Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement

Dame Stephanie Shirley, a pioneering IT entrepreneur and philanthropist, shares her inspiring journey from escaping Nazi Germany to founding a groundbreaking all-woman software company in 1962. She discusses the challenges women face in tech and the importance of remote work and gender equality. The episode also emphasizes the role of diversity in innovation, the healing power of compassion, and how recent challenges have rekindled community bonds. Shirley's insights into philanthropy and the impact of emotional well-being highlight her belief in fostering a positive mindset for a hopeful future.

Richard HallKokoon are the world’s first sleep sensing EEG (electroencephalogram) headphones - comfortable enough to sleep in, without compromising acoustic quality.Richard Hall and Tim Atnos launched Kokoon Technology in 2015 with the aim of combating the common challenge of getting a good night’s sleep by using a soporific mix of audio and brain-sensing technology.The idea for Kokoon headphones stemmed from a personal problem: founder Tim Antos had a stressful job which led to him having trouble sleeping. He tried conventional methods, and even sleeping tablets, but nothing worked, until he went to a cognitive behaviour programme at a sleep clinic where he discovered the power of using audio to sleep. Whilst this provided a solution it also raised another problem; it was uncomfortable to sleep wearing large headphones.Tim decided to combine the reserch from the sleep clinic with the technology of an accessible consumer device: Kokoon.Richard and Kokoon:Kokoon (https://kokoon.io/)SleepKokoon Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sleepkokoon/?hl=en)SleepKokoon Twitter (https://twitter.com/SleepKokoon)ABOUT THE HOSTMy name is Sam Harris. I am a British entrepreneur, investor and explorer. From hitchhiking across Kazakstan to programming AI doctors I am always pushing myself in the spirit of curiosity and Growth. My background is in Biology and Psychology with a passion for improving the world and human behaviour. I have built and sold companies from an early age and love coming up with unique ways to make life more enjoyable and meaningful.Sam:Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/samjamsnaps/)Quora (https://www.quora.com/profile/Sam-Harris-58)Twitter (https://twitter.com/samharristweets)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharris48/)Sam's blog - SamWebsterHarris.com (https://samwebsterharris.com/)Support the Show - Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/growthmindset)TOP TIPSMusic is TherapyListening to music can be a quick route to getting yourself into a better mood, but it's becoming increasingly clear that there's much more to the benefits of music than just a quick boost for your outlook.Music can be used in daily life for relaxation, to gain energy when feeling drained and when dealing with emotional stress as well.Most of us know from experience that music can dissolve the stress of a long drive, keep us motivated to exercise, and take us right back to positive experiences in our past, which can be a happiness booster and a stress reliever.Next time you’re getting ready for sleep, consider how music might be a great addition to your evening routineMake Time for FamilyWe all know that quality time with our family is paramount in building stronger relationships. Our time is one of the greatest things we can give to our family. In this fast paced modern day, it is easy to forget that simply just spending time with our love ones is really important. Family time means you can just have fun and enjoy each others company!You can never get back time, no matter what. Make the most of the time you can give to your family. Understand that nothing can be more important than your family because they are the people who will be with you always, through thick or thin.Treat Yourself WellEmbracing the concept of self care can be difficult for those who’ve always placed emphasis on the welfare of others. However, giving all your energy to those around you without filling your own back up leaves you depleted and empty. For sure that’s no way to live.Treating yourself means you then have more energy to love those around you. You'll feel happier when you’ve invested some energy in YOU.In addition to pampering yourself, more substantial forms of self-care invloves having healthy lifestyle choices are important, too. Consuming a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and being sure you get enough sleep are all important.Subscribe!If you enjoyed the podcast please subscribe and rate it. And of course, share with your friends! Special Guest: Richard Hall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dane KnightonThe founder and CEO of Dane Knighton, Inc. Growing up penniless in South Africa, Dane immigrated to England, Colchester at age 9 not speaking a lick of English. He grew up in a tiny 2-bedroom semi-detached