Episode 33: “Dare to Be Wise: Stoicism, Psychology, and the Practice of Flourishing Leadership” with Donald Robertson

What if the greatest leadership challenge of our time isn’t a lack of information — but a lack of wisdom?

In this rich and wide-ranging episode of the Flourishing Leaders Podcast, Dr. Scott Parsons and Jason Viyar sit down with Donald Robertson — philosopher, former cognitive-behavioural psychotherapist, and one of the world’s leading interpreters of Stoic philosophy — to explore how ancient wisdom and modern psychology converge to support resilient, ethical, and flourishing leadership.

Drawing on Stoicism, CBT, and decades of clinical and philosophical practice, Donald challenges popular self-help culture and invites leaders to move from endless knowledge consumption toward disciplined application, reflection, and moral clarity.

Together, they explore:

• What a flourishing leader truly is — and why wisdom is the foundation of flourishing
• How Stoic philosophy shaped modern cognitive-behavioural therapy
• Why much self-help fails at application, not insight
• Stoic practices for staying calm, ethical, and effective under pressure
• Prosoche (Stoic mindfulness) as a continuous leadership discipline
• Why leaders must courageously face feared outcomes rather than avoid them
• What Socrates teaches about humility, listening, and intellectual courage
• How Marcus Aurelius navigated plague, polarization, and power — and what modern leaders can learn from him
• Why “Dare to Be Wise” remains a radical call in an age of distraction and rhetoric

This episode is a masterclass in philosophy as a way of life — offering leaders a path toward clarity, courage, and character in turbulent times.

Whether you lead teams, organizations, families, or communities, this conversation will challenge you to rethink success, reclaim wisdom, and practice leadership from the inside out.

Learn more about the important work of Plato’s Academy Centre, a non-profit in the heart of Athens, by visiting the website. 

Subscribe to Donald Robertson’s Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life Newsletter by going here. 

You can get Donald’s incredible books anywhere you get books. 

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Hosted by Dr. Scott Parsons, this podcast explores how character, virtue, wisdom, and purpose can shape a more flourishing life and leadership journey.

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