Dr. Maya Shankar: How to Shape Your Identity & Goals

[@KathrynMcClatchy-UtNC]

Thank you! I suffered/survived a number of strokes in my 30s, lost my career, and my life very much changed. This is the first thing I've heard about the change in identity and so much just clicked. It's been 17 years since the first stroke, and no one talked about grieving, let alone grieving and figuring out my identity. I've moved on, and reinvented myself into the next iteration, but this podcast episode just gave me a number of puzzle pieces and vocabulary to go the next mile. Thank you!

[@mayashankar1222]

I'm so delighted to hear this Kathryn ❤ congrats on your recovery.

[@theoestro2666]

lets go kathryn! your an inspiration

[@kathrynmcclatchy]

@@theoestro2666 Thank you!

[@AlokSingh-cz4eo]

Super way to go

[@conradorocha9558]

Thanks for sharing your story! All the best to you!

[@plugliferecords8618]

Dr Huberman, I’m not sure how to directly get in contact with you so I hope whoever helps run your pages passes the message along. I’ve been watching your videos for almost two years and have consumed 100+ hrs almost. You’ve literally changed my life. Until today. You’ve actually saved me. I always look to wise men when I’m having a life issue because I lost my father young. I’ve struggled with depression since his death. Toxic relationships seem to seek me out. I’ve finally channeled some sense of self value and built a system of protocols from many of your podcasts, from you and your esteemed guests. I just wanted to say thank you. Jack

[@VannApragal]

Learn from experiences, not from podcasts. Watching a TV show about Capri does NOT mean you have been to Capri.

[@julianarapalee4446]

@@VannApragal​​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠ he is applying Huberman’s tips to his own life experiences and benefitting from them. Don’t be rude! Good for you, Jack.

[@VannApragal]

@@julianarapalee4446 In what world, giving someone a reality check is being rude. Rude is you butting in without any ounce of real world knowledge of what it takes to make it in the real world. Stay in your lane before I go bombastic on you.

[@VannApragal]

@@julianarapalee4446 Moderators need to chill on deleting logical responses.

[@hubermanlab]

Thank you for the kind words of feedback Jack. I read your comment and am grateful you’ve found the information to be of interest and of use. Bravo for committing to the track of self care, physical and mental health and electing to build healthy relationships. Best wishes, Andrew

[@ambition112]

0:33: 💡 Dr. Maya Shankar discusses the formation of identity and the importance of anchoring identity to why we do things rather than what we do. 13:29: 🧠 The brain undergoes significant changes during puberty and adolescence, leading to a desire for independence and a questioning of one's identity. 25:40: 🎻 Maya's intrinsic motivation for playing the violin allowed her to cultivate a natural love for the instrument. 38:20: 😊 Maya experienced a thrilling aspect to her musical life when she was young, but also felt demoralized and self-conscious during her teenage years. 55:14: 🎻 The guest talks about the loss of her identity when she injured her finger and had to give up playing the violin, but found a new passion in cognitive science. 1:03:13: 🎻 The speaker transitioned from a passion for playing the violin to a curiosity-driven pursuit of cognitive science, motivated by a desire for human connection. 1:16:41: 🤔 Maya encourages reducing the need for cognitive closure and embracing uncertainty to experience well-being and resilience in the face of change. 1:28:33: 🗣 The speaker discusses the challenges of giving and receiving feedback, the importance of being open to critical feedback, and the value of having a flexible mindset. 1:41:47: 🔑 The way we frame our goals can have a big impact on motivation and success. 1:53:41: ✨ Empathy is the key to understanding and changing people's minds, and learning about how the mind works can help cultivate empathy. 2:06:53: 💡 Empathy can be categorized into three types: emotional empathy, cognitive empathy, and empathic concern. 2:18:20: 💡 Motivation can be sustained by capitalizing on fresh starts, shortening the duration of goals, and using temptation bundling. 2:30:40: 🙏 Dr. Maya Shankar expresses gratitude for the conversation, shares insights, and hopes it's helpful to listeners. Recap by Tammy AI

[@mrscourtneyward]

🙏🙏🙏

[@sprinter18]

Dang the AI did this?! Im doing this for every long form video from now on lol

[@Nom8d]

Thanks for introducing Tammy AI to me brother. My Gratitudes. Been searching for something like this for a while now.

[@seren.itywrites]

As a person who takes extensive notes I appreciate your dedication! 😭 what a blessing!!!!!!!

[@Geezerelli]

How is the venison killed? Is it hung feet first alive before cutting the carotid artery?

[@misscarpone2]

20' in, I just need to share the sheer joy in witnessing Dr. Shankar's intelligence, joy, and beauty, which combine into brilliance. So grateful for being able to listen to people like her.

[@Sarasfiyali]

Please bring Dr Maya Shankar back to the podcast again. It is absolutely brilliant listening to her rich experiences and insights, and most importantly witness the conversation between you both! Huge fan and grateful for the podcasts you both do.

[@thekaochan]

Hats off to Dr. Shankar’s mother who seems to have cultivated such a healthy mindset within her children. She seems like a badass as well.

[@jessicabradshaw3365]

AGREE!!!

[@swatkthkh]

why what she has done wrong i dont know

[@kwimms]

Her mother needs to be forgiven for putting her daughter into this nonsense world instead of being a good mother herself.

[@MrAndoiz]

​@@kwimmsah jealousy is the curse you'll have to endure until you understand why you have it

[@alessiamiccinesi8661]

😊😊😊😊

[@aysedeveci.x]

I love how casual yet informative this podcast was. It felt like a conversation at a friends house where I walked away fulfilled.. Love Mayas personality too. Best Female guest on Huberman Show so far imo.

[@ba_carvajal]

Literally! One of the primary reasons I follow this channel. Andrew has a way of providing information w/o boring us 💯💯 Opposite of my HS teachers

[@LeafFan0016]

Her charisma is off the charts

[@buddhahat]

I would wager that Anna Lembke changed a lot of people's lives with her appearance on the Huberman Lab too, she was wonderful. That said, I agree this episode just felt like a wonderfully informative conversation between two intellectual powerhouses in their respective fields. After listening to the entire show on a bike ride yesterday, I've come back with notebook and pen to take more detailed notes of some points which really stuck out to me. What a gold mine of information. All the best to you.

