The Stoic Question: Philosophy and Psychology

Donald J. Robertson
  • 4.6 (37)
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Donald Robertson, author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor and How to Think Like Socrates, explores the meeting point of Stoicism, philosophy, psychology, psychotherapy, and the art of living through solo reflections and conversations with leading experts on anger, anxiety, resilience, self-improvement, and how to live well. donaldrobertson.substack.com

  1. Hand Gestures for Self-Improvement

    5D AGO

    Hand Gestures for Self-Improvement

    Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thanks for reading Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life at donaldrobertson.substack.com/subscribe

    15 min

  2. APR 30

    How can Stoicism Help Kids?

    In this episode, I chat with Claudia Mills, an emerita professor of philosophy and award-winning author of more than sixty books for young readers. Her new novel, Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom, is about a difficult young student who joins a philosophy club seeking the wisdom she needs to keep her beloved but equally difficult dog. Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Highlights * To what extent do you think children can benefit from learning about ancient philosophy? * Do you think there are any ways in which children have an advantage over adults when it comes to learning about Greek philosophy? * How can parents help their children to learn about and benefit from philosophy? * What is wisdom? * What drew you to Epictetus in particular for this story? * What about Socrates and Plato? * What are the problems faced by Calliope, and how does philosophy help her? * In what ways do you think children could potentially benefit from ancient philosophy in terms of their psychological well being? Links * Goodreads profile * Calliope Callisto Clark and the Search for Wisdom Thanks for reading Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life at donaldrobertson.substack.com/subscribe

    55 min

  3. APR 16

    What Marcus Aurelius Can Teach Us About Coping with Stress

    In this episode, I chat with Mark Forstater, the producer of over 30 films, including Monty Python and the Holy Grail. He is the author of a number of books, including The Spiritual Teachings of Marcus Aurelius, The Spiritual Teachings of Seneca, and The Living Wisdom of Socrates, as well as books on yogic philosophy and Daoism. His most recent book, The 7th Python: A T**t’s Tale, documents his experience of working with the Pythons, and a protracted legal battle that he found himself fighting, and winning, decades later. Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Highlights * How did you get into Marcus Aurelius and Seneca? What motivated you to adapt them for modern readers and what are the main ideas that you take from their writings? * You’ve also written about Socrates, how do you feel he compares with the Stoics as a guide today? * What, if anything, do you think that working in movies can teach us about how the mind works? * Have you found Stoic ideas helpful during stressful periods in your own life? During your legal battles for example? * Could you imagine there being another movie about Marcus Aurelius? Links * Goodreads profile * The Spiritual Teachings of Marcus Aurelius * The Spiritual Teachings of Seneca * The Living Wisdom of Socrates * The 7th Python Thanks for reading Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life at donaldrobertson.substack.com/subscribe

    56 min
  4. Stoicism and Anger Live

    APR 7

    Stoicism and Anger Live

    Thank you George Shay, Kasey Pierce, Louisa Swaden, Joanna Milne 🏺, Hippie Dippie ME!, and many others for tuning into my live video with Phil Yanov! Join me for my next live video in the app. Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life at donaldrobertson.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 53m
  5. Five Practical Ideas from Socrates

    MAR 12

    Five Practical Ideas from Socrates

    Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thanks for reading Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life at donaldrobertson.substack.com/subscribe

    12 min
  6. The Rescuer Trap: The Ethics of Love

    12/24/2025

    The Rescuer Trap: The Ethics of Love

    This episode features guest hosts Dr. Scott Waltman and Kasey Pierce, authors of the forthcoming book The Rescuer Trap. While we take a short holiday break, we are excited to bring you a special presentation featuring our two compelling talks from the Philosophy of Love and Relationships virtual conference In this episode, we bridge the gap between modern psychological traps and ancient philosophical wisdom to challenge how you view human connection: * “I Can Fix You: The CB Paradox” – Kasey Pierce explores the seductive but flawed desire to “fix” our partners. Discover why this common relationship dynamic often undermines the very foundation of the love it seeks to save. * “Stoic Interconnectedness: Kindness and Fairness” – Dr. Scott Waltman dives into the profound Stoic perspective on shared humanity. Learn how recognizing our mutual bonds can serve as the ultimate driver for cultivating genuine fairness and kindness in all our interactions. Happy Holidays! Live well and love wisely. Are you the fixer, the over-giver, the emotional first responder for everyone but yourself? Welcome to The Rescuer Trap. We playfully own the labels “Parentified and Codependent” to make a point: these are not identities, but learned behaviors. Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. And what can be learned can be unlearned. Hosts Dr. Scott Waltman and Kasey Pierce use Stoic philosophy and CBT to give you the tools to break the cycle and reclaim your autonomy. Your escape from the trap starts here. Based on the forthcoming book, The Rescuer Trap (New Harbinger). Thanks for reading Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life at donaldrobertson.substack.com/subscribe

    48 min
  7. The Rescuer Trap: The Skeptic's Guide to Autonomy

    12/17/2025

    The Rescuer Trap: The Skeptic's Guide to Autonomy

    This episode features guest hosts Dr. Scott Waltman and Kasey Pierce, authors of the forthcoming book The Rescuer Trap. Is it a gut Instinct or gut Infection? This week, we talk to Massimo Pigliucci about why the brain is essentially a ‘b******t’ machine and how to stop being a doormat by embracing ancient doubt. By the end of the episode, Pigliucci leaves Kasey and Scott grappling with the fundamental question: Whose Socrates is it anyway? (the Stoics’ or the Skeptics’?) Are you the fixer, the over-giver, the emotional first responder for everyone but yourself? Welcome to The Rescuer Trap. We playfully own the labels “Parentified and Codependent” to make a point: these are not identities, but learned behaviors. Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. And what can be learned can be unlearned. Hosts Dr. Scott Waltman and Kasey Pierce use Stoic philosophy and CBT to give you the tools to break the cycle and reclaim your autonomy. Your escape from the trap starts here. Based on the forthcoming book, The Rescuer Trap (New Harbinger). Thanks for reading Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life at donaldrobertson.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 8m
  8. The Rescuer Trap: Broicism Just Might Work (Until it Doesn't)

    12/10/2025

    The Rescuer Trap: Broicism Just Might Work (Until it Doesn't)

    This episode features guest hosts Dr. Scott Waltman and Kasey Pierce, authors of the forthcoming book The Rescuer Trap. Kasey asks Scott “Can the argument be made for the overachiever’s mindset?”; and reveals she used to be a spinning-wheels ‘bro’. Are you the fixer, the over-giver, the emotional first responder for everyone but yourself? Welcome to The Rescuer Trap. We playfully own the labels “Parentified and Codependent” to make a point: these are not identities, but learned behaviors. Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. And what can be learned can be unlearned. Hosts Dr. Scott Waltman and Kasey Pierce use Stoic philosophy and CBT to give you the tools to break the cycle and reclaim your autonomy. Your escape from the trap starts here. Based on the forthcoming book, The Rescuer Trap (New Harbinger). Thanks for reading Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life at donaldrobertson.substack.com/subscribe

    41 min
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4.6
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

Donald Robertson, author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor and How to Think Like Socrates, explores the meeting point of Stoicism, philosophy, psychology, psychotherapy, and the art of living through solo reflections and conversations with leading experts on anger, anxiety, resilience, self-improvement, and how to live well. donaldrobertson.substack.com

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