The Growth Project

Join Clemson Baseball Head Coach Erik Bakich and Dr. Cory Shaffer, performance coach for the Tigers, as they discuss Bakich's coaching history and his approach in building a successful team. Fresh off of the 2023 ACC Championship win after his first year coaching for Clemson baseball, Bakich discusses his focus on daily actions and behaviors to shape the program, offering insights into his deep-ro...

What kind of culture are you creating for your team? Does it encourage learning? Drs. Milt Lowder and Brian Selman discuss the pivotal role of workplace environment in fostering continuous learning. In this episode, discover how stretching yourself within your professional realm can ignite action and amplify learning outcomes. From concrete examples to practical strategies like retrieval practice,...

In this enlightening episode, join Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer as they share and discuss the scientific underpinnings of the positive impact of reading. They explore the measurable return on investment for your brain and general health – a focused workout for the prefrontal cortex. Backed by studies, they discuss how reading enhances focus, critical thinking, and stress relief while offerin...

Learn more about the intricacies of college football game preparation as Dr. Cory Shaffer engages in a revealing conversation with standout quarterback, Bo Nix, from University of Oregon football. Nix, with an impressive record-breaking 61 career starts, provides insights into his meticulous preparation. Explore the evolution of leadership, the growth in his relationship with the game, and the exc...

The sports world was recently rocked by the seismic retirement announcements from football coaching legends Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll, and Nick Saban. This news inspired Drs. Drew Brannon and Brian Selman to reflect on Selman's firsthand experience as a player under Saban's tenure at Alabama. They explore the profound impact of Saban's coaching style, with Selman expressing gratitude for his un...

For a powerful, yet straightforward activity yielding maximum positive impact, journaling stands as the ideal choice. Join Drs. Cory Shaffer and Brian Selman as they discuss the transformative power of journaling. Learn how this practice enhances self-reflection and goal setting, complimenting recent podcast episode topics. Uncover why high performers swear by journaling and praise its profound im...

Join Drs. Cory Shaffer and Brian Selman in a candid discussion on contemporary goal setting and design. As we kick off the year, January presents the perfect opportunity for practical application in attaining goals. They discuss the pitfalls of setting too many goals and the power of focusing on just one. Together, they debunk myths surrounding effective goal setting, offering invaluable insights...

Join Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon in a reflective conversation about 2023, dissecting why many inspired individuals find themselves either disillusioned by unmet goals or stubbornly optimistic, ignoring reality, and continuously falling short of their desired pursuit. Exploring three defining factors shaping these paths, they offer insightful tips to navigate away from these pitfalls. Tune in...

Embark on a thought-provoking conversation with Drs. Drew Brannon and Brian Selman as they defy conventional wisdom, challenging the idea of moderation in goal pursuit. Uncover the secrets of those who excel and are enamored with the process, channeling intense focus and passion to draw energy from their work, steering clear of burnout and achieving extraordinary outcomes. Tune in for an enlighten...

Join Drs. Cory Shaffer and Brian Selman in a thought-provoking conversation on skillful self-reflection, perfect for kickstarting your year. Delve into the art of consolidating experiences to forge a fresh perspective. Explore the realms of internal and external self-awareness while steering clear of unproductive rumination. Discover actionable steps to elevate your self-reflection game and embark...

Join Drs. Milt Lowder and Brian Selman in a discussion on navigating the initial steps in the path to success. Emphasizing the fusion of big dreams with small beginnings, they unravel the essence of initiating change. Learn how embracing incremental steps leads to monumental transformations, blending vision with action to embark on the journey towards your aspirations.

Step into an engaging conversation led by Dr. Cory Shaffer with esteemed sports writer Ken Rosenthal. Rosenthal, celebrated with two Sports Emmy Awards across his illustrious three-decade career in sports reporting, notably for Fox Sports' MLB coverage, unveils the wealth of wisdom he's cultivated throughout his career. Journey through his writing process within the dynamic realm of sports journal...