[@non-plussed]

I feel the opposite about her and I’m fighting to overlook it so I can enjoy the episode.@@LeafFan0016

[@TranscendingTrauma]

She is so self assured but in a beautiful comforting way. Just easy, insightful, friendly.

[@grannyronna]

"Anchor your identities to WHY you do the things you do rather than WHAT you do." - Dr. Maya Shankar -This if profound yet enlightening. This is not only applicable to young generations or our younger selves but also to all of us. Often we forget to identify ourselves with the very purpose of our actions because we are so obsessed with ambitions, titles, fame, and wealth. Dr. Maya revealed to us that though we must continue to reach our goals by doing WHAT we're doing, we must find our CORE and define ourselves with the reason WHY we do things we're doing.

[@DoveDove-hn4by]

Hello __ how are you doing today... 🌹🌹 How's your day going.. I hope you're having a good day 🏵️🏵️🏵️🌻...?

[@schumannbeing]

Advice for parents from a former child: let your kids explore and don't judge them for losing interest in something as quickly as they got into it. They're trying stuff out until they find the thing that sparks them. Let them find their own way. My parents never let me explore things on a small scale. If I took a slight interest in something they would sign me up for lessons or make this big deal out of it and it would immediately ruin it for me because then I was trying to meet an expectation rather than focus on the passion itself.

[@notchback93]

We are all former children

[@creektopfarms5217]

At least your parents gave a sheeeet

[@ellequi5089]

Opposite end of the spectrum for me…. I had support and freedom to choose and participate in my interests. If I decided not to continue pursuing a hobby, I could leave. Yes, for creativity and experimentation, it was fantastic. Yes, for developing my own sense of inner drive and intrinsic motivation. Yes, for trying new things, just to try. But it came at a cost. Aside from household chores, I didn’t learn perseverance or the value of diligently continuing with things that required effort when it “fun.” (Or other reasoning worthy of quitting… like leaving singing lessons because no one, including me, would never be given solo performance opportunities.) I had to teach myself these skills as an adult, including in academics when I entered University. I add assurance, these have not been easy qualities to acquire! When life is disrupted, I sometimes backslide and have to redevelop the skill again… it’s not hardwired for me. So to add to what you’re saying, I think there is a balance. Both extremes have downsides. Just as I’ve learned to apply consistency and diligence in my life, I hope you explore creativity and new things, just to do it and for however briefly. 🦋

[@lisar3944]

I completely relate to this. My parents were genuinely trying to be supportive, but it was usually premature and the pressure was instantly on. The first lesson with a flute teacher who took the mouthpiece off my flute, handed it to me, and said "I want to hear you play 7 different notes with this by our next lesson" obliterated my interest in that single sentence - my interest was replaced with sheer terror. I was 8 years old! I had no idea how to do that! He gave me no clues! I asked! He told me "figure it out". I had several experiences like that, and I eventually just stopped telling them if/when something was interesting to me, just as a kind of self-protection. I turned into one of those teenagers who holes up in their room doing "stuff", and no one is quite sure what it is. It wasn't their fault, but it would have been great if they'd heard a PSA such as yours ;)

[@worymgaming419]

​@@ellequi5089 I was forced to keep going to my hobbies and I didn't learn discipline from that. I still need to learn myself and correct my behaviour all the time. It's like people going in the army and having discipline. And when they retire they become alcoholics and just overall losers. Forced discipline doesn't work for everyone.

[@lulusworld2703]

Dr Huberman I hope you read this.I love your content, however this segment was simply magical for me because the energy between two people who are deeply turned on by human beings, knowledge and curiosity is so extremely palpable for the whole duration of the chat! The information was as valuable as the delivery and that is so rare. Thank you so much...what a gift!

[@numbersandsports4206]

Just hearing her voice alone is like a dopamine spike. It just lights up your ears. The way she broke down the meaning and feeling of being awe-inspired and it almost being other worldly took me somewhere. Such a gifted speaker.

[@НораВутова-л4я]

...notice the triple 'Yum/Yuck/Meh' is something you recognize to reset your mindset...so for a talk between two individuals living in modern society, but what we can understand from the others, what if you engage neuroscience to anthropology, is it possible to understand the Kogis mental world, the concept of 'Aluna' for example 😮

[@mrbrightside5278]

Dr Huberman and Dr Shankar. Very similar back-story to my own! Fell in love with piano at 10/11. Worked my butt off to get into the Conservatorium of music for classical piano. Got accepted despite my peers having 4 or 5 years more experienced than i did. After 1 year at the Con, I got RSI in my left hand. This effectively ended my degree and journey in classical. I ended up teaching myself to write music, which I'd never done before my injury. What blew my mind in this interview was the idea Maya put forward about how we move regarding change. Am I moving away from something, or moving towards something? For me, the trend, post injury, has been a mindset of moving away from negatives, instead of towards positives. This might just be some sort of missing piece to my life's puzzle. I will be making a conscious effort to frame things in terms of moving towards things now. Thankyou both

[@MindNow]

I say this on behalf of everyone that you are THE go to source for health education and I thank you and your team for this

[@lucianowillemse8244]

Hands down. Actual science not broscience or pseudoscience. You should also check out the channel: Nutrition Made Simple, if you want non-biased information with regards to nutrition from an actual health professional.

[@koreycunningham9431]

I was a part of the 75th Ranger Regiment, an elite infantry unit within the Special Operations Command. After losing this career, divorce, a house, and legal issues; I was at a great loss of identity. It has taken a decade to recover from such losses. However, I’ve found the very points in this interview have been major players in my recovery and new found identity. Thank you for your awesome material, they have helped me so much. I encourage anyone who feels it’s the end; it’s not. It’s difficult but doable.

[@rambo.69]

I was SBS British Army for 27 years. Saw combat on 5 continents in 16 countries. While behind enemy lines in the Falklands my squad were compromised. There was atleast a hundred of them and 9 of us. I was the only one to leave that desolate scrap of land alive. It was pure carnage, I managed to bend two MG barrels from over heating. By dawn the Argentines had been eliminated. The blood tracking from their camp made such a flow it was like an actual stream. I broke a few conventions that day. After I buried my brothers in arms, I piled up the hundred plus Argies and dowsed them with diesel. Threw in a sack of grenades for good measure and drove off into the horizon in what was left of our land rover. I have suvivors guilt now.

