Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement
Growth Mindset Psychology
There are a lot of opinions on how to master your mind, but then there’s PSYCHOLOGY.
We’re all stuck with the brain we’re born with, but we aren’t stuck with ho...
What creates lasting willpower and resilience: the 4 types of motivation
The psychology of mental strength and how to achieve your goals.
The path to extraordinary achievement isn't paved with enjoyment. It's built on something far more powerful: alignment with our deepest values.
Sustainable motivation comes not from the pleasure of the journey but from how we connect our actions to what matters most to us. This isn't about willpower or discipline—it's about meaning-making.
When we frame our challenges within the context of our personal values, we transform mundane or difficult tasks into meaningful steps toward who we wish to become. The student studying for exams, the entrepreneur facing rejection, the artist pushing through creative blocks—all can tap into this deeper well of motivation by connecting present struggles to future purpose.
Topics:
The real source of mental strength
4 exercises to build the right type of motivation
How to live closer to your values
What if your next challenge became not a test of endurance but an expression of who you are becoming?
Related Episodes
3 habits of mental strength
Psychology of Fear
How to build emotional intelligence
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Growth Mindset Psychology:
Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.
📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset)
🛜 Website - Growth Mindset
Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement
Episode: What creates lasting willpower and resilience: the 4 types of motivation
Chapters:
00:00 Hiking through the coastal path of UK
01:58 Building a stronger mindset and unstoppable motivation
02:37 Nuances of human motivation
04:43 Extrinsic motivation examples
07:20 What drives people to continue
08:20 4 types of motivation
13:36 Identifying personal values
14:04 Eulogy method
15:30 Odyssey plan
16:49 Radical Path
17:53 Wheel of life
19:59 Aligning your actions with your values
24:33 Celebrate small wins
25:48 Seek feedback and reflect on it
27:03 Send off
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34:28
The Psychology of Hypnosis: It's not what you think
What if the key to unlocking your potential was already within you, nestled within the folds of your own mind?
Today we're diving into the science and psychology of hypnosis. It isn't about stage tricks or loss of control. It's about accessing a state of focused attention where the critical mind steps aside, allowing for profound change.
Not only do we learn about how the subconscious mind can be accessed but the techniques and ways that work, backed by science.
It's the difference between forcing yourself to diet and naturally craving healthier foods. Between lying awake, anxious, and drifting effortlessly into restorative sleep. It's not about what you do, but how you perceive. In this state, pain can become bearable, fears can dissolve, and long-held patterns can shift.
Understanding hypnosis is a reminder that our experience of reality is malleable, shaped by the lens through which we view it.
What is going on in the brain during hypnosis
Explore self-hypnosis as a tool for personal growth
Reframe challenges using hypnotic visualization
Ads - Hypnozio
A revolutionary self-hypnosis app.
Hypnozio.com - Code GROWTH15
Related Episodes
Loud Thoughts: Anxierty, Depression, ADHD & the Default Mode Network
Psychology of Fear
How to stop catastophising
Fun videos:
Kenny Craig's hypnosis dinner date
Ellen Degeneres being hypnotised to stop smoking
Tim Ferris interviewing Dr David Spiegel about hypnosis -
Sources:
To see sources please scroll to the bottom because there are many...
Upgrade to Premium:
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Get in Touch
👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset
📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com
Growth Mindset Psychology:
Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.
📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset)
🛜 Website - Growth Mindset
Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement
Episode: Mental, moral and physical laziness - how to beat our modern addictions
Chapters:
00:00 The Power of Hypnosis in Surgery
00:43 Common Misconceptions About Hypnosis
03:28 Hypnosis in European Hospitals
04:46 What Hypnosis Can't Do
05:42 How Hypnosis Works in the Brain
08:57 Hypnosis for Sleep Improvement
12:07 Hypnosis and Eating Habits
14:11 Hypnosis for Exercise Motivation
15:30 Hypnosis for Addiction
19:28 Hypnosis for Anxiety and Phobias
20:29 The Science Behind Hypnosis
21:30 Practical Tips for Anxiety Relief
22:33 Hypnozio: A Self-Hypnosis App
23:53 Pros and Cons of Self-Hypnosis Apps
26:45 Who Benefits Most from Hypnosis?
31:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
33:11 Definitely not Sam pretending to hypnotize listeners to leave good reviews because he is a responsible host who would never try such ridiculous things
33:42 Outro
Sources:
Under the knife with hypnosis - https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18725111-800-under-the-knife-under-hypnosis/
Heroin addiction - https://theriversource.org/blog/how-hypnosis-is-used-to-treat-addiction/
Hypnosurgery - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnosurgery
Switzerland trials - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17728216/
Copenhagen Hypnosis murders - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_hypnosis_murders
Hypnosis and sleep - https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/full/10.5664/jcsm.6952
Hypnosis and insomnia - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hypnosis-for-insomnia
Weight loss meta-analysis - https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-006X.64.3.517
Hypnosis and addiction - https://theriversource.org/blog/how-hypnosis-is-used-to-treat-addiction/
Befreinding your vagus nerve - https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1089&context=mindfulness_theses
Celebs and hypnosis - https://www.hipnose.com.br/en/blog/hypnosis/matt-damon-and-hypnosis/
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34:31
Mental, moral and physical laziness - how to beat our modern addictions
What if the path to a meaningful life isn't paved with comfort, but with deliberate discomfort?
In this episode, we explore the insidious nature of "flabbiness" - not just of body, but of mind and spirit. We'll uncover how our modern world lulls us into a state of complacent existence, and why the easy path often leads to the hardest life.
Through stories of transformation and philosophical insights, we'll challenge the notion that happiness comes from avoiding difficulty. Instead, we'll discover how embracing challenge and responsibility can lead to a life of purpose and fulfillment.
This isn't just about self-improvement; it's about redefining what it means to truly live in a world that often encourages us to merely exist:
Choose your hard: Decide which difficulties are worth embracing
Create your own resistance: Design challenges that grow you
Reframe comfort: See ease as a tool, not a destination
Are you ready to trade comfort for meaning? The choice is yours.
Upgrade to Premium:
🏖️ Ad-free listening
🤘 Support the show
🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content
💬 Community Discord
GrowthMindset.Supercast.com
Get in Touch
👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset
📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com
Growth Mindset Psychology:
Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.
📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset)
🛜 Website - Growth Mindset
Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement
Episode: Mental, moral and physical laziness - how to beat our modern addictions
Chapters:
00:00 Discover Your Habits - The Good and The Bad
00:54 Crack the Code - 3 Stages of Flabbiness
01:44 Rise Above Flabbiness
02:03 1st Stage: Conquer Physical Flabbiness
02:59 2nd Stage: Escape the Grip of Mental Flabbiness
03:43 3rd Stage: Battling Moral Flabbiness
04:56 Adventure Awaits
05:37 Explore Alastair Humphreys: "There Are Other Rivers"
05:57 Embrace Imperfections In Your Life
06:32 Victim mentality
07:36 Take Control of Your Life
08:56 Rewire for Success: Transform Your Mindset
09:59 Mental Reshaping: Beyond Your Comfort Zone
11:56 Small Good Habits As Fuel For Growth
12:12 Stanley Milgram and social influence
13:00 Stoicism and dichotomy of control
14:03 Buddhism the escaping suffering
15:26 Taoism and desire
17:37 Build The life You Want To Have
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22:52
How to uncover emotional blocks holding you back, when you can't see them w/ Tracy Litt
We're all blind to our own patterns. Even when we think we're self-aware, there's a whole universe of emotional blocks lurking beneath the surface.
Most of us walk around thinking we understand ourselves, but the reality is we're operating on autopilot. This episode features coach Tracy Litt, a performance coach who reveals how seemingly innocent behaviours can actually be fear mechanisms in disguise.
The conversation gets deeply personal as Sam confronts his own emotional avoidance, exploring why he distracts himself during vulnerable moments and can struggle to fully express emotions.
Tracy explains how our brains create clever diversions precisely when we need to feel something deeply, and offers practical ways to break through these invisible barriers.
Take homes:
Start a judgment journal to track how often you critically evaluate yourself and others
Practice intentional emotional release through techniques like guided screaming
Use fear as a GPS—when something scares you, it's probably pointing toward your growth
Ready to uncover what's really holding you back? Listen now and prepare for some uncomfortable but transformative insights.
Upgrade to Premium:
🏖️ Ad-free listening
🤘 Support the show
🔓 Exclusive AMAs and bonus content
💬 Community Discord
GrowthMindset.Supercast.com
Get in Touch
👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset
📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com
Growth Mindset Psychology:
Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.
📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset)
🛜 Website - Growth Mindset
Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement
Episode: How to uncover emotional blocks holding you back, when you can't see them w/ Tracy Litt
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to hidden fears
02:43 How Tracy sees herself
03:42 Judgement journal
04:37 Tracy's story on how controlling she was
05:45 Sam relates with Tracy's past
07:17 At what point did this transformation occur
11:57 Getting really comfortable feeling all of your feelings
14:03 Does Sam struggle with emotion?
