Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Stoicism applied to modern life • CBT/REBT links • anger management • resilience, leadership, coaching • relationships, codependency, boundaries, autonomy • empathy without burnout • Socratic method, skepticism • Roman/Greek history: Marcus Aurelius, death, plague, gladiators
This podcast explores Stoicism as a practical philosophy for modern life, combining insights from ancient Greek and Roman thinkers with contemporary psychology and psychotherapy. Hosted by Donald Robertson, a cognitive-behavioral therapist and author, conversations often connect classic Stoic texts and figures—especially Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Socrates—to evidence-based approaches such as CBT and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). A recurring focus is how philosophical ideas translate into everyday skills for self-leadership, emotional regulation, and decision-making under pressure.
Across the episodes, listeners encounter both historical context and applied guidance. Some discussions draw on classical scholarship and Roman history to clarify what ancient people believed about mortality, suffering, virtue, and fate, and how events like war, political instability, or disease shaped Stoic thought. Other episodes examine how Stoicism is interpreted today, including debates around misconceptions, “toughness” narratives, and what Stoic ethics suggest about kindness, masculinity, and civic life.
A major theme is managing difficult emotions—especially anger—through Stoic cognitive strategies, contemplative practices, and comparisons with modern therapies and Buddhist approaches to meditation. The show also frequently turns to resilience: in military and high-stakes professional settings, in sports performance, and in leadership and coaching.
Another prominent thread centers on relationships and autonomy. Several conversations address codependency, people-pleasing, and “rescuer” dynamics, using a blend of Stoic ethics, schema-informed psychology, and boundary-setting frameworks to discuss healthier interdependence. Related topics include empathy and compassion without burnout, aligning actions with values rather than preferences, and navigating modern challenges such as emotional reliance on technology.
Overall, this podcast presents Stoicism not merely as ancient theory but as a toolbox for examining beliefs, strengthening character, and handling adversity with greater clarity and integrity.
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Episodes:
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The Rescuer Trap: The Ethics of Love
2025-Dec-24
48 minutes
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The Rescuer Trap: The Skeptic's Guide to Autonomy
2025-Dec-17
67 minutes
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The Rescuer Trap: Broicism Just Might Work (Until it Doesn't)
2025-Dec-10
40 minutes
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The Rescuer Trap: Fate Willing, I'll Get Back to You
2025-Dec-03
47 minutes
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The Rescuer Trap: Treehouse of Sadness: Codependency and Depression
2025-Nov-26
38 minutes
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The Rescuer Trap: Doormat or a Hand Grenade: When Rescuing Behavior Gets Overcorrected
2025-Nov-19
38 minutes
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The Rescuer Trap: Dating a Dream: The Rise of AI Dependency
2025-Nov-12
42 minutes
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The Rescuer Trap: The Schema Trap featuring Dr. Jeff Perron
2025-Nov-05
63 minutes
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Video: Stoicism & Resilience
2025-Oct-30
86 minutes
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The Rescuer Trap: We're Coming to Fix You, Barbara
2025-Oct-29
42 minutes
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Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy
2025-Oct-23
61 minutes
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The Rescuer Trap: Country Fried Parentified
2025-Oct-22
51 minutes
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The Rescuer Trap: Values Chameleons
2025-Oct-15
35 minutes
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What to Expect When You're Dead
2025-Oct-09
66 minutes
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The Rescuer Trap: The Philosophy of Love and Relationships
2025-Oct-08
34 minutes
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The Controversial History of Marcus Aurelius
2025-Sep-25
82 minutes
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Watch our Stoicism & Anger Video
2025-Sep-18
74 minutes
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The Inner Fortress: Military Resilience and Stoic Philosophy
2025-Sep-18
45 minutes
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A Day in the Life of a Roman Gladiator
2025-Aug-28
55 minutes
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Stoic Empathy – Compassion Without Burnout
2025-Jul-24
51 minutes
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Let’s Compare Marcus Aurelius to Modern Psychotherapy
2025-Jun-05
96 minutes
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Meditation and Anger in Stoicism and Buddhism
2025-Apr-17
79 minutes
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How to Control your Anger According to Seneca
2025-Apr-03
83 minutes
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Watch us chat about the philosophy and psychology of anger
2025-Mar-19
34 minutes
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REBT, Single Session Therapy, and Anger
2025-Mar-06
61 minutes
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Meditation: The View from Above
2025-Feb-27
20 minutes
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Stoicism and The Moment that Defines your Life
2025-Feb-20
60 minutes
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Stoicism, Coaching, and Leadership
2025-Jan-23
81 minutes
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Stoicism and Life Coaching
2025-Jan-16
72 minutes
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How can we Measure Wisdom?
