10% Happier with Dan Harris

The Science of Handling Uncertainty | Maya Shankar

Aug 26, 2024

Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist, former Senior Advisor in the Obama White House, and host of 'A Slight Change of Plans,' dives into the perplexities of handling uncertainty. She discusses why humans struggle with change and the pitfalls of seeking cognitive closure. Shankar shares insights on cultivating resilience through an open mindset, the art of self-auditing during transitions, and the importance of flexibility in personal identity. Her enlightening perspective on storytelling as a tool for understanding uncertainty brings a refreshing approach to adapting in a constantly changing world.

59:47

Creator website

Episode guests

Maya Shankar

AI Summary

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Maya Shankar explains that humans' discomfort with uncertainty stems from our evolutionary history, making it crucial to cultivate adaptability in our identities.

The podcast highlights the significance of engaging in self-audits during life changes to uncover personal growth and resilience amidst challenges.

Shankar emphasizes actionable behavioral science strategies like 'temptation bundling' to foster effective goal-setting and personal empowerment in uncertain times.

Deep dives

Embracing Uncertainty and Change

Humans often struggle with the constant flux of life, primarily due to a discomfort with uncertainty. This episode explores how individuals can better cope with change by reframing their relationship with it, moving away from a desire for cognitive closure that may be unrealistic. The discussion includes insights from behavioral science, highlighting the significance of cultivating a more adaptable identity that can thrive in uncertain environments. For example, the speaker emphasizes the necessity of embracing change, learning from diverse narratives, and recognizing one's ability to navigate through challenges.

Embrace Uncertainty to Expand Identity

00:48

Embrace Uncertainty to Thrive

01:10

Pair Pleasure with Pain for Motivation

01:05

Intro

5min

From Music to Mind: A Journey of Transformation

3min

Navigating Change: Insights from Behavioral Science

23min

Navigating Uncertainty: Embracing Change with an Open Mind

4min

Navigating Change with Flexibility

17min

Navigating Uncertainty Through Storytelling and Perspective

5min

Navigating Uncertainty and Change

10min

Exploring the Depths of Human Experience through Personal Stories

2min

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.

---

Cognitive scientist Maya Shankar talks about how to get comfortable with uncertainty in an ever-changing world.

It seems like a design flaw in our species that we live in a world of constant change yet most of us are not comfortable with uncertainty.

In this episode, we talk to Maya Shankar about how to get better at dealing with change and to stop seeking what scientists call “cognitive closure.”

Shankar is a former Senior Advisor in the Obama White House, where she founded and served as Chair of the White House Behavioral Science Team. She also served as the first Behavioral Science Advisor to the United Nations, and is currently a Senior Director of Behavioral Economics at Google. She is the host of the Pushkin Industries podcast A Slight Change of Plans, which was named Best Show of the Year in 2021 by Apple.

In this episode we talk about:

Why humans are so uncomfortable with uncertainty and change
What a behavioral scientist actually does in the world
Why even the host of a podcast about change isn’t immune to the uncertainties of life
The benefits of cultivating a more malleable sense of self
Why humans are such bad forecasters
The importance of auditing yourself when you’re undergoing a big change
How to take advantage of big reset moments
The concept of cognitive closure and why encouraging an open mind can make us more resilient

Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/maya-shankar-466

Where to find Maya Shankar online:

Website: mayashankar.com

Social Media:

Books Mentioned:

Additional Resources:

Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

10% Happier with Dan Harris

The Science of Handling Uncertainty | Maya Shankar

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Embracing Uncertainty and Change

The Role of Identity in Coping

Behavioral Insights from Personal Experience

Optimizing Change Through Self-Audit

Evolving Our Approach to Goals and Motivation

Embrace Uncertainty to Expand Identity

Embrace Uncertainty to Thrive

Pair Pleasure with Pain for Motivation

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

Share
& Export

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

10% Happier with Dan Harris

The Science of Handling Uncertainty | Maya Shankar

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Embracing Uncertainty and Change

The Role of Identity in Coping

Behavioral Insights from Personal Experience

Optimizing Change Through Self-Audit

Evolving Our Approach to Goals and Motivation

Embrace Uncertainty to Expand Identity

Embrace Uncertainty to Thrive

Pair Pleasure with Pain for Motivation

Get the Snipdpodcast app

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

Share& Export

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

Share
& Export

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights