What if the biggest obstacle standing in your way is not the world, not your background, not even your circumstances — but a silent script running in your head?
"You are either smart or you are not. You either have it, or you do not."
These messages sneak in early. Through test scores. Compliments that praise perfection. Social media feeds full of effortless talent. Slowly, they plant a fixed mindset — the belief that your abilities are set in stone. And for too many young women today, that belief becomes a quiet cage.
But what if growth is not just possible — it is how you are built?
In this article, we dive into the science of mindset, the stories that shape us, and the quiet revolution that begins when you choose to believe: I can learn anything.
A New Season: My Voice, the Mound, and the Relentless Rain
Starting Season Two of the Emberhart Podcast feels different. Last season, I used an AI-generated voice to help me get things off the ground. It gave me a way to start before I felt ready — and I am glad I did. But now… it is time to show up with my real voice. My own words, spoken aloud. Imperfect, maybe a little shaky at times, but honest. That is how Emberhart is meant to sound.
Truth is, this season is stretching me in more ways than one.
In baseball, I am feeling the pressure. I have mostly played infield — reliable, clean plays, an occasional inning on the mound. But now, I am being asked to step up… big time. To move into the rotation. To be a pitcher. A real one. That is not just a position change — it is a whole new identity. And I know what that takes: hours of deliberate work, reps, consistency, command. It means showing up even when I am tired, or doubting, or sore.
And to top it off, it is been raining almost every day. Long grey stretches. Wet fields. No rhythm. No sun. Just the grind — muddy, heavy, and lonely at times. Where did summer go?
But maybe that is what this season is really about. Showing up anyway. Speaking out loud even when it would be easier to hide behind a polished voice. Putting in the work when no one is watching. Starting again — real, raw, and willing to grow.
Season Two is not about having it all figured out. It is about becoming. And I am in it with you.
Let us go.
Beyond Protection: How Actions Shape a Growth Mindset
Mindset is a powerful concept that influences how we perceive our abilities and approach challenges. A fixed mindset assumes talent or intelligence is innate and unchangeable, while a growth mindset embraces effort, learning, and resilience as pathways to improvement.
Recent research by Haimovitz and Dweck (2017) reveals that mindset is shaped less by what adults say about learning and more by what they do. Simply believing in a growth mindset doesn’t automatically pass that belief on.
Key insights include:
Praise the process, not innate ability. Saying “You are so smart” can make failure feel personal, while praising effort and strategy encourages persistence and risk-taking.
Frame criticism around actions, not identity. Constructive feedback focused on behaviors rather than personal worth keeps learners motivated.
Embrace the power of “yet.” This small word holds space for growth and reminds us that learning is ongoing.
Model resilience. Adults showing they struggle but keep trying teach that difficulty is part of growth, not a sign of weakness.
Create supportive environments. Classrooms and workplaces that reward learning over quick success foster growth mindsets.
🌿 https://www.emberhart.com/protection-is-not-the-same-as-preparation-what-shapes-a-growth-mindset/
Importantly, protective instincts—though well-meaning—may unintentionally limit preparation for growth. It’s behavior, not just belief, that shapes mindset. By consciously modeling growth-oriented behaviors, leaders, educators, and parents prepare others not just to cope with challenges but to thrive through them.
#GrowthMindset #LeadershipDevelopment #Resilience #LearningCulture #PersonalGrowth #SeasonTwo #EmberhartJourney #LifeOfPurpose