Meet Our Speakers: The Philosophy and Psychology of Anger

A Virtual Event on Saturday, March 22

Anger is a universal emotion, but how can we understand and manage it in healthier ways?

In today’s fast-paced and often stressful world, anger can feel like an inevitable response to the challenges we face. Yet, ancient wisdom and modern psychological therapies offer powerful tools to help us navigate this complex emotion. From the ancient teachings of Plutarch to the evidence-based techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), there is a wealth of knowledge available to help us understand and manage anger in healthier ways.

These approaches remind us that anger, while a natural emotion, can be transformed into an opportunity for growth, resilience, and self-awareness. By integrating timeless philosophical insights with contemporary therapeutic practices, we can learn to respond to anger-provoking situations with greater clarity and emotional balance.

On Saturday, March 22, from 12-4 PM EST, join us for a virtual event exploring *The Philosophy and Psychology of Anger*. This unique gathering brings together leading experts in philosophy, psychology, and ancient wisdom to share insights, tools, and strategies for transforming anger into growth and resilience.

Meet our speakers!

Jeff Perron, From Rage to Sage: Exploring Schema Therapy's Angry Child Mode

Jeff Perron, a Clinical Psychologist at the Ottawa Institute for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and author of the popular Substack newsletter The Psychology of Happiness, will delve into Schema Therapy's approach to anger. His talk will explore the "Angry Child Mode," offering practical strategies to heal emotional wounds and transform rage into wisdom.

Walter J. Matweychuk, Ph.D, Overcoming Unhealthy Anger with Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Walter J. Matweychuk, a practicing psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania Health System and adjunct professor at NYU, will discuss how Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) can help individuals overcome unhealthy anger. Drawing from his book Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy: A Newcomer's Guide, he’ll share tools to challenge irrational beliefs and cultivate emotional resilience.

Andy Small, Stoicism in Prisons

Andy Small, a Senior Officer in the HM Prison Service and Stoic philosophy teacher, will share his groundbreaking work bringing Stoicism into prisons. His 16-session Stoic course, now operational in 13 prisons, demonstrates how ancient philosophy can help individuals in even the most challenging circumstances manage anger and build resilience.

Prof. Nancy Sherman, Aristotle and Anger

Nancy Sherman, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University and author of Stoic Wisdom: Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience, will explore Aristotle’s teachings on anger. Her talk will illuminate how Aristotle’s insights can guide us toward lasting happiness and emotional balance.

Dr. Gregory Sadler, Early Christian Thinkers on Anger

Dr. Gregory Sadler, a teacher of philosophy and producer of accessible philosophical resources, will examine how early Christian thinkers approached anger. His talk will offer a historical perspective on managing this powerful emotion through philosophical and spiritual reflection.

Dr. Paul Geiger, ACT, Third-Wave CBT and Anger

Dr. Paul Geiger is a licensed clinical psychologist and expert in third-wave cognitive behavioral therapies, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other mindfulness-based interventions. His research focuses on transdiagnostic emotion dysregulation, with nearly 30 peer-reviewed publications that have advanced the field. In his talk, he will explore how mindfulness-based interventions can help individuals manage anger more effectively and improve overall emotional well-being.

Michael Barr, ‘I Was Born Angry’: A Qualitative Study Into What Practicing Stoics Say About Anger

Michael Barr, Professor in Philosophy as a Way of Life at Newcastle University, will present findings from his groundbreaking qualitative study on the contemporary Stoic movement. His talk will shed light on how modern Stoics are applying ancient wisdom to manage anger in today’s world.

Lalya Lloyd, Plutarch on Anger

Lalya Lloyd, a classicist and translator based in Athens, will explore Plutarch’s insights on anger. Her upcoming translation of Seneca and Plutarch’s essays on happiness, How to Overcome Anxiety, will be published by Princeton University Press next year.

Tim LeBon, Seneca on Anger

Tim LeBon, a pioneer in philosophical counselling and senior CBT therapist in the NHS, will explore Seneca’s timeless wisdom on anger. Drawing from his books Wise Therapy and 365 Ways to Be More Stoic, he’ll share practical strategies for managing anger through Stoic principles.

Donald Robertson, Marcus Aurelius on Anger

Donald Robertson, author of How to Think Like Socrates, will discuss Marcus Aurelius’s teachings on anger. His talk will blend ancient Stoic philosophy with modern psychology to offer tools for emotional resilience.

Scott Waltman, PsyD, ABPP, Beck’s Cognitive Therapy of Anger

Scott Waltman, president-elect of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies and co-author of The Stoicism Workbook, will explore Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Therapy approach to anger. His talk will provide evidence-based strategies for transforming anger into constructive action.

Ray DiGiuseppe, Evidence-Based Therapy for Anger

Ray DiGiuseppe, a psychology professor at St. John's University and director at the Albert Ellis Institute, will share his expertise in anger disorders and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. His talk will highlight evidence-based techniques for managing anger effectively.

Anya Leonard, The Fury Within: Anger in Ancient Greek and Roman Mythology

Anya Leonard, Founder and Director of Classical Wisdom and author of Sappho: The Lost Poetess, will explore how anger is depicted in Greek mythology. Her talk will draw fascinating parallels between ancient myths and modern emotional struggles.

Roundtable discussion feat. Prof Joel Owen, Dr. Gregory Sadler, and Donald Robertson

Prof. Owen, an Associate Professor in Evidence-Based Psychological Therapies at the University of East Anglia, will bring his expertise in wellbeing and resilience to the conversation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from leading thinkers and transform the way you approach anger. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 22, 12-4 PM EDT, and join us for an enlightening and empowering discussion.

As we navigate the complexities of modern life, the fusion of ancient wisdom and modern therapies like CBT and REBT provides a roadmap for managing anger constructively. By understanding the roots of our anger and applying practical strategies from both philosophical traditions and psychological science, we can cultivate emotional resilience and turn moments of frustration into opportunities for personal growth. This event is a chance to explore these transformative ideas and equip yourself with tools to thrive in even the most anger-provoking times.

Join us to discover how the past and present can guide us toward a calmer, more balanced future.