Master Magnetic Presence: How to be yourself but more likeable w/ Harry Cohen

Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement · 2025-05-27

A sunflower doesn’t hold strategy meetings to decide which way to grow. It simply tilts toward the light.

This conversation with Dr. Harry Cohen invites us to do the same. The heliotropic effect—our quiet, evolutionary pull toward positive energy—may be the simplest, most overlooked lever of leadership and community.

We explore what happens when you become the light source instead of chasing it. Why a six-second smile hacks brain chemistry, how a clean apology resets trust faster than any marketing funnel, and what my own networking face-plant taught me about social tax.

Take homes:

Swap “small talk” for small wins to trigger instant rapport

Schedule a daily 1 % kindness rep and track the ripple

Deploy the two-word apology before your ego drafts excuses

How to Change the World

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Growth Mindset Psychology:

Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.

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Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement

Episode: Master Magnetic Presence: How to be yourself but more likeable w/ Harry Cohen

Chapters:

00:00 Be the Sun, Not the Salt

01:55 The Heliotropic Effect

04:13 Personality vs Circumstance

08:09 Simplicity vs Complication

11:26 Giving Feedback Effectively

18:09 Apologizing Well

20:05 Embracing Negativity

26:14 The Moonlight Surfing Metaphor

29:37 Earliest memory

31:13 Kindest thing

31:57 Summary
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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

Where can you listen?

Episodes