The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans

by Maya Shankar

"With powerful stories and practical science, Maya examines how we find purpose after adversity and possibility under uncertainty.” —Adam Grant

"A rare combination of beautiful storytelling, cognitive science, and wholehearted wisdom. —Brené Brown

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A revelatory exploration of how we can find meaning in the tumult of change, from a renowned cognitive scientist and host of the critically acclaimed podcast A Slight Change of Plans

Life has a way of thwarting our best-laid plans. Out of nowhere, we’re confronting the end of a relationship, an unexpected diagnosis, the loss of a job, or some other twist of fate. In these moments, it can feel like we’re free-falling into the unknown.

As a cognitive scientist, Maya Shankar has spent decades studying the human mind. When an unwanted change in her own life left her reeling, she sought out people who had navigated major disruptions. In The Other Side of Change, Shankar tells their riveting, singular stories and weaves in scientific insights to illuminate universal lessons hidden within them. The result is a rich portrait of our complex reactions to change and a deep well of wisdom we can draw from during these experiences.

Shankar invites us to rethink our relationship with change altogether. When a big change happens to us, it can lead to profound change within us. The unique stresses and demands of being thrust into a new reality can lead us to uncover new abilities, perspectives, and values, transforming us in extraordinary ways. What if we saw moments of upheaval as an opportunity to reimagine who we can be, rather than as something to just endure? What potential could we unlock within ourselves?

Whether you're processing a past change, grappling with a present one, or bracing for a future one, this book is a wise and thought-provoking companion to help you discover who you can become on the other side of change.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Philosophy, Audiobook, Mental Health, Personal Development

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2026

Reviews

[Hlyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about what happens when life goes off script. Loss, illness, prison, exile. The moments that divide life into before and after.

I made a mistake with this book by going straight to the appendix to get an overview. It summarises each chapter and lists the tools, and nothing there looked particularly new. So I assumed this would be just another “wellbeing” book. If you’ve read a few books on mental health or psychological wellbeing, you’ll recognise most of the concepts here.

But once I actually read the chapters, I realised that’s not what this book is doing. Shanker doesn’t present ideas or give you strategies in an instructional way. She embeds them in powerful (vivid and deeply moving) real-life stories, the kind that stay with you. You might not remember every tool, but you’ll remember the stories.

One of my favourite lines, which I think sums up the main message, is:

When we’re feeling daunted at the outset of a change, there is comfort in knowing that the person who will undergo the full experience will be different from who we are in this very moment.

This book doesn’t tell you how to change. It gives you the tools, the courage and the comfort for when unexpected change happens.

Thank you to Riverhead Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Gillian Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a self help book but a reflect and grow book. I loved every word of it and every lesson and story! Looking forward to the amazing ways I will continue to grow and change as my life continuously evolves. Fantastic read!

[Anna W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced ebook of this text!

I really enjoyed this book, and I truly wish I could have had it 10-15 years ago, heck even 20 years ago, when I was going through some difficult life changes. The kind where you question if your life is going in the direction you thought it would, that kind of thing.

The book offers insight into several real individuals who have faced obstacles, fallen into common mental traps related to them, and come out on the other side changed. The book offers a glimpse into what helped those individuals find their way, mentally.

This isn’t a “how to fix your life with these easy tips!” kind of read; the advice is difficult but fruitful. It won’t make your divorce seem like a gift or the death of a parent like a meaningful tradition. Life is still full of traumatic, life-altering events, but the text does offer really good advice for how to view these events in new ways.

The best part? There’s a kind of tool kit/survival resource at the end of the book. This would have been PHENOMENAL when I needed it.

I only rated a 4 instead of a 5 because I knew much of the content already. It is a personal rating, not a reflection in the content itself (which is superb).

[Vivek Viswanathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The book ends with a set of strategies, grounded in psychological research, that we can all use to navigate change. But the strength of the book is how Maya weaves those themes through the journeys of the people she profiles. She has thought deeply about how we experience the unexpected in our lives, and her insight, compassion, and wisdom shine through in every story that she tells -- like sitting down with a gentle and trusted friend. The core of the book is her belief that in navigating change, we face challenges and obstacles we could not have imagined but also tap inner reserves and develop capabilities we didn't know we had. At the end of the book, she shares her own story which is as touching as all of the others she tells. I'd strongly recommend this book not only to anyone navigating a change in their own lives (which at some point is all of us) -- but to anyone who appreciates a book that is honest and true.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life can change in a second ... Shankar profiles survivors who have turned unspeakable tragedies into positive forces...

