How to rebuild yourself after a major life change (cognitive scientist Maya Shankar)

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

January 24, 2026

Duration

36m

Channel

Masters of Scale

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Whether you’ve been laid off, starting a new job, or facing a major career or personal change, behavioral science can offer powerful tools for navigating uncertainty. In this Masters of Scale conversation, cognitive scientist Maya Shankar joins host Jeff Berman to share how research-backed insights — shaped by her time building the first behavioral science team in the Obama White House — can help people adapt, rebuild, and move forward with intention. Drawing from her own life-altering experiences and her book The Other Side of Change, Maya explores how identity, resilience, and purpose evolve when plans fall apart. Chapters: 00:00 Introducing Maya Shankar 01:08 When Maya Shankar couldn't play the violin any longer 07:09 Maya Shankar on "the end of history illusion" 09:30 Inside Maya Shankar's time in the Obama White House 15:49 Entrepreneurial lessons for navigating large organizations 20:30 What to do when you've been laid off 22:15 The power of breaking big goals into small steps 27:18 Using gratitude and affirmation to navigate grief and change 📫 THE MASTERS OF SCALE NEWSLETTER 35,000+ read our free weekly newsletter packed with insights from the world’s most iconic business leaders. Sign up: https://hubs.la/Q01RPQH-0 🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts: https://mastersofscale.com/ApplePodcasts Spotify: https://mastersofscale.com/Spotify 💻 LEARN MORE Our website: https://mastersofscale.com 🚀 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/showcase/11096326 Facebook: https://facebook.com/mastersofscale Instagram: https://instagram.com/mastersofscale X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mastersofscale TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mastersofscale 💡ABOUT US On Masters of Scale, iconic business leaders share lessons and strategies that have helped them grow the world's most fascinating companies. Founders, CEOs, and dynamic innovators (from companies like Uber, Airbnb, Apple, and Disney) join candid conversations about their triumphs and challenges with a set of luminary hosts, including founding host Reid Hoffman — LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock partner. From navigating early prototypes to expanding brands globally, Masters of Scale provides priceless insights to help anyone grow their dream enterprise. #mastersofscale #leadership #leadershiplessons #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #tech #technology #change #change #changelife #changemanagement #management #layoffs #laidoff #career #careeradvice #careergrowth #careerchange #newjobs #mayashankar

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Maya Shankar

  guest

  Cognitive scientist and author of "The Other Side of Change," and host of the podcast "A Slight Change of Plans."

• Jeff Berman

  host

  Host of Masters of Scale.

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Masters of Scale, featuring Maya Shankar and Jeff Berman, How to rebuild yourself after a major life change (cognitive scientist Maya Shankar) explores Cognitive Scientist Maya Shankar on Navigating Change and Rebuilding Identity Maya Shankar describes losing her violin career at 15 and learning to define identity by why she does something rather than what she does.

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