Dr. Maya Shankar

I said, I remember writing in parentheses, I know I'm not cool enough to work with the likes of Obama, but if there's a state or local government opportunity for me to apply these insights, I'd be totally game.

I said, I remember writing in parentheses, I know I'm not cool enough to work with the likes of Obama, but if there's a state or local government opportunity for me to apply these insights, I'd be totally game.

And thankfully for me, Cass ignored all the insecurity that was seeping out of my email and wrote back almost right away, again, generosity of spirit that I referenced earlier, and said, this is so wonderful, Maya.

And thankfully for me, Cass ignored all the insecurity that was seeping out of my email and wrote back almost right away, again, generosity of spirit that I referenced earlier, and said, this is so wonderful, Maya.

I'm going to introduce you to the president's science advisor.

I'm going to introduce you to the president's science advisor.

Now, I remember nearly falling off my chair.

Now, I remember nearly falling off my chair.

I was like, what is happening in my life?

I was like, what is happening in my life?

I can't believe this connection's been made.

I can't believe this connection's been made.

And a week later, I was interviewing with top White House officials, pitching them on the idea of creating a new position for a behavioral scientist like me.

And a week later, I was interviewing with top White House officials, pitching them on the idea of creating a new position for a behavioral scientist like me.

And

And

There was this particularly powerful moment, Halit, I remember in the interview, where I was proposing all these ideas based on behavioral science, like the growth mindset, which is the idea that if we treat our minds like muscles, that can grow with time and effort.

There was this particularly powerful moment, Halit, I remember in the interview, where I was proposing all these ideas based on behavioral science, like the growth mindset, which is the idea that if we treat our minds like muscles, that can grow with time and effort.

We can actually see a lot more potential in people.

We can actually see a lot more potential in people.