The Rescuer Trap

The Giving Tree: A Therapist Reacts

In this mini-sode of The Rescuer Trap, host Scott Waltman PsyD ABPP [https://substack.com/profile/26886120-scott-waltman-psyd-abpp] provides a therapist’s perspective on the beloved children’s story The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. While he once viewed the story as a touching tale of selfless love, revisiting it as an adult and a mental health professional leads him to a much more somber conclusion. Scott explores several key themes such as overextending and losing oneself in the process of caring for others. Other themes include the dangers of codependent behavior and unsustainable sacrifice—together creating the illusion of happiness. Listen everywhere! For episodes 1-12, visit Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life [https://open.substack.com/pub/donaldrobertson], Spotify, or iTunes. 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. 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). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaseypierce.substack.com [https://kaseypierce.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Step Away from The Slot Machine: Behavioral Extinction

The payout ain’t happenin’ anymore, friend. Step away before you go broke. In this episode, Kasey and Scott Waltman PsyD ABPP [https://substack.com/profile/26886120-scott-waltman-psyd-abpp] explore what happens when we stop treating everything like an emotional emergency and feed the behavior that maintains the other person's helpless behavior. Here is the Behavioral Extinction chart for reference: (notice how it does end, eh?) Listen everywhere! For episodes 1-12, visit Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life [https://open.substack.com/pub/donaldrobertson], Spotify, or iTunes. 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. 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). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaseypierce.substack.com [https://kaseypierce.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Acceptance vs. Resignation: Auditing Your Circle of Influence

In this 5-minute riff, Kasey Pierce breaks down the Dichotomy of Control. She explains that true stability doesn’t come from managing other people’s emotions, but from a “graceful acceptance” of what we cannot change. * Acceptance vs. Resignation: Acceptance is about stripping away delusions of power rather than just giving up. * The Circle of Influence: A mental exercise to separate outer circle concerns (others’ opinions, the past) from inner circle responsibilities (our boundaries and responses). * Amor Fati: Reframing difficult situations as the exact friction needed to practice patience and boundaries. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaseypierce.substack.com [https://kaseypierce.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ozempic, OCD, and Why I Didn’t Kick That Guy Down the Stairs

Happy New Year! We’re kicking off 2026 with a look at the Ozempic craze before diving into the dark, intrusive thoughts we all secretly have… like the sudden urge to “Sparta kick” someone down a flight of stairs. In this episode, Kasey wonders if being a Rescuer is just a socially acceptable form of OCD. Enter Scott Waltman, PsyD, ABPP, to her rescue! (Again.) He helps us distinguish between the internal rituals of OCD and the outward-facing “Rescue Trap,” where we try to fix our own internal chaos by obsessively managing the moods of our partners and family. Listen everywhere! For episodes 1-12, visit the Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life Substack, Spotify, or iTunes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kaseypierce.substack.com [https://kaseypierce.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]