house with no bedroom. As much as 6 people would live in this small Victorian like shack.Dane went from having just a few pounds in his bank account, almost never having his own bedroom since birth, suffering from severe acne and almost taking his life. To writing 4 books and being a known copywriter-consultant. Having a growth mindset in the midst of anxiety and uncertainty, it allowed Dane to overcome adversities that he has been facing and be the person he is now. Dane and his booksConnect on LinkedIn with Dane (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dane-knighton-8689a9168/)daneknightonbooks.com (https://daneknightonbook.com/)ABOUT THE HOSTMy name is Sam Harris. I am a British entrepreneur, investor and explorer. From hitchhiking across Kazakstan to programming AI doctors I am always pushing myself in the spirit of curiosity and Growth. My background is in Biology and Psychology with a passion for improving the world and human behaviour. I have built and sold companies from an early age and love coming up with unique ways to make life more enjoyable and meaningful.Sam:Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/samjamsnaps/)Quora (https://www.quora.com/profile/Sam-Harris-58)Twitter (https://twitter.com/samharristweets)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharris48/)Sam's blog - SamWebsterHarris.com (https://samwebsterharris.com/)Support the Show - Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/growthmindset)TOP TIPSStop Thinking and Start DoingCommitment to action is not something you’ll achieve overnight. You will have to push yourself and fight tendencies to fall back into old patterns. Instead of accepting your inaction, always try to find the cause for it, and learn ways to overcome it. You need to keep moving forward in order to achieve your dreams and stay true to your visions. After all, by taking no action all we do is make sure that we don’t succeed. Be Open-MindedOpen-mindedness is a characteristic that involves being receptive to a wide variety of ideas, arguments, and information. It is a necessary ability in order to think critically and rationally. Even if being open-minded does not come naturally to you, there are things that you can do to cultivate a receptive attitude that leaves you open to new perspectives, knowledge, people, and experiences.When you have a positive attitude about new experiences, you can open yourself up to new discoveries every day. It’s a great way to keep your life fun and exciting!Don't Let Anyone Stop YouNo matter what, someone is always going to come around and try to dim that light or shut it off. Whatever you do, you hold on to that light and you fight. You fight to not let that person tear you down, you fight for the right to define yourself, to not let anyone else tell you who you are. You got to keep your head up. Don’t ever let someone fade the light that makes you beautiful. Because in the end, you’re the one who controls how brightly you shine.Subscribe!If you enjoyed the podcast please subscribe and rate it. And of course, share with your friends! Special Guest: Dane Knighton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leah Chowdhry‘He who says he can and he who says he can’t are both usually right’ - ConfuciusFounder and CEO of an award-winning childcare company, ‘Pop Up, Party & Play’. Leah's comapany provides mobile childcare and in doing so help to make childcare more accessible. They also offer children a safe, stimulating and exciting environment so they have as much fun as their parents can work or enjoy their corporate conference. You can see Pop Up, Party & Play popping at workspaces, members’ clubs, corporate events and special events.Leah completed the gruelling 30-mile English Channel swim in 13 degrees water in just under 15 hours on July 4th, 2018, becoming one of the first young British Asian women to achieve the amazing feat. A national-level swimmer when she was younger, Leah started training to swim in the English Channel in early 2017. Also speaking about the preparation, Leah said she had to put on weight because the biggest risk of swimming the English Channel was dying of hyperthermia.On her first trip to India aged just 7, Leah couldn’t bear to see the way children were suffering. It was especially difficult as some were even the same age as her. These children don’t get a say in their lives. It was at that moment Leah decided that she needed to make a difference. She started small, giving up fizzy drinks and sweets, but still she managed to raise £1,000 by going out and voicing her concern. Since then, Leah has been constantly involved in charity work. Her determination to help children, particularly vulnerable children, only grows. Leah, along with The British Asian Trust, aimed to raise funds for a project run by The British Asian Trust, and she managed to raise over £50,000 with help from family and friends. Both parties are working in the red light districts of Mumbai to protect children vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking. The organisation runs three night care centres for such children who are at risk, as well as shelter homes and a residential training centre for the rescued girls.Leah and Pop Up, Party and PlayConnect on LinkedIn with Leah (https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-chowdhry-2871828a/?originalSubdomain=uk) Leah's Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/leahchowdhry/)Pop Up, Party and Play Website (https://www.popuppartyandplay.co.uk/)Pop Up, Party and Play's Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/popuppartyplay/)ABOUT THE HOSTMy name is Sam Harris. I am a British entrepreneur, investor and explorer. From hitchhiking across Kazakstan to programming AI doctors I am always pushing myself in the spirit of curiosity and Growth. My background is in Biology and Psychology with a passion for improving the world and human behaviour. I have built and sold companies from an early age and love coming up with unique ways to make life more enjoyable and meaningful.Sam:Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/samjamsnaps/)Quora (https://www.quora.com/profile/Sam-Harris-58)Twitter (https://twitter.com/samharristweets)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharris48/)Sam's blog - SamWebsterHarris.com (https://samwebsterharris.com/)Support the Show - Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/growthmindset)TOP TIPSTrust your GutThe more experienced you are in the domain you're deciding on, the more accurately your intuition can offer you the most optimal decision. Although it can be useful to seek counsel from others, remind yourself that they don't necessarily know what is best for you. Take their advice into consideration, if they're more experienced than you are. In the end, your heart knows best. You lived your life and fully experienced it, making you the best person to decide what to do next. When it comes to life decisions which involve a lot of feeling and heart, like relationships, only you know what's in your heart. Trust that you have all the knowledge and experience you need to make the decision that's right for you.Stay True to YourselfTo be true to yourself takes courage. It requires you to be introspective, sincere, open-minded and fair. It does not mean that you are inconsiderate or disrespectful of others. It means that you will not let others define you or make decisions for you that you should make for yourself. Be true to the very best that is in you and live your life consistent with your highest values and aspirations. Those who are most successful in life have dared to creatively express themselves and in turn, broaden the experiences and perspectives of everyone else.Knowing your WhyYour Why is a list of reasons that resonate with you as to why you’re doing something. Finding your “why” is important not only for success in your professional and personal life, but also for your well-being and longevity.You need to look within, discover the things that you are passionate about, and pursue them—regardless of other people’s doubts or the setbacks you’ll meet. Your own purpose will point the way to your success.Your Why is your source of intrinsic motivation. If you know your Why, you can drum up that little bit of motivation that you need to get started. From there, it’s momentum, not motivation. Finding your Why will help you to eventually build self-disciplineSubscribe!If you enjoyed the podcast please subscribe and rate it. And of course, share with your friends! Special Guest: Leah Chowdhry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meet Rachel Jane CookeRachel Jane Cooke is a therapist, trainer and coach who specialises in self-esteem, emotional intelligence, shame resilience and the Millennial Life Crisis.She has spent the last seven years working with individuals and couples, running an online therapy platform and giving talks and workshops. She has a focus on neuroscience, holds a Master's degree in Integrative Psychotherapy and is also trained in NLP, mindfulness meditation, hypnotherapy and EFT - Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples. At 32 Rachel has lived around the world and visited over 50 countries. She's started three businesses and worked in various challenging environments. She is most passionate about helping people find their way to authenticity, purpose, creativity and fulfilling relationships, which she believes anyone can achieve with the right knowledge, practice and support.ABOUT THE HOSTMy name is Sam Harris. I am a British entrepreneur, investor and explorer. From hitchhiking across Kazakstan to programming AI doctors I am always pushing myself in the spirit of curiosity and Growth. My background is in Biology and Psychology with a passion for improving the world and human behaviour. I have built and sold companies from an early age and love coming up with unique ways to make life more enjoyable and