Inspiring tales of resilience; some heavier topics.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
Doesn't shy away from the startling reality of some of its stories. These include references to hate crimes involving the KKK, a boy's lonely immigration story reuniting with his family in a new country, religious cults, life-threatening diseases, real-life conflicts in Uganda and North Korea, and false murder accusations. All are discussed professionally and respectfully, despite the intense subject matter.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Although drug use doesn't often factor into stories, there's at least one episode in which singer Kacey Musgraves discusses how a psychedelic experience inspired her latest album. A young man recounts how he started smoking cigarettes as a boy in order to be accepted by the adult men in his community.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.
Occasionally a topic can discuss sexuality or imply nudity, but it's not graphic. For instance, a mother of a transgender child recounts the moment her child asked for a penile construction. Some discussions of relationships.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
Ads -- usually for other Pushkin podcasts -- are sprinkled throughout each episode, including the beginning, middle, and end of the main content.
Positive Messages
a lot
Oftentimes, you can find value even in the hardships you face. It's important to be aware of your own emotions and how you process them. Connection with others is a key part of living a happy life. Self-care is of the utmost importance. Hope persists. Empathy, compassion, and perseverance are major themes throughout.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Each episode focuses on one person's inspiring journey of self-discovery, overcoming adversity, and emerging a stronger person. Guests demonstrate perseverance, while host Maya Shankar treats guests with empathy and compassion.
Diverse Representations
a lot
Features a wildly diverse group of stories, focusing on people of different races, backgrounds, and gender identities. The show isn't afraid to tackle difficult topics, like talking to Black jazz musician Daryl Davis about how he inspired hundreds of people to leave White supremacist groups. The show features stories from guests with disabilities, like Chef Christine Ha, who continued to pursue her love of cooking after a neurological condition left her legally blind. Many topics of mental health are discussed, including surviving grief, managing mental chatter, the science of meditation, and more. Cognitive scientist Maya Shankar hosts and adds important input from her own experience and expert background.
Parents need to know that A Slight Change of Plans takes a challenging look at real people who have undergone trauma, pain, and other unforeseen life events and emerged stronger for it. Perseverance is a clear thread throughout each episode, as guests model how they were able to take difficult situations and use them as lessons and tools for growth. The show has a journalistic feel that avoids sensationalizing these true stories and lets them come from the source. Host and cognitive scientist Maya Shankar leads each interview with empathy and compassion, weaving in her own experiences and expertise. The podcast touches on a number of heavier themes like racism, gender identity, immigration, mental health, war, and other complicated topics. There are some references to using hallucinogens, smoking, and relationships, but no graphic discussions. Overall, each story is inspirational and offers insight into human resilience and happiness.
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What’s It About?
A SLIGHT CHANGE OF PLANS tells an inspiring story of resilience each episode. Episode subjects and guests span a wide range. From a Black jazz musician who took on the KKK, to a cancer researcher who finds himself diagnosed with the disease, to a mother's recounting the journey of her child coming out as transgender. Cognitive scientist Maya Shankar uses her expertise to guide thoughtful interviews with each guest, giving the show a heartwarming journalistic feel. Each episode is unique, diverse, and inclusive, offering a deeper insight into how perseverant we are as humans and how although life may not go as planned, we find our strength and happiness on the path we're given. The show purports to be about "who we are and who we become in the face of a big change," and its focus on real people and real issues reflects that mission statement.
While it may be aimed at adults, A Slight Change of Plans presents powerfully detailed accounts of a variety of harrowing experiences that are sure to be inspiring for tweens and teens. Stories of courage, resilience, and perseverance will likely be relatable for teens and can help model how our struggles and obstacles can also become our strength and motivation.
Host Maya Shankar guides the guests through even the most difficult topics with compassion and empathy, allowing them to be vulnerable and modeling active listening. In doing so, she uncovers messages of hope, strength, and grace, sure to inspire all listeners.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how A Slight Change of Plans focuses on a diverse array of stories, with the common underlying theme of perseverance. How does hearing several very different accounts of resilience help to give a broader perspective of how we can find our own version of happiness?
A Slight Change of Plans follows people who have gone through big changes and emerged stronger for it. What's a big change you went through in your life, and how were you able to push through it? What lessons did you learn from that experience?
Many of the guests on A Slight Change of Plans discuss the importance of self-love and self-worth in combating loneliness. What are some things you can do to practice self-love and self-compassion?
Host Maya Shankar leads conversations and listens to her guests with compassion and empathy. Why are these important character strengths when practicing active listening? How can this help the person you're talking to feel comfortable being vulnerable and sharing their experiences?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Robert Yaniz Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