Join Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, Cory Shaffer, and Brian Selman in a discussion on the life-changing power of gratitude. Delve into the profound effects of acknowledging good fortune, cultivating contentment, and embracing hopefulness. Discover how gratitude fuels resilience, elevates energy levels, enhances relationships, boosts immunity, and even contributes to better sleep. Tune in for a de...

Join Drs. Milt Lowder and Brian Selman in a thought-provoking dialogue on ownership. Delve into the dichotomy of personal responsibility versus blame culture, exploring the power of taking ownership and rejecting passivity in problem-solving. Discover the transformative impact of embracing responsibility, fostering growth, and cultivating humility. In this insightful conversation, gain actionable...

Join us for a special milestone episode of "The Growth Project" as we celebrate our 250th episode into the world of personal and professional development. Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, Cory Shaffer, and Brian Selman reflect on some of the most impactful and transformative moments from our previous episodes and explore three key themes: the importance of a unique path to growth, the role of humil...

Join Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer in a conversation about navigating life's "Almost" moments. Regardless of the field, we've all faced times when we've fallen short of acheiving goals. Discover how these experiences shape our reactions and impact our future pursuits. Is "Almost" a stepping stone to success, or does it dash our hopes? Tune in for insights into the universal "Almost" encounter...

In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Brian Selman explore the profound impact of breaking away from our routines and embracing experiential learning. Discover how venturing off-site, such as at our expansive 355-acre Mill Pine property in Easley, SC, can breathe new life into your team, fostering fresh perspectives and full engagement. Join them in a discussion on the value of introspection and h...

Why is the idea of relentless commitment as a positive approach to achieving goals so pervasive in society? Dr. Cory Shaffer delves into this topic and the research on relentless commitment and expert performance with Dr. David Eccles, Professor of Sport and Performance Psychology at Florida State University. Dr. Eccles shares three ways to balance commitment and rest while pursuing your goals, of...

Are you more inclined to approach your life goals with unwavering consistency or a fiery intensity? Uncover the secrets to success as Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder explore the intricate dance between consistency and intensity. Join this thought-provoking conversation to gain practical insights and discover the ideal blend that propels you towards your aspirations and ensures enduring accomplis...

Join hosts Drs Cory Shaffer and Brian Selman as they dive into the world of mnemonic devices and explore their pivotal role in transforming abstract ideas into actionable frameworks, while also dissecting the common pitfalls that hinder even the most well-intentioned mnemonic strategies. Whether you're a business leader striving for organizational alignment, an educator seeking innovative teaching...

Step into the world of sneaker culture with Dr. Cory Shaffer, a devoted sneakerhead, as he talks with Bronson Yim, a former Oregon Ducks football player and current Senior Product Line Marketer for Nike Basketball Footwear. Explore Bronson's path as a catalyst for change in sports footwear, as he unveils the intricate process of transforming innovative concepts into Nike's iconic sneakers. Join us...

Join Drs. Drew Brannon and Brian Selman as they explore the importance of understanding how your presence affects those around you, both positively and negatively. Gain valuable insights into the common blind spots that influence team dynamics as they challenge you to reflect on how you impact the team's performance and what changes in the team atmosphere when you're absent. Tune in for an enlight...

Join Drs. Cory Shaffer and Brian Selman in a thought-provoking conversation as they explore Transformational Learning Theory. Pioneered by Dr. Jack Mezirow, Transformational Learning Theory provides a cyclical framework to help guide individuals through their own journeys in a healthy and productive manner as their perspectives evolve. Drs. Shaffer and Selman lend both practical understanding and...

Join Dr. Cory Shaffer as he dives into the inspiring journey of Brandon Coleman, better known as Soul Cole, a former professional football player and certified health and wellness coach. Coleman shares his powerful story of resilience, recovery, and rediscovery after a career-altering injury and talks about his path to healing through therapy, meditation, and yoga, shedding light on the profound c...

College football is back! Join Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, Cory Shaffer, and Brian Selman as they provide a peek behind the curtain and share their personal experiences as performance coaches, psychologists, and players to some of college football's most respected programs, including Georgia, Clemson, Oregon, and Alabama. They reveal insights into the year-round journey and behind the scenes p...