

Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement
Sam Webster Harris | Growth Mindset Psychology
Most self-help advice is guesswork dressed up as wisdom. We dig into psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science to find what actually changes lives.
WHY LISTEN?
Over 8 million downloads because we answer the questions that matter: How do I build mental strength? What creates lasting motivation? How can I understand my own mind well enough to work with it, not against it?
This podcast is for curious skeptics who want frameworks backed by psychology studies, not Instagram quotes. Whether you're navigating procrastination, building self-discipline, or designing your own philosophy for a life well lived—we explore the hidden psychology behind real change.
WHAT YOU'LL GET
Mental models and simple techniques from cognitive psychology, positive psychology, and ancient wisdom traditions like Stoicism and Buddhism.
Being a human can be confusing, learning about it doesn’t have to be.
We cover everything from emotional intelligence and habit formation to brain health and the nervous system.
WHAT YOU DON’T GET
No pseudoscience. No oversimplified "hacks." No hustle porn.
Just practical insights on mindset improvement, self-development, and human psychology that respect your intelligence and mental health.
THE APPROACH
Instead of telling you what to think, we explore how thinking works. Armed with psychology studies, social science research, and relentless curiosity, we uncover the mechanics of belief change, attitude change, and personal development.
Success is personal. You might want to leverage your neurodiverse strengths, build a business, or simply discover how to be happier. We provide the mental frameworks to pursue your definition of success with mental strength and self-care that fits your life.
YOUR HOST
I'm Sam Webster Harris—a lifelong learner with ADHD and an obsession with finding answers to hard questions. After launching businesses, traveling the world, and nearly dying a few times, I concluded that psychology and science are where real wisdom lives.
This show is my excuse to dive deep into health and fitness research, behavioral psychology, and cool science while helping you build genuine self-discipline and motivation.
PREMIUM
Go ad-free and access exclusive content, AMAs, and our community Discord.
Growth Mindset Premium
PAST SERIES
Previous guests include Olympians, Scientists, Billionaires, and Sam's Mum.
Past series:
— Psychology vs Stoicism
— Time Management for Busy Mortals
— Independence and Knowing Yourself
— Cognitive Biases and Rational Thinking
— Psychology of Connection and Relationships
— Carol Dweck and the Multiverse of Mindsets
— Addiction and Behaviour Change
— Nervous System Mastery and Polyvagal Theory
— Mental Strength and Self-Discipline
WHY LISTEN?
Over 8 million downloads because we answer the questions that matter: How do I build mental strength? What creates lasting motivation? How can I understand my own mind well enough to work with it, not against it?
This podcast is for curious skeptics who want frameworks backed by psychology studies, not Instagram quotes. Whether you're navigating procrastination, building self-discipline, or designing your own philosophy for a life well lived—we explore the hidden psychology behind real change.
WHAT YOU'LL GET
Mental models and simple techniques from cognitive psychology, positive psychology, and ancient wisdom traditions like Stoicism and Buddhism.
Being a human can be confusing, learning about it doesn’t have to be.
We cover everything from emotional intelligence and habit formation to brain health and the nervous system.
WHAT YOU DON’T GET
No pseudoscience. No oversimplified "hacks." No hustle porn.
Just practical insights on mindset improvement, self-development, and human psychology that respect your intelligence and mental health.
THE APPROACH
Instead of telling you what to think, we explore how thinking works. Armed with psychology studies, social science research, and relentless curiosity, we uncover the mechanics of belief change, attitude change, and personal development.
Success is personal. You might want to leverage your neurodiverse strengths, build a business, or simply discover how to be happier. We provide the mental frameworks to pursue your definition of success with mental strength and self-care that fits your life.
YOUR HOST
I'm Sam Webster Harris—a lifelong learner with ADHD and an obsession with finding answers to hard questions. After launching businesses, traveling the world, and nearly dying a few times, I concluded that psychology and science are where real wisdom lives.
This show is my excuse to dive deep into health and fitness research, behavioral psychology, and cool science while helping you build genuine self-discipline and motivation.
PREMIUM
Go ad-free and access exclusive content, AMAs, and our community Discord.
Growth Mindset Premium
PAST SERIES
Previous guests include Olympians, Scientists, Billionaires, and Sam's Mum.
Past series:
— Psychology vs Stoicism
— Time Management for Busy Mortals
— Independence and Knowing Yourself
— Cognitive Biases and Rational Thinking
— Psychology of Connection and Relationships
— Carol Dweck and the Multiverse of Mindsets
— Addiction and Behaviour Change
— Nervous System Mastery and Polyvagal Theory
— Mental Strength and Self-Discipline
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 7, 2024 • 31min
What is a Mindset Exactly? 🤨
Delve into the significance of growth and fixed mindsets, the evolution of mindset terminology, and explore scarcity vs abundance mindsets. Learn about strategic thinking, embracing self-improvement, and the importance of understanding mindset for personal development.

