Episode Details

On Mind Over Masculinity, host Avik speaks with Commander William C. Spears—submarine warfare officer, former Executive Officer of a ballistic-missile submarine, and Pentagon leader—about Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy. We unpack courage versus surrender, how to stay steady under stress, building psychological safety in high-performance teams, and why journaling clarifies thinking. Spears explains Epictetus’ role ethics, coherence between our roles (parent, professional, citizen), and the discipline of acting “cool as a cucumber” in the moment—and processing emotions appropriately later. This is a direct playbook for making ethical decisions when no one’s watching, at sea or at work.

Note: As stated in the episode, Commander Spears speaks solely in his personal capacity. His views do not represent the U.S. Government or the U.S. Navy.

About the guest  :

Commander William C. Spears is a U.S. Navy submarine warfare officer and leadership writer. His book, Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy, translates ancient Stoic ethics for modern warfighters and leaders, focusing on prudence, courage, justice, and moderation under real-world pressure.

Key takeaways:

• Courage = prudence in what must be endured. Recklessness isn’t courage; wise endurance is.

• Surrender to reality, not responsibility. Control judgments and actions; accept what’s outside your control.

• Psychological safety increases performance. Professional, decent day-to-day interactions reduce cognitive load under stress.

• “Act now, feel later (appropriately).” In critical moments (a watch, a high-stakes meeting), stay composed; process emotions at the right time and place.

• Coherence across roles. Be a good human first; other roles (officer, parent, leader) should align with that higher role.

• Discipline prevents spiral. On deployment (or in any constraint), focus on the job at hand to avoid rumination and loss of control.

• Standards and kindness aren’t opposites. Professional consistency plus human decency builds trust and team power; hardness is situational, never habitual.

• Journaling is strategic hygiene. Writing exposes fuzzy “feelings-as-thoughts,” sharpens judgment, and accelerates learning.

• Daily debrief works. Ask: What was in my control? What did I choose? What did I learn? Who did I become?

• Leaders model language. Words matter; avoid cruelty, signal dignity, and enforce safety non-negotiables.

How to connect with the guest  

• Website: https://williamcspears.com/ 

• LinkedIn

• Book: Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy (available on major retailers)

• Commander Spears welcomes thoughtful reader messages via his site.

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