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The Other Side of Change

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

An unexpected diagnosis.
A breakup.
A redundancy.

When life throws a curveball, it can feel like we’re free-falling into the unknown. But what if upheaval was a chance to reimagine ourselves, rather than something to just endure?

Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist, has spent decades researching the mind after an incident in her own life left her reeling. In this book, she shares the riveting stories of others who have gone through remarkable change, and weaves in scientific insights to illuminate universal lessons hidden within them.

We see how 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. Exploring our complex reactions to change, we’re invited to rethink our relationship with it altogether, and offered a deep well of wisdom we can draw from during these experiences.

Whether you're processing a past change, grappling with a present one, or bracing for a future one, this will help you discover who you can become on the other side of change.

"THE BOOK WE ALL NEED" Mel Robbins, author of The Let Them Theory

© Maya Shankar 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Critics Review

The Other Side of Change is a rare combination of beautiful storytelling, cognitive science and wholehearted wisdom. How lucky are we to have Maya walk with us through the unexpected and often uninvited moments that shape who we are and how we make our way through the world.
Brené Brown, Ph.D., bestselling author of Atlas of the Heart and Daring Greatly
The book we all need when life knocks us sideways. This is your guide to finding strength in the mess, clarity in the chaos, and a version of yourself you never saw coming. Smart, deeply moving, and grounded in science - it will change how you see change.
Mel Robbins, bestselling author of The Let Them Theory
Maya Shankar has written a moving and powerful book about a challenge that all of us will or have faced. What happens when our carefully laid plans and deeply held expectations go awry? I loved The Other Side of Change.
Malcolm Gladwell, bestselling author of Blink and Outliers
A wise and poignant read for our turbulent times. With powerful stories and practical science, Maya examines how we find purpose after adversity and possibility under uncertainty.
Adam Grant, bestselling author of Think Again and Hidden Potential
Having faced the bewildering wreckage of an aftermath, I can’t recommend this book highly enough. The Other Side of Change is a collection of stories where quaking forces like illness and loss cleave life into before and after, paired with practical wisdom and science-backed techniques for rebuilding. Maya Shanker has penned a tender, helpful companion for all of us.
Suleika Jaouad, bestselling author of Between Two Kingdoms and The Book of Alchemy

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