[@chantonaki]

wow. hearing dr huberman say he found something that beckoned “there’s a place for me here” really put my life in perspective. ive been seeking this realization, not realizing this is what i wanted. dang i hope we all find this.

[@innuendo4469]

Hear, hear!

[@choltm]

I've been listening to this episode while walking through the forest. To me personally one of the most precious episodes as I found a possible way to answer so many questions I've been carrying around for years and even decades. HLP has been and is amazingly helpful! Thanks to Andrew and the whole team. I really appreciate the work you are doing.

[@buddhahat]

I was on a 100 kilometre ride, and experienced profound realisation after profound realisation while barely focusing on the road just in front of me. I'm not sure there's a much more information dense but purely enjoyable sharing of knowledge than The Huberman Lab. Andrew and his guests are changing lives.

[@alicesplayground_]

This was a joy to listen to! Dr. Maya’s voice is so enchanting! 😮 Thanks Dr. Huberman! ❤️❤️❤️ Being 35, I do find myself envious of people like you two who were curious and had any slight sense of self awareness in the early stages of life. I feel like such a late bloomer it’s embarrassing 😅😅😅

[@YPUAN]

I stopped it at an hour and 28 minutes simply because you stated that you read the comments. That's positive, that's just respect on another level! I appreciate you Sir. Thank you so much for bringing it! So to clarify, it's the dialogue that is going on, that, "One to One" in these podcasts that includes the whole world! Awesome.

[@aruna6476]

Dear Prof. Huberman, I would love to hear an episode on posture. I see a lot of my peers struggling with having a proper posture (me included) and a science based protocol might help. Especially since the approach people take (just straiten the back) alone is not sufficient. Thank you for your podcast. You have changed my life as well as the lives of many of my friends! Looking forward to listening to this promising episode!

[@ginavanulzen6681]

There’s no evidence that one specific posture is beneficial for back pain. Avoid any one position for too long and move often. I work as a physical therapist.

[@kevikeenom1710]

Look up the Brugger method

[@innuendo4469]

Good point @aruna6476! A lot of us sit for too long, bend their heads too much over our mobiles, and excercise not enough / incorrectly. Andrew said once few sentences about neck excercising - and that only was a revelation to me (not super active woman), and it makes sense - the neck strenght is one of crucial points of a healthy spine. I would love to hear more about posture, too!

[@sannat-l8610]

A huge thumbs 👍 up to the statement about academia turning their noses down on pop science. It's needless arrogance and sign of feeling threatened, very unnecessary. Thank you Andrew Huberman for interesting and educational and motivational podcasts.

[@chrisdavenport4054]

The discussion on pop science directly before your break at 1:05 resounded strongly for me. I very much appreciate the wide subject matter and information that you've been able to present for me in a non poppy yet accessible way. You've truly been transformative for me at a difficult stage in my life. I'm able to restructure myself utilizing the tools of knowledge you've translated in a way that I can understand and implement in my life. Dude.. you rock! (53 yr old female west coast Humboldt County punk rocker in my youth) I appreciate the many facets of you. Be well. Be joyful. Be grateful and carry on!

[@ddosan4108]

She’s so effortlessly eloquent. I want a podcast with her about effective communication.

[@jennygarzon4356]

I agree 💯! She is so well spoken that keeps you engaged in every interaction!

[@Mr196710]

It truly is enjoyable to listen to people who don't fight their native tongue. I'm always shocked by "experts" who can't convey information succinctly.

[@goblinsRule]

​@@Mr196710she was born and brought up in USA

[@josiahamaze]

I am completely taken back by Mayas essence. She is truly a gem of a human being.

[@designinquest]

She was definitely one of the best guests, the conversations was also so easy to listen to I was surprised how fast it went by

[@CMS928]

After series of interviews and tests, I got rejection for a promotion that I was very close to get. I've gone through hell to recover. This episode healed me so much. My resilience is now 10x higher and I know I can handle such cases with perspective and motivation. Many thanks Huberman & Maya. Can't tell how much you're contributing to us..

[@Caileyp]

I have literally never commented on a video of someone I don’t personally know but I just wanna say both of y’all are literal angels. Thank you so much for everything you both do.

[@willcuj]

I was pleasantly surprised at how this episode unraveled. I appreciate that Maya mentioned we should question ourselves and attempt to become more objective. Great episode.

[@MinnesotanMysticism]

I agree!

[@avrilquadros]

Maya, is pure joy! Love her authenticity, intelligence, EI ❤ and I think Andrew was crushing on her a bit. 😂 Being a coach and therapist I GOT SO MUCH FROM THIS and I COULD RELATE TO EVERYTHING, thank you to you both! And I’m Indian so I’m super proud of Maya and I’m also a musician who had to give up her dream of being a star in that field because life threw me a curveball and I reframed it and now I’m so happy serving people🎉❤

[@onpointux]

Considering how you both read the comments, and how this is for sure my favourite podcast episode in months, here's a comment I hope you both read: thank you for creating this fantastic content. It makes so many puzzle pieces fit together in my life. You are both excellent people.

[@mayashankar1222]

Thank you!!❤️

[@flynnoflenniken7402]

Been struggling with burnout and taking the time to grind the boring but necessary parts of pursuing my goals, but I feel I've gotten insights from Dr. Maya in this podcast that will be helpful to me. In particular her discussion on identity and thinking on the through-line throughout life that connects a person's pursuits and interests. I needed to step back for a moment and ponder my through-line and history so I could realize or remember who I am at a foundational level. Thanks to the both of you for this discussion.

[@eili8806]

I am tempted to say "Best one yet" but I won't, most of your podcasts are "my favourite", I love learning & find that most things can catch my interest. Funny how I was giving myself this podcast as a treat whilst sorting out my closet,- then I get a thumbs up from Maya when she explains why this is a good strategy to get things done...and perhaps even enjoy it. I am not quite done with the closet task, so I shall find one of the podcasts I've missed out. And, as a treat do some hypnosis before bedtime. KZbin is ace, solves every problem from how to clean your vacuum cleaner to how does my new skis mechanism work. And then how do my mind work,- then I go to you Dr. Huberman. It was slightly disturbing the first couple of times I looked and listened, that your genetics have made you such an attractive man, voice and all, so another reason why it is best to enjoy your podcasts whilst doing housework and projects. Right, upwards and onwards with the closet, regards from Norway

[@Christina_360]

😮 Wow, this was a great episode. One major lesson I took from it: Regardless of my past and current circumstances, I have 100% control over crafting new opportunities for my life. This truly solidifies the fact that mindset is everything.

