Shows / The Growth Project
The Growth Project
Our group is traditionally trained in sport and performance psychology, and in the spirit of what we do, the purpose of our podcast is to make a positive impact on your life and challenge you to think differently on topics related to growth. Through conversations with coaches, athletes, executives, and leaders of industry, we will explore and highlight the mindset and skillset required for lasting growth. Ultimately, we exist to provide you with the tools to become the best version of you. At…
Episodes
The Growth ProjectEpisode 330: Culture is the Advantage with Scott Watkins
In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Scott Watkins, Senior Vice President, Advanced Manufacturing Market Leader at Clayco. Scott shares his path to…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 329: Humanizing Business with Sims Key and Alisha Coleman
In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Sims Key and Alisha Coleman of Equip Studio, a successful, culture-focused architecture firm based in…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 328: Break the Scroll with Dr. Kimberly Shaffer
The average person spends nearly four hours a day on their phone, adding up to a quarter of their waking life! Given the magnitude of that time, Dr. Cory…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 327: Sixty Days in the Dark (Part 3)
In the final installment of the Sixty Days in the Dark series, Dr. Drew Brannon reflects with Dr. Milt Lowder on the realizations that followed his unexpected…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 326: Sixty Days in the Dark (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this powerful series, Dr. Drew Brannon joins Dr. Milt Lowder to explore what it means to walk through the "dark hallway"—the space between loss…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 325: Sixty Days in the Dark (Part 1)
In this powerful first installment of a three-part series, Dr. Milt Lowder sits down with Dr. Drew Brannon to unpack the most challenging season of Drew's…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 324: Find Your Hard with Nolan Lennon
Former Clemson soccer player Nolan Lennon knows pain, perseverance, and purpose. After tearing his ACL four times, he stepped away from the game he loved and…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 323: "Building Up" with David Wise
What does it take to build trust, foster culture, and create lasting impact? In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder sits down with David Wise, President & CEO of…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 322: Battle-Tested Leadership with Navy Special Operator Oran Feiner
What can business leaders learn from Navy special operations? In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer talks with retired Navy special operator Oran Feiner, who…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 321: Getting Results with Extreme Commitment
How committed are you to the results you want? In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer break down the direct link between commitment and outcomes…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 320: Three Keys to Keeping Composure
Have you ever lost your cool when the pressure was on? In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer reveal Three Truths About Composure, the key to…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 319: Raising Resilient Kids
How do we raise children who embrace challenges, value self-improvement, and develop mental resilience? In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer, AMPLOS mental…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 318: Overcoming Mental Traps to Strengthen Performance
What holds you back from reaching your full potential? In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with Clemson PhD student and AMPLOS intern Marlee Johnson to…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 317: Answering ChatGPT's Top Questions on Leadership & Adaptability
In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer and Clemson PhD student and AMPLOS intern Marlee Johnson answer top questions curated by ChatGPT, diving into the overlooked…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 316: Escaping the Mediocrity Trap
Are you stuck in the mediocrity trap—settling for comfort instead of striving for growth? In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer break down what…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 315: Transform Stress to Work for You with Dr. Rebecca Heiss
We all experience stress, but what if you could make it work for you instead of against you? Dr. Cory Shaffer talks with Dr. Rebecca Heiss, stress physiologist…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 314: Nike's Principles for Success
In this special live episode from TPM's annual kickoff in downtown Greenville, SC, Drs. Milt Lowder and Cory Shaffer dive into five of Nike's Principles that…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 313: Final Thoughts on the 2024 College Football Season
The 2024 college football season was one to remember - filled with dramatic twists and valuable lessons. Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer, sport…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 312: Living Audaciously with Anne Marie Anderson
