The Growth Project

There is an abundance of research highlighting the dramatic positive impact of regularly practicing gratitude. With Thanksgiving approaching, we wanted to revisit a conversation with the AMPLOS team where they explore how to develop a genuine sense of gratitude, which is essentially appreciating and wanting what you already have.

The humanistic approach in psychology, which emphasizes genuine connection, the personal worth of the individual, and truly understanding one another on a human level, is the perspective put into practice by Dr. Douglas Chadwick, the Director of Mental Skills Development for the Colorado Rockies. Dr. Cory Shaffer and Chadwick talk about this approach, Chadwick's unique pathway into performance psychology after serving in the U.S. Army for 20 years, and the positive influence of Chadwick's mentor and sports psychology legend, Ken Ravizza.

Fresh off his first full MLB season pitching for the Atlanta Braves, Spencer Strider reflects on an impressive year that started with being included in the Braves' Opening Day roster and ultimately led to a recent signing of a 6-year contract with the Braves through the 2029 season. Building on a pre-season podcast conversation Dr. Cory Shaffer and Strider had earlier this year about Strider's journey to the MLB (Episode 170), they continue the discussion from a post-season lens and talk about key insights gained after a full MLB season, including the importance of preparation, making room for necessary adjustments along the way, and recognizing that marginal differences become crucial separators in performance.

It is extremely difficult to become a U.S. Navy SEAL, one of the most elite and highly trained special forces operators in the world. The path to become a SEAL requires intense training, strong mental fortitude, and excellent leadership skills. Dr. Drew Brannon talks with Cameron Johnston, a fromer Navy SEAL, about the process to become one, the mindset needed to be successful, his experiences in deployment all over the world, and his unique business, Greystone, which offers a fully immersive, live-action experience for those looking to kickstart their adrenaline.

How do you want to show up for the most important people in your life? What kind of example do you want to set? What does winning at home look like for you? Coming off of a recent men's event that focused on being intentional and committed in fatherhood, Drs Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore these questions, share personal experiences, and provide ideas on creating a blueprint that will help you win at home.

Great team players, those who put the group ahead of their own self-interest, are always in demand and unquestionably have a positive impact on productivity, culture, and team morale. Beyond some innate characteristics that make someone inherently more or less likely to be a team player, there are some intentional practices a leader can put into place that will encourage a team-first mindset. Drs Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer discuss five factors that leaders should avoid when cultivating a team player mentality.

The highest grossing movie worldwide so far in 2022 is Top Gun: Maverick; it's so popular that it's become the 11th highest grossing film of all time. Drs Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon were among the many people who watched and enjoyed the film, so they felt it would be fitting to use the movie as a framework to discuss key lessons learned from the film that can be applied in everyday life.

Most leaders know that a strong team culture leads to positive results across the board, including higher satisfaction and retention among team members, increased innovation, and higher performance. Developing a great culture is crucial for a team or organization to perform at its best, but defining and embedding culture is often more elusive and difficult to put into practice. To help with this process, Drs Cory Shaffer and Katie Nichols break down Edgar Schein's six cultural embedding mechanisms.

"Fully realized" people radiate confidence, have a deep understanding of who they are and what they stand for, and possess a strong sense of contentment and balance in life. A prime example of a fully realized person is entrepreneur and business pioneer, Velda Hughes, who exemplifies what it looks like to truly live life to the fullest. Dr. Milt Lowder and Velda discuss her journey to start her own business, the Hughes Agency, her passion for work, carrying on the legacy of her father in the crusade for social equality, and the importance of giving yourself permission to have fun and enjoy life.

It's a risk to start a business and if it's going to be successful, it's crucial to invest maximum effort and truly give it your all. Dr. Drew Brannon talks with entrepreneurs Tyson Smoak, Stuart Wyeth, and Ross Kester, the founders of commercial real estate company, Pintail, about their experiences building their company, how their different skills complement one another, and key lessons learned along the way.