[@MissDeeeeeedee]

I love Dr. Shankar's eloquence. Love this episode. Thank you both.

[@martoncsirik3110]

Dear Dr. Huberman, The fact that you dedicate so much of your precious time to second to none, quality and ac-tionable information is remarkable. I love your solo podcasts as well as the ones with amazing conversation partners such as Maya. If I may recommend two people who I think would be great to appear here. Dr. Daniel Kahneman, one of the key experts of human decision making, one of the researchers who helped debunk the myth of humans as rational agents. Maya also makes a reference to him when mentioning the peak-end rule. Dr. Yuval Noah Harari who is a strong supporter of the end-of-history illusion but in terms of the whole mankind, and who I think has remarkable insights on humanity. It would be interesting to combine his background in history with neuroscience. Lex already had him on his podcast. :) I think I speak for many when thanking you for your amazing dedication to your podcast.

[@mlouw8218]

I think this was one of the best interviews/conversations so far. You both clearly have simpatico and good synergy 😊🙏💕

[@hilarycase2922]

Am thoroughly enjoying this episode! Thank you Dr. Huberman for incorporating wonderful and accomplished women in your discussions! I appreciate your dedication to diversity of though. ❤ A specific answer that Dr. Shankar has about how to become more empathetic is particularly interesting. She talks about how understanding they way our minds work will be particularly enlightening. I couldn’t agree more. I also think it’s more general then that. People learn and adopt new beliefs by seeing it in different arenas. It’s about learning how it works, and experiencing openness from someone in your life, or feeling it from an artist that portrays it in a way you can understand. Thanks again for this interview!

[@teocantsleep4611]

She is radiant and full of insight, so great and refreshing to see. I suscribed to her podcast already!

[@AndreBellCopywriter]

Loved the great tangential comment at @ 2:04:22 : "...this willingness to take a look at why others might feel the opposite of how we feel is a very rare quality." I agree big time. Others possessing dissenting views from ours does not require abuse of others. Being empathetic towards others can help many take the first step towards being able to "disagree without being disagreeable" even for topics we feel strongly about. If everyone were to chose to recognize others have a right to think and feel opposite of us (provided they are not initiating violence against others) there would be so much less violence in this world, even if we disagree with them.

[@priscillafernandes2450]

Omg this was such an amazing podcast! Thank you both, Maya and Andrew for making this happen! I was fascinated by the last part of doing something you love alongside something that's a chore or not very satisfying. Believe it not, that's exactly what I did with this podcast without realizing that Maya would say just that at the end! I've been listening to this podcast over the last 4 days....why cause I only listened it to it while loading and unloading the dishwasher! :D So, with more food for thought from your podcast, my dishwasher was loaded more frequently and my kitchen sink was more empty....win-win! :D Also, wanted to comment about workout motivation. For exercise, I zumba at home almost daily. But, when I am having a hard day or not motivated, I create a customized zumba playlist earlier that day with all my favorite zumba songs, so then it becomes an activity that I look forward to when I come home and easy enough that I just have to hit play on my favorite zumba playlist, at the end of which I am in a great mood! It's so interesting how we can maneuver/trick/train our minds about 'earning' (Maya's term) our rewards! :D

[@redridinghood1980]

..as a 43 yr old woman that grew up in fostercare & still doesn't know any of my biological relatives ..i still question my purpose ..thank you for sharing this dialog with th world ..this is one of th most profound conversations I've ever peeked in on ..& in its entirety as i went about my daily chores ..from th bottom of my dark heart, thank you both fancy faces✨️🙏🏼🖤✨️✨️

[@Hedgehoglover206]

Such a wonderful model of healthy, intelligent, and validating conversation ❤ Its awe-spiring to see you two help one another make new self-realizations about old reflections! And the fact that you both played violin to two very opposite outcomes haha

[@LaughingLead]

It’s great to see they are passionate about their profession and not egotistical/snobby about it

[@ccurtiz]

I was passively listening right up to 1:24:29. I had to replay it back three times just to hit it home. It’s hard sometimes but so healthy!

[@Yahookudi]

Maya Shankar is the most reflective and articulate women I've met. Definitely there are so many lessons to be learned from her and am looking forward to her writing her first book :)

[@mayashankar1222]

Thank you so much! That is really kind.

[@ellyharris4345]

Found Dr Huberman about 1 1/2 years ago, I was interested in learning about my memory and the sub conscious and how I could try improve myself. I was so taken with his amazing ability to explain the science in ways I could understand and relate to. Also thought he was delish, with his brains, big shoulders and arms along with the voice. Lol that brain, I also found Lex Friedman thanks to this podcast. I have to say I got a C-rush on Maya, stunning person. Wow thanks lovelies, Namaste from NZ. I hope you both continue your generous sharing of knowledge and ideas. Churr

[@MsCamilaBelmar]

How many times people laughed on this episode?? I always get a lot of fun from huberman lab podcast, but this one was also funny, I found myself having good laughs. Thank you for bring such a charismatic guest!! It was a pleasure learn from Dr. Maya Shankar, she is absolutely passionate and talented communicating her work. *To professors out there: If you are not this passionate about your work, please don't teach at all.

[@daedra40]

I agree on all accounts but I have to say maybe we can let the professors teach even if they're not this passionate - because this is top level passion on display.

[@Thregh]

Yeah, there would be not enough professors able to handle the pressure of being at their top every day.

