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
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
AD-FREE with Premium:
🤘 Support the show
🔓 Exclusive AMAs + Bonus content
💬 Community Discord
GrowthMindset.Supercast.com
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!
Apr 11, 2025 • 59min
Nervous System Mastery: Build resilience, reduce stress and feel more yourself - w/ Esin Pinarli
Esin Pinarli, a licensed therapist and founder of Eternal Wellness Counseling, dives into the intricate connection between our nervous system and personal growth. She emphasizes that discomfort should not be feared but welcomed as a stepping stone to resilience. Pinarli introduces concepts like 'titration' and 'edge surfing' to explain how small challenges can stretch our emotional limits. She highlights that true growth stems from body experiences, urging us to embrace small, uncomfortable moments to foster a deeper relationship with ourselves.
11 snips
Apr 8, 2025 • 30min
The Science Behind Changing Your Mind (and how to build better taste)
Dive into the quirks of human perception where your truths may not be as original as you think. Explore how biases shape our realities, impacting everything from taste in music to opinions on careers. Discover the hidden blind spots that govern our decisions and the importance of questioning our lens on the world. Plus, learn why enhancing your taste could be more crucial than merely chasing passion. This enlightening discussion invites you to challenge your ego and embrace a more informed perspective.
8 snips
Apr 4, 2025 • 22min
How to stop worrying about small problems that don't matter (and kill your perfectionist)
Ever find yourself fixating on minor annoyances instead of celebrating the wins? The discussion highlights how our brains often overemphasize flaws, leading to missed opportunities for joy. Embracing imperfections can actually enhance relationships and overall satisfaction. The power of gratitude is explored as a remedy for perfectionism, encouraging listeners to appreciate life's complexities. By shifting focus from ideal standards to meaningful experiences, you can unlock a happier, more fulfilling life.
Apr 1, 2025 • 32min
What creates lasting willpower and resilience: the 4 types of motivation
Explore the psychology of lasting motivation and how it ties to personal values. Discover four exercises to bolster your intrinsic drive and resilience. Learn how reframing challenges can transform them into powerful expressions of your evolving identity. Uncover insights on the interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and consider your legacy with the Odyssey Plan. It’s a fascinating journey into aligning your actions with what truly matters to you!
Mar 28, 2025 • 36min
The Psychology of Hypnosis: Can it really guide your Subconscious thoughts?
Unlock the secrets of your mind through the fascinating science of hypnosis. Discover how it reshapes perceptions to boost health, manage pain, and ease anxiety. Delve into self-hypnosis with cutting-edge apps that empower personal growth. Learn about the brain's response during hypnosis and the transformative power of suggestibility. This journey reveals that your reality is flexible, offering tools to reframe challenges and achieve restorative sleep. Explore the potential of your subconscious to unlock a better you!
