{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2Fc1365efd-8512-4a73-86c8-ae4eb15acdf8","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"Courage, Control, and Psychological Safety on Submarines and in Life with Commander William C. Spears","description":"On Mind Over Masculinity, host Avik speaks with Commander William C. Spears\u2014submarine warfare officer, former Executive Officer of a ballistic-missile submarine, and Pentagon leader\u2014about Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy. We unpack courage versus surrender, how to stay steady under stress, building psychological safety in high-performance teams, and why journaling clarifies thinking. Spears explains Epictetus\u2019 role ethics, coherence between our roles (parent, professional, citizen), and the discipline of acting \u201ccool as a cucumber\u201d in the moment\u2014and processing emotions appropriately later. This is a direct playbook for making ethical decisions when no one\u2019s watching, at sea or at work.\nNote: As stated in the episode, Commander Spears speaks solely in his personal capacity. His views do not represent the U.S. Government or the U.S. Navy.\nAbout the guest\u00a0\u00a0:\nCommander William C. Spears is a U.S. Navy submarine warfare officer and leadership writer. His book, Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy, translates ancient Stoic ethics for modern warfighters and leaders, focusing on prudence, courage, justice, and moderation under real-world pressure.\nKey takeaways:\n\n\nCourage = prudence in what must be endured. Recklessness isn\u2019t courage; wise endurance is.\n\n\nSurrender to reality, not responsibility. Control judgments and actions; accept what\u2019s outside your control.\n\n\nPsychological safety increases performance. Professional, decent day-to-day interactions reduce cognitive load under stress.\n\n\n\u201cAct now, feel later (appropriately).\u201d In critical moments (a watch, a high-stakes meeting), stay composed; process emotions at the right time and place.\n\n\nCoherence across roles. Be a good human first; other roles (officer, parent, leader) should align with that higher role.\n\n\nDiscipline prevents spiral. On deployment (or in any constraint), focus on the job at hand to avoid rumination and loss of control.\n\n\nStandards and kindness aren\u2019t opposites. Professional consistency plus human decency builds trust and team power; hardness is situational, never habitual.\n\n\nJournaling is strategic hygiene. Writing exposes fuzzy \u201cfeelings-as-thoughts,\u201d sharpens judgment, and accelerates learning.\n\n\nDaily debrief works. Ask: What was in my control? What did I choose? What did I learn? Who did I become?\n\n\nLeaders model language. Words matter; avoid cruelty, signal dignity, and enforce safety non-negotiables.\n\n\nHow to connect with the guest\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\nWebsite: https://williamcspears.com/\u00a0\n\n\nLinkedIn\n\n\nBook: Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy (available on major retailers)\n\n\nCommander Spears welcomes thoughtful reader messages via his site.\n\n\nWant to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch\n\n\nDM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik\n\n\nDisclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik\u2122\ufe0f. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.\nHealthy Mind By Avik\u2122\ufe0f is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it\u2019s become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty\u2014storyteller, survivor, wellness advocate\u2014this channel shares powerful podcasts and soul-nurturing conversations on:\n\u2022 Mental Health & Emotional Well-being\u2022 Mindfulness & Spiritual Growth\u2022 Holistic Healing & Conscious Living\u2022 Trauma Recovery & Self-Empowerment\nWith over 4,400+ episodes and 168.4K+ global listeners, join us as we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters.\n\ud83d\udc49 Subscribe and be part of this healing journey","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/75d1fd94-b981-4db9-8d2c-62e0cb4bc74a/lixfg9y8bkdk92vanxdi7hauq6o2.jpg"}