The Growth Project

We're in the midst of March Madness, which means unpredictable upsets and busted brackets. This episode features Drs. Cory Shaffer and Katie Nichols exploring the ingredients of a tournament upset. They discuss how expectations, the willingness to compete, and maturation and development combine to help lower-ranked teams defy the odds and defeat more talented opponents.

What does it mean to be an effective follower? This episode features a conversation with Dr. Janna Magette, a leadership instructor for the Clemson Athletic Leadership Graduate Program and founder of GoFollowLead. Dr. Magette and Dr. Katie Nichols discuss the positive impact of followership, the balance between leading and following, and how to create more impactful followers on your team.

The past year has transformed nearly every aspect of our world. We're taking a moment to pause and reflect on the affects of COVID-19 a year after its widespread impact. Looking at both the positive and negative impacts, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon take inventory of what has transpired in the hope that we can leverage these lessons for our collective benefit moving forward. 

The millennial generation is quickly becoming the largest segment of the workforce and yet there remains much confusion around how to connect with them and lead them effectively. In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon leans on the expertise of Clay Kirkland to unpack a series of best practices focused on leading the millennial generation. Kirkland boasts over 20 years of experience in leadership develo...

What is 'rest'? This episode features a conversation with Dr. David Eccles, Professor of Sport Psychology at Florida State University, who has dedicated his research to understanding that question. Dr. Eccles and Dr. Cory Shaffer explore the psychology of rest, including practical suggestions that our listeners can apply in their own lives.

For many organizations, it's review season with many leaders in the midst of preparing for and conducting performance reviews for 2020. In today's episode, we look back on a conversation from late 2019 where Dr. Drew Brannon and Dr. Milt Lowder discuss 3 steps that will help us approach reviews with vulnerability, authenticity, and strength - not only with others but also with ourselves.

Building a great team takes time and effort. Maintaining a great team takes consistency. Once you have the right team members in place how do you keep them bought in? In today's episode, Drs. Katie Nichols and Cory Shaffer break down the concept of consistency - what it is and why it matters for effective leadership and high-performance teams. We discuss three key areas where consistency is needed...

The military special operations community is regarded as one of the highest performing environments in the world, and for good reason - the selection, training, and preparation to become a special operator demand unmatched physical and mental toughness. This episode of The Growth Project features a conversation between Dr. Cory Shaffer and two members of the special operations community. They disc...

In response to an article that leadership retreats are a waste of time and resources, Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder dig into this topic to offer a counter-opinion. In this discussion, they look at the value add of leadership retreats, how to structure your time to drive the greatest impact, and creative ways to hold a leadership "off-site" during the pandemic.

The moments right before a big performance or critical task can make or break your success. Hours, or even weeks, of preparation can unravel in an instant under doubt, fear, or distracting thoughts. In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer and Dr. Katie Nichols explore the science of maintaining focus when it matters most. Drawing on empirical evidence, they share strategies to quiet the mind, harness pr...

January 26, 2021 will mark the one year anniversary of the death of Kobe Bryant. Kobe was a global icon and one of the most decorated professional athletes of all time, but what made him so unique was his mindset and his drive to be the best player he could be - along with his willingness to share his mentality with the world. In a tribute to Kobe, Dr. Cory Shaffer & Dr. Katie Nichols discuss less...

We revisit a timely and insightful conversation with Josh Brooks, now serving as the J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics at the University of Georgia. When Josh first joined The Growth Project , he shared his leadership journey—from working under legendary coaches like Nick Saban, Jimbo Fisher, and Mark Richt to collaborating closely with Kirby Smart as Georgia's football sport facilitator. In th...

Motivated individuals create stronger teams. But what is the driving force behind motivation? What does it look like to truly motivate someone effectively? How do you create and sustain it through adversity? In this episode, Dr. Katie Nichols continues her conversation with legendary coach and distinguished sport psychology expert, Dr. Rick McGuire, who shares what it takes to motivate a team, how...

Motivated individuals create stronger teams, but what's the driving force behind motivation? What does it look like to truly motivate someone effectively? How do you create and sustain it through adversity? In part one of this two-part conversation, Dr. Katie Nichols talks with legendary coach and distinguished sport psychology expert, Dr. Rick McGuire, who shares what it takes to motivate a team,...

Coming off of their 6th straight ACC Championship, the Clemson Tigers are back in the hunt for another national title. Prior to their national semifinal match up with Ohio State, revisit this conversation between Dr. Milt Lowder and Head Coach Dabo Swinney on the principles that guide Clemson football and promote a program of sustained excellence.

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers have electrified the college football world with a perfect 11-0 regular season, surging to #12 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. As they head into the postseason, we revisit Dr. Cory Shaffer's earlier conversation with Head Coach Jamey Chadwell on the mindset, habits, and leadership principles behind building, and sustaining, a championship culture.

What makes a team thrive or fall apart? In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore the science and psychology behind team chemistry. They reveal how "supercarriers" elevate everyone around them, driving high-performing, overachieving teams and how "super disrupters" can quietly (or not so quietly) erode trust, unity, and results. Learn the key dynamics that determine whether a tea...

How do you foster a championship-level team culture in a sport built on individual performance? In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with Remy Tamer, Head Coach of the Women's Cross Country Team at High Point University, to explore the power of authentic leadership. Remy shares how staying true to yourself as a leader can inspire genuine connection, fuel trust, and create the kind of cultur...

As Thanksgiving approaches, we're exploring how gratitude can be more than just a seasonal sentiment, it can be a daily practice that builds resilience, sparks joy, strengthens relationships, and shapes a mindset that finds thankfulness in all circumstances. In this special episode, Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, Katie Nichols, and Cory Shaffer share personal insights and practical strategies to...

What could a trailblazing golfer like Bryson DeChambeau and a visionary innovator like Steve Jobs possibly have in common? In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer unpack the concept of "blue oceans" — untapped opportunities beyond the crowded waters of conventional thinking. They explore why most people stick to tradition, how to spot game-changing possibilities in your own field, and...

Between the global pandemic, economic uncertainty, and constant change, it's no surprise burnout is on the rise. In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder and Dr. Katie Nichols unpack what burnout really is, the warning signs to watch for, and practical steps you can take to protect your energy and well-being. They also explore why grit matters more than ever in navigating today's challenges.

What happens when a career built on success suddenly unravels into years of failure? Colorado Rockies pitcher Daniel Bard shares his remarkable journey, from MLB star to complete collapse, to earning the 2020 National League Comeback Player of the Year. In this candid conversation with Dr. Cory Shaffer, Bard reveals how self-awareness, mindfulness, and gratitude transformed his perspective, reigni...

Leadership might be a popular buzzword, but what does it truly mean and how do you lead in a way that inspires others to follow? In this episode, Hall of Fame coach Gail Goestenkors joins Dr. Katie Nichols to share lessons from decades on the sidelines, defining what real leadership looks like and how to embody it every day. Through stories from her celebrated career, she offers a candid look at l...

As a leader, how do you find the balance between setting standards and exerting influence while also listening and adapting to the needs of your team? In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer break down the "power paradox" in leadership and share what organizations and leaders can do to find the sweet spot of effective leadership.

What does it take to break barriers and stay there? Rachel Balkovec just completed her first year as a minor league hitting coach with the New York Yankees, making history as the first woman to hold that role in professional baseball. In this episode with Dr. Cory Shaffer, she shares the bold vision that fueled her journey, the challenges she's overcome along the way, and how adversity has sharpen...