A Slight Change of Plans Rainn Wilson and Maya on Navigating Change and Identity
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Apr 28, 2026 
Maya Shankar, cognitive scientist and former behavioral adviser in the Obama White House, discusses language, identity, and the human side of change. Conversations range from how words shape meaning to crafting policy with behavioral science. They explore stories of transformation, moral elevation, awe, and practical tools for coping with uncertainty.
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Wording Triggers Ownership And Action
- Small wording changes leverage psychological ownership to boost engagement with benefits.
- Reframing emails to veterans as 'you earned this' (endowment effect) produced a 9% increase in benefit access.
Trusted Messengers Worked In Flint
- In Flint the EPA partnered with trusted local messengers (Red Cross, church leaders) to deliver water safety information.
- Maya explains that replacing federal messengers with familiar community figures helped overcome distrust and misinformation.
Different Changes Share The Same Inner Work
- Diverse stories of change share common interior dynamics like grief, betrayal, and identity loss.
- Maya hunted exceptional narratives and distilled universal psychological lessons beneath each surface story.
