

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 2, 2023 • 36min
10 painful truths about productivity [you NEED to hear] from Nir Eyal
Nir Eyal, behavioural expert and bestselling author in attention management, discusses the impact of distraction on productivity and achieving goals. Topics include understanding traction and distraction, the importance of follow-through, finding balance, and using pacts to overcome distractions. The episode emphasizes the power of managing attention to live a more focused and fulfilled life.

Apr 25, 2023 • 7min
How to be more decisive - Instant brain hack
A quick strategy to cure confusion and be more decisive. This simple brain hack can radically simplify our situation when we feel confused and help us make hard decisions and take action.We can all become confused with the pile-up of priorities and our different obligations. The worst thing is no decision yet we can sit in confusion unable to move on. In many cases there is a simple way to cure confusion and make stuff happen.- - -Connect with Sam:
Sam's newsletter on creativity - Explosive Thinking
Watch the pod - YouTube - Growth Mindset
Twitter - @samjamharris
Instagram - @SamJam.zen
- - -Chapters00:00 - You don't have time to be confused01:41 - Identify the truth of the matter02:39 - Buridians Donkey04:08 - My booking dilemmas to NASA launch failures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 18, 2023 • 24min
Breaking out of a rut - Battling mental health (with GeoWizard)
Tom Davies, better known as GeoWizard is a YouTuber, adventurer and mental health advocate. He has raised thousands of pounds for mental health and is passionate about helping other break out of their ruts.Before his YouTube took off Tom suffered his own mental health problems, anxiety and loss of enthusiasm for anything. In the episode, we talk about the best ways to find inspiration and how to quit our bad habits.GeoWizard is known for his straight-line missions across Wales, Dribbling a football across the length of Britain and being one of the best GeoGuessrs on the planet. - - -Contact GeoWizard - Tom Davies
Youtube - @GeoWizard
Instagram - @GeoWizardOfficial
TikTok - @GeoWizard
- - -Connect with Sam:
Sam's newsletter on creativity - Explosive Thinking
Watch the pod - YouTube - Growth Mindset
Twitter - @samjamharris
Instagram - @SamJam.zen
- - -Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:49 Richard Branson's childhood adventures
03:31 Problems with Smartphones
06:36 Effects of social media
07:37 The importance of youth
10:00 Being a voice for others
12:11 Growing your comfort zone
13:08 Traveling alone
14:37 Talk to yourself more
15:32 You can always turn things around
18:43 Men's mental health difficulties
19:00 Getting his first job
20:00 Humans and commitment issues
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 11, 2023 • 58min
10 no bullsh*t ways to live a more interesting life
Alastair Humphreys is the author of my all-time favourite books on the topic of adventure and getting more out of life.He was awarded the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year award for his work. He cycled around the world over four years and has since rowed the Atlantic, ran the Marathon de Sables, and walked across India amongst numerous other adventures.Perhaps his greatest success, however, is pioneering the concept of micro-adventures, encouraging anyone to experience the outdoors and thrillseeking within an hour of their doorstep.- - -Connect with Alastair:
Website - AlastairHumphreys.com
Instagram - @Al_Humphreys
Twitter - @Al_Humphreys
- -Connect with Sam:
Sam's newsletter on creativity - Explosive Thinking
Watch the pod - YouTube - Growth Mindset
Twitter - @samjamharris
Instagram - @SamJam.zen
- - -Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:34 Quick fire questions
05:12 How do you define success and happiness
06:04 What are your internal measures
07:14 Adventures
07:56 Why should we be adventurous
09:50 What were the things people need to hear on how to start an adventure
11:15 Microadventures
12:19 Hardest part of an adventure is daring yourself to get out
13:24 3 biggest questions when it comes to time - calendar, routines, little margins of time
16:13 Money-to-adventure ratio
21:18 Just GO
22:31 Overcoming sense of inadequacy
25:53 Mindset framework around finding a sustainable adventure and career
29:14 Going back, would Alastair done something different
32:23 Essay - A thousand true fans
33:35 GeoWizard Tangent
35:06 3 stages of flabbiness
36:16 Physical Flabbiness
36:46 Mental Flabbiness
37:04 Moral Flabbiness
38:42 How do Alastair deal with Mental Flabbiness
39:31 Habit Calendar
41:01 Pull-up or Press-up challenge
42:58 Hardest cultural difference Alastair navigated during an adventure
45:27 Maintaining relationships and adventures
47:10 Kindest thing
50:22 Earliest memories
51:18 Advice to your 20 yr old self
52:26 What's Sam's next adventure
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 4, 2023 • 19min
14 Habits Keeping You Poor
Learn about the bad habits holding you back from financial success, including procrastination, not prioritizing projects, and not understanding personal finances. Discover the negative impact of not having an emergency fund, succumbing to lifestyle inflation, and hanging around with the wrong crowd. Explore the consequences of acting rich, taking poor advice, blaming circumstances, and focusing solely on saving without an investment strategy.

