The Growth Project

What does it truly take to lead a team to sustained success? In this episode, Dr. Katie Nichols talks with veteran coach, Sue Guevara, who reflects on four decades of experience at the helm of collegiate programs. She shares her hard-earned insights on building strong relationships, communicating with clarity, and helping teams grow through challenge and change. Now retired, Sue also talks about w...

Suicide is a deeply complex and difficult topic and one that deserves open, compassionate conversation. In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder and Dr. Drew Brannon address the realities and struggles surrounding suicide with care and honesty. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support: National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or call us at 1-864-241-5444. Our hope is that t...

Can peak performance be reverse engineered? For over 15 years, Dr. Erik Korem has been at the forefront of High Performance and Exercise Science, pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. In this conversation with Dr. Cory Shaffer, he shares how to break down the process of achieving elite results, offering practical steps to bring big visions to life and optimize both ourselves and our p...

What is emotional reasoning and how can we harness our emotions instead of being controlled by them?   In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer and Dr. Katie Nichols unpack how strong emotions can cloud our thinking and decision-making. They introduce three practical steps to develop emotional strength: learning to understand, manage, and respond to emotions with wisdom and compassion. Discover how worki...

In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer talks with 2016 Rio Olympian, Sage Watson, who shares what life is really like as a professional track and field athlete, from the daily routines and mental strategies to the years of disciplined preparation behind the scenes. Driven to inspire the next generation of female athletes, Sage opens up about the mindset required to perform under immense pressure and ho...

How do great leaders remain grounded when everything around them shifts? In the final episode of this series, Dr. Milt Lowder and Dr. Drew Brannon examine the social and behavioral foundations that help leaders stay true to their mission, vision, and values, especially in uncertain times. They offer practical insight on how to stay aligned with what matters most.

Why is managing emotions so often a challenge for leaders? In part two of this series, Dr. Drew Brannon and Dr. Milt Lowder explore the emotional and spiritual dimensions of leadership. They discuss why emotions matter more than ever, how spiritual practices can keep leaders grounded, and what it means to lead with peace and perspective in a world full of noise.

So you think you want to be a leader? In the first episode of this three-part series, Dr. Milt Lowder and Dr. Drew Brannon unpack the growing complexity of leadership in today's world. They explore what high performance looks like in the face of uncertainty, what it takes to lead well under pressure, and how leaders can create a holistic plan to thrive in the areas that matter most.

Why do so many high performers avoid personal reflection, even when they know it's valuable? In this episode, Drs. Katie Nichols and Cory Shaffer dive into the science and practice of self-reflection. They explore how reflection drives performance, what internal and external barriers often prevent us from doing it, and how to build the habit with practical, intentional strategies. Whether you're l...

What does great leadership really look like and how do we recognize it when it's present? In this episode, Dr. Katie Nichols sits down with Kaitlyn Cunningham, Director of Women's Basketball Strength & Conditioning at Clemson University. Together, they explore the pursuit of continual growth, the power of honest feedback, and why authentic leadership is rooted in trust, collaboration, and showing...

Do fulfillment, results, and personal growth come from deliberate pursuit or do they naturally emerge when we're aligned and present? In this thought-provoking conversation, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore the dynamic tension between pursuing and ensuing. They unpack how intention, discipline, and surrender all play a role in our journey to become who we're meant to be.

With nearly 15 years of college football coaching experience, Mitch Doolittle has seen firsthand how leadership evolves. In this episode, he joins Dr. Drew Brannon to share the lessons that have shaped his coaching philosophy, especially the importance of building strong relationships as the foundation for performance. Whether you're leading athletes, educators, or professionals, Mitch's insights...

Nike's Breaking2 documentary follows the groundbreaking attempt to break the two-hour marathon barrier. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore three powerful lessons from the project: how mental "software" becomes essential as physical "hardware" peaks, how the theory of marginal gains drives sustained progress, and why redefining success on your own terms can lead to deeper f...

How do we consistently show up as our best selves, especially in high-pressure, high-stakes environments? In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with Dr. Jordan Cinquino, an Internal Medicine Physician from Buffalo, NY, to explore why stepping away from work is sometimes the most important thing we can do for our performance and well-being. Drawing from his experience on the front lines durin...

"I should be doing more." "I'm so busy." "Am I going to be okay?" These are just a few of the internal messages we tell ourselves, often without question. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder explore the powerful role of self-talk in shaping our mental and emotional state. They unpack how internal dialogue can either sabotage or support us, especially in times of uncertainty, and off...

What if mentorship could change not only individual lives, but also help heal the divides in our country? In this episode, Rick Woolworth, founder of the Telemachus Network and former Wall Street executive, joins Dr. Milt Lowder to explore the power of intergenerational friendship. They discuss how intentional mentorship can foster unity, address racial and social injustice, and shape a purposeful...

Humility is the gateway to growth and learning is a lifelong pursuit. In this episode, Clemson Men's Head Soccer Coach Mike Noonan sits down with Dr. Milt Lowder to reflect on the power of staying curious, coachable, and committed to improvement. They explore what it means to lead with clarity, live out your core values, and have the courage to align your actions with your beliefs, on and off the...

What makes you who you are? Personality is one of the most studied, and misunderstood, constructs in psychology. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore how personality assessments can be both powerful and problematic. While the right tools can accelerate self-awareness and growth, the wrong ones can lead to unhelpful labels and limitations. They discuss how to move beyond ster...

What does it take to stay grounded while competing at the highest level and then guide others to do the same? NCAA champion, LPGA Tour winner, and Solheim Cup team member Heather Bowie Young joins Dr. Katie Nichols to reflect on 17 years of professional golf, the challenges that shaped her, and the deep gratitude that fuels her coaching today. Now Associate Head Coach for Clemson Women's Golf, Hea...

As society begins to reopen after weeks of lockdown, the transition back to daily life brings both opportunity and challenge. In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore the psychological effects of re-entry and how it impacts our mindset, relationships, and performance. They share practical strategies for increasing self-awareness, managing stress, and using mental skills to naviga...

How do we define slumps in life? Finding yourself in a slump - whether in work, sport, or life in general - is inevitable, but how do we respond correctly so that as we progress, we are actually catching ourselves from falling into slumps and approaching them with the correct expectations and a growth mindset? In episode 69 of The Growth Project, Dr. Kimberly Shaffer and Dr. Cory Shaffer discuss s...

What happens when you put everything on the line, just to find out how good you really are? In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer is joined by Casey Weathers, former first-round MLB draft pick and current coach in the Cincinnati Reds organization. Known for his powerful "How Good Am I?" speech that went viral on YouTube, Casey unpacks the mindset behind that moment. Together, they explore the idea of...

How do you respond when life throws its hardest pitches? In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with professional baseball player Mike Freeman, Clemson alum and player for the Cleveland Guardians organization, to explore the mindset required to turn failure into fuel. They dive into what it means to "be your own coach," how to embrace every role with purpose, and the habits that separate thos...

"It's tough to define culture and exactly what it is, but when you are a part of a good culture, you know it." In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder sits down with Robert John, Division Vice President of Heart Failure at Abbott. Robert shares how his early life experiences shaped his mindset as a leader and why he believes culture is the heartbeat of any successful organization. This conversation explo...

Shane Day is the current quarterbacks coach for the San Fransisco 49ers. In this episode, Coach Day talks with Dr. Drew Brannon about his development, especially as a coach, and all that he's walked through to get to where he is, how he thinks about the concept of mastery, and how important it is that he builds relationships with his players. This conversation was recorded shortly after playing in...