[@erindrijber888]

Andrew, thank you so much for all you do. Your podcasts are so incredibly informative, and have helped me with my healing immensely. My analytical brain needs to understand why I should be doing the things I’ve read about in self help books for the last 15 years and I feel like with your help I’ve actually been able to apply all I’ve learned because i understand why they work - the scientific proof that confirms the spiritual teachings…thank you thank you thank you 🙏 I also recommended you to my clients daily. Your passion and joy in what you do is also infectious and the visible expression of it in your face is so endearing. Thank you so much for your help on my healing journey ❤

[@katherineschannel2558]

Thank you for this. It takes me at least 6-8 hours to watch this 'once' because it is so rich in content that stimulates thought and...challenges my thinking. I have grown so much watching these videos and love to share the ideas provided by your brilliant guests and, of course, you with friends and my clients.

[@mayashankar1222]

Thanks so much!

[@noiirrecleorr]

@@mayashankar1222 lol not some fake account tryna be maya wth

[@DoveDove-hn4by]

Hello __Katherine .. how are you doing today... 🌹🌹 How's your day going.. I hope you're having a good day 🏵️🏵️🏵️🌻...?

[@ThatsThePointScience]

Thank you Professor, this episode was delightful! For review, here are the actionable notes I've taken, and will also put in video form on my channel. 12:00 - Dr. Shankar suggests for people looking for their identity, to identify the underlying features of the things that you used to do that you absolutely loved, and find the expression elsewhere. 26:50 - The possibility to learn and experience more of this is what separates a passive experience. 33:15 - Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic motivation for your real identity. 53:15 - Relishing the process & feeding your curiosity. 1:25:00 - Learned the most about myself when talking to people I vehemently disagree with. 1:34:00 - Think about your problem from a third person perspective vs. a first person perspective to reframe your problem. 1:42:00: For better motivation towards goals, frame your goals as approach oriented instead of avoidant oriented. 2:21:00 - The middle problem. High motivation at the start of new habit and near the end of the finish line, but low motivation in the middle. The solution is to shorten time duration. Instead of setting an annual goal, set weekly or monthly goals. Temptation bundling: Pairing a hard activity while using an immediately high rewarding enjoyable activity (favorite songs, podcasts, etc.) but forgo that rewarding activity in ALL other spaces of your life. 2:25:00 - We tend to give more weight to the peak and to the end of the experience. 1:48:00 - Who sets the goal matters. When other people set our goals and targets, it undermines people being in the driver seat of their own lives (intrinsic vs. extrinsic). 1:49:30 - Ask your boss for options on what to work on. Ask your trainer on leg day to choose the specific exercises. 2:15:00 - Set goals when you are in the same state as the one you will be in while you are pursuing your goal. 1:59:30 - If trying to change people’s minds (and supposedly your own): show genuine curiosity for why they do what they do, increase question to statement ratio, asking what in theory or what evidence could change their mind. 2:09:30 - There’s 3 types of empathy: Emotional empathy (the common one that feels intuitive, feeling others pain) Cognitive empathy (accurately diagnose what is causing someone distress, and what is it I can offer to help with their suffering) Empathic concern / compassion (The actual desire to help) Best of luck everyone!

[@GenusMusic]

I've listened to Dr. Shankar's Hidden Brain Podcast episode MULTIPLE times. I cant wait for this episode! Big recommend to Hidden Brain for everyone who loves this podcast.

[@TheMflute]

@geniusmusic - Shankar Vedantam - Hidden Brain; Maya Shankar - A Slight Change of Plans. Encourage you to check out the latter as well - I think you'll enjoy it 😊

[@georginabastien49]

Dynamic Duo is what I would call Andrew Huberman Ph.D. and Dr Maya Shankar. Holyyy, they played off of each other's energy and exuberance. Dr Shankar truly loves what she does and sharing the information, as does Andrew. Glued to the screen - I watched them go back and forth. I truly appreciated the many thoughts and ideas they shared with us. I truly appreciated this amazing show.

