Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-ImprovementSam Webster Harris | Growth Mindset PsychologyAll episodes
The Deep-Thinking Habits That Quietly Change Your Life
Train your brain to resist distraction, form your own opinions, and think like an intellectual.
When every answer is one click away, we’ve forgotten how to enjoy the struggle of figuring things out. This episode explores the radical act of thinking more slowly in a fast-paced world.
Modern life has made us intellectual snackers: we graze on headlines, notifications, and other people’s opinions until our minds feel full on intellectual candy floss.
Drawing on ideas from Cal Newport, Charlie Munger, and curious historical figures, we unpack why boredom, better information, and stronger memory are the unsung heroes of clear thinking.
You’ll learn:
- How to design an information diet that actually feeds your brain
- How to become comfortable enough with silence to let your own ideas emerge
- How to train your attention so it doesn’t sprint away at the first ping.
You don't need to turn into a monk, but hopefully this is a gentle nudge to think with more depth, nuance, and independence.
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Growth Mindset Psychology:
Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.
📧 Email - GrowthMindsetPodcast (@) gmail.com
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Deep Thinking
02:04 Using Charlie Munger’s Inversion Approach
05:02 System One vs. System Two Thinking
06:14 Improving Information Quality
09:34 Comfort with Boredom
13:35 Cultivating Attention
16:23 Tracking Your Progress
18:00 Increasing Working Memory
21:47 Intellectual Practice
22:13 Pairing Primary and Secondary Sources
23:02 Richard Feynman’s Idea Documents
25:46 Adopting Intellectual Curiosity
27:38 Benjamin Franklin’s Deep Thinkers Club
28:12 Launching a Book Club
29:02 Rebranding the Podcast
30:08 Starting a Second Podcast
31:43 Episode Summary and Final Thoughts
Topics discussed
- How to think more deeply in a world designed for shallow attention
- Why outsourcing your opinions to social media weakens independent thought
- The cognitive cost of prioritising fast emotional hits over slow work
- How checklist mentality creates the illusion of progress without real depth
- System One versus System Two thinking and why deeper thinkers choose slower
- Building an information diet that improves the quality of what you consume
- Training your brain to become more comfortable with boredom and silence
