The Growth Project

As uncertainty intensifies, so does our brain’s stress response, often impacting how we think, feel, and make decisions. In Part 2 of our COVID-19 series, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon discuss how to shift from survival mode to growth mindset, even amid fear and disruption. With a focus on intentional thinking and daily habits, they encourage listeners to see this season as an opportunity to grow stronger and more grounded.

In times of uncertainty, understanding how our brain responds to stress is critical. In this first episode of our four-part COVID-19 series, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore the neurological impact of stress, highlighting common psychological and emotional responses to uncommon events. Their insights help normalize what many are feeling and offer perspective on how to stay grounded even when the world around us feels anything but.

“If you only focus on the fruit, you forget to nurture the root.” In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with Jamey Chadwell, Head Football Coach at Coastal Carolina, for a conversation about growth, grit, and the daily discipline behind long-term success. They explore how results are simply the byproduct of consistent effort and how staying rooted in the process, rather than fixated on outcomes, is what ultimately bears the fruit we’re chasing. It’s a mindset that applies far beyond the football field.

"A goal without a plan is just a wish". In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder talks with Jason Cruise, an author, speaker, hunter, and pastor who has accomplished much in his life, to talk about the necessity of "leading from the front" and learning to love the advice and help of others. It's only in having an open ear and humbling ourselves that any of us will ever learn, grow, and get better.

What matters more: how far you go or how you get there? In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Tom Black, Head Volleyball Coach at the University of Georgia and Coach of Canada’s National Team, to explore the relationship between process and outcome. Together, they discuss why we’re wired to chase results, how pain is often a necessary part of growth, and why short-circuiting the process can cost us long-term success. Whether you're an athlete, a leader, or simply someone trying to grow, this conversation unpacks how embracing the process fuels meaningful, lasting outcomes... and how those outcomes, in turn, shape a stronger process.

Pressure is a part of life, so the question isn’t whether we’ll face it, but how we’ll respond when it comes. In this episode, New York Mets pitcher Ryley Gilliam shares his story of rising quickly through the ranks of professional baseball, the challenges he’s faced along the way, and what he’s learned about managing pressure and navigating failure. His honest reflection offers valuable perspective not just for athletes, but for anyone striving to stay grounded when life’s waves hit hard.

Leadership isn’t about being the best at everything; it’s about bringing out the best in others. In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Jeff Hull, Head Coach of the Furman University Women’s Golf team, for a thoughtful conversation on what true leadership looks like. They explore the deeper layers of coaching and personal development, how to live into your full potential, and how to challenge and support others to do the same, both on and off the course.

“I always kept the end result, the long game, in my mind.” – Kobe Bryant In this episode, Drs. Katie Nichols and Cory Shaffer reflect on the legacy of Kobe Bryant and the mindset that defined him: the Mamba Mentality. More than a sports philosophy, Kobe’s relentless pursuit of excellence and growth continues to inspire millions across disciplines. This conversation explores the core of that mentality—discipline, focus, resilience—and how we can all apply it to live and lead with greater purpose. #MambaOut

Why do you think the way you think and how much control do you really have over it? In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore the inner workings of the mind and how our patterns of thought are shaped over time. They break down how mindset influences everything from performance to perspective, and how intentionally shifting the way we think can lead to lasting change in every area of life.

How do we keep getting better in our work and in our lives? In this episode, Dr. Drew Brannon sits down with Josh Brooks, Senior Deputy Athletic Director at the University of Georgia, to talk about freedom in our work and how to continue to learn, grow, and develop without short-circuiting the process. Josh’s career path includes time working on football staffs headed by Nick Saban, Jimbo Fisher, and Mark Richt and also previously in athletic administration at various collegiate levels.