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
May 16, 2025 • 21min
The Joy of Missing Out: The simple way to reducing overwhelm and increase focus
Overcome the chaos of modern life by embracing minimalism. Discover how doing less can actually make you better at what matters most. Stories of travel and personal journeys illustrate how simplicity enhances experiences. Learn to identify what deserves your energy and why clutter—both physical and mental—hinders happiness. The episode advocates for fewer commitments to boost focus and satisfaction, proving that true joy often lies in saying 'no' to distractions.
May 13, 2025 • 22min
The Science of Love, Desire and Attachment - Psychology vs your Biology
Explore love as more than just a feeling—it's a biological pattern with components like lust, attraction, and attachment. Discover how hormones like testosterone, dopamine, and oxytocin influence our experiences and choices in relationships. Learn to observe emotions without becoming them, transforming love into a conscious practice. Embrace self-awareness and empathy to cultivate lasting connections that go beyond fleeting passion. Your biology sets the stage, but your awareness can change the storyline.
May 9, 2025 • 51min
Anti-Fragile: How to benefit from uncertainty and build resilience into your systems
Nicholas Verrique, co-host of the Wiser Than Yesterday Book Club podcast, dives deep into Nassim Taleb's concept of anti-fragility. He shares how systems can thrive in chaos and turns setbacks into growth opportunities. The discussion weaves through intriguing myths and modern implications, emphasizing that embracing small failures can prevent larger ones. Verrique also introduces the 'barbell' investment strategy, showcasing how we can leverage uncertainty for better decision-making and foster resilience in both finance and life.
29 snips
May 6, 2025 • 27min
How to Be Less Wrong: The psychology of self-deception and silly things we believe
Dive into the quirks of human cognition as the discussion reveals cognitive biases, false memories, and the Dunning-Kruger effect. Unpack the illusion of certainty and how our judgments can mislead us. Gain insights on building resilience and accountability while navigating life’s uncertainties. Discover the transformative power of perspective and how a shift in mindset can turn frustration into growth. Embrace 'confident humility' to foster curiosity and acceptance in the face of the unknown.
May 2, 2025 • 55min
Emotional Intelligence: Why the FBI Trains for Empathy, and You Should Too w/ Steven Stein
Dr. Steven Stein, a leading expert on emotional intelligence and author of The EQ Edge, shares his insights on why EQ matters. He explains how emotional intelligence can enhance relationships and success, using examples from his work with the FBI and reality TV. Steven emphasizes practical techniques to build empathy without losing assertiveness. He discusses navigating emotional intelligence across neurodiversity and the cultural nuances that influence our emotional skills. Get ready to train your EQ like you would a muscle!
14 snips
Apr 29, 2025 • 26min
Doing the thing - a short sharp masterclass on creating focus
Explore how to cut through the clutter of productivity and focus on what truly matters. Discover the difference between being busy and being productive, emphasizing actionable steps over perfectionism. Learn to recognize your readiness and the importance of self-care in achieving your goals. Navigate the chaos of the outside world with effective decision-making strategies and long-term thinking. Embrace the journey, including failure, as a vital part of personal growth.
9 snips
Apr 25, 2025 • 37min
Overthinking: The psychology of catastrophizing and how to stop assuming the worst
We don’t see the future. We predict it — and sometimes we predict disaster before it’s even possible.
Catastrophizing is a mental reflex. It’s your mind, desperate for control, drawing monsters where none exist yet.
In this episode, we explore the quiet space between stimulus and story — the moment you could choose curiosity over certainty.
Relationships, careers, self-worth: all suffer when we confuse our imagined outcomes with inevitable truths. But if we learn to watch the story unfold without believing it, something remarkable happens. We reclaim possibility.
You’ll leave with:
Understanding of how the brain creates fear to protect itself
Tools for building awareness instead of reaction
A framework for making peace with uncertainty — and using it to grow
The psychology that makes false fears feel real
Stop letting your brain run disaster drills for things that haven’t happened. Tune in.
How to Change the World
Sam's new show can be found on 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
Can't find it on your player?
This is the RSS feed - https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/682b3b86696b5d1232d698a8
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Get in Touch
👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset
📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com
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
Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement
Episode: Overthinking: The psychology of catastrophizing and how to stop assuming the worst
Chapters:
00:00 Why this topic is popular
01:45 What is catastrophising
04:18 Build awareness
07:10 Magnifying and minimising
08:32 More details feels more real.
10:16 The human tendency to just invent stories
13:22 ADHD
15:31 Catastrophizing and being diagnosed with ADHD
16:17 Balancing worst and best scenarios
17:23 Social anxiety example
19:09 Write a journal
20:31 Alex Hormozi selling gym subscriptions
21:09 Want and don't want chair
23:26 4 stages of intrusive thoughts
28:50 4 step method for mitigating catastrophization
28:50 Step 1 - Awareness
29:57 Step 2 - Challenging the thought
30:40 Step 3 - Imagine the best
31:11 Step 4 - Accept uncertainty
32:55 Catastrophizing is the opposite of Growth mindset
33:14 Episode summary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 22, 2025 • 29min
Bad Habits: The Psychology of Behavioural Debt—and How to Pay It Off
Explore how your identity might be an outdated version of yourself. Discover the concept of behavioral debt, revealing how past habits influence present choices. Learn to craft your identity intentionally, using techniques like "identity microshifts" and the Fresh Start Effect. Journey through stories of a monk, a transformative writer, and a cycling team achieving incremental gains. Understand the power of unlearning what no longer serves you and embrace rituals that align with the person you want to become.
Apr 18, 2025 • 39min
Eat, Pray, Set Boundaries: The psychology of getting your needs met
Explore the art of boundary-setting with engaging stories and psychological insights. Discover how saying 'no' can be one of the kindest things you do. Learn to identify emotional manipulation in your relationships and recognize ten signs of poor boundaries. Delve into the complex dynamics of weak versus rigid boundaries and how they impact self-respect. Embrace practical strategies for communicating your needs and reclaiming your worth, all while enhancing your emotional health.
20 snips
Apr 15, 2025 • 31min
Science of Mental Toughness: Assess yourself using the 4 quadrants of resilience
Discover the four quadrants of mental resilience: Control, Commitment, Challenge, and Confidence. Learn how your mindset can be your steering wheel or engine, and hear inspiring stories from figures like Helen Keller and Joan of Arc. The podcast emphasizes viewing difficulties as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. It also discusses the importance of self-reflection and practicing persistence in the journey of building mental toughness. Embrace criticism with calmness and shift your perspective on resilience!
