We’re back with a new batch of episodes starting October 23. To kick things off, Maya does a deep dive into the emotion of awe. She talks to experts about where to find it, why it matters, and the powerful effects of experiencing it with other people. And, as always, you’ll hear stories about navigating the uncertainty that comes along with change. Maya talks to people fighting insurmountable odds, including a woman forced to grapple with the news that she has a 50-50 chance of carrying a deadly genetic mutation.

For a behind-the-scenes look at the show, follow @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. 

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While we prepare new episodes to share with you in October, Maya wants to highlight a conversation from the archives with rock climber Tommy Caldwell. Tommy talks to Maya about how a near-death experience unlocked a completely new state of mind. His new mindset propelled him to become one of the greatest rock climbers of all time.

If you enjoyed this episode, Maya suggests you check out this one next: “The Thai Cave Rescue”. To get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the show, you can connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShankar.

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New episodes are coming your way in October, but in the meantime Maya wanted to share her conversation with renowned chef Christine Ha. When a rare neurological condition left Christine legally blind by age 24, she worried she might never be able to cook again. Her story shows the power of imaginative courage in the face of change.

If you enjoyed this episode, you can watch Maya’s TED talk here, which also features Christine’s story. You might also like the episode “The Science of Motivation”.

In the meantime, you can connect with Maya on Instagram @DrMayaShankar.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maya was honored to deliver a commencement address at the Juilliard School earlier this year. As an alumna of the school’s pre-college division, Maya shared three pieces of wisdom with new graduates that she wished she’d known at the time. She thought you might like to hear them too!

We’ll be back with new episodes later this October! In the meantime, you can connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShankar.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story of John Elder Robison is one of Maya’s favorite episodes and it’s also a top choice in our listener favorites series. John is a gifted sound engineer whose rare ability to understand machines propelled him to work with the likes of Kiss and Diana Ross. But the one thing he always felt was lacking was his ability to understand people emotionally. In an effort to see if he could change that, he volunteered to participate in an experimental brain study. 

If you enjoyed this episode, Maya suggests you check out this one next: “Life After Escaping Captivity”

We’ll be back with new episodes in the fall. In the meantime, you can connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShanker. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our listener favorites series, many of you mentioned Amanda Knox’s story. She was just 20 years old when she was found guilty of a crime she did not commit — the murder of her roommate. Amanda spent four years in an Italian prison before she was finally exonerated and allowed to return to her life back home in the U.S. But she soon discovered that that life didn’t exist anymore.

If you enjoyed this episode, Maya suggests you check out this one next: “The Woman Who Changed Warlord Joseph Kony’s Mind” 

We’ll be back with new episodes in the fall. In the meantime, you can connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShanker. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next in our listeners’ favorite series: Author Daniel Pink teaches us how to transform our relationship with regret so that we can live happier, more fulfilling lives.

If you enjoyed this episode, Maya suggests you check out this one next: “Grieving the Man I Thought My Husband Was” 

We’ll be back with new episodes in the fall. In the meantime, you can connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShanker. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re revisiting some of our listeners’ favorite episodes this summer. We kick off the series with our first ever episode: A conversation with the Black jazz musician Daryl Davis. During a performance, a member of the KKK approached him at a bar and his life took an unexpected turn. He ended up inspiring hundreds of people to leave white supremacist groups.

If you enjoyed this episode, Maya suggests you check out this one next: “Leaving a Religious Cult” 

We’ll be back with new episodes in the fall. In the meantime, you can connect with Maya on instagram @DrMayaShanker. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maya was invited to speak at TED's annual conference in Vancouver this year - and her talk is available to watch today! It's called "Why Change is So Scary---and How You Can Unlock its Potential" and you can check it out at go.ted.com/mayashankar.

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At age 59, neuroscientist David Linden received a startling diagnosis of heart cancer. Even in the face of a terminal illness, David is continuing to think like a scientist. He shares what he's learned from watching his mind grapple with his own mortality, and how the diagnosis has changed his experience of time. Maya and David also discuss the power of curiosity and how it can aid us in moments of profound suffering.

If you enjoyed this conversation, check out this episode from the archive: “The Life-Changing Diagnosis.”

For a behind-the-scenes look at the show, follow @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.