[@HarpaAI]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🤖 Dr. Maya Shankar is a cognitive scientist, Rhodes scholar, and former senior advisor to the White House Behavioral Science team. 01:24 🛠 Dr. Shankar discusses identity, goals, and how they influence each other in life. 09:20 🚧 Teenagers often question their identity as they seek independence and explore who they want to be outside imposed structures. 10:17 💡 Dr. Shankar emphasizes anchoring one's identity to why they do things (e.g., emotional connections) rather than what they do, promoting a growth mindset. 19:40 😲 Experiences of awe, such as discovering one's passions, contribute to forming a strong sense of self and potential growth. 21:45 🎻 An awe-inspiring experience: Dr. Maya Shankar shares her profound connection with music and how it moved her emotionally and intellectually, making her feel transcendent. 28:30 📚 Awe as a catalyst for self-discovery: Dr. Maya shares the story of Reginald Dwayne Betts, who found his identity through an awe-inspiring poem, demonstrating how awe can help define new identities and futures. 32:13 👩‍👧‍👦 Parental influence on identity development: Maya's mom's support and encouragement for her violin passion, without putting pressure, allowed her to fully express her intrinsic motivation and cultivate her love for the instrument. 40:14 🏛 Embracing imaginative courage: Maya's journey to Juilliard exemplifies the importance of seizing opportunities and creating paths when none are readily available, emphasizing the power of proactive and bold actions. 46:29 🤝 The pressure of a highly competitive environment and self-consciousness affected the speaker's happiness as a teenage violinist. 52:43 🧠 Discovering the complexity of language through reading a pop science book sparked a new passion and curiosity in the speaker. 01:04:39 🧠 Dr. Shankar expresses admiration for pop science writers and their role in sharing knowledge with the public, contributing to a "public good." 01:06:31 🎻 Dr. Shankar discusses the transition from a passion for the violin to a fascination with cognitive science and linguistics, emphasizing the importance of curiosity. 01:10:12 💡 Dr. Shankar talks about the importance of reducing the need for cognitive closure and embracing uncertainty to enhance well-being and resilience during times of change. 01:25:43 🎯 Small tweaks in goal framing can have an outsized impact on success. Approach-oriented goals (e.g., "I want to eat healthier foods") lead to greater motivation and perseverance compared to avoidance-oriented goals (e.g., "I want to avoid unhealthy foods"). 01:40:15 🎯 Framing goals in an approach orientation (e.g., "I want to be in a relationship") elicits feelings of pride and accomplishment upon success, while avoidance orientation (e.g., "I want to avoid feeling lonely") leads to feelings of calm and relief. Approach-oriented goals are generally more motivating. 01:40:48 🎯 Internalizing gratitude received is beneficial for motivation and mental well-being. Receiving gratitude has positive effects on neural circuitry and neurochemistry, promoting overall positivity. 01:41:29 🎯 Internal distancing techniques, like considering problems from a third-person perspective, can promote objectivity and emotional distance, leading to better problem-solving and reframing strategies. 01:44:00 🎯 Minor changes in language can have significant effects. In one example, replacing "eligible" with "earned" led to a 9% increase in access to benefits, illustrating the impact of framing and the endowment effect. 01:45:55 🎯 Encouraging a more positive, reward-focused approach to behavioral change can be more effective than relying solely on punitive measures. Emphasizing what has been earned or accomplished can enhance motivation and action. 01:46:36 🤔 Dr. Maya Shankar discusses the difficulty of behavior change and emphasizes the importance of addressing behavioral factors like sunlight, sleep, exercise, social connection, and nutrition for overall health. 01:55:38 🌐 Public policy often neglects understanding opposing viewpoints, leading to communication failures. Cultivating empathy, learning about cognitive science, and seeking to bridge empathy gaps can help in finding common ground and improving discussions. 02:06:10 🌟 Understanding cognitive science and neuroscience can lead to increased empathy, making individuals kinder to others, even those with opposing beliefs, and can prevent burnout in challenging pursuits. 02:08:00 🧠 There are three distinct types of empathy: emotional empathy, cognitive empathy, and empathic concern. People can excel in different types of empathy, and it's important to value and recognize them all equally. 02:13:45 🌅 Capitalize on "Fresh Start" moments, such as the first day of the week or New Year's Day, to introduce new habits and patterns into your life. These moments create a clean slate and can be powerful motivators for change. 02:19:12 🎯 Use "Temptation Bundling" to pair an unpleasant activity with an immediately rewarding one. This can create positive associations with the task and increase motivation to accomplish it. 02:26:18 🏁 Be mindful of the "peak-end rule" when reflecting on experiences. People tend to give more weight to the most emotionally intense moment and the end of an experience when evaluating it. By making the end of unpleasant experiences less unpleasant, the overall memory of the experience can be more positive. 02:27:43 🧠 Creating better memories: People tend to remember the peak and end moments of an experience more than the overall duration. Adding slightly less unpleasant moments at the end of an aversive experience can make it more favorably remembered and increase the likelihood of returning to it. 02:28:26 🏋 Tailoring enjoyment: What constitutes enjoyment during a pursuit is subjective. Tailor strategies to fit individual preferences and natural psychology to enhance motivation and commitment. 02:30:02 🙏 Gratitude and curiosity: Dr. Maya Shankar expresses gratitude for engaging conversations and the opportunity to share her insights. Emphasizes the value of curiosity, human connection, and generosity in her work.

[@ssnjr1299]

finally a useful bot

[@iddqd_]

Thanks!

[@rudiranck8656]

I would add the part where people avoid uncertainty to such an extent that, according to one study, they would rather have a 100% chance of getting a shock than a relatively small percentage of getting one.

[@HarpaAI]

@@rudiranck8656 indeed! that's really curious.

[@rudiranck8656]

@@HarpaAI if you find the time stamp drop it to us :)

[@velemaj]

My second favourite episode... as someone who was an educator for 30 plus years and then suddenly got sick and is now in recovery, I can truly identify with losing one's identity and attempting rebuild one's life! Dr. Shankar is articulate, passionate and such an amazing woman. Thanks for having her as a guest.

[@PriM-fe4lh]

Loved this conversation between you both and how you build off on each others energy, knowledge and insights. There were many moments I had to pause and think about what was said as it was either a new way of thinking, something that was reframed for me or was inviting self exploration. I will have to listen a few more times to the conversation to take away all the tools and techniques from this episode and to weave them into my life.

[@Manker00]

Probably my favorite podcast I've heard from Dr. Huberman so far. I really enjoyed it from start to finish and would definitely recommend it to almost anyone

[@EvanJHagen]

I'm an aspiring conductor/musician/French hornist. I really appreciate the perspective of a classically trained musician on the podcast. "Music isn't who you are, it's what you do" can be a sanity-restoring reminder.

[@haru-sama647]

Hello Dr Huberman. I have been your subscriber for a while but the length of the podcasts shied me away. I wanted to change this as the intellectual side of me wanted to prosper. Today, after listening to the wise scientific backed conversation, it gave me an entry point into various aspects of understanding my life. Agency, identity and the narratives we build about ourselves resonated with me. Goal setting also gave me an insight on what changes I could make to get where I want. Thank you for the rich and insightful conversation.

[@ddavidpanah]

With all due respect for you and for the guest, I have been a big fan of you for a long time, and nothing has changed. Just on this particular subject, around identity and goals, most of the population may not be able to relate to guest who had a lot of privileges, opportunities available to them like the current, who have their parents full financial and psychological support. This does not mean that the luckier ones aren't hard Working, they may be even more goal oriented that others, however for a lot, many doors are closed or even invisible. How one can expose themselves to things that have no existence in their reality ? Coming from a poor / uncaring / loving but very traditional family, leads to alot of struggle for anyone to know what's available out there, or just to something is out there. Much love and appreciation for you and your guests who share their lifelong knowledge for free 😊❤

[@darkrebel123]

I love her story about reading Pinker's book and how that inspired her. I had an almost identical experience but with Dawkins' book The Greatest Show on Earth. That book gave me a taste of the awe and wonder of biology, and left me with a hunger to understand biology on a deeper level than what popular science books could impart. As a result I am now nearing completion of my PhD in biomedical science. Everything about this path resonates with who I am on a very deep level.

[@theCatholicInfluence]

Fascinating conversation between two very eloquent and caring people. Thank you Dr. Huberman for your podcast. The world is better for it! Something I wonder about is where spirituality and neuroscience intersect. I wish I knew someone to recommend for your cast that fit into that realm.

[@DoveDove-hn4by]

Hello __dear how are you doing today... 🌹🌹 How's your day going.. I hope you're having a good day 🏵️🏵️🏵️🌻...?

[@peterspy8867]

Rarely you encounter something like this in life, a creative conversation between such beautiful minds! I've been amateur musician for most of my life, and I can subscribe to everything dr. Shankar said about listening and performing music. It's such a transcendent thing, even as a life-long hobby, especially if you get to play with people, or have a teacher that guides you. Thank you so much for this talk!

