

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

Sep 20, 2017 • 45min
The Startup Bakery - Iterating towards Product Market Fit with Tomiwa Adey
Tomiwa Adey is a young tech entrepreneur who has founded several start-ups, learning a lot from his successes and failures. He offers a humorous insight into the trials and tribulations of being a tech entrepreneur and how to develop a positive mindset- - -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 the best we can be.- - -Connect with Sam:Sam's newsletter on creativity - Explosive ThinkingWatch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)Twitter - @samjamharrisInstagram - @SamJam.zen- - -Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvementEpisode: The Startup Bakery - Iterating towards Product Market Fit with Tomiwa Adey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 5, 2017 • 35min
Intro interview - Sam & Jane Harris
The first introduction episode to the Growth Mindset Podcast. Sam looks back at his life with his mother Jane and explores some of the main events and funny stories that cultured his growth mindset.Fair warning, I had no idea how to run a podcast at this point. For now it's cute to have this to look back on if you're interested but don't expect anything incredible =) The Harris family get excited Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 24, 2017 • 42min
Growing Startup Teams - Dean Hume, CTO at Settled.co.uk
Dean Hume is the author of the book Building Great Start Up Teams and various tech books like ASP.Net Websites and is passionate about web performance He is also a full-time developer and CTO.He shares great insights into running and growing a successful teams and his philosophies on life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 16, 2017 • 57min
Putting the Touch in 'Touchless' Tech! - Tom Carter - Founder & CTO, Ultrahaptics
Tom Carter is the Founder and CEO at UltraLeap. When I interviewed him for this episode back in 2018 they were called Ultrahaptics. They are a leading technology company making mind-blowing technology that lets users feel the sensation of touch in mid-air. On the podcast, he shares some amazing insights into what he has learned along the way building a tech business and learning to be humble as well as wildly aspirational. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 8, 2017 • 39min
Learned Helplessness and Learned Optimism - Unleash Awesomeness
Delve into the powerful concepts of learned helplessness and learned optimism. Discover how fixed mindsets limit us while growth mindsets propel us toward solutions. Explore Martin Seligman's experiments demonstrating the persistence of helpless behaviors and their emotional impacts. Learn practical techniques like the ABCDE method for reframing setbacks and SMART goal setting to regain control. With insightful examples from education to social situations, this discussion opens the door to resilience and personal growth!