In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with three-time Emmy-winning EPSN sports broadcaster Anne Marie Anderson to discuss her book, Cultivating Audacity…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 311: How to Stick with Your 2025 Goals
Research show that about 30% of Americans set New Year's resolutions, yet only 9% see them through to the end of the year. As we age, the likelihood of setting…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 310: Reflections, Resolutions, and Unanswered Questions
In this special episode, Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, and Cory Shaffer close out 2024 and welcome 2025 with thoughtful reflections and fresh insights…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 309: Finding Holiday Harmony – Balancing Work and Rest
The holiday season is often filled with joy, but it can also bring unique challenges. How can we find harmony amidst festive celebrations layered onto already…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 308: Balancing Legacy and Innovation with Chris Fay
In this episode, Chris Fay, President and CEO of Greenville-based TPM and Founder and CEO of TrebleHook, an architecture, engineering, and construction CRM…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 307: The Mental Edge Behind Oregon, Georgia, and Clemson's Conference Championship Wins
Fresh off Oregon, Georgia, and Clemson's college football conference championship victories, Drs. Cory Shaffer, Drew Brannon, and Milt Lowder reflect on the…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 306: The Heart of a Champion - Five Markers of Courage
As the Oregon, Georgia, and Clemson football programs gear up for their conference championship games this weekend, AMPLOS sport psychologists Dr. Drew Brannon…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 305: The Benefits of Gratitude - A Timeless Thanksgiving Reflection
This Thanksgiving, we're revisiting last year's episode on The Benefits of Gratitude. Join Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, Cory Shaffer, and Brian Selman as…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 304: Why Gratitude Changes Everything
Cultivating gratitude is one of the simplest and most impactful ways to transform your life—and science backs it up. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 303: How to Sustain Success in College Football (and Any Team)
Join Dr. Drew Brannon, sport psychologist for Georgia football, and Dr. Cory Shaffer, performance coach for Oregon football, as they reflect on the college…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 302: Building a Strong Organizational Identity
What makes your organization unique, enduring, and impactful? In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon and Clemson PhD student and AMPLOS intern Marlee Johnson…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 301: Reflections & Revelations – Behind AMPLOS' Impact in College Football and the Vision for The Growth Project
In this Q&A session following last week's live 300th episode, Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, and Cory Shaffer reflect on pivotal moments from AMPLOS' journey…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 300: Special Live Recording - Leaders You Might Not Know, But Should
Join us for a special live recording from the ONE building in downtown Greenville, SC, as we celebrated our 300th episode with a live audience! Drs. Milt…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 299: The Art of Leadership with Dr. Katie Nichols
In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer welcomes back Dr. Katie Nichols, former AMPLOS performance coach and host of The Growth Project, and current Director of…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 298: Navigating the Long Game – College Football Week 5 Breakdown
Dr. Drew Brannon, sport psychologist for Georgia football, and Dr. Cory Shaffer, performance coach for Oregon football, reflect on the current state of the…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 297: Special Episode on Hurricane Helene - Weathering the Storm and Uniting Through Uncertainty
In this special episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon discuss the profound impact of Hurricane Helene, which left a wake of destruction throughout the…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 296: The Power of Positive Coaching
Drs. Milt Lowder and Cory Shaffer explore the surprising science behind motivational language and why negative pregame speeches in sports fall flat. Drawing on…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 295: How Self-Talk Shapes Your Reality
Join Dr. Milt Lowder and Clemson University PhD student and AMPLOS intern Marlee Johnson as they explore the transformative power of self-talk. In this…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 294: Mastering Workplace Conflict
Join Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer as they explore the role of conflict in the workplace. While often seen as negative, they reveal how well-managed…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 293: College Football Week 1 Breakdown for Clemson, Georgia, and Oregon
Fresh off week 1 of college football, Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, and Cory Shaffer, the mental performance experts behind Clemson, Georgia, and Oregon…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 292: Winning Isn't For Everyone
How far would you go to win? Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore the nuanced continuum of competition, from glorifying victory to questioning the value…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 291: Cowgirls Don't Cry with McKee Lowder
