In this episode, I sit down with William C. Spears, a U.S. Navy submarine officer, philosopher, and author of Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy. We explore what it means to live with honor, integrity, and emotional control in a world that often rewards the opposite.

William shares how Stoicism applies beyond the battlefield, to leadership, parenting, and midlife purpose. We talk about morality, legacy, and the timeless pursuit of wisdom. This episode is a reminder that true strength is not about suppressing emotion but mastering it, and living in alignment with your values.

William's Details

Website: https://williamcspears.com/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1636246230

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/will.spears.18

Midlife Mavericks Community: https://www.skool.com/midlife-maverick/about?ref=13988353f9c0420e9b33e4ff258e3924

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Stoicism teaches emotional mastery, not suppression, wisdom over impulse.
• Morality, courage, justice, and self-control form the foundation of character.
• True integrity means your values align with your actions, even under pressure.
• Leadership and fatherhood require emotional awareness, not detachment.
• Legacy isn’t about titles or status, it’s about who you become and what you teach.
• Philosophical reflection and journaling help men align success with virtue.
• Physical health, sleep, and discipline are modern moral imperatives.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to William C. Spears

07:22 Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy

16:30 Navigating Chaos with Stoicism

22:15 Masculinity and Emotional Expression

29:12 Teaching Stoicism to Young Men

34:58 Recognizing the Signal from the Noise

42:09 The Challenges of Stoicism in Adversity

46:59 The Journey of Writing a Stoic Book

01:04:04 Defining Success and Future Aspirations

01:10:38 The Quest for Integrity in Midlife

01:11:08 Understanding Stoicism: A Path to Wholeness