Stoic Coffee Break 355 - On Anger: Interview with Donald Robertson
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Nov 13, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Donald Robertson, a CBT therapist and author known for his expertise in Stoic philosophy, dives deep into the complexities of anger. He explores its role as a secondary emotion tied to fear and shame, and shares insights on how anger often disrupts rational thinking. Donald emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in identifying triggers and practicing acceptance to mitigate anger's compulsive nature. He also reveals how Stoic principles can aid in recognizing and addressing our responses to anger.
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Anger Is A Neglected, Treatable Problem
- Anger is often neglected in therapy and self-help despite being highly treatable in a short time.
- Angry people rarely self-refer and anger causes big interpersonal harm like broken relationships and prison entries.
Childhood Fear Became Protective Anger
- Eric describes childhood trauma where his father's random anger trained him to react with protective anger.
- He later discovered that fear was the core emotion driving his angry reactions in relationships.
Anger Often Masks A Deeper Emotion
- Anger commonly functions as a secondary emotion that responds to earlier feelings like fear or shame.
- That makes anger a coping strategy or ego-defense rather than a primary, standalone emotion.