15:16 Diging into emotional distractions
17:26 Sam never getting angry
18:40 Screaming as therapy
19:17 Sam pointing out his voice as a thing to work on
21:27 Is there anything in life that is currently troubling or scaring Tracy?
24:37 How did Tracy overcome her fear of starting to do live videos on Facebook
27:56 Coaching other people and reaching out for a coach
31:25 Outro
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36:50
Bruce Lee's 6 simple habits to build mastery, mental strength and a growth mindset
Bruce Lee wasn't just a martial arts icon. He was a master of mental discipline, using six powerful habits that transformed his approach to life and success.
Bruce's journey reveals how deliberate practice shaped his legendary status. Instead of fearing failure, he embraced it as a teacher, carrying notebooks everywhere to capture insights that became contracts with himself.
His methods were surprisingly practical—reading voraciously across diverse subjects, daily goal recitation, and blending Eastern philosophy with Western training techniques. This episode explores how Lee's training wasn't based on natural talent but rather his "fanatical" dedication, adapting everything from weightlifting to fencing to create something entirely new.
"Absorb what is useful,
Discard what is not,
Add what is uniquely your own" - Bruce Lee
His willingness to challenge traditions while respecting foundations made him revolutionary in multiple domains.
Takeaways:
Start carrying a notebook to capture ideas and insights, reflecting on them regularly
Practice goal recitation daily to encode your ambitions into your subconscious
Read widely outside your expertise to create unique mental connections
Ready to transform your mindset? Press play to unlock Bruce Lee's blueprint for unstoppable growth.
Upgrade to Premium:
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GrowthMindset.Supercast.com
Similar Episodes:
The Science of Mental Strength
The incredible mental models of Jeff Bezos
Charlie Mungers lessons for timeless wisdom
Get in Touch
👋 Free Call - Schedule Link - https://cal.com/samwebster/mindset
📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail,com
Growth Mindset Psychology:
Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.
📺 Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset)
🛜 Website - Growth Mindset
Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement
Episode: Bruce Lee's 6 habits of success
Chapters:
00:00 Bruce Lee's First Boxing Match Against Gary Elms
02:25 Bruce Lee's Habits of Success
02:35 #1 - Embrace Failure on the Path to Success
04:27 #2 - Carry a Notebook Everywhere
05:25 #3 - Repeat goals to yourself
08:19 #4 - Practice your Craft Constantly
09:50 #5 - Constantly Read a Variety of Subjects
11:22 #6 - Research and Adapt
13:23 Bruce Lee's Influence After 50 Years
13:44 Send Off
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About Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement
There are a lot of opinions on how to master your mind, but then there’s PSYCHOLOGY.
We’re all stuck with the brain we’re born with, but we aren’t stuck with how we use it.
Learn science-backed answers to make the most of your mind and your life.
CURIOUS?
Growth Mindset Psychology is the "self-help sceptic" podcast for the curious.
Whether you want to improve performance, navigate setbacks, or know who you are.
We find answers to the true science of self-improvement.
So put down the astrology chart and start working with your mind, instead of against it.
With over 8 million downloads and 60,000 monthly listeners, you’re invited to join.
PROCESS
Instead of telling you what to think, we discuss how thinking works.
Armed with a stack of science journals, textbooks and a boatload of curiosity, we uncover the mechanics of the mind.
Why? >>> Success is personal!
You might want to make the most of your neurodiverse strengths, start a business, or simply find more reasons to smile.
Hone your ability for independent thinking and growth with mental models to pursue your definition of success.
HOST
I’m Sam Webster Harris, a lifelong learner with ADHD, a raging curiosity, and an obsession with finding answers to hard questions.
After launching several businesses, travelling the world and nearly dying a few times I concluded that science and Psychology are where it’s at.
What actually makes people happy? What’s the best way to treat a brain? How can I get more done?
Studying the answers we find that changing behaviours requires building mindsets, mental models, and a healthy relationship with failure.
I run the show to help listeners enjoy nutritious content that feeds their minds (and I needed a legitimate excuse to cover for my reading addiction).
PREMIUM
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ARCHIVE
Previous guests include Olympians, Scientists, Billionaires, and Sam's Mum.
Past series:
— Psychology vs Stoicism
— Time Management for busy mortals
— Independence and knowing yourself
— Cognitive biases and rational thinking
— Psychology of connection
— Carol Dweck and the Multiverse of Mindsets
Listen to Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement, Digital Social Hour and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app