The Growth Project

How have the stops on your journey contributed to who you are today? Dr. Cory Shaffer talks with Kosha Irby, Chief Marketing Officer for the Clemson University Athletic Department, about his eclectic life and career in the live marketing industry and how the amalgamation of these experiences and saying 'yes' to new opportunities has contributed to his personal and professional growth.

The desire to excel is worthwhile and commendable, but on the path to achieving greatness it can be difficult to tell when the line has been crossed between commitment, which is necessary to achieve excellence, and obsession, which results in an unhealthy balance between the pursuit of the goal and the other important parts of life. Drs Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer discuss the distinction between the two approaches and how to tell when dedication has transformed into a detrimental obsession.

We're mixing up the format with this episode to answer some of the most commonly asked questions we receive from our listeners and clients. Dr. Milt Lowder answers questions around who we are as an organization and what we do, but, more importantly, he answers questions related to our philosophy and the fundamentals of what we believe around human performance and behavior. As always, our goal is to help you pursue better in all facets of life.

Most people link pain to a physical injury, but the experience of pain is also deeply rooted in the mind; our perspective and approach to managing pain can have a huge influence on its overall impact. Dr. Cory Shaffer talks with Dr. John Lefebvre, Professor of Psychology at Wofford College and trained clinical psychologist specializing in topics related to physical and mental health, about Dr. Lefebvre's research on people's experience of pain, especially its influence on personality, catastrophizing, and memory.

When aiming to achieve greatness or reach a challenging goal, people will often hear "be about the process" or "just focus on the process" as guidance to stay present and avoid getting caught up in unhelpful internal thoughts about the past or future. This is great advice, but what does "the process" look like? What are the elements that you can control that will set you up for success? Drs Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon discuss action steps to help you develop your own process that will position you to win.

The pursuit of excellence is very expensive; it's never promised, but it is attainable. People typically think of the word expense in monetary terms and, although that is a piece of the puzzle, the word applies much more broadly here to mean that sacrifices will have to be made mentally, emotionally, and physically. Drs Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon discuss how pursuing and achieving excellence requires a strong, clear vision and share why the pursuit of excellence adds immense value to life.

Regardless of industry, one common aspiration shared by the majority of people is the desire to become successful. Acquiring talented people unquestionably strengthens the team, but there are many practices that can be put into place that will help drive success regardless of talent level. Drs Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon break down ten factors that everyone can apply that will increase the likelihood of success.

Each January we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s incredible legacy and dream for equality, a notion that is just as relevant today and one that should always be at the forefront of our collective consciousness. Drs Milt Lowder and Cory Shaffer reflect on Dr. King's lasting impact and, using his vision as the baseline for the conversation, share three key lessons gleaned from Dr. King's powerful and timeless message.

Those who reach the pinnacle of their field are typically doing something different than their competition. Dr. Milt Lowder talks with Dr. Drew Brannon, sport psychologist for the University of Georgia football team, about the culmination of elements that resulted in the UGA football team winning the National Championship for the second year in a row, including Coach Kirby Smart's growth mindset, a relationship-focused approach to building a team, and the importance of fighting against complacency and entitlement.

We all experience challenges, failures, and struggles in life; what separates those who falter from those who triumph is often how the person perceives the obstacle. Is it seen as an insurmountable roadblock or an opportunity to learn and grow? Kyle Wright, starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, experienced his share of strenuous times in his MLB journey, and talks with Dr. Cory Shaffer about how he not only overcame a four-year down period, but ultimately went on to lead the national league in wins last year.