[@rouakrimi]

Almost every single episode comes at the perfect time to answer the questions I’m asking myself at that time. Thank you Andrew ❤

[@tbd407]

the youtube algorithm is powerful

[@rouakrimi]

@@tbd407 I don’t think it’s the algorithm, I’m getting Andrew Tate videos just because I once looked him up. I’m subscribed and have m’y notifications on and wait for the new episode every Monday morning.

[@abuorunfolded]

I just watched a beautiful soul and brilliant mind all wrapped in one. I am awestruck. Dr Maya represents the best of humanity.

[@stevancvetkovic241]

Thanks Andrew for taking your time and bringing all this knowledge to the people ❤️ standing up and listening to you in the morning, means progress 💪

[@princesscrazy-locks5866]

Auto play bought me here and I am beyond glad that it did! My primary goal (beyond the required "survive") is to find something to be grateful and preferably joyful for, in every day. It took a lot of years and a lot of effort to realise that and so many trials and challenges to drive it home, but, by gosh, it has all bren worth it! One of the things I am grateful and joyful for today is having stumbled into this particular discussion! Thank you!

[@jaakkoeskola2871]

Thank you both for amazing content! Please be aware that you are making the world a better place and there is so much value in what you do!

[@apcChris]

I know this is a two and a half hour-long video, but the amount of times I paused it rewound it it's becoming a 5-hour long video. I didn't know I needed this right now

[@NaylaIsidoro]

My favorite thing that does make me feel rewarded, is listening to this podcast at work. As a person with ADHD , I have trained myself to hyperfocus on my tasks while listening to the podcast. I feel I cannot do this anywhere else or it will lose its affect on my brain.

[@kimberiysmarketstrategy]

This idea of creating "an army around you" I had 7 children, 6 boys and one girl. Initially it was a culture shock when they started leaving home, they are my security team, my bouncers, and my councelors. When I and my spouse fight he would never talk me down as my army is right behind me. I have a learned stregth that people will never know. What a blessing! ❤

[@oliviafalkus1592]

This has been the most relatable and helpful podcast ever, I absolutely loved the topics and advices! Thank you!

[@marisahope4660]

Loved everything about this, in particular the notion of belonging; 'there's a place for me here'... really beautiful. Thank you both for a wonderful, educational, inspiring dialogue.

[@graywilliams_77.]

Inflation is far more harmful to individuals than a collapsing stock or property market because it directly affects people's cost of living, which they immediately feel. It is not surprising that the current market sentiment is extremely pessimistic. In today's economy, assistance is critical if we are to survive.

[@MartheDeutschAllgemeinwissen]

Thank you Dr.Huberman and Dr.Shankar for this amazing episode. Dr.Huberman ,thank you very much. You changed my life 7 months ago. That’s when I discovered your podcast and since then I regularly watch your episodes and try to translate them into German so that I could also tell everyone in Austria about this podcast. I now know more about neurobiology thanks to you. If super heroes were real, they would just be like you and everyone who does the same podcasts that you do, people who like sharing education with younger folks. You keep me motivated to discover the human body, especially the brain.

[@ArkEducationAustralia]

What a great gift getting to know Dr Maya. I watch it all once with a smile in my face. One of my favourites so far! Thank you to all people that make it happen.

[@Cinerouquine]

Dr Huberman - If you don’t know any 40 years old asking themselves who they really are and who are confused about their identity - we definitely don’t hang out with the same crowds… i feel like it’s pretty much what that decade is about! Lol

[@scarface548]

This was my thought too. As someone in 40s i think about this on a weekly basis. None of the milestones in my life have given me any clarity.

[@vaibhavraj5560]

I guess that confusion or I say question can arise at any point in life.

[@NotFound-iu8wx]

Midlife crisis

[@ronnideam]

Indeed!

[@rudiranck8656]

Isn't it rather a problem than an advantage...

[@zep6222]

Dr Maya Shankar has seems to have an excellent ability to voice her experiences in such an incredibly articulate and vivid manner. Great podcast :D

[@saraconner5063]

This was a remarkable listen.Thank you for sharing Dr Shankar's work and exploring such a profound topic that can apply to so many of us. Its an immediate "send to everyone I know" podcast. Brilliant work again Dr Huberman!

[@Merca5aurus]

LOVED this episode! Am now a huge fan of Dr. Shankar! So inspiring. I think someone you would really love to talk to would be Kris Gethin! A staple in the fitness industry, from Wales, and his drive and training motivation is inspired by his want to live forever. Interesting and unique mindset in the fitness and supplement industry

[@stephaniedanforth2833]

One of my favorite episodes, all of this information on identity is so valuable and helpful! Maya was such a wonderful guest, thank you so much for continuing to share such good content. 🙏

[@DoveDove-hn4by]

Hello __Stephanie .. how are you doing today... 🌹🌹 How's your day going.. I hope you're having a good day 🏵️🏵️🏵️🌻...?

[@innuendo4469]

Amazing guest! Dr.Maya - I wish more people had such passion in them. For me, it's a matter of "never kill the child that's in you". Thank you, Andrew - beautifully hosted episode, wonderful guest. We want more of Dr. Shankar!