meaningful.Sam:Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/samjamsnaps/)Quora (https://www.quora.com/profile/Sam-Harris-58)Twitter (https://twitter.com/samharristweets)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharris48/)Sam's blog - SamWebsterHarris.com (https://samwebsterharris.com/)Support the Show - Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/growthmindset)TOP TIPSMultipotentialite - the Passionate PersonHaving a multi-passion or being a multipotentialite is a very real modern day trait. Multipotentialites thrive on learning, exploring, and mastering new skills. They are excellent at bringing unique ideas together in creative ways. This makes incredible innovators and problem solversMultipotentiality can either be a good thing or a bad thing. It’s up to you to frame it as a good thing.Have Support GroupsWhen you join a new support group, you may be nervous about sharing personal issues with people you don't know. So at first, you may benefit from simply listening. Over time, though, contributing your own ideas and experiences can help you get more out of a support group. But remember that support groups aren't a substitute for regular medical care. Let your doctor know that you're participating in a support group. If a support group isn't your thing but you need help coping with your condition or situation, talk to your doctor about counselling or other types of therapy.Build a NetworkWhether you are making big changes to your life or simply chasing your dreams, it is difficult to do it alone. Having the proper support of people you trust greatly enhances your chances of success. It is important to have a good support network that you can bounce ideas off and get feedback from. Building a good support network, which takes patience and persistence, makes tough times more bearable Subscribe!If you enjoyed the podcast please subscribe and rate it. And of course, share with your friends! Special Guest: Rachel Jane-Cooke. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kaitlin Ugolik PhillipsA journalist and editor who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her writing on law, finance, health, and technology has appeared in the Establishment, VICE, Quartz, Institutional Investor magazine, Law360, Columbia Journalism Review, and Narratively, among others. She writes a blog and newsletter about empathy featuring reportage, essays, and interviews. In The her book, Kaitlin shares her own personal stories as well as different stories of numerous professionals about moving innovation and technology forward without succumbing to isolation. This book is for anyone interested in how our brains work, how they’re subtly being rewired to work differently, and what that ultimately means for us as humans.Kaitlin and Her bookConnect with Kaitlin on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kugolik/)The Future of Feeling: Building Empathy in a Tech-Obsessed World (https://www.amazon.com/Future-Feeling-Building-Empathy-Tech-Obsessed-ebook/dp/B07PSGFN34)Kaitlin's website (www.kaitlinugolik.com)ABOUT THE HOSTMy name is Sam Harris. I am a British entrepreneur, investor and explorer. From hitchhiking across Kazakstan to programming AI doctors I am always pushing myself in the spirit of curiosity and Growth. My background is in Biology and Psychology with a passion for improving the world and human behaviour. I have built and sold companies from an early age and love coming up with unique ways to make life more enjoyable and meaningful.Sam:Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/samjamsnaps/)Quora (https://www.quora.com/profile/Sam-Harris-58)Twitter (https://twitter.com/samharristweets)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharris48/)Sam's blog - SamWebsterHarris.com (https://samwebsterharris.com/)Support the Show - Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/growthmindset)TOP TIPSHave Healthy Digital BoundariesThese days, many of us have mobile smartphones and multiple social media accounts. This means that we have access to a wealth of information at our fingertips but it also means that we’re contactable in more ways, and in more instant ways, than ever.It's important to create limits in regards to who we follow, what sort of content we consume, and how much time we spend on the internet. The amount of ‘buzz’ we receive from the digital world can, at times, become overwhelming. It can create anxiety and leave us feeling drained. Setting digital boundaries can help us to manage the way we interact with the digital world, which can ultimately help us to manage our mental health.Sit more with your thoughtsAre you comfortable with just you and your thoughts, or do you need to constantly distract yourself from the inner workings of your own mind? We have to start re-connecting with our minds, and being more comfortable with just sitting with our thoughtsTake a few days to ponder your thoughts, go with your feelings and think through them. Even write them down if you think