The Growth Project

In a world full of distractions, being fully present with the people who matter most has become increasingly difficult and increasingly important. In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore what it really means to be present physically, mentally, and emotionally, and how stress and overcommitment can get in the way. We discuss the hidden costs of distraction, from missed opportunit...

Great leaders remain steady, even when the circumstances around them change. In this episode, Dr. Drew Brandon reflects on the importance of steadiness, drawing inspiration from Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox and his ability to remain composed through wins and losses. Discover how emotional control influences team performance, builds confidence, and helps leaders navigate challenges with consist...

What if the story you tell yourself about your life is shaping who you become? In this episode, Dr. Gabby Caviedes and Anthony Alibro explore narrative identity and how the meaning we assign to our experiences can influence our mindset, confidence, relationships, and career. They unpack the difference between redemption and contamination stories, explore agency versus passivity, and discuss how to...

Being busy can feel like progress, but activity doesn't always create meaningful results. In this  Growth Spurt , Anthony Alibro explores the difference between being busy and being effective, and why a packed calendar, cleared inbox, or completed to-do list can create an illusion of productivity. Learn how to identify the three priorities that actually move the needle, protect time for what matte...

What happens when leadership development becomes about more than leadership? In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder sits down with Nick Campbell and Lauren Luneckas to reflect on their 10 for 12 experiences and the lessons that have continued to shape their work, families, and lives. From awareness and accountability to growth mindset, work-life harmony, and the power of meaningful relationships, they e...

Have you ever stumbled over your words, made a typo, or felt embarrassed by a small mistake—and then replayed it all day? There's a psychological reason for that: the spotlight effect. We tend to dramatically overestimate how much other people notice, remember, and judge our mistakes. In this episode, discover why the spotlight is mostly self-imposed, and how shrinking your imagined audience can h...

Join us for a special live recording from the ONE building in downtown Greenville, SC, as we celebrated our 400th episode with a live audience! Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon reflect on their 9-year journey to 400 episodes and explore one of the most important topics in leadership: culture. What does it really take to build a great culture? They unpack clarity, values, feedback and learning, ow...

In this week's Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon takes us inside the Presidents Cup, breaking down the unique formats, traditions, and team dynamics that make the event so compelling. As AMPLOS provides sports psychology services for Team USA, Drew shares what will happen behind the scenes this week, from communication and chemistry in alternate-shot play to the mental demands of competing as a team...

A bad executive hire costs far more than a salary; it can erode culture, stall momentum, disrupt strategy, and create a ripple effect throughout an organization. In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with new AMPLOS team members Brandon Bailey and Matthew Barnes, who lead AMPLOS' Executive Search offering, to explore what separates executive search from traditional recruiting, why structured...

In this Growth Spurt, Anthony Alibro explores the idea that we're always in training. Every repeated thought and behavior (worry, avoidance, complaining, or procrastination) can become automatic. The question is: what are you reinforcing every day? Anthony challenges us to audit our routines, identify the habits that cost us most, and intentionally replace them with more productive responses. Beca...

Week one of college football offers more than wins and losses; it offers a powerful lesson in how we respond when things don't go according to plan. From unexpected delays and disruptions to the temptation to draw big conclusions from a single game, Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder explore the importance of staying composed, adapting to adversity, and focusing on what you can control. They also d...

Great leaders don't need to be the hero. They make sure their people feel seen, valued, and appreciated. In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Milt Lowder explores the power of giving credit, recognizing effort, and using words to build confidence. While compensation matters, meaningful recognition can be even more powerful in helping people feel that they belong, their work matters, and they're part of somet...

What do you actually do with AI? In the final episode of this three-part series, Dr. Drew Brannon and Michael Wolinsky move from reflection to action, exploring how individuals and organizations can begin using AI effectively. They explore how individuals can build reps, use AI as a thought partner, protect their critical thinking, and become more, not less, of themselves. They also offer practica...

Ever finish a meeting and struggle to focus on the task in front of you? The problem may not be distraction, it may be attention residue. Dr. Gabby Caviedes explains how unfinished, rushed, or emotionally charged tasks can follow us into our next activity, draining focus and productivity. Learn a simple 30–60 second "close the loop" practice that can help your brain fully move on and make your att...

AI adoption isn't as simple as choosing a tool and training your team to use it. In Part 2 of this three-part AI series, Dr. Drew Brannon and Michael Rudinsky explore the mindset challenges leaders and employees face as AI reshapes the workplace. They discuss fear, uncertainty, resistance, and the fundamental question many employees are asking: "Where do I fit?" Most importantly, they explore how...

Feeling like you're falling behind often means you're comparing your full story to someone else's highlight reel. In this Growth Spurt, Anthony Alibro challenges the idea of "borrowed deadlines," which are the timelines we inherit, infer, or impose on ourselves. Instead of asking, "Why am I not there yet?" ask, "Am I moving in the direction I want?" Growth isn't about keeping someone else's time....

AI is moving faster than most organizations can keep up, and that uncertainty can create excitement, fear, and resistance. In Part 1 of this three-part series, Mike Rudinsky and Dr. Drew Brannon explore why successful AI adoption starts with people, not technology. They unpack the human side of AI, the importance of clear leadership and strategy, and how organizations can define the roles of both...

Courage doesn't just change how you show up, it changes how the people around you show up, too. When you have the courage to live according to your values, pursue your vision, tackle difficult problems, and become who you're meant to be, you give others permission to do the same. But fear, anxiety, and negativity are contagious, too. So ask yourself:  What are you spreading?

As Emerson Lowder prepares to leave home and begin her next chapter at Clemson University, she joins her father, Dr. Milt Lowder, for an honest and deeply personal conversation. Together, they revisit the moments that defined their family, unpack the weight of expectations, and share the lessons they've learned through both success and struggle. From faith and perseverance to parenting and letting...

The stories we tell ourselves shape how we see our abilities, our potential, and our future. A single setback can easily become a limiting belief about who we are. In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabby Caviedes explores how to separate outcomes from identity, recognize unhelpful internal narratives, and reframe limiting beliefs into growth-oriented statements that help us move forward and unlock our pot...

What does great coaching really look like? Furman Volleyball Head Coach Michelle Young and student athlete Emily Navarro join the podcast to explore the evolution of leadership, the challenges of college athletics, and the lessons that extend far beyond the court. From overcoming homesickness to embracing accountability, they discuss how the best coaches develop people, not just performers. This c...

Burnout remains one of the biggest challenges facing today's workforce, yet the numbers have barely changed. In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon explores why awareness alone isn't enough and shares a simple framework for creating meaningful change. Discover how the powerful principle, if nothing changes, nothing changes , along with the Start, Stop, Continue exercise, can help you break unhealt...

Pressure has a way of changing how we think, lead, and perform. In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder and Clemson Men's Soccer Head Coach Mike Noonan unpack leadership lessons from the FIFA World Cup, exploring why great teams stay committed to their identity even in the biggest moments. From emotional discipline and preparation to courage under pressure, they reveal why the best performers don't simpl...

When faced with a difficult decision, it's easy to wait for certainty or search for the "perfect" choice. But what if that's the wrong question? In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabriela Caviedes shares a practical mindset for making better decisions by focusing on the tradeoffs each path brings. Learn how evaluating the challenges you're willing and equipped to handle can help you move forward with grea...

Coming back from vacation should leave you refreshed, but often it feels like your motivation never made the trip home. In this episode, Anthony Alibro and Dr. Gabriela Caviedes explore why returning to work can feel overwhelming and disengaging, even after much-needed time away. They discuss the psychology behind post-vacation motivation lag and share practical strategies to regain momentum, reco...