The Growth Project
AMPLOS
Our group is traditionally trained in sport and performance psychology, and in the spirit of what we do, the purpose of our podcast is to make a positive impact on your life and challenge you to think differently on topics related to growth. Through conversations with coaches, athletes, executives, and leaders of industry, we will explore and highlight the mindset and skillset required for lasting growth. Ultimately, we exist to provide you with the tools to become the best version of you. At AMPLOS, we're passionate about helping you pursue better. Powered by Elliott Davis.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 29, 2020 • 40min
Episode 80: The Marks of Authentic Leadership with Kaitlyn Cunningham
What does great leadership really look like and how do we recognize it when it's present? In this episode, Dr. Katie Nichols sits down with Kaitlyn Cunningham, Director of Women's Basketball Strength & Conditioning at Clemson University. Together, they explore the pursuit of continual growth, the power of honest feedback, and why authentic leadership is rooted in trust, collaboration, and showing up fully. This conversation offers insight into what it means to lead with both strength and humility.
Jul 22, 2020 • 34min
Episode 79: The Paradox of Growth - Do You Chase It or Let It Happen?
Do fulfillment, results, and personal growth come from deliberate pursuit or do they naturally emerge when we're aligned and present? In this thought-provoking conversation, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore the dynamic tension between pursuing and ensuing. They unpack how intention, discipline, and surrender all play a role in our journey to become who we're meant to be.
Jul 15, 2020 • 56min
Episode 78: Coaching That Lasts with Mitch Doolittle
With nearly 15 years of college football coaching experience, Mitch Doolittle has seen firsthand how leadership evolves. In this episode, he joins Dr. Drew Brannon to share the lessons that have shaped his coaching philosophy, especially the importance of building strong relationships as the foundation for performance. Whether you're leading athletes, educators, or professionals, Mitch's insights reveal timeless principles that transcend the field.
Jul 8, 2020 • 38min
Episode 77: Three Lessons From Nike's Breaking2 Documentary
Nike's Breaking2 documentary follows the groundbreaking attempt to break the two-hour marathon barrier. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore three powerful lessons from the project: how mental "software" becomes essential as physical "hardware" peaks, how the theory of marginal gains drives sustained progress, and why redefining success on your own terms can lead to deeper fulfillment, even when the goal isn't reached.
Jul 1, 2020 • 43min
Episode 76: Reclaiming Balance to Be Your Best with Dr. Jordan Cinquino
How do we consistently show up as our best selves, especially in high-pressure, high-stakes environments? In this episode, Dr. Cory Shaffer sits down with Dr. Jordan Cinquino, an Internal Medicine Physician from Buffalo, NY, to explore why stepping away from work is sometimes the most important thing we can do for our performance and well-being. Drawing from his experience on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York, Dr. Cinquino shares powerful lessons about resilience, recovery, and redefining success from the inside out.
Jun 24, 2020 • 34min
Episode 75: Rewriting Your Inner Dialogue
"I should be doing more." "I'm so busy." "Am I going to be okay?" These are just a few of the internal messages we tell ourselves, often without question. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Milt Lowder explore the powerful role of self-talk in shaping our mental and emotional state. They unpack how internal dialogue can either sabotage or support us, especially in times of uncertainty, and offer practical strategies for challenging unhelpful thoughts and building a healthier inner voice.
Jun 17, 2020 • 50min
Episode 74: Mentorship, Meaning, and Bridging Divides with Rick Woolworth
What if mentorship could change not only individual lives, but also help heal the divides in our country? In this episode, Rick Woolworth, founder of the Telemachus Network and former Wall Street executive, joins Dr. Milt Lowder to explore the power of intergenerational friendship. They discuss how intentional mentorship can foster unity, address racial and social injustice, and shape a purposeful life. Rick also shares why he chose to define success beyond his career achievements, prioritizing his roles as a husband and father above all else.
Jun 10, 2020 • 50min
Episode 73: Learning Requires Humility with Mike Noonan
Humility is the gateway to growth and learning is a lifelong pursuit. In this episode, Clemson Men's Head Soccer Coach Mike Noonan sits down with Dr. Milt Lowder to reflect on the power of staying curious, coachable, and committed to improvement. They explore what it means to lead with clarity, live out your core values, and have the courage to align your actions with your beliefs, on and off the field.
May 27, 2020 • 38min
Episode 72: The Power and Pitfalls of Personality Assessments
What makes you who you are? Personality is one of the most studied, and misunderstood, constructs in psychology. In this episode, Drs. Drew Brannon and Cory Shaffer explore how personality assessments can be both powerful and problematic. While the right tools can accelerate self-awareness and growth, the wrong ones can lead to unhelpful labels and limitations. They discuss how to move beyond stereotypes and embrace the full complexity of human personality in service of development and performance.
May 20, 2020 • 49min
Episode 71: Competing and Growing Through Adversity with Heather Bowie Young
What does it take to stay grounded while competing at the highest level and then guide others to do the same? NCAA champion, LPGA Tour winner, and Solheim Cup team member Heather Bowie Young joins Dr. Katie Nichols to reflect on 17 years of professional golf, the challenges that shaped her, and the deep gratitude that fuels her coaching today. Now Associate Head Coach for Clemson Women's Golf, Heather shares the mindset it takes to persevere through failure, lead with authenticity, and keep growing, in sport and in life.
