The Growth Project

In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer and Clemson PhD student and AMPLOS intern Marlee Johnson answer top questions curated by ChatGPT, diving into the overlooked trends in leadership and performance psychology. They explore how to cultivate adaptability in a fast-changing world and share expert insights on navigating challenges in work, sport, and life. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that...

Are you stuck in the mediocrity trap—settling for comfort instead of striving for growth? In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer break down what keeps us stagnant and how to create the escape velocity needed to break free from being "happy enough." They explore key mindset shifts and actionable strategies to push beyond average and pursue excellence. Tune in for a compelling conversat...

We all experience stress, but what if you could make it work for you instead of against you? Dr. Cory Shaffer talks with Dr. Rebecca Heiss, stress physiologist and author of Springboard: Transform Stress to Work For You , to explore how we can reframe our perspective on stress. She breaks down her three-step process to harness stress, turning it into a powerful tool for growth and performance. The...

In this special live episode from TPM's annual kickoff in downtown Greenville, SC, Drs. Milt Lowder and Cory Shaffer dive into five of Nike's Principles that fuel their iconic success. They explore why having principles is essential as a guiding north star and break down powerful ideas like "our business is change," "offense all the time," and "it won't be pretty." Learn how embracing these princi...

The 2024 college football season was one to remember - filled with dramatic twists and valuable lessons. Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer, sport psychologists for Georgia and Oregon football, reflect on the season's end, unpack key takeaways, and share lessons that resonate far beyond the field. They explore how mindset shapes performance at the highest level and offer valuable insights into fos...

In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with three-time Emmy-winning EPSN sports broadcaster Anne Marie Anderson to discuss her book, Cultivating Audacity: Dismantle Doubt and Let Yourself Win . Anne Marie shares how embracing bold risks and confronting fear transformed her career and personal growth. Discover the four barriers that hold you back—fear, time, money, and your inner critic—and le...

Research show that about 30% of Americans set New Year's resolutions, yet only 9% see them through to the end of the year. As we age, the likelihood of setting goals diminishes even further. Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer break down why most resolutions fail before February and present a proven framework for success. They share actionable strategies to set meaningful goals, build sustainable h...

In this special episode, Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, and Cory Shaffer close out 2024 and welcome 2025 with thoughtful reflections and fresh insights. Revisiting unanswered audience questions from the 300th episode live event, including the 3 leadership attributes that drive peak performance, practical strategies to recover from and prevent burnout, and powerful ways to jumpstart personal growt...

The holiday season is often filled with joy, but it can also bring unique challenges. How can we find harmony amidst festive celebrations layered onto already busy schedules? In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Cory Shaffer dive into the delicate balance between work and rest during the holidays. They highlight the essential connection between productivity and renewal for achieving peak performa...

In this episode, Chris Fay, President and CEO of Greenville-based TPM and Founder and CEO of TrebleHook, an architecture, engineering, and construction CRM platform, shares his journey of honoring his father-in-law's legacy—who founded TPM—while driving TPM's future growth. Chris reflects on how past experiences and critical inflection points shape vision and leadership. He highlights the importan...

Fresh off Oregon, Georgia, and Clemson's college football conference championship victories, Drs. Cory Shaffer, Drew Brannon, and Milt Lowder reflect on the psychological principles that came to life during these defining moments. In this episode, they explore the mental game as an important differentiator and break down the key psychological factors that contributed to each team's success. Discov...

As the Oregon, Georgia, and Clemson football programs gear up for their conference championship games this weekend, AMPLOS sport psychologists Dr. Drew Brannon (Georgia) and Dr. Cory Shaffer (Oregon) share insights on what it truly means to be courageous. Drawing from their experience with championship-caliber teams, they discuss how to turn fear into a motivator rather than a barrier. This episod...

This Thanksgiving, we're revisiting last year's episode on The Benefits of Gratitude . Join Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, Cory Shaffer, and Brian Selman as they dive into the transformative power of gratitude. Discover how practicing gratitude fosters resilience, strengthens relationships, boosts immunity, improves sleep, and enhances well-being in every season. Whether you're tuning in for the...