it might help. We all need a healthy dose of self-reflection every now and then. We’re always so focused on moving forward in life that we forget to take a step back and let it all in.Using Tech to Build EmpathyOnline communication has created a space for people to openly speak their minds, which means they can vent anonymously with little fear of repercussion. Without having to see another human’s emotional feedback loop, some individuals feel emboldened to speak hatefully, create fear and spread mistrust. More than ever, we need to cultivate empathy as a society. Understanding the feelings of others is fundamental to communication and connection. However, experiencing empathy online can be more challenging than face-to-face communication, as you don’t get the immediate feedback of seeing someone’s facial expressions and body language. That is why learning to understand and communicate emotions in a digital context is an essential skill, and even more important given that the internet plays such an integral role in society.Subscribe!If you enjoyed the podcast please subscribe and rate it. And of course, share with your friends! Special Guest: Kaitlin Ugolik Phillips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Maria Wilkes(MA Education), researcher, teacher, tutor, writer, speaker and mentorMaria Wilkes is a language teacher at one of the top all-girl schools in London and is a private tutor. Maria left her position as a teacher and took a chance to compete in the U.K.’s countrywide competition to become the British representative at the Miss Universe pageant. She wanted to break the stereotype and offer an alternative view to those who believe that beauty pageants are degrading. Our guest is dedicated to her mission to empower young women beyond the classroom, and Miss Universe is the perfect platform to do just that. Maria's experience as a teacher and tutor has alerted her to the harsh reality of what it’s like to be a young person searching for meaning in today’s world.Over the past decade, Maria has been researching and building a scientifically-driven parenting guide to ensure that our current generation of young people become the most inspiring future generation of leaders. Her goal is to build a community of conscious parents who will band together to fight the emotional epidemic amongst the younger generation.Maria:Connect on LinkedIn with Maria (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-wilkes-7b2b82ab/)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mariawilkes/)The MIM Way (https://themimway.com/contact/)ABOUT THE HOSTMy name is Sam Harris. I am a British entrepreneur, investor and explorer. From hitchhiking across Kazakstan to programming AI doctors I am always pushing myself in the spirit of curiosity and Growth. My background is in Biology and Psychology with a passion for improving the world and human behaviour. I have built and sold companies from an early age and love coming up with unique ways to make life more enjoyable and meaningful.Sam:Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/samjamsnaps/)Quora (https://www.quora.com/profile/Sam-Harris-58)Twitter (https://twitter.com/samharristweets)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharris48/)Sam's blog - SamWebsterHarris.com (https://samwebsterharris.com/)Support the Show - Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/growthmindset)TOP TIPSEnjoy and Ride the Journey of LifeEnjoying the journey does not mean that you should stop setting goals or that you should swap your work ethic for leisure. Just don’t let a single a goal dictate your life. Enjoy the pursuit of your goal with some diversions along the way. You need the ambition to keep you on track. But it should not close you off from others pursuing other paths even if they lead nowhere. Enjoy the path that leads you to your destination.It’s important to look at all the good things in our lives and to enjoy them to the full right now. That is much more likely to bring happiness than waiting for it to appear around the corner.Have CourageCourage is not the absence of fear, but the strength to overcome it. Being courageous means being fully aware of the challenges and dangers ahead, feeling the fear associated with those challenges and dangers, and having the determination and drive to push through that fear and tackle them head-on.The only thing that will help you feel more courageous is taking action, stepping outside your comfort zone, and sending yourself the message that you are a courageous person.Develop a Growth MindsetA growth mindset is an idea that, with effort, it's possible to increase intelligence levels, talents, and abilities. Anyone who demonstrates a growth mindset believes their abilities develop over time, tend to seek out opportunities to gain new knowledge and broaden their skills, and do not typically shy away from challengesHaving a growth mindset is essential to lifelong success, and it is something that the youth can