The Growth Project

In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabriela Caviedes unpack why many people handle disagreement poorly and share how great leaders do it differently. They explore the critical shift from proving your point to seeking understanding, breaking down the difference between conflict and healthy disagreement. From managing emotions and asking better questions to aligning on shared outcomes, this conv...

In this Growth Spurt, Anthony Alibro breaks down a simple but powerful mental shift: third-person self-talk. By replacing "I am overwhelmed" with "(your name) is overwhelmed," you create psychological distance that reduces emotional intensity and sharpens decision-making. This subtle language tweak can help you regulate stress, think more clearly, and respond like you would for a friend, especiall...

In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon and Anthony Alibro unpack the realities of imposter syndrome and explain why even high achievers feel like frauds despite clear success. They explore how distorted thinking, fear of failure, and relentless comparison fuel the cycle, and why success often goes uninternalized. The conversation offers practical steps to challenge these patterns, redefine failure, and...

Dr. Gabby Caviedes breaks down why self-awareness alone isn't enough to create lasting change. While insight can feel productive, real growth requires moving beyond reflection into intentional action and accountability. In this episode, she introduces a simple but powerful mindset shift: asking what your awareness requires of you. If you've ever felt stuck in overthinking or self-analysis, this co...

We're excited to welcome the newest member of the AMPLOS team and co-host of The Growth Project, Anthony Alibro. In this episode, Anthony joins Dr. Gabby Caviedes and they explore his journey from neuroscience research to sport and performance psychology. From overcoming performance anxiety as an athlete to training elite military units and coaching executives, Anthony shares how mindset, self-tal...

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabby Caviedes unpacks why failure can start to feel like a pattern. When setbacks stack up, the brain can default to learned helplessness, turning outcomes into identity. Gabby challenges that narrative, encouraging listeners to treat failure as data, not definition. By focusing on what's controllable and making small adjustments, you can shift from feeling stuck to buil...

In this episode, Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon reflect on insights from The Masters , exploring how environment, pressure, and expectations shape performance. From the power of being fully present to the importance of culture, team, and perspective, they unpack what makes elite performance so difficult and what it teaches us about leadership, business, and everyday life. Tune in for a thoughtful, r...

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabby Caviedes explores the power of a clear vision. When you can clearly see where you're going, your brain begins to filter opportunities, direct effort, and sustain motivation. Gabby breaks down what makes an effective vision statement (specific, meaningful, and consistently reinforced) and challenges listeners to define their future with clarity; because people don't...

In this episode, Dr. Gabby Caviedes sits down with Ashley McFeeley, a Mental Health Counselor, to explore the realities of working in sport psychology. From engaging youth athletes and navigating parental involvement to supporting collegiate athletes at the highest level, Ashley shares how mental performance and mental health intersect. They unpack the importance of presence, relationship-building...

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon explores a surprising leadership superpower: the ability to step back. While many people feel the urge to jump in, fix problems, and control outcomes, great leaders recognize that sometimes the most powerful choice is restraint. Dr. Brannon challenges listeners to reflect on their instinct to intervene and consider when leaving something alone might allow oth...

In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Drake Bernstein , national championship-winning head coach of the University of Georgia women's tennis team, to explore the hidden reality behind high-level success. Drake shares why chasing wins alone falls short, unpacking the mindset shift from outcomes to purpose that's centered on growth, love for the process, and what truly sustains fulfillmen...

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Milt Lowder challenges listeners to move beyond awareness and into action. Recognizing the gap between who you are and who you want to be is important, but awareness without action often leads to frustration. Milt encourages you to ask a powerful question: what's one brave step you can take today? Because courage doesn't just change your life; it can inspire others to ste...

In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabby Caviedes explore how mental and emotional challenges evolve across the lifespan, from childhood to midlife and beyond. They break down the unique pressures at each stage, from building emotional awareness in kids to navigating identity, comparison, and purpose as adults. More importantly, they highlight the skills that matter most at every phase and why...

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabby Caviedes reframes a common misconception about confidence. Many people wait to feel confident before they act, but research shows confidence actually grows from experience. Drawing on psychologist Albert Bandura 's work on self-efficacy, Gabby explains how confidence is built through small wins, tracking evidence, and repeating under pressure. Confidence isn't given...

In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Gabby Caviedes explore the psychology of luck and challenge the idea that it's purely chance. They unpack how mindset, perception, and preparation shape the opportunities we notice (and the ones we miss). From reframing setbacks to staying open and ready, they share practical ways to create your own "lucky breaks." If you've ever felt stuck or overlooked, this...

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon challenges the idea that delayed gratification is only a struggle for kids. Many adults expect meaningful goals to happen quickly, overlooking the patience, resilience, and consistency real progress requires. Dr. Brannon encourages listeners to assess their plan, commit to the process, and stay accountable along the way. Because the more worthy the goal, the...

In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore the psychology behind the  NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament . From shocking first-round upsets to the unique pressure of single-elimination competition, they unpack why chaos and predictability coexist during March Madness. The conversation highlights key traits of high-performing teams: strong identity, defensive discipline, experience, a...

Fresh off the Olympics, where the world's best compete on the biggest stage, Dr. Drew Brannon explores what it truly means to be competitive. Many people say they're "very competitive," but often what they really mean is they struggle to handle losing. True competitors look different: they stay calm under pressure, respect opponents, and focus on growth. Learn how real competitiveness is defined n...

In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon and Dr. Gabby Caviedes unpack the science behind multitasking and explore research that shows why no one is truly good at it. While we may feel productive juggling tasks, our brains have limited attentional resources, and constant switching comes at a cost. They break down what multitasking really looks like in everyday life, who is most susceptible to its pull, h...

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Milt Lowder unpacks the pressure of feeling like you're falling behind. From the trap of comparison to the belief that you should be further along, he challenges the expectations driving your timeline. Learn why blooming in your own time isn't settling, it's growth. Because who you are becoming ultimately matters far more than what you're accomplishing.

In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabby Caviedes reflect on the recent 2026 Winter Olympics and what it revealed about high performance, discipline, and the pursuit of meaningful goals. From standout moments to the psychological demands athletes face at the highest level, they explore how principles of elite competition translate into everyday life, leadership, and personal growth.

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon tackles one of the biggest performance challenges today: focus. He explains how constant accessibility fuels distraction and pulls us away from what matters most. To do meaningful work, we have to intentionally "starve" distractions and design environments that support concentration. Dr. Brannon shares practical ways to increase drive, improve your surroundin...

Are your expectations driving performance or quietly undermining it? In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabby Caviedes explore how leaders can unintentionally create pressure that harms confidence, motivation, and results by expecting too much. They unpack the difference between healthy high standards and unrealistic demands, the impact excessive expectations have on individuals and teams, and...

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Milt Lowder explores why forgiveness may be the single most important factor in personal growth. He explains how the inability to forgive (ourselves or others) quietly keeps us stuck, weighed down by shame, resentment, and things we can't control. Forgiveness isn't about excusing behavior; it's about freeing yourself. Dr. Lowder shares how practicing forgiveness creates e...

In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabby Caviedes use the 2026 Winter Olympics, and Lindsey Vonn's decision to compete after tearing her ACL in training, as a powerful lens into resilience, identity, and decision-making under pressure. Her story sparks a conversation about "fighting with what you have," how deeply sport becomes part of who athletes are, and the emotional and mental realities o...