In this episode of Getting Open, Andrea Miller sits down with Dr. Maya Shankar, cognitive scientist and host of A Slight Change of Plans, to explore how we rebuild our identities after life-altering events. From losing her dream of becoming a concert violinist to finding a new purpose through neuroscience and behavioral science, Maya shares powerful insights on resilience, emotional flexibility, and embracing change when life doesn’t go as planned.

Chapters:
00:00 – When Your Identity Is Taken Away
01:52 – Meeting Dr. Maya Shankar
04:26 – Getting Into Juilliard at Age 9
08:12 – Growing Up in High-Pressure Environments
10:39 – The Injury That Ended Everything
15:22 – “I Didn’t Know Who I Was Anymore”
21:38 – Why Achievement Can’t Be Your Identity
24:11 – Redefining Self-Worth Without Success
27:54 – What Failure Teaches You
38:02 – The Pressure to Be Exceptional
45:41 – Imposter Syndrome and Perfectionism
48:52 – Choosing Values Over Titles
55:12 – Defining Yourself by Why, Not What
59:33 – Letting Go of External Validation
01:03:06 – Advice for Anyone Feeling Lost
01:06:54 – What Maya Wishes She Knew Earlier
01:10:22 – Building a Life That Feels Meaningful

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“Getting Open w/ Andrea Miller” is a podcast aimed at helping people truly open up to one another and themselves by digging into hard truths and varying perspectives. This show offers expert-approved relationship advice through vulnerable stories, dynamic discussions, and inspiring insights.

Subscribe to catch new episodes of Getting Open with Andrea Miller every Tuesday at 3 PM ET.
📚 Read more at: https://www.YourTango.com

📩 Have a relationship issue or topic you'd like to discuss on the show? Email us: gettingopen@yourtango.com

#change #personalgrowth #emotionalhealing

Maya Shankar, cognitive science, A Slight Change of Plans, resilience, embracing change, identity loss, how to reinvent yourself, emotional healing, behavioral science, overcoming change, self discovery, growth mindset, letting go, rebuilding identity, how to start over, dealing with uncertainty, finding purpose, life after failure, change psychology, emotional resilience, self acceptance, change expert, personal growth, adaptability, life transitions, Getting Open podcast

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In this episode of Getting Open, Andrea Miller speaks with Mark Greene, author and advocate for healthy masculinity, about what it really means to be a man today. Mark breaks down how traditional masculinity harms men emotionally, why vulnerability is not weakness, and how men can reconnect with their feelings, relationships, and true selves. This conversation explores emotional literacy, healing generational patterns, and redefining strength for modern men.

Chapters:
00:00 – Why Masculinity Is Broken
01:38 – Meet Mark Greene
03:12 – How Boys Are Taught to Shut Down Emotionally
05:54 – The Damage Caused by “Be a Man”
08:42 – Why Men Are Afraid of Vulnerability
13:26 – When Masculinity Becomes a Prison
15:58 – The Cost of Being the Provider
18:11 – Why Men Struggle to Ask for Help
29:40 – What Healthy Masculinity Really Looks Like
39:52 – How Men Can Reconnect With Emotion
44:05 – Teaching Boys Emotional Intelligence
56:14 – Redefining Strength for Modern Men
01:03:10 – Why Men Fear Emotional Intimacy
01:07:02 – Loneliness, Isolation, and Modern Manhood
01:15:46 – The Role of Fathers and Male Role Models
01:28:55 – Mark’s Message to Men Who Feel Stuck
01:32:10 – Final Reflections on Being Fully Human

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FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/YourTango/

“Getting Open w/ Andrea Miller” is a podcast aimed at helping people truly open up to one another and themselves by digging into hard truths and varying perspectives. This show offers expert-approved relationship advice through vulnerable stories, dynamic discussions, and inspiring insights.

Subscribe to catch new episodes of Getting Open with Andrea Miller every Tuesday at 3 PM ET.
📚 Read more at: https://www.YourTango.com

📩 Have a relationship issue or topic you'd like to discuss on the show? Email us: gettingopen@yourtango.com

#healthymasculinity #menandemotions #emotionalintelligence #mentalhealthformen

Mark Greene, Getting Open podcast, healthy masculinity, modern masculinity, men and emotions, emotional vulnerability men, redefining masculinity, men mental health podcast, masculinity and vulnerability, emotional intelligence men, breaking toxic masculinity, men healing podcast, male emotional health

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In this episode of Getting Open, Andrea Miller sits down with Alegra Kastens for an honest conversation about intuition, healing, and learning to trust yourself — especially when anxiety and OCD are part of the picture. Alegra opens up about how OCD shows up in everyday life, the difference between intuition and intrusive thoughts, and what it takes to break old emotional patterns without bypassing fear. This episode explores self-trust, mental health, and finding alignment even when your mind feels loud.

Chapters:
00:00 – Why Your Intuition Is Trying to Get Your Attention
01:41 – Meet Alegra Kastens
03:14 – Learning to Trust Yourself Again
06:48 – What Happens When You Ignore Intuition
09:32 – Emotional Patterns We Repeat Unconsciously
11:26 – Breaking Old Cycles for Good
13:58 – The Body Knows Before the Mind
15:02 – The Moment Everything Shifted
17:41 – Why Healing Isn’t Linear
19:12 – Living With OCD and Anxiety
21:08 – How OCD Shows Up in Everyday Life
27:44 – Fear vs. Inner Guidance
31:07 – Why Stillness Brings Clarity
34:20 – Letting Go of Control
38:52 – Releasing Old Versions of Yourself
42:10 – Trusting the Unknown Path
49:58 – Growth Requires Radical Honesty
53:10 – When Life Finally Feels Aligned
59:42 – Advice for Anyone Feeling Stuck
01:03:15 – Final Reflections on Trust & Growth

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TWITTER | https://www.twitter.com/YourTango
FACEBOOK | https://www.facebook.com/YourTango/

“Getting Open w/ Andrea Miller” is a podcast aimed at helping people truly open up to one another and themselves by digging into hard truths and varying perspectives. This show offers expert-approved relationship advice through vulnerable stories, dynamic discussions, and inspiring insights.

Subscribe to catch new episodes of Getting Open with Andrea Miller every Tuesday at 3 PM ET.
📚 Read more at: https://www.YourTango.com

📩 Have a relationship issue or topic you'd like to discuss on the show? Email us: gettingopen@yourtango.com

#intuition #personalgrowth ##ocd #alignment

Alegra Kastens, Getting Open podcast, intuition and healing, trusting your intuition, emotional growth podcast, personal alignment, breaking emotional patterns, self awareness, healing journey, listening to your body, inner wisdom, personal development podcast, ocd, ocd alegra kastens, alegra kastens ocd, ocd tips, ocd signs, living with ocd

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