

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

May 12, 2024 • 16min
Work-Life Battle: Why "Balancing" Fails & What Works Instead
The podcast challenges the idea of work-life balance and emphasizes prioritizing effectively. It discusses the impact of language on perceptions and suggests integrating various aspects of life for fulfillment.

May 10, 2024 • 23min
Mastering the Art of Relationship Building for Business and Personal Success w/ Matt Higgins
Matt Higgins, a successful entrepreneur, shares insights on relationship dynamics in business, selecting the right partners, the importance of shared values, and strategies for cultivating strong partnerships. He emphasizes humility, appreciation for different traits, and the impact of shared visions in business success.

May 7, 2024 • 32min
Ego Blindspots: 9 Cognitive Biases to Avoid [Biases #1]
Explore 9 cognitive biases related to ego, from falling in love for the wrong reasons to bias leading to potential nuclear war. Recognizing biases can lead to a calmer, kinder, and more successful life.

May 5, 2024 • 29min
Social Pressure Personality Disorder: A Hypothetical Deep Dive into our Conforming Minds
Is society sick? Are we sick? Let's treat our drive to conform as a disorder we can diagnose and fix.This episode is a hypothetical deep dive where we treat our obedience to social pressure like other personality disorders.Main topics:
DSM-5 entry for Social Pressure Personality Disorder (SPPD)
2 contrasting case studies
Crossovers with other disorders
How to manage and break out of your social pressure problems
We develop a set of symptomatic criteria, case studies and a treatment plan to get us to live an independent life on our terms.Anyone wanting to take charge of their life instead of their life living them should listen.It's also designed to help you think like a psychologist and imagine how a therapist would approach diagnosing and treating such a disorder if it existed.THIS IS AN EXPERIMENTAL FORMATComments are much appreciated!Advert - Cozy EarthLuxury Bamboo sheets and Loungeware that become softer the more you use them.35% off code 'GROWTH' - CozyEarth.comGrowth Mindset podSam Webster Harris explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.Success and happiness is a state of mind unique to ourselves and is our responsibility to create.
Watch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)
Mail - GrowthMindsetPodcast(at)gmail.com
Insta - SamJam.zen
Chapters00:00 The Power of Social Pressure 02:23 Classifying Social Pressure as a Disorder03:36 Diagnostic Criteria for SPPD09:31 Case Study 1: Elena13:17 Case Study 2: Liam16:54 Therapy and Interventions18:17 SPPD and Other Disorders21:49 Overcoming Social Pressure with a Growth Mindset23:06 Living Authentically on Your Own Terms25:12 Wrap Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 3, 2024 • 49min
Understanding Porn Addiction: A HUGE Mental Health Crisis (no one talks about) w/ Eric Zusack
Porn addiction coach, Eric Zusack, shares his 20-year journey to recovery, discussing the societal impact of porn addiction, the dangers of desensitization, and reframing the disease model. They also explore the rise of AI-generated porn and its implications on mental health.

Apr 30, 2024 • 15min
Quiet Leadership: 3 Under-The-Radar Strategies to Influence Outcomes
Exploring the quiet path to success by overcoming ego and inbuilt patterns. Tips on standing out in a noisy world and surpassing expectations. Insights on increasing effectiveness and achieving goals silently. Delve into the art of quiet achievement and finding success without the spotlight.

Apr 26, 2024 • 30min
Studying Resilience and Hardiness w/ Dr Steven Stein
Dr. Steven Stein, author of 'Hardiness: Making Stress Work for You to Achieve Your Goals', shares insights on self-motivation, resilience, and dealing with stress. Learn life lessons from POWs, traits of success from Olympic champions, and the art of resilience through challenge, control, and commitment.

6 snips
Apr 23, 2024 • 26min
Loud Thoughts: Depression, Anxiety, ADHD and the Default Mode Network
Uncover the mysteries of the Default Mode Network, its impact on anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Explore the history of DMN discovery, the benefits of meditation and psilocybin, and how modern neuroscience uses DMN insights for mental health treatments.

Apr 21, 2024 • 17min
Calculus of Effort: A 3-part Framework for Investing Energy Wisely
Explore the importance of prioritizing passion and energy in specific pursuits while discerning between average effort and the pursuit of excellence. Reflect on the impact of completion versus incompleteness and the fallacy of constantly seeking more. Contrast work ethic with contentment and discuss investing energy in meaningful pursuits that offer more than just efficiency.

Apr 19, 2024 • 56min
Assisted Breakthroughs: How Psilocybin can Rewire the Brain w/ Gabriel Charalambides
The science behind Psilocybin-assisted mental health breakthroughs and what are the current benefits and limitations? We have the owner of Odyssey, a psilocybin experience company to discuss the state of psychedelic science and lessons from mental health treatment centres.Topics:
The benefits and limitations of Psilocybin therapy
What is Oceanic Boundlessness and Ego-dissolution
Benefits of psilocybin for OCD and mental health
Who should not use psychedelics
What does a guide do and who the hell are they?
Flow states and meditation
Gabriel Charalambides has a varied background from working on the NASA Mars Rover to leading Drone development before focussing on mental health as part of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies)He offers an honest breakdown of the risks and benefits of Psilocybin and the science behind it.WARNINGThe topics and medications discussed are all in a controlled medical setting. Do not try recreating them at home.- -Sponsor - Better HelpOnline therapy can boost you toward being your best self.10% off at Betterhelp.com/GROWTHMINDSET- -Sponsor - LinkedIn JobsAdvertise your job to the world's largest pool of professionals, for free!Linked.com/Growth- -OdysseyThe first legally controlled psilocybin experience in the US.
Website - Odyssey
Gabriel - LinkedIn
Books
Siddartha
The Courage to be Disliked
Untethered Soul
How to change your mind (+ TV show)
The Retreat (podcast)
Growth Mindset podSam Webster Harris explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.Success and happiness is a state of mind unique to ourselves and is our responsibility to create.
Watch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)
Mail - GrowthMindsetPodcast(at)gmail.com
Insta - SamJam.zen
Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:13 Defining Growth Mindset and Oceanic Boundlessness08:04 The Attachment to Ego and Spiritual Perspectives11:11 Recommended Reading12:37 The Role of Anxiety and Letting Go During Psychedelic Experiences15:14 The Role of Retreat Guides and Holding a Safe Space17:53 Reflections during Retreats21:39 Screening and Assessing Suitability for Psychedelic Retreats24:26 The Potential Benefits of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy31:00 Restrictions for Psilocybin Retreats34:02 Considerations for Individuals with Mental Health Conditions36:19 Psychadelics and Narcissism37:23 The Training and Qualifications of Retreat Guides41:44 The Neuroscience of Psychedelic-Induced Neuroplasticity43:12 Flow states and meditation48:46 Cultural differences in participants49:48 About Odyssey50:24 Books discussed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


