🎙️ EPISODE 59 — 4 Life-Changing Lessons Regret Is Trying to Teach You

Regret is painful, persistent… and essential.

In this episode of The Struggle, we break down 4 powerful lessons that regret offers us—if we’re willing to listen. Rooted in Stoic philosophy, evolutionary psychology, and modern emotional intelligence, this episode will change how you think about your past mistakes and missed opportunities.

You’ll learn:

🧠 Why your brain focuses on the negative (and how to use it to your advantage)

🔥 The Stoic mindset shift that makes regret a tool—not a trap

📜 How to face problems while they’re still small

❤️ A simple self-compassion exercise to reframe your biggest regrets

🪞 And why cringing at your past self might be the best sign you’re growing

Featuring quotes from Seneca, Epictetus, Mark Manson, and Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, this episode is a deep dive into how to turn regret into wisdom and use it as fuel for personal growth.

If you’ve ever thought “I wish I hadn’t…” — this one’s for you.

⸻

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🎵 Music

Conal Mooney - https://www.instagram.com/conalmooneyaudio?igsh=dGxqdThlNnNoNzh6

📚 References – Episode 59: 4 Life-Changing Lessons Regret Is Trying to Teach You

Books & Authors:

• Manson, Mark. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*. HarperOne, 2016.

Referenced for the quote: “If you don’t look back at your past self and cringe, you’re probably not growing.”

Philosophy & Psychology:

• Epictetus. Discourses and Selected Writings. Translated by Robert Dobbin, Penguin Classics, 2008.

Referenced for: “It is not events that disturb people, it is their judgements concerning them.”

• Seneca. Letters from a Stoic. Translated by Robin Campbell, Penguin Classics, 1969.

Referenced for: “He robs present ills of their power who has perceived their coming beforehand.”

Podcasts:

• Modern Wisdom Podcast – Episode with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee #887

Paraphrased insight: “We’re all doing the best we can with the limited information we had at the time.”

Online Tools:

• OpenAI ChatGPT (GPT-4, 2025)

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Personal Interpretation & Original Content:

• All personal stories, reflections, structure, and synthesis of ideas are original and created by Gregor Thomson for The Struggle podcast.

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