Courage, Control, and Psychological Safety on Submarines and in Life with Commander William C. Spears

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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Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.

Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it’s become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty—storyteller, survivor, wellness advocate—this channel shares powerful podcasts and soul-nurturing conversations on:

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