Mar 28, 2023 • 39min
Mastering your mind: Understand how emotions drive subconscious behaviour
Jeff Buehner is the author of 'The Sultans Seven Secrets' which teaches us how to converse with our subconscious mind through our emotions.In this episode, we discuss self-defeating behaviors and mindsets that originate from our upbringing and are fixed in our subconscious. We learn how to reframe our attitude toward work, money, relationships and fear by working with our emotions and gaining control of subconscious behaviors.- - -Contact Jeff Buener
Get his book - Sultans Seven Secrets
Twitter - @Jeff_Buener
- - -Connect with Sam:
Sam's newsletter on creativity - Explosive Thinking
Watch the pod - YouTube - Growth Mindset
- - -Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
03:52 - How negative behaviours form
05:07 - Going backwards - having troubles financially
06:17 - Jeff's 2nd unconscious belief
07:25 - How groups affect us
08:40 - Jeff's pivotal change
10:35 - Story of Sultan Musa of Mali
13:13 - Sultan's seven secrets
18:24 - The origin and lessons of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp
19:08 - Feelings are the "language of the Gods"
21:55 - How to use your superpower
29:44 - Manifesting your feelings into your subconsciousness
31:20 - Fear as a sign that it's something worth doing
33:13 - Jeff's book - Sultan's Seven Secrets
34:21 - How Jeff made a lot of money
35:48 - Benefits of Growth Mindset
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 21, 2023 • 16min
Stop disappointing yourself: 4 strategies to earn respect
Learn how to stop disappointing yourself and earn respect by aligning present actions with future goals. Discover strategies to cultivate a harmonious life, earn authority through actions, and take ownership of your decisions. This podcast explores the psychology of self-improvement and offers practical steps for personal growth.

Mar 14, 2023 • 24min
How to believe in yourself: Why it matters with Kyra Condie (US Olympic climber)
Kyra Condie, a rising star in the world of climbing, shares her journey of overcoming scoliosis and becoming an Olympian. She discusses the dynamics of climbing, training, and maintaining good skin condition. Learn how to focus on your strengths, overcome weaknesses, and be kind to yourself and others.

Mar 7, 2023 • 28min
Catching Your Ego: How to Recognize Unconscious Bias and Embrace a Growth Mindset
Learn how to recognize unconscious bias and embrace a growth mindset. Explore the importance of challenging your own thinking and questioning biases. Discover strategies for self-reflection, evaluation, and nurturing personal growth. Reflect on past mistakes as an entrepreneur and the need for humility. Surround yourself with individuals who are aware of their egos to foster personal development.

Feb 28, 2023 • 1h 3min
Overcoming Setbacks with a Growth Mindset: Reframing Your Attitude | Niall McCann
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Niall McCann, a daring conservationist and adventurer, shares his incredible journey of resilience after a life-altering spinal injury. He recounts the moment of his accident during a speed flying mishap and how humor and a positive mindset helped him cope with intense challenges. Niall also discusses inspiring future expeditions, including a charity trek across the Vatnajökull icecap with fellow spinal injury survivors, showcasing the healing power of adventure.


