542: The Science of Navigating Change, Grief, and Uncertainty | Maya Shankar, PhD

The podcast explores the challenges people face when dealing with uncertainty and change, questioning why some individuals struggle while others reinvent themselves successfully. Cognitive scientist Maya Shankar, author of "The Other Side of Change," shares her personal experiences and science-backed strategies for navigating life's unexpected turns. A key insight involves redefining one's identity by focusing on the "why" behind actions rather than the "what," illustrated by Shankar's transition from a violinist to a cognitive scientist after a career-ending injury. The discussion highlights the importance of self-affirmation exercises to broaden perspective during times of upheaval, and the value of fiction as an "identity laboratory" for exploring new possibilities.