

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

Oct 5, 2021 • 56min
187: Entrepreneurial Mindset - Nick Bradley, Scale Up Your Business Podcast Host
In this episode, Nick Bradley, host of Scale Up Your Business podcast, the number one UK business podcast on iTunes, talks with Sam about their viewpoints of having a growth mindset in the world of entrepreneurship. KEY TAKEAWAYS Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Acquisitions is not just acquiring products, customers and other things but you can also acquire talent. Most of what we achieve or don’t achieve is connected to our view of ourselves and our identity. You're the sole responsible for your success. You're also the sole responsible for your failure. - - -On the growth mindset podcast with Sam Webster Harris, we explore 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.Through a process of honest self-reflection of what is holding us back and what is driving us forward, we can lose the ego and build awareness of how to be our best.- - -Connect with Sam:Creativity Newsletter - Explosive ThinkingWatch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)Twitter - @samjamharrisInstagram - @SamJam.zen- - -Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvementEpisode: Entrepreneurial Mindset - Nick Bradley, Scale Up Your Business Podcast Host Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 28, 2021 • 34min
186: Conversation with a Hitman - Sam Harris
This is the conversation I had with a hitman living in India about his life. We discuss the story of how he came to be a hitman and what his life is really like. It is certainly very different to what you see in the movies and be prepared for some big insights.After the interview, we break down what happened and also discuss things like how I manage to get these interviews and other events in my life like staying with a bunch of drug dealers on the border of Mexico.Thanks to Andreas for providing the voice of the Hitman on the podcast and our discussion afterward. And for traveling around the world with me for a year- - -On the growth mindset podcast with Sam Webster Harris, we explore 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.Through a process of honest self-reflection of what is holding us back and what is driving us forward, we can lose the ego and build awareness of how to be our best.- - -Connect with Sam:Creativity Newsletter - Explosive ThinkingWatch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)Twitter - @samjamharrisInstagram - @SamJam.zen- - -Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvementEpisode: Conversation with a Hitman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 21, 2021 • 37min
185: Finding Motivation in Demotivation - Mike Winnet, UK's No. 1 Demotivational Speaker
Mike Winnet who is better known as 'The Contrepreneur' has shared with us lessons and the truth about contrepreneurs. According to Winnet, contrepreneur is a con artist who makes their fortune by fooling wantrepreneurs into thinking they're getting a great deal or coming into some easy money, when the reality is, it's the contrepreneur making the real money. Listen until the end as there are really good points on this discussion. - - -On the growth mindset podcast with Sam Webster Harris, we explore 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.Through a process of honest self-reflection of what is holding us back and what is driving us forward, we can lose the ego and build awareness of how to be our best.- - -Connect with Sam:Creativity Newsletter - Explosive ThinkingWatch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)Twitter - @samjamharrisInstagram - @SamJam.zen- - -Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvementEpisode: Finding Motivation in Demotivation - Mike Winnet, UK's No. 1 Demotivational Speaker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 14, 2021 • 48min
184: Humility, Focus and Perseverance - Nicholas 'Charles Tyrwhitt' Wheeler, OBE
Nicholas Wheeler, OBE, is the founder of Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts Limited, founded in 1986 while he was a student at the University of Bristol. In this episode, he discussed various successes and failures from childhood to the present day. We found out how to have good and bad ideas and the key to making them successful. We'll get to know more tips and his journey on how you too can have a successful business. - - -On the growth mindset podcast with Sam Webster Harris, we explore 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.Through a process of honest self-reflection of what is holding us back and what is driving us forward, we can lose the ego and build awareness of how to be our best.- - -Connect with Sam:Creativity Newsletter - Explosive ThinkingWatch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)Twitter - @samjamharrisInstagram - @SamJam.zen- - -Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvementEpisode: Humility, Focus and Perseverance - Nicholas 'Charles Tyrwhitt' Wheeler, OBE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 7, 2021 • 30min
183: Grow with Purpose - OddBox co-founders, Emilie Vanpoperinghe and Deepak Ravindran
Emilie Vanpoperinghe and Deepak Ravindran Emilie and Deepak are the founders of Oddbox, a purpose-drive business that fights food waste on farms with innovative solutions and fosters conscious consumerism. Their story started in Portugal, at a food market filled with wonky fruit and veg. Co-founders, Deepak and Emilie, were shocked to find out that a number of produce in the UK is wasted before it even leaves the farms because of the odd appearance meaning a lot of unnecessary waste for the plane They works closely with farmers across the UK (& from abroad), rescuing fresh, seasonal surplus fruit & veg which are at risk of becoming food waste.- - -On the growth mindset podcast with Sam Webster Harris, we explore 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.Through a process of honest self-reflection of what is holding us back and what is driving us forward, we can lose the ego and build awareness of how to be our best.- - -Connect with Sam:Creativity Newsletter - Explosive ThinkingWatch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)Twitter - @samjamharrisInstagram - @SamJam.zen- - -Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvementEpisode: Grow with Purpose - OddBox co-founders, Emilie Vanpoperinghe and Deepak Ravindran Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 3, 2021 • 24min
182: Talent Over Passion - Melissa Monte, Mind Love Podcast Host
