The Rescuer Trap: Broicism Just Might Work (Until it Doesn't)

From The Stoic Question: Philosophy and Psychology by Donald J. Robertson

December 10, 2025 · 41 min

About this episode

This episode explores the concept of the rescuer trap and how Stoic philosophy can help individuals reclaim their autonomy.

This episode features guest hosts Dr. Scott Waltman and Kasey Pierce, authors of the forthcoming book The Rescuer Trap . Kasey asks Scott “Can the argument be made for the overachiever’s mindset?”; and reveals she used to be a spinning-wheels ‘bro’. Are you the fixer, the over-giver, the emotional first responder for everyone but yourself? Welcome to The Rescuer Trap . We playfully own the labels “Parentified and Codependent” to make a point: these are not identities, but learned behaviors. Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. And what can be learned can be unlearned. Hosts Dr. Scott Waltman and Kasey Pierce use Stoic philosophy and CBT to give you the tools to break the cycle and reclaim your autonomy. Your escape from the trap starts here. Based on the forthcoming book, The Rescuer Trap (New Harbinger). Thanks for reading Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life at donaldrobertson.substack.com/subscribe

People in this episode

Host: Donald J. Robertson

Guests: Dr. Scott Waltman, Kasey Pierce

Topics covered

overachiever mindset
codependency
Stoic philosophy
self-improvement
emotional health

Keywords

rescuer trap
Stoicism
codependency
self-help
emotional first responder

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New Harbinger, Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life

Books & works: The Rescuer Trap