Cultivating gratitude is one of the simplest and most impactful ways to transform your life—and science backs it up. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer dispel the myth that gratitude is just a "soft skill" and dive into its substantial, evidence-based benefits. From enhanced mood and heightened awareness to stronger immune systems and deeper social connections, they explore how gr...

Join Dr. Drew Brannon, sport psychologist for Georgia football, and Dr. Cory Shaffer, performance coach for Oregon football, as they reflect on the college football season so far and explore the principles of achieving and sustaining peak performance. With the transfer portal and 12-team playoff reshaping the competition, teams have experienced dramatic rises and falls, making for an especially th...

What makes your organization unique, enduring, and impactful? In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon and Clemson PhD student and AMPLOS intern Marlee Johnson discuss the game-changing role of a well-defined organizational identity. Learn how clarity around your organization's core values can boost performance, attract top talent, and foster customer loyalty. Discover five essential elements—leadership,...

In this Q&A session following last week's live 300 th episode, Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, and Cory Shaffer reflect on pivotal moments from AMPLOS' journey, including their work with college football athletes at Clemson, Georgia, and Oregon. They reveal what brings the most joy in their work—Milt's passion for curiosity, Drew's drive for breakthroughs, and Cory's focus on self-awareness. They...

Join us for a special live recording from the ONE building in downtown Greenville, SC, as we celebrated our 300th episode with a live audience! Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, and Cory Shaffer reflect on their 7-year journey to 300 episodes and highlight three impactful leaders you might not know, but should: Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field athlete in history, Jim Elliot, America...

In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer welcomes back Dr. Katie Nichols, former AMPLOS performance coach and host of The Growth Project, and current Director of Mental Performance at the University of Louisville. As we approach our 300th episode, it feels fitting to bring back Dr. Nichols, who played a vital role in shaping the podcast, to share what she's learned over the past two years—building her te...

Dr. Drew Brannon, sport psychologist for Georgia football, and Dr. Cory Shaffer, performance coach for Oregon football, reflect on the current state of the college football season. With Oregon undefeated and Georgia experiencing one loss, they explore the mental toughness needed for the long game – both on and off the field. They dive into the psychology behind staying focused, handling setbacks,...

In this special episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon discuss the profound impact of Hurricane Helene, which left a wake of destruction throughout the Southeast, including our home of Greenville, SC, and how it illustrates the "U-Trifecta"—facing events that are unpredictable, undesirable, and leave us feeling unprepared. From the anxiety and stress of disaster to the importance of being pres...

Drs. Milt Lowder and Cory Shaffer explore the surprising science behind motivational language and why negative pregame speeches in sports fall flat. Drawing on research, they discuss how coaching from fear or weakness not only undermines performance but also impacts team culture and personal growth. Learn how positive feedback, empathy, and a coach's positive presence can elevate both athletes and...

Join Dr. Milt Lowder and Clemson University PhD student and AMPLOS intern Marlee Johnson as they explore the transformative power of self-talk. In this episode, they discuss how our inner dialogue shapes our actions, well-being, and emotional responses. Learn when your thoughts work for or against you, and how courage is key to processing negative emotions. This conversation is foundational for bu...

Join Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer as they explore the role of conflict in the workplace. While often seen as negative, they reveal how well-managed conflict can strengthen teams. Discover the four main triggers of organizational conflict and learn practical strategies to navigate the spectrum—from conflict-averse to overly aggressive—toward a balanced approach. Don't let artificial harmony h...

Fresh off week 1 of college football, Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, and Cory Shaffer, the mental performance experts behind Clemson, Georgia, and Oregon football programs, reflect on the opening games. With Georgia's victory over Clemson and Oregon's win over Idaho, they analyze their teams' performances, discuss how they're navigating early successes and challenges, and share their approach to...