The Growth Project

This is a challenging time to be a leader and there is no playbook for how to navigate what we are experiencing or what could lie ahead. There are a long list of factors at play right now that leaders can't do anything about. What can they do? In this episode we'll address three things leaders can be doing right now to help drive well-being and performance within their teams.

In the final installment of our COVID-19 series, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon respond directly to listener questions about the mental and emotional challenges of navigating COVID-19 . From managing anxiety and uncertainty to staying connected and focused, they address five common concerns with honesty and hope. This Q&A-style episode is designed to meet you where you are and help you move for...

Routine can be one of the most powerful stabilizers in uncertain times. In Part 3 of our COVID-19 series, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore how maintaining consistency, especially while working from home, helps protect your mental clarity, performance, and well-being. They offer practical ways to build structure into your day and emphasize how  your pursuit of excellence not only helps yo...

As uncertainty intensifies, so does our brain's stress response, often impacting how we think, feel, and make decisions. In Part 2 of our COVID-19 series, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon discuss how to  shift from survival mode to growth mindset , even amid fear and disruption. With a focus on intentional thinking and daily habits, they encourage listeners to see this season as an opportunity to...

In times of uncertainty, understanding how our brain responds to stress is critical. In this first episode of our four-part COVID-19 series, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore the neurological impact of stress , highlighting common psychological and emotional responses to uncommon events. Their insights help normalize what many are feeling and offer perspective on how to stay grounded even...

"If you only focus on the fruit, you forget to nurture the root." In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with Jamey Chadwell, Head Football Coach at Coastal Carolina, for a conversation about growth, grit, and the daily discipline behind long-term success. They explore how results are simply the byproduct of consistent effort and how staying rooted in the process, rather than fixated on outco...

"A goal without a plan is just a wish". In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder talks with Jason Cruise, an author, speaker, hunter, and pastor who has accomplished much in his life, to talk about the necessity of "leading from the front" and learning to love the advice and help of others. It's only in having an open ear and humbling ourselves that any of us will ever learn, grow, and get better.

What matters more: how far you go or how you get there? In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Tom Black, Head Volleyball Coach at the University of Georgia and Coach of Canada's National Team, to explore the relationship between process and outcome. Together, they discuss why we're wired to chase results, how pain is often a necessary part of growth, and why short-circuiting the process...

Pressure is a part of life, so the question isn't whether we'll face it, but how we'll respond when it comes. In this episode, New York Mets pitcher Ryley Gilliam shares his story of rising quickly through the ranks of professional baseball, the challenges he's faced along the way, and what he's learned about managing pressure and navigating failure. His honest reflection offers valuable perspecti...

Leadership isn't about being the best at everything; it's about bringing out the best in others. In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Jeff Hull, Head Coach of the Furman University Women's Golf team, for a thoughtful conversation on what true leadership looks like. They explore the deeper layers of coaching and personal development, how to live into your full potential, and how to chal...

"I always kept the end result, the long game, in my mind." – Kobe Bryant In this episode, Drs. Katie Nichols and Cory Shaffer reflect on the legacy of Kobe Bryant and the mindset that defined him: the Mamba Mentality . More than a sports philosophy, Kobe's relentless pursuit of excellence and growth continues to inspire millions across disciplines. This conversation explores the core of that menta...

Why do you think the way you think and how much control do you really have over it? In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore the inner workings of the mind and how our patterns of thought are shaped over time. They break down how mindset influences everything from performance to perspective, and how intentionally shifting the way we think can lead to lasting change in every area...

How do we keep getting better in our work and in our lives? In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Josh Brooks, Senior Deputy Athletic Director at the University of Georgia, to talk about freedom in our work and how to continue to learn, grow, and develop without short-circuiting the process. Josh's career path includes time working on football staffs headed by Nick Saban, Jimbo Fisher,...

Transitions, whether planned or unexpected, can be challenging, disruptive, and even disorienting. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer unpack the often-overlooked potential that lies within transitional moments. They explore how transitions can serve as powerful catalysts for growth and development, but only if we're willing to meet them with openness, curiosity, and intention . If...

In today's episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder explore the tension between what we desire—vulnerability, authenticity, and inner strength—and the discomfort required to achieve it. They outline three actionable steps that help us move closer to these powerful traits by embracing discomfort, opening ourselves up, and choosing growth over fear. This conversation invites listeners to live with...

In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer and Dr. Katie Nichols explore the vital role of relationships in our pursuit of well-being and personal growth. Using Arnold Schwarzenegger's life as a powerful case study, they unpack how mentorship, connection, and support from others can carry us through both triumph and adversity. This conversation reminds us that we are not meant to go it alone and that inves...

In this episode, Dr. Katie Nichols sits down with Shimmy Gray-Miller, Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at Clemson University, for a powerful conversation about the lasting impact we have on one another. Coach Shimmy shares how authentic relationships form the foundation of a flourishing life, both on and off the court. This episode is a reminder that success isn't just about performance... it's...

In the final installment of our gratitude series, Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder respond to real questions from listeners—exploring how gratitude intersects with success, failure, trauma, and resilience . They discuss how to find strength in gratitude even when life is hard, and how this mindset can help us process pain, build perspective, and stay grounded. This honest and hopeful conversation...

In Part 2 of The Strength of Gratitude , Drs. Drew Brannon and Katie Nichols dig deeper into how we can actively cultivate a grateful heart and why doing so benefits not just our mindset, but also our most meaningful relationships. With practical insights and relatable examples, they show how practicing gratitude consistently can help us navigate life with greater presence, connection, and purpose...

In Part 1 of our three-part series on gratitude, Drs. Cory Shaffer and Katie Nichols explore the power of gratitude in shaping mindset, resilience, and performance. Dr. Nichols shares the story of Brenda Martinez, an elite American track and field athlete whose Olympic dream was nearly lost after a heartbreaking fall in the 800-meter qualifier. Just days later, Martinez secured a spot on Team USA...

In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore the timeless concept of servant leadership . Drawing from the work of Robert Greenleaf, the founder of the modern servant leadership movement, they unpack what it truly means to lead through service. The conversation highlights the lasting impact of this leadership style, the personal and organizational benefits it creates, and the common...

In Part 2 of this series on humility, Drs. Drew Brannon and Katie Nichols explore three common obstacles that hinder the development of true humility and why overcoming them is essential for effective leadership and a healthy team culture. They also share practical action steps leaders can take to cultivate humility in themselves and their teams, creating an environment grounded in trust, growth,...

Humility and confidence are often seen as opposites, but what if the two can actually fuel one another? In Part 1 of this series on humility, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer challenge the misconception that being humble means lacking belief in oneself. Using a recent example from the U.S. Open Men's Tennis Final, they explore how humility and confidence not only coexist but also create a powerf...

In Part 2 of this series on the habits that set high performers apart, Drs. Katie Nichols and Cory Shaffer dive into the science of habit formation. They break down the key stages of building new habits and explore common reasons why those habits often fail to stick. With practical strategies and real-world examples, they offer guidance on how to create lasting change and build habits that truly m...

In the first part of a two-part series, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore the critical role habits play in achieving and sustaining peak performance. They discuss how small, consistent actions, often overlooked, can lead to  marginal gains that separate high performers from the rest, especially when raw talent alone is no longer enough. The conversation also includes practical, actionable...