[Winnie Shyam]

The Other Side of Change - Maya Shankar

Maya Shankar’s book was made available on January 13, 2026, and I read it when it was hot off the press. I have known Maya since she was in her mother’s womb and have seen her make giant strides at every phase of her life. At the age of six, Maya who was a phenomenal violinist, was admitted to the Juilliard School of Music’s pre-college program where she was a private student of Itzhak Perlman. After a B.A. from Yale, Maya did her Ph.D in Cognitive Psychology at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and topped it off with a postdoctoral fellowship in Cognitive Neuroscience from Stanford. She worked as a senior advisor at the White House during President Obama’s tenure, was the first Behavioral Science Advisor to the United Nations under Ban Ki-Moon, and has many other distinctions to her name. This book is yet another quantum leap in her path to fame and recognition.

When Maya was in High School, her dream of becoming a concert violinist was punctured because a hand injury made it impossible for her to play the violin ever again. The violin was her life, her identity. She loved connecting emotionally with people through violin and to suddenly give it up was devastating. But Maya gradually bounced back from this major letdown. Being a creative, emotional person, her career as a cognitive scientist helped her establish that connection. A few years later Maya suffered another major disillusionment. She and her husband wanted so much to become parents but couldn’t. This led to so much isolation, sorrow, and a sense that her life was spiraling out of control that she began to reach out to others who suffered major upheavals to see how they overcame their challenges. By leveraging her skills as an interviewer, she surveyed people, including many famous personalities, for her podcast titled “A Slight Change of Plans” which she began in 2021. There was so much she learned from those interviews; “there were patterns emerging across their stories”. She discovered people were using shared strategies to face these challenges. “Those of us going through changes are far more connected than we thought. We can learn from one another’s stories even if they don’t look like our own,” writes Maya. The result of her findings from the interviews is this book which features stories of people who have overcome insurmountable changes that have led to a positive transformation. The stories are heart-wrenching but have constructive influence.

Here are a few stories from the book. Olivia Lewis, a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University suffered a massive brain-stem stroke which left her in a condition called locked-in syndrome. Her chances of survival were dubious but after several months in the hospital and an extensive period of rehabilitation, she made good progress. At first she was in denial about her condition, optimistic that she will eventually fully recover. Denial is a common reaction to a sea change. Right from a young age, other people’s opinions of her mattered a great deal to Olivia and this consequently stripped her of her self-assurance. The stroke caused her embarrassment because her condition made her drool. How will people react? What will they think of her? But she learned to reshape her identity by relying less on what others thought of her and by learning to accept that she may not recover fully. This psychological shift helped in her recovery. The positive outcome of her stroke was that it helped her reach her self-assured place faster than she would have otherwise.

Dwayne Betts, a high school student, was charged with carjacking and robbery and ended up in prison. He was ashamed and angry that he destroyed his life by his stupidity. He had a preconceived notion of prisoners and thought he had no future until he met Bilal, a fellow inmate, who looked and acted different from the others. He was always well-dressed, carried himself well, took other young prisoners under his wing and showed an “honorable willingness to bat for someone he didn’t even know.” Bilal made Dwayne realize that you don’t have to look and behave like the stereotypical poisoner - it is possible to be different and have a future. He began reading books in prison including books on poetry. Dwayne was impacted by a particular poem that he read which told the story of a young inmate who had been raped. So he began writing poems about his experiences in prison to share the horrors that prisoners endured. Five years later he was moved to a lower security prison and decided to submit his poems for publication. After many rejections, one of his poems got published in a literary magazine, making him a published writer. Following his release, Dwayne earned a B.A. , an M.F.A. in creative writing, and even got a law degree from Yale. He published his memoir in 2009 and President Obama appointed him to a task force on restoring juvenile justice and preventing delinquency. Betts created a non-profit called Freedom Reads in 2020 for starting small libraries in prison, and was the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship in 2021. His experiences in prison turned him into a poet and earned him other glories.

Sometimes setting smaller goals for yourself after a major change can reap meaningful results as in the case of Christine Ha who became blind at the age of 24 due to an autoimmune disease. Her dream of becoming an ambitious cook was shattered then, but instead of letting it get to her, she pursued her ambition by started with small tasks such as cutting a slice of orange or making scrambled eggs. Concentrating on little things helped her achieve her aspirations and gain confidence. In due time she became a dexterous cook, wrote blogs about her experience, and went on to win season 3 of Master Chef!

