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 90: Breaking Barriers with Coach Rachel Balkovec
What does it take to break barriers and stay there? Rachel Balkovec just completed her first year as a minor league hitting coach with the New York Yankees…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 89: Leading with Purpose with Sue Guevara
What does it truly take to lead a team to sustained success? In this episode, Dr. Katie Nichols talks with veteran coach, Sue Guevara, who reflects on four…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 88: Understanding Suicide - A Conversation on Hope and Struggle
Suicide is a deeply complex and difficult topic and one that deserves open, compassionate conversation. In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder and Dr. Drew Brannon…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 87: Attaining Elite Performance with Dr. Erik Korem
Can peak performance be reverse engineered? For over 15 years, Dr. Erik Korem has been at the forefront of High Performance and Exercise Science, pushing…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 86: Working With Your Emotions, Not Against Them
What is emotional reasoning and how can we harness our emotions instead of being controlled by them? In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer and Dr. Katie Nichols…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 85: The Mindset of an Olympian with Sage Watson
In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer talks with 2016 Rio Olympian, Sage Watson, who shares what life is really like as a professional track and field athlete…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 84: High-Performance Leadership (Part 3)
How do great leaders remain grounded when everything around them shifts? In the final episode of this series, Dr. Milt Lowder and Dr. Drew Brannon examine the…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 83: High-Performance Leadership (Part 2)
Why is managing emotions so often a challenge for leaders? In part two of this series, Dr. Drew Brannon and Dr. Milt Lowder explore the emotional and spiritual…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 82: High Performance Leadership (Part 1)
So you think you want to be a leader? In the first episode of this three-part series, Dr. Milt Lowder and Dr. Drew Brannon unpack the growing complexity of…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 81: Building the Skill of Reflection
Why do so many high performers avoid personal reflection, even when they know it's valuable? In this episode, Drs. Katie Nichols and Cory Shaffer dive into the…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 80: The Marks of Authentic Leadership with Kaitlyn Cunningham
What does great leadership really look like and how do we recognize it when it's present? In this episode, Dr. Katie Nichols sits down with Kaitlyn Cunningham…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 79: The Paradox of Growth - Do You Chase It or Let It Happen?
Do fulfillment, results, and personal growth come from deliberate pursuit or do they naturally emerge when we're aligned and present? In this thought-provoking…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 78: Coaching That Lasts with Mitch Doolittle
With nearly 15 years of college football coaching experience, Mitch Doolittle has seen firsthand how leadership evolves. In this episode, he joins Dr. Drew…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 77: Three Lessons From Nike's Breaking2 Documentary
Nike's Breaking2 documentary follows the groundbreaking attempt to break the two-hour marathon barrier. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 76: Reclaiming Balance to Be Your Best with Dr. Jordan Cinquino
How do we consistently show up as our best selves, especially in high-pressure, high-stakes environments? In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with Dr…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 75: Rewriting Your Inner Dialogue
"I should be doing more." "I'm so busy." "Am I going to be okay?" These are just a few of the internal messages we tell ourselves, often without question. In…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 74: Mentorship, Meaning, and Bridging Divides with Rick Woolworth
What if mentorship could change not only individual lives, but also help heal the divides in our country? In this episode, Rick Woolworth, founder of the…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 73: Learning Requires Humility with Mike Noonan
Humility is the gateway to growth and learning is a lifelong pursuit. In this episode, Clemson Men's Head Soccer Coach Mike Noonan sits down with Dr. Milt…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 72: The Power and Pitfalls of Personality Assessments
What makes you who you are? Personality is one of the most studied, and misunderstood, constructs in psychology. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 71: Competing and Growing Through Adversity with Heather Bowie Young
What does it take to stay grounded while competing at the highest level and then guide others to do the same? NCAA champion, LPGA Tour winner, and Solheim Cup…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 70: Returning Stronger and Thriving Through Transition
As society begins to reopen after weeks of lockdown, the transition back to daily life brings both opportunity and challenge. In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 69: Performance Slumps with Dr. Kimberly Shaffer
How do we define slumps in life? Finding yourself in a slump - whether in work, sport, or life in general - is inevitable, but how do we respond correctly so…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 68: Putting It All On The Line with Casey Weathers
What happens when you put everything on the line, just to find out how good you really are? In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer is joined by Casey Weathers…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 67: Maintaining Perspective & Finding Purpose with Mike Freeman
How do you respond when life throws its hardest pitches? In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with professional baseball player Mike Freeman, Clemson…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 66: Building A Winning Culture with Robert John
"It's tough to define culture and exactly what it is, but when you are a part of a good culture, you know it." In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder sits down with…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 65: Pursuing Mastery with Coach Shane Day
Shane Day is the current quarterbacks coach for the San Fransisco 49ers. In this episode, Coach Day talks with Dr. Drew Brannon about his development…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 64: Three Things Leaders Can Do Now
This is a challenging time to be a leader and there is no playbook for how to navigate what we are experiencing or what could lie ahead. There are a long list…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 63: Navigating Stress, Uncertainty, and Growth During COVID-19 (Part 4)
In the final installment of our COVID-19 series, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon respond directly to listener questions about the mental and emotional…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 62: Navigating Stress, Uncertainty, and Growth During COVID-19 (Part 3)
Routine can be one of the most powerful stabilizers in uncertain times. In Part 3 of our COVID-19 series, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore how…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 61: Navigating Stress, Uncertainty, and Growth During COVID-19 (Part 2)
As uncertainty intensifies, so does our brain's stress response, often impacting how we think, feel, and make decisions. In Part 2 of our COVID-19 series, Drs…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 60: Navigating Stress, Uncertainty, and Growth During COVID-19 (Part 1)
