Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life Podcast The Rescuer Trap: Fate Willing, I'll Get Back to You
Dec 3, 2025
Discover the hidden costs of people-pleasing as the hosts dive into how it sabotages your effectiveness. They explore the guilt of disappointing others and the pressure of unrealistic inbox expectations. Learn to reclaim your autonomy with Stoic principles and CBT tools, including how to say no without feeling selfish. The discussion highlights the health implications of chronic people-pleasing and explores the dynamics between empaths and narcissists. Embrace discomfort to reshape your priorities and allow space for personal flourishing!
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Inbox Pressure Is Manufactured
- Email creates unrealistic pressure to be constantly responsive and fuels guilt that evolution didn't prepare us for.
- Dr. Scott Waltman says prioritize and accept that many emails are impulsive and not urgent.
Bill Murray's Radical Availability
- Dr. Scott Waltman tells Bill Murray's communication system: an answering machine he may or may not check.
- The example models selective availability and 'if he gets it, he gets it' boundaries.
Say No, Ride Out The Guilt
- Do say no and tolerate the initial guilt to extinguish conditioned people-pleasing responses.
- Dr. Scott Waltman recommends exposure: feel bad briefly and stick to your boundary until it fades.
