Growth Spurt: Permission to Be Human

Episode 388: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Better

In honor of America's 250th anniversary, Dr. Milt Lowder and Anthony Alibro explore the enduring ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness through the lens of performance psychology. They discuss the courage of the Founding Fathers, the tension between America's aspirations and realities, and the personal responsibility each of us has to live out our values. This conversation challenges listeners to move beyond division, embrace curiosity over judgment, and consider how individual choices shape the future of our communities and country.

Growth Spurt: How to Disagree Without Creating Conflict

In this week's Growth Spurt, Dr. Drew Brannon explores a skill that has become increasingly rare: having healthy disagreements. Drew shares why humility is essential when entering difficult conversations, how listening often matters more than persuading, and why meaningful dialogue doesn't have to end with someone changing their mind. He also explains the value of patience, reminding us that not every disagreement needs to be resolved in a single conversation. Growth often begins when we learn how to disagree without creating unnecessary conflict.

Episode 387: Transitioning from Doing the Work to Developing People

In this episode, Drs. Milt Lowder and Drew Brannon explore one of the most challenging transitions in any organization: moving from individual contributor to leader. They discuss why success in a role doesn't always translate to success in leadership, the mindset shifts required to lead others well, and the common mistakes organizations make when promoting talent. Whether you're considering a leadership role or developing future leaders, this conversation offers practical insights on redefining success, serving a team, and leading with humility.

Growth Spurt: When Stress Makes You Selfish

In this Growth Spurt, Dr. Milt Lowder explores how stress narrows our focus, pulls us away from what matters most, and can unintentionally disconnect us from others. Drawing on the science of the brain's stress response, Milt explains why stress often makes us more self-focused; he shares how awareness, gratitude, and joy can help us regain perspective and reconnect with our purpose.

Episode 386: Building Better Organizations with Dr. Alissa Zawacki

Dr. Drew Brannon welcomes the newest AMPLOS team member, Dr. Alissa Zawacki, for a conversation about industrial-organizational psychology and what it takes to help people and organizations thrive. Together, they explore common workplace challenges, including hiring, performance management, employee feedback, and organizational culture. Alissa shares why clarity, structure, and thoughtful systems matter when developing people, while highlighting practical ways leaders can create healthier, more effective workplaces where both employees and organizations can grow.