develop with practice at an early age.Bonus Tip:Everything that you do is consciously or unconsciously driven by one of 6 human needs. These needs motivate and inspire us to take action in positive ways. However, when some of these needs are not met consistently, your mind will unconsciously find ways to satisfy these needs. How your mind does this is not always good for you and can lead to addictions.Tony Robbins identified these 6 human needs and how they are behind everything that we do. If you have a behaviour that you can’t seem to stop, then it is likely that one of these 6 human needs is behind it.6 Human Needs1. CertaintyWe all have a need for certainty, comfort, stability and security.2. Uncertainty/VarietyWe all have a need for uncertainty, variety, excitement, and surprise.3. SignificanceWe all have a need to feel significant, special, unique, or important in some way.4. Love & ConnectionWe all have a need for love and connection.5. GrowthWe all need to grow and evolve in some way.6. ContributionWe all need to contribute in some way so our lives have meaning.The** first four needs** are the “needs of the personality” – you will meet these needs whether you know it or not.The last two, “growth” and “contribution” are the_ spiritual needs_ – these are what bring us lasting fulfilment.Subscribe!If you enjoyed the podcast please subscribe and rate it. And of course, share with your friends! Special Guest: Maria Wilkes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dane MaxwellDane loves to sing, and he sings so that the world may know a deeper love of themselves and life. Dane pursued business after hurting his voice at the age of 21. Business saved Dane's life and gave him a sense of purpose and significance. He started 16 businesses and failed 11 times. Every time he failed on a venture, Dane figured out what worked and what didn't and has produced 5 successful profitable businesses:The Foundation (https://thefoundation.com/) - Specializes in training people to start a business from scratchSwipe My Ideas (https://swipemyideas.com/) - Gives away profitable business ideasPaperless Pipeline (https://www.paperlesspipeline.com/) - A real estate transaction management softwareMy Agent Base (https://www.myagentbase.com/) - A real estate intranet softwareFear No Feeling (https://fearnofeeling.com/password) - Sells unique shirts designsNow, he continues to guide individuals in their own entrepreneurial paths. He has gone on to create over 15 millionaires with his teachings. He specializes in helping underdogs start successful businesses. Other than his passion for singing, which he now has an album (No Need To Hide (https://open.spotify.com/album/3n3Co2bq9QCLVk7TIukvlB))produced, Dane is the author of the upcoming book Start From Zero (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Start-Zero-Business-Experience-Freedom-ebook/dp/B0848TL8L5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3673ZECOVK2RF&keywords=start+from+zero&qid=1585244299&s=books&sprefix=start+from+%2Caudible%2C776&sr=1-1-catcorr) which teaches entrepreneurs a new way to build businesses quickly, without the risk, from scratch.Dane's book, Start from Zero drops March 31, 2020.Dane and Start from Zero:DaneWebsite (https://www.danemaxwell.com/)Start From Zero Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/start-from-zero-build-a-lucrative-business/id1494548385?ign-mpt=uo%3D4)Connect on LinkedIn with Dane Maxwell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dane-maxwell-b7105b5b/)ABOUT THE HOSTMy name is Sam Harris. I am a British entrepreneur, investor and explorer. From hitchhiking across Kazakstan to programming AI doctors I am always pushing myself in the spirit of curiosity and Growth. My background is in Biology and Psychology with a passion for improving the world and human behaviour. I have built and sold companies from an early age and love coming up with unique ways to make life more enjoyable and meaningful.Sam:Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/samjamsnaps/)Quora (https://www.quora.com/profile/Sam-Harris-58)Twitter (https://twitter.com/samharristweets)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharris48/)Sam's blog - SamWebsterHarris.com (https://samwebsterharris.com/)Support the Show - Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/growthmindset)TOP TIPSHappiness Comes from WithinThese days, people are being too hard on themselves that they forget "happiness" is inside all of us. We just have to be mindful and choose to be happy. Happiness, like other emotions, is not something you obtain, but rather something you inhabit. We also need to realize that Happiness coming from material things is just illusory, temporary, is not really happiness but just pleasure. If we chase happiness in material things, our pursue for happiness will never end.While many people try to look for happiness through their wealth, career, money and success, we have to understand that happiness is something that