[@armor1233]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🤖 Dr. Maya Shankar on identity formation and societal influences during childhood. 07:38 🤯 Loss of an activity leads to identity reevaluation. 11:25 🧘‍♀️ Anchor your identity to "why" you do things. 13:40 🤔 Adolescence and identity exploration. 16:00 🤔 Fixed vs. malleable self-concepts. 18:30 😍 Delight in activities shapes identity. 20:52 🎵 Shankar's connection with music. 27:33 🎵 Finding identity through literature. 30:18 🎵 Family's role in supporting passions. 38:02 🎵 Journey to Juilliard. 40:43 🎻 Loss of violin and identity. 54:09 🔄 Post-injury disorientation. 56:00 🎻 The violin's impact. 57:11 🤯 Realizing the violin's role. 59:13 📚 The book that sparked curiosity. 01:00:10 🧠 Exploring complex subjects. 01:01:06 📚 Pop science books and diverse minds. 01:02:18 📚 Promoting diversity in science. 01:06:45 🎻 Journey from violin to cognitive science. 01:07:54 🔄 Embracing change and self-auditing. 01:12:58 🔄 Change's profound impact. 01:21:42 🧠 Nervous system focus on safety. 01:22:38 🤔 Seeking feedback and diverse perspectives. 01:24:18 🌟 Benefits of diverse relationships. 01:25:43 💡 Exploring new experiences. 01:27:36 🤷‍♂️ Valuable feedback for self-awareness. 01:31:16 🧠 The value of a flexible mindset. 01:34:01 🧘‍♀️ Distancing for objectivity. 01:35:11 📢 Encouraging critical feedback. 01:37:43 🌻 Balancing feedback. 01:40:15 💪 Sustaining motivation. 01:41:29 🥅 Goal framing for motivation. 01:43:17 🏆 Agency in goal setting. 01:44:57 📧 Impact of wording on behavior. 01:55:10 🤝 Group affiliations and beliefs. 02:00:21 🧐 Encouraging curiosity and questioning. 02:01:18 🎯 Setting realistic goals. 02:04:45 🤝 Understanding empathy for better relationships. 02:08:56 💪 Overcoming the "middle problem" in goal pursuit. Made with HARPA AI

[@HP-qg3bp]

Thank you for introducing me to Dr Maya's work. I listen to these podcasts with the view to get better at assisting my clients who have moderate to high ACE scores. So the prisoner example was of interest, where he was young and the ability to change the identity is easier due to age. If he were 15 years older, what other things would he need to be exposed to to be able to shift his identity that same way and what would be his habits/barriers to deconstruct to be able to do this? Are their studies on identity work that take into consideration ACE scores to see how different people respond to the same situation? Congratulations on the growth of your subscriber reach also!

[@GilesPinto]

Brilliant episode! I’m now a subscriber. As an educator, school leader and aspiring organizational consultant with a background in counselling psychology, I was riveted by the insights. Dr Shankar is brilliant but I also appreciated the way the conversation elicited an easy sharing of knowledge between colleagues. Thanks for this.

[@sarqeles]

Dr. Maya and Dr. Huberman, I'm saving this as one of my all time favorites. I just discovered you both, not sure why it took so long, but glad I did. So many great lessons for adapting to external circumstances and focusing on our core, our motivations and how we can bring that to every environment, job, relationship etc. We need to refrain from attaching to the temporary and focus on building the permanence, that side nobody sees. That side that keeps us going through challenges. I-m subscribed to both your channels. So, thank you 🙏

[@gipvision6937]

Dr. Humerman - thank you! Truly appreciate the podcast and the hard work that goes into each episode. I would like to see an episode about protocols for promoting a healthy nervous system and tools we can all use to help ourselves with weakened or damaged nerves.

[@EricMHowardII-yh1rn]

Dr Shankar is an lovely lady she is opening up her heart in an excellent way. Her heart is beautiful. ❤ Professor Huberman Thank you again.

[@michaelpiepenhagen399]

Let another life changing episode, Huberman is one of my main "Teachers " Andrew thank you You have been, though this podcast, a positive/ Immense influence In my quest from trauma to excellence

[@DilCardyn]

Dr. Maya Shankar is undoubtedly a fascinating guest, known for her expertise in cognitive science and behavior change. I'm eager to listen to the insights she shares about shaping one's identity and setting meaningful goals. The concept of identity plays a crucial role in how we perceive ourselves and our capabilities. Understanding how to shape and align our identity with our values and aspirations can be transformative in achieving our fullest potential.

[@BlankFaceAma]

The timing of this particular episode for me is great. This was really interesting and helpful. Thank you both!

[@funygameur]

Exactly what I thought! I was just working on my perceptions of life and myself after studying some episode of the podcast ! *See : Applying growth mindset*

[@jgarciajr82]

The essence Huberman is talking about is the Self. 🔥🙏🏼❤️

[@svetasid]

Maya is a wonderful guest, bubbly & brilliant! Motivated to do hard things!

[@el-rhino]

Can I please tell you how powerful these lessons have been for me. Wow. I keep learning so much from these talks.

[@tn7761]

Wow!!! I do not usually comment..this podcast hit home!!! Thank you Andrew and Maya!! Keep doing what you do! Thank you! Im speachless!! Thank you!!!

[@-..._._-.]

Maya addressed alot of things I've been thinking for awhile and felt like I was the only one aware of, or thinking of those things, most especially: cognitive empathy, and our biases via our social groups / environment, and how to break outside of those limitations in the pursuit of truth. Phenomenal guest choice as always Dr, huberman. Never posted a comment on your podcast, though I've listened for almost 2 years, just want to say this is an amazing podcast, and has changed my life, and perspective for the better. Keep up the great work

[@mayashankar1222]

So glad to hear! Check out A Slight Change of Plans if you want more :)

[@TheMaaoow]

I see a few comments showing polarized opinions and other comments showing the points behind her stories were missed by miles. Another great interview, never stop doing your great work, sir 👏

[@moyagreene9590]

Dr Hoberman and Dr. Shankar, At age 70, I realise I have had several different identities.. as I made options for myself.. and perused opportunities. Parents get blamed for a lot these days… but helping kids make options and grab opportunities seems to me to be generally a good thing .

[@TheZGALa]

Another great conversation! Thank you both. I am currently writing about emotional fitness, and healing from CPTSD, and particularly interested in how science backs up the idea that we can train ourselves to think differently, or develop more of a growth mindset, and how our identities change over time...

[@lorirodgers9474]

Thank you! I use this pod cast as a double treat doing pottery and expanding my horizons! Absolutely lovely- two brilliant minds sharing so much. I thank you both! It’s a better world with your hearts and minds.

[@abby1513]

Such a warm, pleasant personality, loved how Andrew let her do her thing and it genuinely felt like a conversation and not a traditional podcast.

[@lisacee3237]

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode & would also love it if you sit down with Dr. Shankar again. In addition, I am drawn to the information that she spoke about in regard to Darrel Davis & would love you to also have an episode with this gentleman. Thanks again for your podcasts/KZbin videos!

[@lukemacon1]

This person is amazing. Thank you for sharing knowledge and even difficult experiences. Inspiring!❤