In times of uncertainty, understanding how our brain responds to stress is critical. In this first episode of our four-part COVID-19 series, Drs. Milt Lowder…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 59: Daily Effort, Lasting Results with Jamey Chadwell
"If you only focus on the fruit, you forget to nurture the root." In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with Jamey Chadwell, Head Football Coach at…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 58: Leading from the Front with Jason Cruise
"A goal without a plan is just a wish". In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder talks with Jason Cruise, an author, speaker, hunter, and pastor who has accomplished…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 57: The Process vs. the Outcome - Why We Need Both to Grow with Tom Black
What matters more: how far you go or how you get there? In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Tom Black, Head Volleyball Coach at the University of…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 56: Pressure and Perseverance with Ryley Gilliam
Pressure is a part of life, so the question isn't whether we'll face it, but how we'll respond when it comes. In this episode, New York Mets pitcher Ryley…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 55: Elevating Others with Jeff Hull
Leadership isn't about being the best at everything; it's about bringing out the best in others. In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Jeff Hull…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 54: Mamba Mentality - A Tribute to Kobe Bryant
"I always kept the end result, the long game, in my mind." – Kobe Bryant In this episode, Drs. Katie Nichols and Cory Shaffer reflect on the legacy of Kobe…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 53: Your Thinking Changes Everything
Why do you think the way you think and how much control do you really have over it? In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore the inner…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 52: The Process of Progress with Josh Brooks
How do we keep getting better in our work and in our lives? In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Josh Brooks, Senior Deputy Athletic Director at…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 51: How to Embrace and Grow Through Transition
Transitions, whether planned or unexpected, can be challenging, disruptive, and even disorienting. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer unpack…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 50: Three Steps Toward Vulnerability, Authenticity, and Strength
In today's episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder explore the tension between what we desire—vulnerability, authenticity, and inner strength—and the…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 49: How Mentorship and Relationships Shape Our Well-Being
In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer and Dr. Katie Nichols explore the vital role of relationships in our pursuit of well-being and personal growth. Using Arnold…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 48: Why Relationships Matter with Shimmy Gray-Miller
In this episode, Dr. Katie Nichols sits down with Shimmy Gray-Miller, Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at Clemson University, for a powerful conversation…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 47: The Strength of Gratitude (Part 3)
In the final installment of our gratitude series, Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder respond to real questions from listeners—exploring how gratitude intersects…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 46: The Strength of Gratitude (Part 2)
In Part 2 of The Strength of Gratitude, Drs. Drew Brannon and Katie Nichols dig deeper into how we can actively cultivate a grateful heart and why doing so…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 45: The Strength of Gratitude (Part 1)
In Part 1 of our three-part series on gratitude, Drs. Cory Shaffer and Katie Nichols explore the power of gratitude in shaping mindset, resilience, and…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 44: Why Servant Leadership Works
In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore the timeless concept of servant leadership. Drawing from the work of Robert Greenleaf, the founder…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 43: The Strength in Humility (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this series on humility, Drs. Drew Brannon and Katie Nichols explore three common obstacles that hinder the development of true humility and why…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 42: The Strength in Humility (Part 1)
Humility and confidence are often seen as opposites, but what if the two can actually fuel one another? In Part 1 of this series on humility, Drs. Drew Brannon…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 41: Habits That Set You Apart (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this series on the habits that set high performers apart, Drs. Katie Nichols and Cory Shaffer dive into the science of habit formation. They break…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 40: Habits That Set You Apart (Part 1)
In the first part of a two-part series, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore the critical role habits play in achieving and sustaining peak performance…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 39: The Why Behind the Game with Michael Roth (Part 2)
In Part 2 of their conversation, Dr. Cory Shaffer and Major League pitcher Michael Roth dive deeper into the concept of mastery—exploring how Michael defined…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 38: The Why Behind the Game with Michael Roth (Part 1)
In part one of this two-part series, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with former University of South Carolina baseball legend and Major League pitcher Michael Roth…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 37: The Three Phases of Mastery
In this episode, Drs. Cory Shaffer and Katie Nichols take a deep dive into the concept of mastery—what it is, how to pursue it, and why it matters. They begin…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 36: Building a Mastery Mindset with Rick Franzblau
In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with Rick Franzblau, Director of Olympic Sports Strength & Conditioning at Clemson University, for a powerful…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 35: From Player to Coach with Rudy Cox
In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with Rudy Cox, former Clemson Baseball player and current assistant coach at Furman, to explore his transition from…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 34: Turning Adversity Into Advantage
In this episode, Drs. Katie Nichols and Cory Shaffer explore the theme of adversity and failure through the lens of Ryan Holiday's The Obstacle Is the Way…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 33: Reframing Mental Toughness with Dr. Nicholas Beck
In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Dr. Nicholas Beck to take a fresh look at the concept of mental toughness. Drawing from Dr. Beck's extensive…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 32: Leading Through Adversity with Coach Amanda Butler
In this episode, Dr. Katie Nichols sits down with Clemson Women's Basketball Head Coach Amanda Butler for a candid and inspiring conversation about adversity…
The Growth ProjectEpisode 31: How to Build a Mentally Tough Team (Part 2)
In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Cory Shaffer continue their deep dive into the topic of mental toughness. They begin by unpacking why mental toughness is…