we choose for ourselves. Happiness is a choice and not a destination but a way to live our life.Change is GoodYes, change is inevitable and it could be for the better. Change is liberating, healing, and just plain unavoidable. The more we welcome it, the more profoundly positive its impact on us can be.Change is the ultimate opportunity for transformation. When any great change happens, it’s a chance to do a reset. It’s a chance for a fresh start. It’s a chance to let things go. It’s a chance to create a vision for the future. It’s also a chance to reinvent yourself, which many times means bringing out more of who you are.It’s best to adopt this truth sooner rather than later, as more change in life is always guaranteed.Here’s to new beginnings, and may big changes this year bring you great opportunity to renew, retool, and re-imagine what’s possible.Listen to your CustomersHaving a comprehensive understanding of your customers better than they do is key. The only way to understand the unique and dynamic customer purchasing journey is to put yourself in your customer’s shoes.However good your product or service is, the simple truth is that no-one will be part of your business if they don't want it or believe they don't need it. After all, if you don’t know who your customers are, you won’t know what they need. And if you don’t know what they need, you can’t give it to them. Subscribe!If you enjoyed the podcast please subscribe and rate it. And of course, share with your friends! Special Guest: Dane Maxwell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stuart Chapman - Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Draper Esprit PlcDraper Esprit , a Pan-European venture capital fund that invests into disruptive tech companies at the early and growth stagesDraper Esprit is one of the most active venture capital firms in Europe, developing and investing in disruptive, high growth technology companies. They believe the best entrepreneurs in Europe are capable of building the global businesses of the future. The company fuels their growth with long- term capital, access to international networks and decades of experience building businesses. The company invests in tech companies that see new ways for the world to work. Which explains why their portfolio is full of inventors and visionaries; companies like Revolut, Trustpilot, Graze, Ledger, Transferwise and Graphcore. In order to provide entrepreneurs with a more flexible approach to funding and to back them for longer, they re-invented the traditional venture capital by ourselves going public in 2016.Stuart and Draper EspritConnect on LinkedIn with Stuart (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-chapman-22a10a/)Draper Esprit Website (https://draperesprit.com/)ABOUT THE HOSTMy name is Sam Harris. I am a British entrepreneur, investor and explorer. From hitchhiking across Kazakstan to programming AI doctors I am always pushing myself in the spirit of curiosity and Growth. My background is in Biology and Psychology with a passion for improving the world and human behaviour. I have built and sold companies from an early age and love coming up with unique ways to make life more enjoyable and meaningful.Sam:Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/samjamsnaps/)Quora (https://www.quora.com/profile/Sam-Harris-58)Twitter (https://twitter.com/samharristweets)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharris48/)Sam's blog - SamWebsterHarris.com (https://samwebsterharris.com/)Support the Show - Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/growthmindset)TOP TIPSShow Up for LifeIt’s challenging pretending and it will burn you out trying to be someone you’re not. So, just show up as you on day one. Be you so that you never have to be anyone else and the people that like you will do so authentically and those that don’t, well, they won’t stick around.Show up on day one as your authentic self and you’ll create an authentic life. Doing this will let you step into your power and be firm in your decisions and actions so that you can create the life you wantThis way, you can step into your power and be firm in those decisions and actions, so that you can create the life you want. When you do this, you’ll discover what I already know to be true about you, that you are amazing.Be PersistentIt is never easy to foster talent. People will get discouraged and distracted. They may come to rely on you to do the heavy lifting, instead of demonstrating initiative and using their own intelligence. This is natural, because it takes time to discover one's own abilities. It also takes time to accept responsibility for one's own outcomes. You can help others, but it is not your role to do all the work for them. With persistence, you can communicate two critical lessons: you have talent burning inside you, and you can bring it out if you are willing to put in sufficient effort.Learn to ListenListening is something you can learn, day after day, that enriches ourselves inwardly and outwardly we see in our demonstrations and in our behavior. It’s a gesture that shows maturity and security.While we are listening we often think already about how to respond. This is not a competition to see who is right, you do not win anything, actually you have everything to lose. If you do not handle well the conversation you risk misunderstandings and this leads to unnecessary fights. Do not listen to respond, listening to help, to understand, to learn and to grow together.Subscribe!If you enjoyed the podcast please subscribe and rate it. And of course, share with your friends! Special Guest: Stuart Chapman . