The Growth Project

Henry David Thoreau championed pursuing dreams fearlessly by writing, "If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." This enterprising and visionary approach to life is a perspective put into practice by David Baker, co-owner of Methodical Coffee. Dr. Milt Lowder and David talk about the importance of tapping into the spirit of adventure, being open to possibilities with "blue sky thinking," and building a strong community.

It's the holiday season, which, in addition to spending time with family and friends, also typically means lower productivity at work and coasting through the rest of the year. This creates a unique opportunity to build a gap between you and your competition by continuing to work effectively and intentionally through December. Drs Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer provide four suggestions that will not only help you win December, but also position you for a successful 2023.

Join Drs. Milt Lowder, Drew Brannon, and Cory Shaffer as they celebrate the 200th episode of The Growth Project by reflecting on its evolution over the last 5 years. This podcast was created from a desire to help others puruse better in life, but it also has had the added benefit of having a positive personal impact on the AMPLOS team. They share their favorite episodes, how it has helped them rekindle relationships, and their immense gratitude for the listeners.

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.