ABC news correspondent, Matt Gutman, was suspended for reporting incorrect information relating to Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash. After this incident, he began scouring the web for negative comments about himself, and was prone to severe panic attacks and self-denigration. He kept ruminating on his inaccurate reporting which prevented him from getting out of the rut. But through therapy, Matt was eventually able to distance himself from his negative thoughts by “zooming out” and seeking other points of view to approach his problem constructively. “New perspectives…help us forge new pathways,” writes Shankar.

Ingrid Rojas Contreras worked as a freelance Spanish-English translator for magazines and newspapers. When she lived in Colombia as a young girl, her mother told her stories about her family’s magical powers; they could heal people with herbs and medicines, speak to spirits, and predict the future. But Ingrid was ridiculed whenever she narrated some of those stories to her friends so her mother ordered her never to share her family stories with anyone. She tried writing a memoir about her family heritage in her freshman writing class but she was accused of fabricating stories. She never tried after that. One day she met with an accident while riding her bike which caused her to lose her memory; she had retrograde amnesia where she lost existing memories but could form new ones. During her recovery period she discovered that flashes of memory from the past would come to her occasionally. But she never let anyone know that she was slowly regaining her lost memory. Snapshots of her family history were scrolling past her mind’s eye, leaving her with a sense of wonder and nostalgia. She wanted so much to talk about her family when previously she was ashamed and avoided recounting those incidents. So she continued writing the memoir she started in her freshman year which was published in 2022 as “The Man Who Could Move Clouds”, and was a finalist for the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Her amnesia made her realize that her shame was just a block in her identity and gave her a new way of seeing things.

Maryann Gray accidentally killed a little boy when he darted in front of her car from behind a bush. She was plagued by anxiety, guilt, fear, and remorse after that incident. Although Maryann knew she was not morally responsible for the child’d death, she lived in constant fear that she might cause misfortune. She experienced dysfunctional relationships, refrained from having children fearing they may not be safe in her care, and she didn’t allow herself any enjoyment. Years later she read about an octogenarian who had lost control of his car in a farmers market and had killed ten and injured more than sixty. The incident was all over the news with people blaming the old gentleman. Maryann wrote an article to NPR about the crash stating that while she felt sorry for all those who lost their lives, she also felt empathy for Weller and forgave because she underwent a similar experience years ago. Her article drew a lot of support from everyone, contrary to her expectations. “All Things Considered” aired her piece and she received a lot of sympathy and kindness from the public who commended her for her bravery. This prompter Maryann to create a website, “Accidental Impacts” later renamed “Hyacinth Fellowship”, which contains her story and PTSD resources for accidental killers like herself all over the world. Change can present opportunities for us to refashion our lives and really make a difference in the lives of others, as in Maryann’s case.

Shankar concludes her narrative with this truth, “Change can transform us in unexpected ways. We just don’t know till we get there.”

The book is a great boon to anyone navigating a drastic change in their lives. The narrative is free-flowing; it is well-researched and is a good balance of emotion, observation, and science. The stories are touching, the scientific evidence is robust. The Appendix offers a Change Survival Kit which highlights the main concepts from each chapter with scientific terminology explained and what one can do in each instance. Exhaustive notes and a meticulously curated index are additional useful features of the book.

[Kelsey Grabarek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a profound book that will linger with me long after finishing. Beyond its narrative elegance, it offers a practical compass for navigating the inevitable change each and every one of us will face in life.

[Karina L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've dabbled in my fair share of books about life changes, and this one struck a deep and meaningful chord. I read an early version of Maya Shankar's "The Other Side of Change." It's a deeply authentic collection of real life stories lightly sprinkled with guidance from behavioral science.

What struck me most was the book's profound authenticity. Dr. Shankar writes not from a pedestal, but from the messy, complicated trenches of real life. She shares her own stumbles and moments of doubt with a vulnerability that is instantly relatable. There’s no promise of a "5-step plan to a perfect life." Instead, she offers a compassionate perspective that honors the slow, non-linear process of genuine transformation. It feels like a conversation with a wise, empathetic friend who happens to be an expert in her field.