In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Milt Lowder and his daughter, McKee Lowder, engage in what has become a Lowder family tradition: reflecting on McKee's childhood…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 290: Learning to Become a Pro with Olympian Danielle Williams
Fresh from the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Dr. Cory Shaffer talks with Jamaican track and field star Danielle Williams about the demanding lifestyle of an elite…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 289: The Intersection of Joy and Excellence
Are you making it easier or harder for those around you to experience joy and strive for excellence? Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore the profound…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 288: Nurturing Teamwork as a Core Skill with Marlee Johnson
Join Dr. Cory Shaffer and Clemson University PhD student and AMPLOS intern, Marlee Johnson, as they discuss her research on team dynamics. Discover how viewing…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 287: Naivety is a Superpower
Naivety is often seen as a flaw, but in this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon reveal how it can be a superpower, sparking wonder, excitement, and…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 286: Thrive Under Pressure
Using recent sports examples — Rory McIlroy's U.S. Open lead loss and Barbora Krejcikova's comeback win in the Women's Wimbledon Final — Drs. Drew Brannon and…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 285: Face Fear Fearlessly
Join Drs. Milt Lowder and Cory Shaffer as they discuss how embracing fear can fuel action, turning potential paralysis into productive paranoia. Learn to drop…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 284: Coaching with Joy with Coach Alaura Sharp
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Coach Alaura Sharp, former Presbyterian College Women's Basketball head coach and newly appointed head coach at…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 283: Navigating Family Business with Dr. Ron Reece
In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder converses with his mentor, Dr. Ron Reece, a seasoned and esteemed psychologist from Greenville, SC. With decades of experience…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 282: Mid-Year Goal Reflection
How are you progressing toward your 2024 goals? Nearly midway through the year, Drs. Milt Lowder and Cory Shaffer reflect on the importance of reviewing your…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 281: Overcoming Inaction and Excuses
Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer discuss the gap between awareness and action — the space where many find themselves stuck when attempting to accomplish a…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 280: Mastering Narratives with Sports Illustrated Writer Brian Burnsed
Join Dr. Cory Shaffer as he talks with Brian Burnsed, a seasoned Sports Illustrated writer, to dive into his journey of crafting immersive sports stories. With…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 279: Authenticity is the Foundation for Growth with Will Huss and Keith Poole
Dr. Milt Lowder sits down with Trehel CEO Will Huss and President/COO Keith Poole at Trehel headquarters to discuss authentic leadership. They dive into the…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 278: Behaviors That Kill Your Culture
Building a strong team culture demands deliberate effort and dedication, but it can be threatened by toxic team members. Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 277: How Do You Define Success?
What does it truly mean to be successful? Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer dive deep into this question using Ralph Waldo Emerson's renowned poem "What is…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 276: Don't Settle for "Kind Of"
When we "kind of" do something, we cut ourselves short. We choose the more comfortable way or the short cut, which leaves us shortchanged. Drs. Milt Lowder and…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 275: Five Keys to Living in "The Gap"
Join Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer as they unveil five indispensable strategies for thriving in "the gap" – that challenging phase where hard work doesn't…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 274: Elevating Performance Through Meditation with Chad McGehee
Join Drs. Cory Shaffer and Chad McGehee, meditation teacher, the first ever director of meditation training in major college sports, and co-founder of Inner…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 273: Why Curiosity Matters
What does it mean to be a curious person, and why does it matter? In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Cory Shaffer discuss the essence of curiosity and its…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 272: Look Deeper
Regardless of whether you successfully reach a goal, it's essential that you look deeply at your process. What worked? What didn't? What would you have done…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 271: Entrepreneurial Insights from GenTeal Co-Founder Blake Dubinski
Join Dr. Cory Shaffer in a conversation with Blake Dubinski, Co-Founder of GenTeal, a successful men's apparel brand, distributed in 200 retail outlets and…