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Episode 255- The Science-Backed Way to Navigate Change with Dr. Maya Shankar

What if we came to see the hardest moments in our lives as a chance to reimagine who we can be? In this episode, I…

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Episode 255- The Science-Backed Way to Navigate Change with Dr. Maya Shankar

What if we came to see the hardest moments in our lives as a chance to reimagine who we can be? In this episode, I…

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Maya Shankar

What if we came to see the hardest moments in our lives as a chance to reimagine who we can be? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Maya Shankar, cognitive scientist and author of the new book The Other Side of Change, to unpack how we can reframe change when life makes other plans. Maya shares the science behind why change feels so unsettling and what actually helps us move forward. This conversation is filled with research-backed tools to help you navigate uncertainty, build resilience, and shift your mindset so you can grow through change rather than get stuck in it.

What if we came to see the hardest moments in our lives as a chance to reimagine who we can be? Share on X 

Show Notes

  • Why change feels hard (2:12)
  • How change threatens our self-identity (3:41)
  • The importance of defining yourself not just by what you do, but by why you do it (6:51)
  • Give yourself a toolkit to navigate change (10:14)
  • How to identify your purpose (11:15)
  • Do this self-affirmation exercise (14:32)
  • In the face of change, don’t lose sight of how multifaceted your life is (16:48)
  • The “end of history illusion”: why we dramatically underestimate how much we will change in the future (20:13)
  • The “illusion of control” and the desire for cognitive closure (24:03)
  • How can we help other people navigate change? (26:56)
  • The psychological concept of “possible selves”
  • How to use “temptation bundling” to reach your goals (33:54)
  • The “middle problem”: why you should break your long-term goal into smaller goals (37:49)
  • 3 questions to ask yourself when you face change (44:56)

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