The power of this book lies in its real stories. Instead of vague anecdotes, we get to know a handful of individuals from diverse backgrounds, each navigating a significant life change. We meet actual people: a student, a mother, a journalist. Their stories are not sanitized for effect; they are raw, honest, and deeply human. I saw pieces of my own struggles in their experiences, which made their eventual breakthroughs feel not just inspiring, but attainable. Dr. Shankar shows how small, almost imperceptible shifts in their mindset and habit led to profound and lasting change.

Finally, the touch of behavioral science is masterfully done. It's present enough to give the book a solid foundation of credibility, but it never feels like a textbook. Complex concepts are explained through the lens of the stories being told. Dr. Shankar seamlessly connects the "why" it works (the science) with the "how" it feels (the human experience). This approach made the principles stick with me in a way that dry, academic explanations never could.

The Other Side of Change is a must-read for anyone who is experiencing a big life transition. It's a beautiful, honest, and quietly powerful book that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

[Shayak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Side of Change is a poignant read. Dr. Shankar uses cognitive science to illuminate the human capacity for change in response to hardship. Each chapter centers a few individuals’ journeys, told with vulnerable and searing candor. Those familiar with Dr. Shankar’s podcast “A Slight Change of Plans” will be unsurprised by her ability to choose compelling subjects and earn their trust and stories.

Dr. Shankar’s prose and her subjects’ reflections benefit from their powerful simplicity. For example, Chapter 1 charts Olivia’s life from alienation among elite undergraduate peers to profound loneliness after a debilitating diagnosis. In one searing vignette, when a wealthy boyfriend’s family visits her at the hospital, we understand how elegance and grace are harder to prioritize when suffering from facial paralysis and relying on a tracheotomy tube. Similarly in Chapter 3, we bear witness to Dwayne Betts’s multiple identities amidst a decade-long incarceration and eventual pursuits in law and poetry. Betts admires the generosity, discipline, and poise of a peer serving time alongside him, an example of what Dr. Shankar describes as moral elevation.

While many chapters profile the exceptional, all offer relatable facets. This isn’t a traditional self-help book. Rather, The Other Side of Change is a thought-provoking compilation of lives lived with lessons that are more nestled than buried.

In sum, the book is a layered read, tying together the beauty of human adaptation with the science of human behavior. And stylistically, it’s a delight. I found myself taking small breaks to ruminate over sentences and even phrases. Throughout, I remained compelled by Dr. Shankar’s ability to connect human narratives into a masterful meditation on humanity’s ability to redefine travails as triumphs.

[Avid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came to this book as a regular listener of Maya Shankar’s podcast, which I have consistently found moving, thoughtful, and insightful. The conversations she hosts often linger with me long after the episode ends. This led me to pick up The Other Side of Change, curious to see how her voice translated from audio to the written page. I am so attuned to her podcasts that I read the entire book in Maya's soothing voice.

At its core, The Other Side of Change asks a deceptively simple question: who do we become when life makes other plans? Each chapter centers on a person navigating change. These aren’t just anecdotes, but honest, often raw, and relatable. She draws from interviews and lived experiences like illness, incarceration, career derailments, personal loss to illustrate how people cope with changes.

Change doesn’t just alter our circumstances; it alters how we see ourselves within them.

Through these lives, Maya explores both the pain and possibility that come with deep change. Maya's background in cognitive science gives her perspective real weight. Rather than feeling like a self-help, Maya provides science backed approach to not just accept the change, but also to navigate it and overcome it. You won’t find a rigid “five-step plan,” but you will find tools and questions that help navigate the plan.

That said, there were moments where the book felt too personal for my taste. While vulnerability is clearly part of Maya's intent, some passages go into what feels like unnecessary detail. The same insights could have been conveyed without quite so much TMI, allowing the reader more space to reflect rather than observe.

The Other Side of Change is a reflective, well-researched exploration of how people adapt when life veers off course. It is a good blend of science and storytelling.

[CKG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound insight delivered in a profoundly human way.

Too many concept-driven nonfiction books cover one idea that could have been much more effectively conveyed in a more succinct format. This work is rare: it is dramatically more effective (in addition to being more enjoyable) for being a book. Shankar, who is brilliant and empathetic, understands the power of narrative in driving understanding and impact, and she uses it for our benefit. The stories of change and meaning, including the author’s own (yes, behind the scenes personal detail from your favorite behavioral scientist’s favorite behavioral scientist), are shared with great generosity and grace. These are very big, very real, very deep, very human stories.

