

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 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.

May 14, 2024 • 30min
Zen and the Art of Motor Cortex Maintenance
Exploring the motor cortex, reflexes, and brain health. Learn how movement impacts the brain and ways to optimize it. Discover the effects of alcohol and cannabis on brain functions. Geek out on the link between mentality and physicality. Explore the factors influencing coordination and development variations.

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