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emilie Vanpoperinghe and Deepak RavindranEmilie was previously Director of Finance & Operations for an international NGO set up by the Nike Foundation. Deepak worked for most global investment banks as Senior Consultant specialised in Global Equity Derivatives.The Oddbox 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 The company works closely with farmers across the UK (& from abroad), rescuing fresh, seasonal surplus fruit & veg which are at risk of becoming food waste.Make your 2020 sustainable with London’s favourite veg boxThe box that helps save the planet by rescuing real, surplus fruit & veg directly from farmsDetermined to battle food waste and give ugly, wonky fruits and veg a better, more beautiful future, they visited farms, talked to producers and came up with the idea for Oddbox. The couple believes that their box scheme could make the produce industry more sustainable.We see a bright future in 'imperfect' produce because we believe that, just like people, fruit and vegetables come in all shapes, sizes and colours.Emilie, Deepak and OddboxOddbox Website (https://www.oddbox.co.uk/)Connect with Deepak on LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/in/dravindran)Connect with Emilie on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilievanpoperinghe/)ABOUT THE HOSTMy name is Sam Harris. I am a British entrepreneur, investor and explorer. From hitchhiking across Kazakstan to programming AI doctors I am always pushing myself in the spirit of curiosity and Growth. My background is in Biology and Psychology with a passion for improving the world and human behaviour. I have built and sold companies from an early age and love coming up with unique ways to make life more enjoyable and meaningful.Sam:Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/samjamsnaps/)Quora (https://www.quora.com/profile/Sam-Harris-58)Twitter (https://twitter.com/samharristweets)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharris48/)Sam's blog - SamWebsterHarris.com (https://samwebsterharris.com/)Support the Show - Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/growthmindset)TOP TIPSProtect our Mother EarthProtecting Our Planet Starts with You.We produce tons of degradable and non-degradable waste, and throw it anywhere recklessly. Smoke and harmful gases from our homes, vehicles and industries are suffocating our beautiful planet.Solutions to environmental problems are not impossible for us, if only we are that committed in sustaining a greener life. I too have the responsibilities to take care of my mother earth. My first role in nature is to reduce my own carbon footprint via eco-friendly activities. Try and reduce your own carbon print with small gestures.Every act counts.Without execution, it's just an ideaExecution is action that has a specific purpose toward achieving a strategic outcome. Execution can be tricky so don’t just assume that you can execute better than the other guy, you need to understand the business intimately, nuances and all.Successful execution takes commitment and discipline, just like a successful business. This is why execution is so important to successful business growth .Now don’t get me wrong, strategic and tactical planning are still very important. However, plans are useless if you never take action on them.Sometimes 2 is better than 1There are situations where having a partner in life, in business or even in both can be fulfilling.By sharing the labor, a partner may lighten the load. It may allow you to take time off when needed, knowing that there's a trusted person to hold the fort. This can have a positive impact on your personal life.Everyone needs to be able to bounce off ideas or seek another perspective on important issues. When dealing with setbacks, having to cope with work and everyday frustrations pile up, it's nice to have someone to be there with and for you. Ultimately, a business partnership is a marriage. And as with any long-lasting marriage, it's based on finding the right person, someone you trust, and enjoying being together within four walls.Subscribe!If you enjoyed the podcast please subscribe and rate it. And of course, share with your friends! Special Guests: Deepak Ravindran and Emilie Vanpoperinghe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices