Most of us are quite comfortable with change when we’ve chosen it: a new job, new home or new relationship.  It’s the unwanted, unexpected changes that tend to floor us – like an illness, loss or breakup – that leave us wondering who we are and how on earth we’re meant to go on.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr Maya Shankar, cognitive scientist and author of The Other Side of Change. Maya has spent years studying how our minds respond to change, and she’s also gone through some profound changes of her own – from a hand injury that shattered her hopes of becoming a concert violinist, to a long, painful journey with fertility.

We talk about so many different topics related to the theme of change, including why our brains find uncertainty so stressful, how unwanted change can reveal hidden beliefs that we hold and why witnessing other people’s courage or kindness can quietly change what we believe is possible for ourselves. We also explore a variety of evidence-based practical tools to help us deal with things like rumination and negative thought spirals.

Throughout the conversation, Maya unpacks some inspiring stories of people facing extreme adversity – things like illness, betrayal, loss and even imprisonment – who were still able to find meaning, new identities and unexpected gifts on the other side.

Yes, change is something that many humans struggle with, but as you are about to learn, with the right approach, it can be one of the very best tools to help us transform, grow and evolve.

I hope you enjoy listening.