Melissa Monte is one of today’s influential and thought-provoking explorers of the mindset and positive energy. She’s known for her ability to obtain and explain complex ideas with humor and clarity. In this episode, Melissa shared her journey on how and why she started doing the Mind Love podcast. She imparts with us valuable lessons that she has learned and shared with the community. It took her months to know her purpose. When she finally got it, she was confident in that decision because of the belief that every aspect of it comes from a perspective of who she was. Subscribe! If you enjoyed the podcast please subscribe and rate it. And of course, share with your friends! - - -On the growth mindset podcast with Sam Webster Harris, we explore 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.Through a process of honest self-reflection of what is holding us back and what is driving us forward, we can lose the ego and build awareness of how to be our best.- - -Connect with Sam:Creativity Newsletter - Explosive ThinkingWatch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)Twitter - @samjamharrisInstagram - @SamJam.zen- - -Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvementEpisode: Talent Over Passion - Melissa Monte, Mind Love Podcast Host Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 24, 2021 • 19min
181: Tips on Getting Better Today Than Yesterday - Frank Dick, OBE
In this episode, Frank Dick, a Former Olympic Coach, shared the nitty-gritty of living a better life by making ourselves better every day.This journey through mindset transformation offers practical steps to build authority, embrace reality-based personal growth, and understand the dynamics of past versus present selves. It's time to take ownership and craft a fulfilling lifeLearn how to stop disappointing yourself by aligning your present actions with your future vision. We dissect the ancient stoics to James Clear to give an overview of how to build a stronger mindset for personal growth over blame and fixed mindset disappointment.This is a short masterclass on taking ownership of your life decisions and cultivating a proactive, reality-based approach to growth. Ready to change your life? Listen in.- - -On the growth mindset podcast with Sam Webster Harris, we explore 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.Through a process of honest self-reflection of what is holding us back and what is driving us forward, we can lose the ego and build awareness of how to be our best.- - -Connect with Sam:Creativity Newsletter - Explosive ThinkingWatch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)Twitter - @samjamharrisInstagram - @SamJam.zen- - -Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvementEpisode: Tips on Getting Better Today Than Yesterday - Frank Dick, OBE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 17, 2021 • 19min
180: Victim and Victor Mentality - Frank Dick, Former British Olympic Coach
Frank Dick was acknowledged as and remains one of the outstanding sports coaches and coach mentors of the world. He is also the author of for major publications: 'Winning Matters', 'Sports Traning Principles', 'Winning', and 'Winning Lines.' He is currently the President of the European Athletics Coaches Association.If you have enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share it with your friends. Happy listening!- - -On the growth mindset podcast with Sam Webster Harris, we explore 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.Through a process of honest self-reflection of what is holding us back and what is driving us forward, we can lose the ego and build awareness of how to be our best.- - -Connect with Sam:Creativity Newsletter - Explosive ThinkingWatch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)Twitter - @samjamharrisInstagram - @SamJam.zen- - -Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvementEpisode: Victim and Victor Mentality - Frank Dick, Former British Olympic Coach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 3, 2021 • 20min
179: Retiring as an Olympian: What happens after you hit your goals - Ben Hunt-Davis MBE
Ben Hunt-Davis MBE is an Olympic Gold medalist who won the men's team rowing event for team GB at the Sydney Olympics. He explains how to build a new life after you retire from being an athlete and have to move into the rest of the world. There are a lot of great lessons for finding your place and the ways to focus on the right things.We discuss: * The effects of achieving your dreams and what happens next * How to prioritise what to focus on and what to ignore and setting up bullshit filters * The importance of planning rather than going with the flow- - -On the growth mindset podcast with Sam Webster Harris, we explore 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.Through a process of honest self-reflection of what is holding us back and what is driving us forward, we can lose the ego and build awareness of how to be our best.- - -Connect with Sam:Creativity Newsletter - Explosive ThinkingWatch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)Twitter - @samjamharrisInstagram - @SamJam.zen- - -Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvementEpisode: Retiring as an Olympian: What happens after you hit your goals - Ben Hunt-Davis MBE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 13, 2021 • 19min
178: Olympic lessons - Ben Hunt-Davis MBE, Gold Medal rower
Ben Hunt-Davis won a gold medal in rowing at the Sydney Olympics and shares some of his big lessons in mindsets. It was by no means an easy journey to his gold medal and Ben was an athlete for many years and only managed his medal on his last Olympics before retirement.He learned a lot of lessons on the way and shares his insights on mindsets and the importance of deliberate practice over relying purely on physical ability. His book 'Will it make the boat go faster' is a great read if you want to learn more from his experiences.- - -On the growth mindset podcast with Sam Webster Harris, we explore 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.Through a process of honest self-reflection of what is holding us back and what is driving us forward, we can lose the ego and build awareness of how to be our best.- - -Connect with Sam:Creativity Newsletter - Explosive ThinkingWatch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)Twitter - @samjamharrisInstagram - @SamJam.zen- - -Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvementEpisode: Olympic lessons - Ben Hunt-Davis MBE, Gold Medal rower Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


