The Rich Roll Podcast – Make It So: Sir Patrick Stewart On Surviving Trauma, Staying Engaged & Lessons From The Artist Life

Intro

In this episode of “The Rich Roll Podcast,” Sir Patrick Stewart joins Rich Roll to discuss his life, career, and the lessons he has learned along the way. From his humble beginnings to his experiences in the theater and his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek, Sir Patrick shares insights into surviving trauma, staying engaged, and the artist’s life. He also delves into topics such as UFOs, paranormal experiences, and his new memoir, “Making it So.”

Main Takeaways

Sir Patrick Stewart’s Childhood and Trauma

• Sir Patrick’s father’s military career and its impact on his upbringing
• The challenging relationship with his father and the effects of childhood trauma
• The role of therapy in healing and learning to talk about mental disturbances

Salvation in the Theater

• How Sir Patrick found a community and connection in the theater
• The transformative power of acting and becoming someone else on stage
• Lessons learned from playing challenging characters and the role of empathy

Sir Patrick Stewart and Captain Jean-Luc Picard

• The inspiration behind the character of Jean-Luc Picard and the exploration of a more complex side in the new series
• How personal experiences and struggles influenced Sir Patrick’s portrayal of the character
• The positive and hopeful vision of the future in Star Trek

Paranormal Experiences and Personal Lessons

• Sir Patrick’s encounters with paranormal activity in his homes
• Lessons learned from his experiences, including bravery, vulnerability, and forgiveness
• His advocacy for animal welfare and fostering dogs

Summary

Sir Patrick Stewart’s Childhood and Trauma

Sir Patrick Stewart opens up about his father’s military career and the impact it had on his upbringing. Despite his father’s achievements, he was absent for much of Sir Patrick’s childhood, leading to a challenging relationship. Sir Patrick’s father suffered from PTSD, which resulted in domestic violence and alcohol abuse. Witnessing his father’s abusive behavior towards his brother, Sir Patrick felt shame and blamed himself for not being able to change his home life. However, therapy played a crucial role in helping him heal and learn to talk about mental disturbances.

Salvation in the Theater

The theater became Sir Patrick’s refuge and a place where he found a sense of community and connection. Acting allowed him to forget about himself and become someone else, providing an escape from his personal struggles. He shares stories of his early roles and the transformative power of playing challenging characters. Sir Patrick emphasizes the importance of empathy and the lessons learned from immersing oneself in a role for extended periods of time.

Sir Patrick Stewart and Captain Jean-Luc Picard

Sir Patrick discusses his iconic role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek. He reveals that the character was inspired by his own father, who was a non-commissioned officer in the military. The new series, Picard, explores a more complex side of the character, delving into personal struggles and experiences. Sir Patrick reflects on the positive and hopeful vision of the future that Star Trek represents and how it continues to resonate with audiences.

Paranormal Experiences and Personal Lessons

Sir Patrick shares his encounters with paranormal activity in his homes, including footsteps, voices, and objects being thrown. These experiences have shaped his beliefs and sparked his interest in the supernatural. He also discusses his advocacy for animal welfare and his love for fostering dogs. Throughout his life, Sir Patrick has learned valuable lessons about bravery, vulnerability, and forgiveness. His experiences have taught him the importance of being open, sensitive to others, and leading by example.

Conclusion

From his childhood trauma to his successful career in the theater and on screen, Sir Patrick Stewart’s journey is filled with resilience, introspection, and personal growth. His willingness to share his experiences and lessons learned provides inspiration for others facing their own challenges. Whether through his acting, advocacy, or writing, Sir Patrick continues to make a profound impact on the world.