{"podcast":{"title":"Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement","slug":"growth-mindset-psychology-the-science-of-self-improvement-615575","podcast_index_feed_id":615575,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/NSR1382158191","website_url":"https://www.growthmindsetpodcast.com","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/b31b318a-dfc3-11ee-96e2-e307ea398f4c/image/b1e2aa5d2a29d2325cc1f7f07f4f13dc.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"Sam Webster Harris","episode_count":541,"summary":"Most self-help advice is guesswork dressed up as wisdom. We dig into psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science to find what actually changes lives. WHY LISTEN? Over 8 million downloads because we answer the questions that matter: How do I build mental strength? What creates lasting motivation? How can I understand my own mind well enough to work with it, not against it? This podcast is for curious skeptics who want frameworks backed by psychology studies, not Instagram quotes. Whether you're navigating procrastination, building self-discipline, or designing your own philosophy for a life well lived—we explore the hidden psychology behind real change. WHAT YOU'LL GET Mental models and simple techniques from cognitive psychology, positive psychology, and ancient wisdom traditions like Stoicism and Buddhism. Being a human can be confusing, learning about it doesn’t have to be. We cover everything from emotional intelligence and habit formation to brain health and the nervous system. WHAT YOU DON’T GET No pseudoscience. No oversimplified \"hacks.\" No hustle porn. Just practical insights on mindset improvement, self-development, and human psychology that respect your intelligence…","last_synced_at":"2026-09-08T10:17:09.640115+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/growth-mindset-psychology-the-science-of-self-improvement-615575"},"episode":{"title":"Your Nervous System Has Been Running Your Life - How to finally take control with Stephen Porges (Inventor of Polyvagal Theory)","slug":"your-nervous-system-has-been-running-your-life-how-to-finally-take-control-with-stephen-porges-inventor-of-polyvagal-theory","published_at":"2026-04-24T03:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/growth-mindset-psychology-the-science-of-self-improvement-615575/your-nervous-system-has-been-running-your-life-how-to-finally-take-control-with-stephen-porges-inventor-of-polyvagal-theory","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/growth-mindset-psychology-the-science-of-self-improvement-615575","url":"https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/mgln.ai/e/35/pfx.vpixl.com/k7b9t/op3.dev/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/NSR7840106976.mp3?updated=1776954865","audio_url":"https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/mgln.ai/e/35/pfx.vpixl.com/k7b9t/op3.dev/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/NSR7840106976.mp3?updated=1776954865","summary":"How the science of the vagus nerve explains anxiety, ambition, burnout, and the art of becoming who you actually are. Humans, might be the most sophisticated organism on Earth (capable of writing symphonies, landing on the moon, and inventing artisanal sourdough). Yet at our core, we are running threat-detection software that predates the dinosaurs. Stephen Porges, the scientist who mapped the vagus nerve's extraordinary influence on human behaviour, joins us to explain why this ancient wiring is quietly making most of your big life decisions for you. The good news is that evolution, for once, gave us a rather elegant solution. Safety — genuine, physiological safety — unlocks curiosity, creativity, and the particular satisfaction of becoming who you actually are. The even better news is it's achievable without a retreat, a cold plunge, or a subscription. What you'll take away: Why your gut reactions are data, not drama How the environments we build either cage or liberate our best thinking Why the most calming people aren't trying to be calm Your nervous system has been waiting for this conversation. SPONSORS 🌳 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Acorns⁠⁠⁠⁠ Smart way to grow your money $5 welcome bonus ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Acorns.com/PSYCHOLOGY⁠⁠⁠⁠ NEW SHOW - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order. The podcast is full of fun facts, surprising stories and philosophical insights. Found on all major podcast players: Spotify - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Apple - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ht…","meta_description":"How the science of the vagus nerve explains anxiety, ambition, burnout, and the art of becoming who you actually are. Humans, might be the most sophistica…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3447,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/growth-mindset-psychology-the-science-of-self-improvement-615575/episodes/your-nervous-system-has-been-running-your-life-how-to-finally-take-control-with-stephen-porges-inventor-of-polyvagal-theory/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/growth-mindset-psychology-the-science-of-self-improvement-615575/your-nervous-system-has-been-running-your-life-how-to-finally-take-control-with-stephen-porges-inventor-of-polyvagal-theory.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}