TrueSciPhi

Podcast Profile: Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life Podcast

Site • RSS • Apple Podcasts
72 episodes
2022 to 2025
Median: 56 minutes
Collection: Philosophy

Description (podcaster-provided):

Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):

This podcast explores Stoicism as a practical philosophy for modern life, regularly linking ancient ideas to contemporary psychology, especially cognitive-behavioral approaches. Hosted by author and CBT therapist Donald Robertson and featuring a range of guests, conversations move between classical sources (such as Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Socrates) and present-day concerns like emotional regulation, resilience, leadership, relationships, and personal ethics.

A prominent thread is the use of Stoic concepts to understand and manage difficult emotions—particularly anger—through strategies that overlap with evidence-based psychotherapy. Listeners hear discussions of how judgments shape emotional reactions, how cognitive distancing and perspective-taking can reduce escalation, and how compassion and fairness can coexist with firmness and self-control. The show also looks at what healthy empathy might involve, including how to stay engaged with other people’s suffering without sliding into burnout.

Another recurring focus is autonomy and boundaries in close relationships. Several conversations examine people-pleasing, codependency, and “rescuing” dynamics—how the urge to fix others can undermine both partners, and how early learned patterns (including schemas like self-sacrifice or subjugation) can conflict with adult values. These themes are often framed as behaviors that can be unlearned, using a blend of Stoic ethics and CBT-informed tools.

Alongside self-improvement topics, the podcast frequently turns to history and classical scholarship. Episodes draw on research into Roman and Greek culture, mortality and afterlife beliefs, and the political and personal context of Marcus Aurelius’ life and writings. There is also attention to Stoicism in high-stakes domains—military service, sport, executive leadership, and public discourse—highlighting how philosophical training, resilience practices, and clear thinking can be applied under pressure. The feed occasionally includes guided Stoic meditations and recordings of live talks or discussions.

Episodes:

The Rescuer Trap: The Ethics of Love 2025-Dec-24 48 minutes

The Rescuer Trap: The Skeptic's Guide to Autonomy 2025-Dec-17 67 minutes

The Rescuer Trap: Broicism Just Might Work (Until it Doesn't) 2025-Dec-10 40 minutes

The Rescuer Trap: Fate Willing, I'll Get Back to You 2025-Dec-03 47 minutes

The Rescuer Trap: Treehouse of Sadness: Codependency and Depression 2025-Nov-26 38 minutes

The Rescuer Trap: Doormat or a Hand Grenade: When Rescuing Behavior Gets Overcorrected 2025-Nov-19 38 minutes

The Rescuer Trap: Dating a Dream: The Rise of AI Dependency 2025-Nov-12 42 minutes

The Rescuer Trap: The Schema Trap featuring Dr. Jeff Perron 2025-Nov-05 63 minutes

Video: Stoicism & Resilience 2025-Oct-30 86 minutes

The Rescuer Trap: We're Coming to Fix You, Barbara 2025-Oct-29 42 minutes

Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy 2025-Oct-23 61 minutes

The Rescuer Trap: Country Fried Parentified 2025-Oct-22 51 minutes

The Rescuer Trap: Values Chameleons 2025-Oct-15 35 minutes

What to Expect When You're Dead 2025-Oct-09 66 minutes

The Rescuer Trap: The Philosophy of Love and Relationships 2025-Oct-08 34 minutes

The Controversial History of Marcus Aurelius 2025-Sep-25 82 minutes

Watch our Stoicism & Anger Video 2025-Sep-18 74 minutes

The Inner Fortress: Military Resilience and Stoic Philosophy 2025-Sep-18 45 minutes

A Day in the Life of a Roman Gladiator 2025-Aug-28 55 minutes

Stoic Empathy – Compassion Without Burnout 2025-Jul-24 51 minutes

Let’s Compare Marcus Aurelius to Modern Psychotherapy 2025-Jun-05 96 minutes

Meditation and Anger in Stoicism and Buddhism 2025-Apr-17 79 minutes

How to Control your Anger According to Seneca 2025-Apr-03 83 minutes

Watch us chat about the philosophy and psychology of anger 2025-Mar-19 34 minutes

