The Growth Project

As Emerson Lowder prepares to leave home and begin her next chapter at Clemson University, she joins her father, Dr. Milt Lowder, for an honest and deeply personal conversation. Together, they revisit the moments that defined their family, unpack the weight of expectations, and share the lessons they've learned through both success and struggle. From faith and perseverance to parenting and letting go, this episode offers a heartfelt reflection on growth, grace, and trusting God's plan for the people we love most.

The stories we tell ourselves shape how we see our abilities, our potential, and our future. A single setback can easily become a limiting belief about who we are. In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabby Caviedes explores how to separate outcomes from identity, recognize unhelpful internal narratives, and reframe limiting beliefs into growth-oriented statements that help us move forward and unlock our potential.

What does great coaching really look like? Furman Volleyball Head Coach Michelle Young and student athlete Emily Navarro join the podcast to explore the evolution of leadership, the challenges of college athletics, and the lessons that extend far beyond the court. From overcoming homesickness to embracing accountability, they discuss how the best coaches develop people, not just performers. This conversation offers valuable insights for leaders, parents, coaches, and anyone striving to build resilience, confidence, and a culture where growth ultimately leads to success.

Burnout remains one of the biggest challenges facing today's workforce, yet the numbers have barely changed. In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon explores why awareness alone isn't enough and shares a simple framework for creating meaningful change. Discover how the powerful principle, if nothing changes, nothing changes, along with the Start, Stop, Continue exercise, can help you break unhealthy patterns and begin moving toward greater health, growth, and resilience.

Pressure has a way of changing how we think, lead, and perform. In this episode, Dr. Milt Lowder and Clemson Men's Soccer Head Coach Mike Noonan unpack leadership lessons from the FIFA World Cup, exploring why great teams stay committed to their identity even in the biggest moments. From emotional discipline and preparation to courage under pressure, they reveal why the best performers don't simply avoid mistakes but continue playing to win. It's a conversation packed with insights for leaders, coaches, athletes, and anyone facing high-stakes decisions.

When faced with a difficult decision, it's easy to wait for certainty or search for the "perfect" choice. But what if that's the wrong question? In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabriela Caviedes shares a practical mindset for making better decisions by focusing on the tradeoffs each path brings. Learn how evaluating the challenges you're willing and equipped to handle can help you move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Coming back from vacation should leave you refreshed, but often it feels like your motivation never made the trip home. In this episode, Anthony Alibro and Dr. Gabriela Caviedes explore why returning to work can feel overwhelming and disengaging, even after much-needed time away. They discuss the psychology behind post-vacation motivation lag and share practical strategies to regain momentum, reconnect with purpose, and transition back into performance mode without guilt or burnout.

What if one of the more powerful leadership skills is knowing when not to get involved? In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon explores a trait he has consistently observed in elite leaders: the ability to leave things alone. From resisting the urge to prove a point to avoiding unnecessary involvement in every conflict or decision, great leaders know that not every situation requires their input. Discover why humility, self-awareness, and restraint can be some of the most valuable tools in your leadership toolkit.

In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Gabriela Caviedes explore a challenge nearly everyone faces: goal drift. Despite our best intentions, life gets busy, priorities shift, and the goals we set often fade into the background. Drew and Gabby discuss why this happens, common misconceptions about discipline and motivation, and a practical framework for getting back on track. If you've lost momentum on a personal or professional goal, this conversation will help you reset, realign, and recommit to what matters most.

Physical fitness is often viewed as a way to improve appearance, but its impact goes far beyond how we look. In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Gabriela Caviedes explores the powerful connection between physical fitness, mental performance, and leadership. From improving focus and emotional regulation to increasing stress tolerance and decision-making ability, taking care of your body directly influences how you show up at work, at home, and in your relationships. Fitness isn't just personal, it's a leadership skill.