The Growth Project

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 impact of our actions on ourselves and others. They dive deep into the intersection of joy and excellence, revealing how a positive mindset can create a powerful ripple effect. Tune in for insightful discussions and actionable strategies to max...

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 teamwork as a skill rather than shifting blame to individuals can transform performance. Learn strategies for involving all team members, regardless of their role, in creating and sustaining a high-performing, "sticky" culture that retains...

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 curiosity. They discuss how age often erodes this youthful perspective, sharing cautionary tales about the consequences of losing naivety. Learn practical strategies for preserving elements of naivety while simulatenously growing in wisdom, hel...

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 Cory Shaffer discuss not succumbing to pressure when the stakes are high. They explore three categories of pressure — physical, mental, and emotional — and share practical tips to help you reframe stress and perform well under pressure. Disc...

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 doubt and harness fear from a position of strength, converting it into confidence, unlocking your potential and propelling you forward. Don't let fear immobilize you — let it empower you. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on being fearless...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Coach Alaura Sharp, former Presbyterian College Women's Basketball head coach and newly appointed head coach at Appalachian State University. Coach Sharp shares her journey in the coaching profession, including leading Presbyterian College to its first NCAA Tournament appearance and win in March 2024, emphasizing the joy of being part of a team and her mi...

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 since 1975, Dr. Reece shares insights on maintaining harmony in family businesses and the importance of controlling one's "inner weather"—the thoughts and self-talk in our heads. Tune in for practical advice and wisdom on balancing personal...

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 progress six months into the year. They discuss the significance of pausing, taking inventory, and creating clarity about who you want to be and how you plan to achieve your goals. Don't be a passive passenger in life; take the wheel and stee...

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 goal. They explore why defensiveness and excuses keep us from moving forward. Learn common reasons for falling into this trap and gain practical tips to bridge the gap, turning intention into action. Tune in to discover how to overcome inertia...

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 experience at Business Week, US News, NCAA Magazine, and Turner Sports, Burnsed shares insights into his writing process, the evolution of his purpose, and the mastery behind his acclaimed narratives. Discover the dedication and passion fue...

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 importance of purpose, honoring God by caring for people, and creating genuine buy-in. The conversation explores the courage to live and work in alignment with one's beliefs, the significance of intentionality over transactional relationships,...

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 examine five detrimental behaviors that can undermine your team's culture. From chronic complainers to catastrophizers, they highlight negative traits that can erode team dynamics. Learn how to identify and address these issues to cultivate and...

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 Success?" as their guide. In this episode, they dissect Emerson's key markers of success, offering insights and perspectives to help you define success on your own terms. Tune in to explore what success means to you and how you can achieve it...

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 Drew Brannon dive into the pitfalls of settling for "kind of," emphasizing the importance of striving for greatness instead of merely getting by and playing it safe. Through compelling examples, they explore how this mindset can manifest in...

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 seem to yield desired results. Learn how to sustain motivation, persevere through setbacks, and cultivate a resilient mindset. Tune in for expert insights on navigating plateaus and staying the course towards success.

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 Edge Meditation, as they dive into the world of elite performance and meditation. They explore the definition of mindfulness, McGehee's teaching philosophy, training methods, and the practical application and impact of mindfulness in high-perf...

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 profound impact on personal and professional growth. They unravel how curious individuals, driven by an insatiable desire to learn, constantly push boundaries and embrace the unknown. Drawing from their expertise, they illuminate the transfor...

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 differently? In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer discuss the importance of reflecting on the process and they provide tangible suggestions to assist in this self-observing exercise. By shifting the focus from just the outcome t...

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 recognized as one of Inc. 5000's fastest-growing companies in 2023. Explore the compelling story of GenTeal's founding and learn valuable strategies for conquering challenges in entrepreneurship. Tune in as they explore overcoming adversity and...

Join Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer as they discuss what it means to have an "edge," or the essence of competitiveness and drive, and explore how these qualities define exceptional individuals. They highlight five key factors that can diminish this edge, from the pitfalls of poor planning and ego to the dangers of valuing talent over culture and overcommitting. They offer powerful insights int...

Join Drs. Drew Brannon and Brian Selman as they discuss the common phenomenon of New Year's resolutions losing steam by February. In this discussion, they explore why this happens and offer practical tips to help listeners reinvigorate their goals and stay on track. Whether you're aiming for personal growth, fitness milestones, or professional success, this episode will inspire you to recommit and...

Join Drs. Cory Shaffer and Brian Selman as they dive into the essential elements of enhancing your interview process to attract top talent. Together, they explore the crucial steps involved in developing a comprehensive blueprint for bringing on new hires. From defining job roles to creating engaging interview questions, they provide actionable insights to help you cultivate a successful hiring pr...

Drs. Cory Shaffer and Brian Selman engage in a compelling discussion on recognizing biases in selection processes. They explore the concept that "the map is not the territory," highlighting the importance of understanding that our perceptions are not always accurate representations of reality. With a focus on interview best practices, they underscore the significance of approaching selection with...

Join Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon in a discussion on the pivotal role failure plays in our lives. In this episode, they share personal anecdotes, revealing how failure has been the catalyst for their own growth. They also provide four compelling reasons why failure is not only essential, but also empowering. Learn how your response to failure can be the fuel that propels you toward success.

In this compelling episode, John "Redd" Martin opens up to Dr. Milt Lowder about his remarkable journey in triumphing over trauma and addiction. Redd's battle with belonging and the erosion of his faith plunged him into a dark period, marked by bouts of homelessness. However, through the transformative power of love, both from others and towards himself, he discovered newfound purpose. This journe...