REBT, Single Session Therapy, and Anger 2025-Mar-06 61 minutes

Meditation: The View from Above 2025-Feb-27 20 minutes

Stoicism and The Moment that Defines your Life 2025-Feb-20 60 minutes

Stoicism, Coaching, and Leadership 2025-Jan-23 81 minutes

Stoicism and Life Coaching 2025-Jan-16 72 minutes

How can we Measure Wisdom? 2024-Nov-28 86 minutes

Book Launch: How to Think Like Socrates 2024-Nov-23 120 minutes

Socrates, Stoicism, and Self-Improvement 2024-Nov-14 58 minutes

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Stoicism 2024-Oct-24 65 minutes

The Saad Truth about Happiness 2024-Oct-17 65 minutes

Who was Marcus Aurelius? 2024-Aug-08 9 minutes

How Stoicism can Save Democracy 2024-May-09 33 minutes

The Stoic Mindset in Sports and Life 2024-May-02 61 minutes

Street Epistemology and the Socratic Method 2024-Feb-13 72 minutes

The Plague of Marcus Aurelius 2024-Feb-08 68 minutes

Overview of "Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor" 2024-Jan-23 20 minutes

Did Marcus Aurelius say Kindness is More Manly Than Anger? 2024-Jan-18 12 minutes

Areté: Philosophy and Coaching 2023-Dec-07 60 minutes

Excerpt from "Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor" 2023-Oct-26 9 minutes

Socrates and Love 2023-Oct-19 79 minutes

Clarity and Wisdom 2023-Oct-12 50 minutes

Stoicism and Buddhism 2023-Aug-24 78 minutes

Design your Mind with Stoicism 2023-Aug-17 70 minutes

Tips for Practical Stoicism in Everyday Life 2023-Jul-20 57 minutes

Stoic Philosophy and Alcoholism 2023-Jul-06 17 minutes

Stoicism and the Live and Let Live Movement 2023-Jun-29 86 minutes

Plato of Athens, with Robin Waterfield 2023-Jun-22 76 minutes

Stoicism and Martial Arts with Michael Tremblay 2023-May-11 63 minutes

Philosophy as a Way of Life with Matthew Sharpe 2023-Apr-27 73 minutes

What is Wisdom? with J.W. Bertolotti 2023-Apr-20 72 minutes

The Choice of Hercules 2023-Mar-23 10 minutes

Stoicism, Cognitive Therapy, and Resilience 2023-Mar-09 64 minutes

Stoicism, Self-Help and Modern Psychology 2023-Mar-02 121 minutes

How Stoicism Cures Anger 2023-Feb-23 15 minutes

The Great Discourse of Protagoras 2023-Feb-16 22 minutes

Anya Leonard on Why Classics Matter Today 2023-Feb-09 47 minutes

Stoicism as a Philosophy of Life 2023-Feb-02 19 minutes

Archeology: Marcus Aurelius and Carnuntum 2023-Jan-26 15 minutes

Alexandra Hudson on Classics and Civility 2023-Jan-19 53 minutes

Short Guided Relaxation Exercise 2023-Jan-15 13 minutes

Stoicism in a Time of Pandemic 2023-Jan-11 7 minutes

Marcus Aurelius and Carnuntum 2023-Jan-06 22 minutes

Massimo Pigliucci on Socrates, Stoicism and Leadership 2022-Dec-22 57 minutes

Tim LeBon on Stoicism and Psychology 2022-Dec-15 61 minutes

Podcast: Experimental Technique 2022-Dec-08 10 minutes

Interview: Kasey Pierce and 365 Ways to be More Stoic 2022-Nov-17 24 minutes

Death, Love, Stoicism 2022-Nov-04 18 minutes

How to Actually Practice Stoicism 2022-Oct-21 20 minutes