A lot of us don’t just feel anxious...we get anxious about being anxious.
In this episode, I speak with Donald J. Robertson, a psychotherapist and one of the world’s leading voices on Stoicism.
We talk about why trying to get rid of anxiety can keep it alive, why overthinking often feels useful when it’s really another form of avoidance, and how facing what we fear can help us move forward. We also get into self-criticism, comparison, external validation, and why so many people chase success without ever questioning if it’s the life they actually want.
This conversation is about anxiety, but it’s also about learning to stop fighting yourself.
Donald J. Robertson is a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist, author, and leading expert on Stoicism and modern psychology.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction: Stoicism Meets Anxiety
(00:29) Ancient Therapy Roots
(01:40) Dichotomy of Control
(02:43) Second Order Anxiety
(05:27) Avoidance And Exposure
(07:15) Worry As Cognitive Avoidance
(09:15) Emotions Are Cognitive
(14:36) Two Factor Anxiety Model
(19:20) Exposure Therapy Works
(27:38) Attention Narrows Under Threat
(33:01) Premeditation Of Evils
(34:03) Worry Versus Imaginal Exposure
(35:33) The Paradox Of Worry
(41:32) Postpone Worry To Think Clearly
(46:12) Control Your Worry
(47:14) Values And Comparison Trap
(49:06) Upward Vs Downward Comparisons
(51:32) Gratitude Through Absence
(53:02) Questioning Ambition
(55:01) Mortality Resets Priorities
(58:05) Character Over Externals
(01:01:55) Rigidity Vs Resilience
(01:06:03) Anxiety About Anxiety
(01:12:30) Social Anxiety Spotlight Effect
(01:14:29) Does Money Buy Happiness?
(01:17:52) Role Models And Reality
(01:24:29) Advice To Younger Self
(01:26:52) Closing Thoughts
Connect with Nick:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracks
Website: http://nickbracks.com
Email: contact@nickbracks.com
Connect with Donald:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donaldjrobertson/
Website: https://donaldrobertson.name/
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