This isn’t a quick hit book that you’ll read once and forget. These stories stay with you. They’ll change you the first time you read them, and I expect that they’ll keep bolstering and enriching your life when you pick this up again and again through different phases and seasons of life.

After reading this book, you don’t just know more. (You do, for the record, know more, though.) You come away from this book wiser. You come away with greater empathetic connection and a greater capability to confront, navigate, and truly grow through change. I have more gratitude and more optimism for my own life and for humanity writ large.

I’m thankful to have read an advance copy; I have now preordered copies as gifts!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever faced a moment when life didn’t go according to plan (and who hasn’t?), this book will feel like a conversation with a really smart, kind friend. It doesn’t offer easy answers, but it gives you the tools to ask better questions—and to see change not just as loss, but as transformation.

As a longtime fan of Maya Shankar’s podcast, A Slight Change of Plans, I was thrilled to get an advance copy of her book The Other Side of Change. Through gripping true stories, the book provides a thoughtful exploration of how people often grow through unexpected turns in life. Drawing from her background in cognitive science, Maya brings together deeply personal narratives and practical insights in a way that feels both intimate and universal. Each story—whether it’s a college student facing a medical crisis, a man navigating life after prison, or a woman uncovering a family secret—shows how identity can evolve when our plans fall apart.

What makes this book stand out is how seamlessly it blends emotional depth with science. Shankar doesn’t just tell moving stories—she uses them to show how our brains respond to change, and how we can reframe disruption as a chance to reimagine ourselves. The result is a book that’s as comforting as it is illuminating, full of quiet wisdom that stays with you long after you’ve finished.

[Claudia Cadavid · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I appreciated most about Maya’s book is the format. I bought it after hearing her give a talk, and while I was expecting a guide on how to survive difficult transitions, I walked away with something much deeper: a brand-new perspective on what it means to evolve.

What makes Dr. Maya Shankar’s writing so special is the way she weaves three very different threads into one cohesive journey. She balances the raw, moving stories of those she’s interviewed with her own brave and vulnerable reflections on her life’s unexpected turns. Then, she grounds it all in fascinating scientific research that explains why these shifts feel so monumental to our brains.

For me, the most impactful part was how the book reframed the concept of "change." It didn't just dwell on the pain or the friction of life falling apart; it focused on the new hope that emerges on the other side. It helped me stop looking at change as something that "happens to me" and start seeing it as a process of becoming someone new.

Whether you are currently in the middle of a major transition or just want to look at life through a different lens, get this book. It is an easy, engaging read that feels like a warm conversation with a brilliant friend—one who reminds you that even when life makes other plans, there is a beautiful "other side" waiting to be discovered.

[Anna Vogt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Side of Change is a deeply moving read. What truly resonated with me were the personal connections Dr. Shankar weaves throughout. The way she writes about the people she met is bringing their stories to life in a way that feels incredibly intimate and real. You will find something that speaks to your own experiences and feelings in each of them. Her own personal experiences and the stories she shares are effortlessly intertwined with these narratives, what makes the book really unique.

And the book does not end here, it provides a framework for understanding and navigating change in my own life, thanks to how seamlessly Dr. Shankar connects these personal experiences with scientific insights. It helped me make sense of complex emotions and transitions in a way I hadn't before. Full disclosure, as a behavioral scientist myself I have read a lot about the science of change and nothing stuck with me as much and had an actual impact on my life like Dr. Shankar's writing.

If there's one thing I'll carry from this book, it's her unique and empathetic approach to change. You might cry :) and you will come out with a positivity after reading that makes this book a truly a must-read for everyone.

[Eshan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Side of Change is both profoundly moving and incredibly practical. As a cognitive scientist, Dr. Shankar seamlessly blends compelling human narratives with the science of how we process disruption, creating a work that is truly unique and insightful. I received an advance copy of her book and I was particularly struck by the power of the personal stories—they are not simple anecdotes, but deep explorations of real people navigating extraordinary circumstances.

I believe where this book truly shines is in its ability to connect these diverse stories to the principles of behavioural science. Dr. Shankar doesn't just tell you that people can find meaning in hardship; she explains why and how the mind can adapt, reframe, and grow. This approach makes the insights feel earned and provides a perspective on change that people wouldn't often consider.