2024-Nov-28
86 minutes
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Book Launch: How to Think Like Socrates
2024-Nov-23
120 minutes
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Socrates, Stoicism, and Self-Improvement
2024-Nov-14
58 minutes
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Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Stoicism
2024-Oct-24
65 minutes
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The Saad Truth about Happiness
2024-Oct-17
65 minutes
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Who was Marcus Aurelius?
2024-Aug-08
9 minutes
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How Stoicism can Save Democracy
2024-May-09
33 minutes
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The Stoic Mindset in Sports and Life
2024-May-02
61 minutes
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Street Epistemology and the Socratic Method
2024-Feb-13
72 minutes
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The Plague of Marcus Aurelius
2024-Feb-08
68 minutes
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Overview of "Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor"
2024-Jan-23
20 minutes
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Did Marcus Aurelius say Kindness is More Manly Than Anger?
2024-Jan-18
12 minutes
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Areté: Philosophy and Coaching
2023-Dec-07
60 minutes
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Excerpt from "Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor"
2023-Oct-26
9 minutes
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Socrates and Love
2023-Oct-19
79 minutes
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Clarity and Wisdom
2023-Oct-12
50 minutes
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Stoicism and Buddhism
2023-Aug-24
78 minutes
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Design your Mind with Stoicism
2023-Aug-17
70 minutes
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Tips for Practical Stoicism in Everyday Life
2023-Jul-20
57 minutes
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Stoic Philosophy and Alcoholism
2023-Jul-06
17 minutes
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Stoicism and the Live and Let Live Movement
2023-Jun-29
86 minutes
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Plato of Athens, with Robin Waterfield
2023-Jun-22
76 minutes
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Stoicism and Martial Arts with Michael Tremblay
2023-May-11
63 minutes
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Philosophy as a Way of Life with Matthew Sharpe
2023-Apr-27
73 minutes
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What is Wisdom? with J.W. Bertolotti
2023-Apr-20
72 minutes
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The Choice of Hercules
2023-Mar-23
10 minutes
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Stoicism, Cognitive Therapy, and Resilience
2023-Mar-09
64 minutes
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Stoicism, Self-Help and Modern Psychology
2023-Mar-02
121 minutes
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How Stoicism Cures Anger
2023-Feb-23
15 minutes
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The Great Discourse of Protagoras
2023-Feb-16
22 minutes
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Anya Leonard on Why Classics Matter Today
2023-Feb-09
47 minutes
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Stoicism as a Philosophy of Life
2023-Feb-02
19 minutes
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Archeology: Marcus Aurelius and Carnuntum
2023-Jan-26
15 minutes
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Alexandra Hudson on Classics and Civility
2023-Jan-19
53 minutes
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Short Guided Relaxation Exercise
2023-Jan-15
13 minutes
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Stoicism in a Time of Pandemic
2023-Jan-11
7 minutes
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Marcus Aurelius and Carnuntum
2023-Jan-06
22 minutes
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Massimo Pigliucci on Socrates, Stoicism and Leadership
2022-Dec-22
57 minutes
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Tim LeBon on Stoicism and Psychology
2022-Dec-15
61 minutes
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Podcast: Experimental Technique
2022-Dec-08
10 minutes
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Interview: Kasey Pierce and 365 Ways to be More Stoic
2022-Nov-17
24 minutes
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Death, Love, Stoicism
2022-Nov-04
18 minutes
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How to Actually Practice Stoicism
2022-Oct-21
20 minutes
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