowell Evolving with Gratitude, the book is available here! And now, Bold Gratitude: The Journal Designed for You and by You is available too!Both Evolving with Gratitude & Bold Gratitude have generous bulk pricing for purchasing 10+ copies delivered to the same location.🙌📚➡️ bit.ly/ewgbulkdiscount📚➡️ bit.ly/bgbulkdiscountJust fill out the forms linked above and someone will get back to you ASAP!
What this episode covers
What if change isn’t something to fear but something that can reveal who we really are? Cognitive scientist and podcast host Dr. Maya Shankar shares how to navigate uncertainty, redefine identity, and uncover growth on the other side of change. We talk about finding purpose when life takes an unexpected turn, why “possible selves” matter, and the surprising role distraction and gratitude play in resilience.Maya's Book:The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other PlansThrive Global Article:Maya Shankar on The Other Side of ChangeAbout Our Guest:Maya Shankar is a cognitive scientist and the creator, executive producer, and host of the podcast, A Slight Change of Plans, which Apple awarded as the Best Show of the Year 2021 and which received an Ambie award from the Podcast Academy in 2022. Maya was a Senior Advisor in the Obama White House, where she founded and served as Chair of the White House Behavioral Science Team. She also served as the first Behavioral Science Advisor to the United Nations under Ban Ki-moon, and as a core member of Pete Buttigieg’s debate preparation team during his 2020 presidential run.Maya has a postdoctoral fellowship in cognitive neuroscience from Stanford, a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, and a B.A. from Yale. She's been profiled by The New Yorker and been the featured guest on NPR's All Things Considered, Freakonomics, and Hidden Brain. She's a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music's pre-college program, where she was a private violin student of Itzhak Perlman.About Lainie:Lainie Rowell is a bestselling author, award-winning educator, and TEDx speaker. She is dedicated to human flourishing, focusing on community building, emotional intelligence, and honoring what makes each of us unique and dynamic through learner-driven design. She earned her degree in psychology and went on to earn both a post-graduate credential and a master's degree in education. An international keynote speaker, Lainie has presented in 41 states as well as in dozens of countries across 4 continents. As a consultant, Lainie’s client list ranges from Fortune 100 companies like Apple and Google to school districts and independent schools. Learn more at linktr.ee/lainierowell.Website - LainieRowell.comInstagram - @LainieRowellLinkedIn - @LainieRowellX/Twitter - @LainieRowell Evolving with Gratitude, the book is available here! And now, Bold Gratitude: The Journal Designed for You and by You is available too!Both Evolving with Gratitude & Bold Gratitude have generous bulk pricing for purchasing 10+ copies delivered to the same location.🙌📚➡️ bit.ly/ewgbulkdiscount📚➡️ bit.ly/bgbulkdiscountJust fill out the forms linked above and someone will get back to you ASAP!
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#146 - Maya Shankar on The Other Side of Change
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