EPISODE · Oct 24, 2025 · 27 MIN
Ep 14: Psychopaths, Sociopaths, “Anxiety Immunity,” and the Stoic Gap
from The Deanxious Podcast: Ideas For Navigating Life For The Anxious Generation · host Wayne Harrel
Are some people truly immune to anxiety? In this episode, Wayne dives into what research suggests about psychopaths vs. sociopaths, why certain personalities show a low fear response, and how that can look like anxiety immunity (spoiler: nobody’s truly immune). Wayne unpacks myths around antisocial personality traits, moral decision-making, and what “fearlessness” really means for everyday life, relationships, and risk. Wayne also explores Stoicism done right vs. done wrong—and why male-dominated Stoic spaces historically lacking women is a problem. Fewer women in Stoic circles can shrink empathy, reduce perspective-taking, and turn “calm” into emotional avoidance. Wayne argues that more inclusive Stoicism is not only fair - it’s smarter, leading to better decisions, richer dialogue, and healthier resilience. What you’ll learn with Wayne: Psychopath vs. sociopath: Why Anxiety Immunity Is Abnormal Why some people seem anxiety-proof The upside and downside of fearlessness Stoicism: resilience vs. repression—and why more women’s voices matter. What we are doing to change that. Practical ways to build calm that don’t numb your humanity Want tools that actually help? QuickCalm app guides real-world exposure, urge-surfing, and worry-time—so you can practice calm, not just talk about it. Check it out at https://app.quickcalm.app Buy my book: How To Beat Health Anxiety: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVN8QWTK For deeper coaching, community, and weekly reviews with Wayne’s playbooks, upgrade to Deanxious Pro at Deanxious.com Educational content only; not medical advice. If you’re in crisis or concerned about safety, seek professional help immediately.
What this episode covers
Are some people truly immune to anxiety? In this episode, Wayne dives into what research suggests about psychopaths vs. sociopaths, why certain personalities show a low fear response, and how that can look like anxiety immunity (spoiler: nobody’s truly immune). Wayne unpacks myths around antisocial personality traits, moral decision-making, and what “fearlessness” really means for everyday life, relationships, and risk. Wayne also explores Stoicism done right vs. done wrong—and why male-dominated Stoic spaces historically lacking women is a problem. Fewer women in Stoic circles can shrink empathy, reduce perspective-taking, and turn “calm” into emotional avoidance. Wayne argues that more inclusive Stoicism is not only fair - it’s smarter, leading to better decisions, richer dialogue, and healthier resilience. What you’ll learn with Wayne: Psychopath vs. sociopath: Why Anxiety Immunity Is Abnormal Why some people seem anxiety-proof The upside and downside of fearlessness Stoicism: resilience vs. repression—and why more women’s voices matter. What we are doing to change that. Practical ways to build calm that don’t numb your humanity Want tools that actually help? QuickCalm app guides real-world exposure, urge-surfing, and worry-time—so you can practice calm, not just talk about it. Check it out at https://app.quickcalm.app Buy my book: How To Beat Health Anxiety: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVN8QWTK For deeper coaching, community, and weekly reviews with Wayne’s playbooks, upgrade to Deanxious Pro at Deanxious.com Educational content only; not medical advice. If you’re in crisis or concerned about safety, seek professional help immediately.
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Ep 14: Psychopaths, Sociopaths, “Anxiety Immunity,” and the Stoic Gap
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