Why Change Is Hard and How to Make It Your Advantage with Maya Shankar
All the Hacks: Money, Points & LifeShow Notes
#266: Chris and Maya break down the science-backed tools that make change easier and more intentional. They explore why most people misunderstand change, how to anchor your identity to your deeper “why,” and practical tools to break out of rumination and navigate uncertainty.
Maya Shankar is the bestselling author of The Other Side of Change, and hosts the podcast A Slight Change of Plans. She previously served as a Senior Advisor in the Obama White House, where she founded and led the White House Behavioral Science Team.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/navigating-change-maya-shankar
Partner Deals
Thrive Market: 30% off your first order of organic groceries + a free $60 gift
Gusto: Free 3-month trial of the #1 payroll software
Bilt Rewards: Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent
DeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info from the web
Fabric: Affordable term life insurance for you and your family
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals
Resources Mentioned
Maya: Website | Instagram
Book: The Other Side of Change
Podcast: A Slight Change of Plans
Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away by Annie Duke
Deep Personality Assessment
ATH Podcast
Ep #81: Making Smarter Decisions and Knowing When to Walk Away with Annie Duke
Ep #265: I Built an AI Assistant That Works While I Sleep
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected]
Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(00:38) What People Get Wrong About Change
(05:14) The Antidote That Makes Change Easier
(12:11) Past Change vs. Intentional Change
(16:02) Maximisers vs. Satisficers
(19:10) Anchor Your Identity to Your Why
(23:15) How to Discover Your Why
(25:03) Navigating Change With a Very Different Partner
(29:17) Breaking the Rumination Cycle
(29:58) Mental Time Travel
(31:55) Affect Labeling
(32:39) Tools for Better Self-Understanding
(36:01) AI as a Conversational Partner
(39:43) Tactics For Thinking Through Big Changes
(42:01) Moral Elevation
(43:36) Why Reading Fiction Matters
(44:29) Repurposing Your Experience
(45:34) The First Step When Everything Changes
(47:31) Where to Find More From Maya
Connect with Chris
Newsletter | Membership | X | Instagram | LinkedIn
Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life
#299: My top 10 takeaways from a retreat for high-net-worth investors, which covered money, health, AI, parenting, relationships, and more. We explore why what you measure shapes your behavior, how to start using AI agents, why simple rules beat perfect plans, how to teach kids about money, and why “later” may be the most expensive word in your vocabulary.
#298: Chris breaks down how to earn airline miles and transferable points on money you’re already saving or investing (and whether the rewards are actually worth the tradeoffs). He compares mileage-earning bank accounts from Bask, United and Alaska, the new Bank of America and Alaska transfer partnership, Silo’s brokerage rewards program, and Symphony’s higher-yield approach. Plus, the welcome offers ending this fall that change the first-year math, and a short interview with Symphony's founders.
#297: Learn how to turn small talk, awkward encounters, and everyday logistics into conversations that actually matter. Chris and Vanessa explore the chemistry behind great conversations, how to find the topics that make people light up, and the three levels of conversation that lead to deeper connection.
#296: You're probably overpaying for cell service, and switching could save you hundreds of dollars a year without sacrificing coverage or features. Chris breaks down what's changed with the big carriers and MVNOs, the math behind "free phone" deals, the few features only AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile still offer, and his shortlist of the best unlimited plans. He also shares the cheapest backup line for two-factor texts, a $20 home internet backup, how to think about cell phone insurance, and the smartest way to buy a new iPhone.
#295: Chris shares the strategies he actually uses to earn, spend, and maximize millions of points and miles. He breaks down how many credit cards most people really need, his approach to booking award travel for a family, the rise of massive card-member flight discounts, when to pay cash vs. points, and some of his favorite—and most unusual—redemptions.