The Growth Project

In a world filled with constant notifications, endless demands, and the pressure to always be "on," silence can feel uncomfortable. But what if it's exactly what you need? Dr. Gabriela Caviedes and Anthony Alibro explore how intentional moments of silence and solitude fuel recovery, prevent burnout, and improve performance. Learn why the highest performers don't just know how to engage, they know...

We all have goals, conversations, and decisions we plan to get to "soon." But what happens when soon never arrives? In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon explores how the habit of postponing action can quietly lead to missed opportunities and regret. He challenges listeners to conduct a personal "soon audit," identify where they're stuck in waiting mode, and take meaningful steps toward turning i...

In honor of America's 250th anniversary, Dr. Milt Lowder and Anthony Alibro explore the enduring ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness through the lens of performance psychology. They discuss the courage of the Founding Fathers, the tension between America's aspirations and realities, and the personal responsibility each of us has to live out our values. This conversation challenge...

In this week's Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon explores a skill that has become increasingly rare: having healthy disagreements. Drew shares why humility is essential when entering difficult conversations, how listening often matters more than persuading, and why meaningful dialogue doesn't have to end with someone changing their mind. He also explains the value of patience, reminding us that not e...

In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore one of the most challenging transitions in any organization: moving from individual contributor to leader. They discuss why success in a role doesn't always translate to success in leadership, the mindset shifts required to lead others well, and the common mistakes organizations make when promoting talent. Whether you're considering a lead...

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Milt Lowder explores how stress narrows our focus, pulls us away from what matters most, and can unintentionally disconnect us from others. Drawing on the science of the brain's stress response, Milt explains why stress often makes us more self-focused; he shares how awareness, gratitude, and joy can help us regain perspective and reconnect with our purpose.

Dr. Drew Brannon welcomes the newest AMPLOS team member, Dr. Alissa Zawacki, for a conversation about industrial-organizational psychology and what it takes to help people and organizations thrive. Together, they explore common workplace challenges, including hiring, performance management, employee feedback, and organizational culture. Alissa shares why clarity, structure, and thoughtful systems...

As the World Cup brings together some of the world's most talented athletes, Dr. Milt Lowder explores what makes great teams truly successful. From sacrificing individual roles for a shared mission to navigating adversity together, this Growth Spurt examines the power of pursuing a worthy goal alongside others. What are you building, who is on your team, and how can you contribute to something big...

In this episode, Dr. Gabby Caviedes and Anthony Alibro explore why racing thoughts, worry, and problem-solving often keep us awake, even when we're exhausted. Drawing from sport and performance psychology, they share practical strategies for building a better bedtime routine, including mental imagery, diaphragmatic breathing, worry journaling, and gratitude practices. Learn how to stop trying to f...

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Milt Lowder reflects on the challenge of accepting our humanity while continuing to grow. Milt explores the importance of focusing on what we can control, giving ourselves permission to experience difficult emotions, and finding meaning in life's challenges. He encourages listeners to embrace both the limits and possibilities of being human and to extend that same grace t...

In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabby Caviedes unpack Rachel Entrekin's historic Cocodona 250 win as a lens for understanding performance under extreme pressure. From broader-than-self goals to micro-recovery, problem-solving under fatigue, and the power of "delusional belief," they explore what ultramarathon racing can teach us about preparation, resilience, and staying composed when we hi...

In this Growth Spurt, Anthony Alibro explores what burnout really looks like beyond just feeling tired, and explains why recovery requires more than simply pushing through. Anthony shares how experiences of awe, wonder, and perspective can help break the cycle of mental fatigue, restore energy, and reconnect us to something bigger than the endless grind of everyday responsibilities.

In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder and Anthony Alibro unpack the growing pressure to constantly produce, achieve, and stay busy. Together, they explore "productivity dysmorphia," or the distorted belief that no matter how much you accomplish, it's never enough. Through powerful stories, practical psychology, and honest reflection, they challenge listeners to rethink success and stop allowing product...

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabby Caviedes unpacks the hidden downside of always being "easygoing." While adaptability and flexibility can be strengths, constantly minimizing your needs can lead to resentment, exhaustion, and feeling unseen. Gabby challenges listeners to examine where they may be staying small to keep the peace, and explains why healthy growth sometimes requires speaking up and taki...

As summer approaches, Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder challenge listeners to stop drifting through the season and start living with intention. In this conversation, they explore how to create a summer built around meaningful memories, growth, connection, and purpose (not just busyness). From identifying your family's priorities to balancing structure, rest, screen time, and spontaneity, they sha...

In this Growth Spurt, Anthony Alibro shares a simple five-minute routine called "time boxing" that can help reduce overwhelm, improve focus, and create more intentional days. By identifying top priorities and planning your schedule hour by hour, this practical strategy helps ensure your time, energy, and attention are aligned with what matters most.

In this episode, Dr. Gabby Caviedes sits down with Adekunle Olusanya, Owner of Limit Lifters, to explore the intersection of performance, identity, and mental resilience. From overcoming injuries to tackling the pressures of elite athletics, Adekunle shares how those experiences shaped his mission to help young athletes build confidence beyond the game. Together, they unpack the importance of meas...

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabby Caviedes explores the subtle but important difference between patience and avoidance. While both can look calm on the surface, one leads to growth and the other keeps us stuck. Gabby shares a simple question to help identify whether you're trusting the process or delaying the uncomfortable, and explains why growth begins the moment we stop avoiding it.

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...