Jun 4, 2024 • 25min
Confirmation Bias and the 7 Sins of Lazy Thinking - [Cognitive Biases pt. 3]
Explore 7 cognitive biases affecting our judgement, including confirmation bias and neglect of probability bias. Learn how to become a more rational thinker and avoid the pitfalls of lazy thinking. Discover the impact of outcome bias, paradox of choice bias, and time discounting bias on decision-making. Embrace personal growth by recognizing mistakes, navigating decision-making in a world of choices, and prioritizing long-term thinking.

Jun 2, 2024 • 10min
Why Being Happy Isn’t Normal... But It Could Be [+ Do you have Life Dysmorphia?]
Explore the pressure of social media fame and the pervasive nature of upward comparison. Reflect on gratitude and the privilege of modern conveniences. Challenge the notion of 'enough' and value life over wealth. Discover the wisdom in contentment and the journey to find true happiness.

May 31, 2024 • 53min
Hidden Potential: Beat Doubts, Naysayers and Self-Sabotage w/ Heather Moyse (2x Olympic Gold)
2x Olympic Gold winner and author, Heather Moyse, discusses redefining 'realistic' to meet our potential, overcoming self-doubt and social pressure. She shares mental models for success and breaking free from limiting beliefs. Topics also cover parental support, behavioral patterns, dealing with naysayers, maximizing potential, childhood lessons, and acts of kindness.

6 snips
May 29, 2024 • 24min
Be Crystal Clear: 3 Truths and 2 Tips to Communicate Clearly
Explore the challenges of clear communication and cognitive biases. Learn about the importance of direct communication in relationships and expressing emotional needs. Discover strategies for simplifying complex concepts and the concept of bundling and unbundling in various contexts. Dive into problem-solving strategies and the host's engagement with the audience.

May 26, 2024 • 15min
Make Time your Friend
Explore the concept of time and how to treat it well for personal growth. Learn to be less frustrated by things beyond your control. Discover the importance of a positive mindset and prioritization in fostering a healthier relationship with time. Dive into the role of meditation in effective time management and self-improvement.

May 24, 2024 • 41min
How to Break out of a Slump & Live More Adventurously w/ Alastair Humphreys [Nat Geo Adventurer Of The Year]
National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Alastair Humphreys shares insights on having adventures on a budget and cultivating a mindset for thrill-seeking close to home. He advocates for micro-adventures and inspiring others to embrace the outdoors. The podcast explores the concept of sustainable adventures and the importance of overcoming mental blocks in writing and self-improvement.

May 21, 2024 • 45min
10 Incredible Mental Models of Jeff Bezos - Engineer creativity, decisiveness & clear communication (+ Get Rich…)
Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon, shares his mental models for innovation and growth, including customer-centric obsession, long-term thinking, and single-threaded leadership. He discusses how AWS, Kindle, and Alexa were developed, emphasizing the importance of regret minimization and embracing failure for success.

May 19, 2024 • 29min
Human Nature Vs. Money: Battling Irrationality & Thinking Traps [#2 Cognitive Biases]
A deep dive into cognitive biases and manipulation tactics that impact decision-making. Learn how to protect against pricing tactics, make better investments, and reduce irrational decisions. Explore real-life examples of anchoring bias and financial traps, emphasizing the importance of recognizing losses and avoiding sunk cost fallacy. Discover how overconfidence and information bias can distort judgment, leading to inaccurate predictions in decision-making processes.

May 17, 2024 • 20min
4 Unusual and Brilliant Questions To Make You Think w/ Jodi Wellman
Jodi Wellman, author of 'You Only Die Once', shares unique questions and ideas from Applied Positive Psychology. Topics include healthy vs toxic aspirations, importance of good questions, and abandoning what doesn't serve you. Discussing life's substance, reflecting on priorities, and recognizing impermanence for a more purposeful existence.


