Maya Shankar

In this discussion, Dr. Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist and former senior advisor to the White House, dives into the intricacies of identity and goal-setting. She explores how our upbringing and experiences shape our self-perception and emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation in pursuing passions. Dr. Shankar shares her personal journey through identity shifts and offers science-backed strategies to effectively frame and achieve goals. Listeners will gain insights into fostering resilience and connection amidst life's transitions.

Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist and former White House Senior Advisor, shares her journey from aspiring Juilliard violinist to leading in behavioral science. She delves into how identity shapes personal transformation and goal achievement. Shankar emphasizes the importance of a flexible self-perception and offers strategies for setting goals rooted in one's identity. The conversation also touches on the role of empathy in success, making it a rich exploration of human motivation and growth.

Maya Shankar, a cognitive neuroscientist and former advisor at the Obama White House, shares her insights on navigating life's unexpected changes. She explores the tension between voluntary and involuntary changes and how our brains resist uncertainty. Maya discusses her personal journey through identity crises caused by injuries and losses, emphasizing the importance of redefining identity beyond roles. She offers practical strategies for embracing change as a revelation while cultivating curiosity and agency in the face of adversity.

Maya Shankar, cognitive scientist and author of The Other Side of Change, explores how people rebuild identity after sudden loss. She discusses learning resilience as a skill. She explains why failure and introspection spark adaptation. She considers how personal change lessons scale to organizations and how to rethink future selves amid technological upheaval.

Dr. Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist, former White House behavioral science advisor, and bestselling author, explores why life changes can feel like losing yourself. She dives into grief, identity, mental spirals, and possible futures. You’ll hear about reframing thoughts, using discomfort for growth, and taking tiny steps toward reinvention.

Maya Shankar, cognitive scientist and former Obama White House advisor, explores how change shapes identity. She discusses formative losses that led her research. Short practical tools include affect labeling, psychological distancing, adaptive distraction, and reframing. Conversations cover biases like the end-of-history illusion and how awe or community can loosen rumination.

Dr. Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist and author known for her insights on navigating life changes, shares powerful wisdom on managing life's curveballs. She discusses the terrifying nature of unexpected shifts like breakups and job losses, emphasizing how they challenge our sense of control. Maya introduces concepts like self-affirmation and moral elevation to help expand our possible identities after change. She also highlights techniques for managing emotions, tolerating uncertainty, and breaking free from rumination, encouraging a transformative approach to adversity.

Dr Maya Shankar, cognitive scientist and author of The Other Side of Change, explores how minds respond to unwanted change. She discusses why uncertainty feels so destabilizing. Short stories show how change reveals hidden beliefs and can open new identities. Practical tools for stopping rumination and building tolerance for uncertainty are highlighted.

Maya Shankar, cognitive scientist and bestselling author who led the White House Behavioral Science Team, breaks down why change feels threatening and how to reframe it as revelation. She explains anchoring identity to your deeper why, tools to stop rumination, mental time travel, affect labeling, using others or AI as a cognitive partner, and tactics for navigating big life decisions.

Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist and the host of A Slight Change of Plans, dives into the complexities of unexpected life changes. She discusses how such changes can feel threatening, highlighting the fear of uncertainty and loss. Sharing personal stories, Maya introduces three insightful questions to help reframe our perspectives on transformation. By illustrating how change can enhance capabilities and redefine values, she encourages listeners to embrace the opportunities that come with life’s unpredictability.