It's an authentic, beautifully written book that avoids easy answers in favour of genuine wisdom. I came away with a tangible sense of hope and a deeper understanding of human resilience. I cannot recommend her book highly enough.

[Jake Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya’s The Other Side of Change is a great read! I found it to be a thoughtful, deep exploration of what happens when life takes us somewhere we never expected to go. Drawing on her background as a cognitive scientist, she weaves together personal stories of people facing major shifts with the latest research in neuroscience and psychology. The book is grounded in science and profoundly compassionate.

One of the book’s great strengths is Maya’s ability to bridge the gap between research and lived experience. She explains complex ideas - about resilience, adaptation, and how the brain navigates uncertainty - with clarity, and then shows how those principles play out in the lives of real people. That combination of scientific precision and narrative empathy makes the book not just informative but moving.

Among the many stories, Maya’s own journey stands out and was the most powerful (in my humble opinion!). It’s the kind of honesty that elevates the book from an exploration of other people’s lives to a personal reckoning with change itself.

I am so glad I was able to receive an advance copy and have preordered many for family and friends!

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Side Of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans is phenomenal, insightful, moving, thought-provoking, and gripping. I could not put this book down and my relatability to its powerful message was high. This needed book encourages the reader to change their perspective on change because we are always learning, growing, experiencing, and changing....but the most powerful changes are the ones that occur within us. Personally, I struggled to grapple with being bedridden at 19, my diagnosis, and some of the lifelong losses I could never reclaim even after being healed. Yet, this was truly a time that refined who I am. I am greatful for this period of my life and the lessons it taught me despite the grief. This book has the potential to positively prepare people for the worst changes, offer then light in the middle of a dark time, and enhance their appreciation/reach new levels of growth through reflection on hard times. It is truly a beautiful and very needed book. The perfect blend of storytelling and scientific fact!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to read an early copy of this book and was captivated by its profiles of people who faced life-altering changes and how they responded.

As an example, Olivia was a college senior who had a stroke that left her with locked-in syndrome. She was initially unable "to voluntarily move, speak, make facial expressions, chew, or swallow." Her experience is harrowing but also inspiring, full of setbacks and perseverance, hard-earned wisdom and unexpected joys. (Are physical therapists the world's unsung heroes?)

Each portrait brings out new dimensions, whether it's in the numerous turns a life can take, the stories we tell, or how our responses to an event can shift over years. The book transports us into the specifics of these lives but also draws connections to broader principles, for example the way that "each of us has an identity that is contingent."

The book culminates with the author's own openhearted, deeply moving story, a mixture of highs and lows that (like the whole book) captures the realness of change.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning book - the best book I have read in years. Profoundly inspiring, whilst being instructively helpful. I was gripped by each story, every one of which taught me a lesson I could immediately apply to my life. The combination of science and storytelling makes it feel possible to apply the lessons in your own life for powerful results.
For the first time I have hope that I can reach the other side of my own unexpected change without losing my mind or falling apart.
I couldn't put this book down, it's such a page turner. Maya is a compelling, captivating, honest and vulnerable writer with hardcore science chops. There's clearly an incredible amount of deep research and thought to reach these novel and groundbreaking insights. This book makes it feel like I could get through anything. In fact, it makes me excited for who I might become; I'm looking forward to getting to know that version of myself. For a book to have this effect is transformational.

[H Chang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is based on an advance copy of the book.

The characters and their real-life stories are encapsulating. They experience profound changes that we would not wish upon our worst enemies (including the author's own candid experiences). Yet, not only do these characters overcome the disruptions to their lives, they gain profound new perspectives that allows them to embrace a more fluid sense of self. It is refreshing to read a book isn't just about coping; it invited me to lean into the uncertainty in life, re-evaluate what I know about myself, and adopt a mindset that's open to new possibilities and not dwell in the past.

In summary, I believe a reader is able to thoroughly enjoy this book both the storytelling, as well as the practical frameworks that are grounded in cognitive science and psychology.

[Elizabeth]

As heard on The Happiness Lab: Getting Unstuck (How to Bounce Back from Life’s Curveballs (with Dr. Maya Shankar))

Life has a way of upending even our best-laid plans. Breakups, job losses, scary health diagnoses — these unexpected changes can leave us feeling stuck and uncertain about what comes next.

