A Science Journalist Tries to Hack Heartbreak | From A Slight Change of Plans

A Science Journalist Tries to Hack Heartbreak | From A Slight Change of Plans

From The Story Collider by Story Collider, Inc.

May 5, 2026 · 33 min

About this episode

Florence Williams explores the science of heartbreak after her marriage ends, seeking understanding and healing through various methods.

When her twenty-five year marriage unexpectedly fell apart, science writer Florence Williams (author of Heartbreak ) felt shocked and blindsided. Such heartbreak led to a new range of intense feelings and, trained as a journalist, Florence set out on a journey to understand the science of heartbreak. She tried novel forms of therapy, immersed herself in nature, and consulted cutting-edge research on the science of awe. But her greatest discovery came when she tried an alternative to “hacking” heartbreak. This episode is from A Slight Change of Plans, hosted by cognitive scientist and bestselling author Dr. Maya Shankar. On A Slight Change of Plans, Maya explores how we experience change and provides strategies we can use to better navigate moments of upheaval. Whether it’s a sudden pivot or a slow transformation, each episode reveals how change can give us an opportunity to reimagine who we are and unlock greater possibility. Find A Slight Change of Plans wherever you get podcasts.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Maya Shankar

Guest: Florence Williams

Topics covered

  • heartbreak
  • science
  • therapy
  • nature
  • change
  • personal growth

Keywords

  • heartbreak
  • science journalist
  • therapy
  • nature
  • awe
  • personal transformation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: A Slight Change of Plans

Books & works: Heartbreak

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