

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

8 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 17min
A Curios Thing About Your Ego (and 3 ways to turn it down)
Explore the unruly nature of the ego and how it can trick your brain into overconfidence. Discover three powerful strategies to manage your ego for genuine growth. Learn to create space for discovery by admitting ignorance, embrace being an amateur to unlock potential, and facilitate others' insights for better influence. Dive into the fascinating intersection of ego, assumptions, and personal development for a clearer path to self-improvement!

Sep 19, 2025 • 52min
How to Cultivate Awareness and Self-Control to Overcome Addiction - w/ Jeremy Lipkowitz
Join addiction coach and former Buddhist monk Jeremy Lipkowitz as he dives into the complexities of addiction, particularly porn. He discusses the significant role of shame and how modern temptations like accessibility and anonymity make porn especially difficult to resist. Jeremy shares practical strategies for cultivating self-awareness, such as mindfulness, to break free from compulsive behaviors. He also emphasizes the importance of addressing root causes and developing healthier coping mechanisms like exercise and emotional regulation.

12 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 30min
How to Teach a Growth Mindset to Children (and to yourself)
Learn how to instill a growth mindset in yourself and your children. Discover the art of turning failures into inspiring stories rather than sources of shame. Explore practical methods for promoting resilience and problem-solving skills through everyday conversations. Balance praise and rewards with the encouragement of grit and intrinsic motivation. Understand the importance of modeling a growth mindset as an adult to effectively teach it to kids. Dive into the nuances of fostering a nurturing environment that embraces mistakes as essential learning opportunities.

7 snips
Sep 12, 2025 • 47min
How To Overcome Your Problems With Curiosity and adventure - /w GeoWizard (Tom Davies)
Tom Davies, known as GeoWizard, is a YouTube sensation celebrated for his adventurous straight-line missions. In this engaging discussion, he shares how curiosity and a willingness to embrace risks transformed his mundane life into an exciting career. Tom encourages listeners to tackle anxiety with playful challenges and emphasizes the importance of storytelling. He explores the impact of smartphones on creativity while reflecting on how small adventures can lead to personal growth. Let curiosity guide you to new horizons!

Sep 9, 2025 • 31min
The Hidden Connections Between Movement and Mental Strength You Need To Know
Freedom doesn’t arrive when you finally “figure it all out”—it arrives the moment you move.We’ve built mental walls around the idea that creativity is genetic and strength is inherited. But imagine a world where every step, stretch, or stumble is a tiny act of liberation, welding new circuits of possibility in your brain. Picture the mountaineer navigating a cliff, or a child learning to throw—a dance as ancient as humanity itself, and just as transformative. The lesson isn’t in chasing overnight genius, but in discovering that each deliberate movement is a brushstroke of reinvention.
Reimagine exercise as a tool for mental experimentation, not just fitness.
View setbacks in coordination as invitations to design new approaches, rather than signs to stop.
Use the act of practicing anything—sport, art, language—as a metaphor for shaping your narrative.
What will you change, today, when you realize that movement is the first story you tell yourself about what’s possible?
NEW SHOW - How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation
Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights.
Found on all major podcast players:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-change-the-world-the-history-of-innovation/id1815282649
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@HowToChangeTheWorldPodcast
RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8
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Growth Mindset Psychology:
Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.
📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset)
🛜 Website - Growth Mindset
Chapters
00:00 Zen and the art of motor cortex maintenance
02:24 How the Motor Cortex was discovered
04:08 The areas and functions of the motor cortex
07:01 Mentality and Physicaly Link
08:44 Motor Function Impairment and Physical Rehab
11:35 Why you might be a bit Uncoordinated
13:53 Developmental Variation and mindset
14:52 How alcohol and Marijuana impact brain Health and Coordination
17:37 Reflexes and professional training
20:46 Why 10,000 hours makes sense
22:11 Reactions that don't require your brain
24:39 How physical movement affects mental thought
26:48 Wrap up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 5, 2025 • 57min
How to Build More Memories Instead of More To-Dos - w/ Jodi Wellman
Jodi Wellman, a psychologist and author of 'You Only Die Once', shares her insights on living life to the fullest with positivity inspired by existential psychology. She discusses the importance of breaking free from autopilot living and emphasizes creating meaningful memories rather than just checking off to-dos. Wellman highlights the difference between useful and toxic positivity, encourages proactive living to avoid regret, and stresses the significance of embracing diverse experiences to cultivate deeper connections and joy in everyday moments.

Sep 2, 2025 • 36min
What is Actually Important? How to stop reacting to news and non-events
In this engaging discussion, the hosts tackle the challenge of distinguishing meaningful news from distractions. They introduce an 'innovation Richter scale,' assessing the societal impact of ideas, from trivial to transformative. Highlighting innovations like the steam engine, they explore how certain breakthroughs can revolutionize civilization. The conversation also touches on the overwhelming nature of today's information, urging listeners to focus on what truly matters and filter out the noise.

Aug 29, 2025 • 54min
The Top 3 Fitness Mistakes and How to 20:80 your Health - w/ Coach Jake Parker, Beyond Fitness
In a thought-provoking conversation with Jake Parker, a fitness coach at Beyond Fitness, listeners discover that fitness is more about identity than discipline. Jake explores how environment shapes habits over willpower and discusses the top three mistakes people make when getting fit. He emphasizes embracing sustainable habits, flexible dieting, and transforming exercise into an act of self-kindness. The chat also highlights gender differences in fitness beliefs and the importance of shifting from a scarcity to an abundance mindset.

Aug 26, 2025 • 18min
Where To Spend Your Life Energy: A 3-step framework for brilliance
Discover the secret to channeling your energy wisely as you juggle life's demands. Delve into the balance between finishing projects and managing expectations for true value. Explore how social media shapes personal connections and the pitfalls of perfectionism. Through a charming parable, learn to find joy in simplicity while navigating societal pressures. Finally, uncover the beauty of pursuing meaningful goals beyond mere functionality, and embrace the fulfillment of everyday happiness in your journey.

29 snips
Aug 23, 2025 • 41min
The Evolutionary Psychology of Gender Roles, Male Violence & Food - How Fire Transformed Us
Explore how our ancient relationship with fire has shaped humanity! Discover its transformative role in human evolution and its eerie connection to gender roles and aggression. Learn why shared meals around the fire fueled social bonding. Uncover the psychological interplay between fear and innovation, and how fire's control rewired our minds and society. From wildfires to campfire chats, this discussion navigates the surprising impacts of flames on our lives, communities, and self-improvement.