Dr. Laurie speaks with her dear friend and former student, Dr. Maya Shankar, author of The Other Side of Change and host of A Slight Change of Plans, about how to navigate these major shifts, including practical tips for leaning into change instead of resisting it and reimagining the possible selves we can become in the new year.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

https://omny.fm/shows/the-happiness-l...

[Kamini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book felt like hearing advice from a compassionate friend, sharing stories of others to provide comfort that I am not alone in the path I am walking. I absolutely love how Maya connects science and practical application. As a passionate mental health ally and advocate, there are so many takeaways from this book I will leverage in conversations to help others. Her storytelling is gentle and beautiful- you can tell she is truly embracing the honor of sharing raw, poignant lived experiences of those she interviewed. I read the entire book in two sittings and will read it again and again. Thank you Maya for this insightful, thoughtful, personal guide and for helping me change how I will navigate change! xx

[Kylie Yorke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for anyone who loves a good nonfiction book but craves the narrative pull of the storytelling found in fiction. Each chapter hooks you in like a mystery, leaving you hungry for answers as each character's story unravels (Why is Olivia's face going numb? Is Ingrid... dreaming? Is Matt going to make it through this?). At the end of the breadcrumb trails, you'll find insightful gems: science-backed explorations of what's unraveling within each characters' internal world. Through learning about each person's intrapersonal shift as their worlds are turned upside down, you'll add a few tools to your own change toolbox when life, inevitably, gives you lemons.

[Emily Truell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely phenomenal. Dr. Shankar mixes storytelling with cognitive science in a way that is extremely accessible to read and also compelling. Not only did I gain insight into my thinking and choices when coping with change, I was also presented with useful and doable building blocks to implement in my life. This book was an emotional read. I needed to read it in chunks and give it space to digest. But I couldn't wait to pick it back up. I am going to be thinking about and referencing this book for a long time. If you have ever experienced any sort of unexpected life change this book is for you.

[Kenny Schwarz · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who loathes change in general, the book on how to deal with it was attractive to me. While the author is of podcast fame, the discussion here is thoughtful and the author is a true highly qualified subject matter expert (both in training and personal experience). The stories of those facing dramatic change: medical ailments, loss of job, freedom or family members are powerful stories and the various subjects methods for coping with change are very inspirational and help put my own apprehension and adversity to change in a better context. I highly recommend this book and see why it is already one of the most popular books of 2026!

[Will Godel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a genuinely moving book that will change how you think about both hardship and happiness. The people featured in this book have incredible stories to share, and the author does a wonderful job pairing their experiences with actual science to explain how they managed to cope with and overcome experiences that would seem insurmountable. It's a cliche, but the stories are inspiring, the writing is tight and engaging, and merging the stories with science meaningfully elevates the material. It's worth your time.

For full transparency, I received an advanced copy of the book.

[April Hauck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the way she blended scientific research with other's personal stories. It feels very honest and supportive for individuals who have had a quick plot shift. There are a lot of these books on the market but I'd recommend this as in the top due to how well rounded it is. I have a chronic illness and think this would also be a great book for loved ones to read. Not to give advice (please don't) but to understand how to support their people emotionally and physically as they face change too.

[Emily Ostrander · Rating 4 out of 5]

The personal stories shared within this book are deeply moving and all unique perspectives to show how our lives can change in our lifetime and ways of coping with that change.
A few of the stories I couldn't connect to as much as I had hoped or weren't explicitly clear on "how" the person's mindset changed following their life altering event.
That said, the overall premise of the book was informative and positive, whcih was what I was looking for as I come out on the other side of my own change.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Change can transform us in unexpected ways. We simply don’t know how until we get there. This book was very eye-opening to me. It’s an insightful look at how we navigate lives most disruptive moments. The author is a cognitive science, and she shows us how unexpected upheaval can potentially reshape our identities and open new pathways for growth. The stories she shares plus the science behind their stories made it come alive. I know I learned some things from this book and it will be one that stays with me for a long time.

[Mel R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished the audiobook last weekend! I have a lot to unpack and think about. This book gave me so MUCH HOPE, INSPIRATION, and TOOLS for how to do life. It is quite moving!😭🥲

In fact, I’ve been recommending it to my friends, family, network, and one of them, transitioning from being a founder to retiree, picked it up, and we’re looking forward to discussing it in the next few weeks.

Thank you for the gift of you, Dr. Maya Shankar, and the courage of the people who allowed their stories to be shared and heard.

THANK YOU BEAUTIFUL HUMANS!!!✨✨✨