The Rational Egoist

In this episode Michael critiques two articles written by Dr. Peikoff, one in 1997, the other in 2001. https://peikoff.com/essays_and_articl... https://newideal.aynrand.org/end-stat... About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational EgoistMichael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist podcast, a philosopher, author, and political activist committed to the principles of reason, individualism,...

In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by Robert Taibbi, LCSW—an experienced clinician, supervisor, and clinical director with nearly 50 years of practice. Taibbi shares insights from his extensive career and discusses the psychological mechanisms behind approval seeking, and how we can break patterns that no longer serve us. Drawing from his books, including The Thera...

This is a great, precise debate about the morality of the war in Iran, and is conducted by two men who share many of the same views. James Stevens Valliant is a philosopher, historian, and retired prosecutor. He is also author of The Passion of Ayn Rand's Critics, and Creating Christ. About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational EgoistMichael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist podc...

I discuss my disagreements with Ayn Rand. About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational EgoistMichael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist podcast, a philosopher, author, and political activist committed to the principles of reason, individualism, and rational self-interest. Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, Michael uses his platform to challenge cultural dogma, expose mora...

The Rational Egoist is back with another instalment in the self-improvement series built around Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand (OPAR).This week, host Michael Liebowitz is joined again by James Valliant to focus on the virtue of independence. A practical takeaway: how to translate abstract principles into day-to-day clarity and momentumExpect a direct, grounded discussion aimed at one thin...

Mark Shupe joins Michael Liebowitz on The Rational Egoist to discuss the principles of applied capitalism through the lens of Objectivism. Mark is an Objectivist, an author, and an investor who has developed a unique approach to wealth-building for everyday people. His work focuses on empowering the middle class to think rationally about money and investment strategies rather than chasing trends o...

#Capitalism#philosophy#culture#economics#freedomOn this episode Michael is joined by Persephone to discuss topics from South African culture to Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism. Persephone is the producer of The Capitalist Corner, and she is cohost, with Michael, of Everyday Ethics. About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational Egoist Michael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist p...

#freedom#immigration #libertarians#politics#currentevents Sheldon Richman joins the show for a lively and informative discussion about how freedom lovers should view immigration. Sheldon Richman is a lifelong advocate of liberty, reason, and justice. A father and grandfather, he brings both moral seriousness and lived experience to political philosophy. In this discussion, Michael and Sheldon expl...

James Valliant is a retired prosecutor, a philosopher and the author of two books, Creating Christ, and the Passion of Ayn Rand's Critics. #reason#ethics#aynrand

On this special episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael shares an episode from another one of his podcasts, Everyday Ethics.

The Rational Egoist is back with another instalment in the self-improvement series built around Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand (OPAR). This week, host Michael Liebowitz is joined again by James Valliant to focus on the chapter “Man.” What is man, fundamentally—and what follows from that for how you should live? If you’ve ever felt pulled between what you know you should do and what you fe...

Reason: The Choice That Makes Self-Improvement Possible (OPAR Series) In this episode of The Rational Egoist, James Valliant and Michael Liebowitz continue their OPAR-based series on self-improvement by tackling the chapter on Reason—the faculty that makes every other virtue possible. They explore what it means to treat reason as a practice rather than a slogan: choosing to think when it’s inconve...

Political Tribalism with Lauren Hall Political scientist Lauren Hall joins Michael Liebowitz for a wide-ranging discussion on political tribalism—how identity, loyalty, and moral signalling have displaced judgment, moderation, and principled disagreement in modern politics. Lauren Hall brings a rare combination of scholarly depth and cultural clarity to the conversation. Drawing on the classical l...

In this episode of The Rational Egoist , Michael Liebowitz is joined by Gene Epstein , one of the most articulate and consistent defenders of free markets in modern economic journalism. Gene Epstein served as economics editor of Barron's from 1993 to 2018, where his long-running Economic Beat column became required reading for anyone serious about understanding macroeconomics beyond slogans and po...

Francesca Flavia Mormanni Joins the Show — Music, Writing, Finance, and the Creative Life FF. Mormanni joins The Rational Egoist for a wide-ranging conversation that cuts across art, intellect, and independence. Known professionally as F. F. Mormanni (also Francesca Mormanni), Francesca is a novelist, screenwriter, musician, producer, and actress whose work reflects a serious engagement with creat...

In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz speaks with Dr. Knut M. Wittkowski, a biostatistician and epidemiologist whose career has been grounded in data analysis, population-level disease dynamics, and research design. Dr. Wittkowski approaches the COVID pandemic not from politics or media narratives, but from statistical evidence and historical epidemiology. Drawing on decades of...

Jim Valliant and Michael Liebowitz continue their ongoing series using OPAR as a practical guide to self-improvement. In this episode, they turn to one of the most demanding—and most liberating—virtues: Objectivity. Drawing from OPAR (Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand), Jim and Michael examine what objectivity actually requires in daily life. Not neutrality. Not emotional detachment. But an...

Holden Mitrione Interviews Michael — A Wide-Ranging Conversation on Ideas, Economics, and Culture In this episode of The Rational Egoist , Holden Mitrione sits on the other side of the microphone to interview Michael Liebowitz in a free-flowing discussion that moves comfortably across philosophy, economics, culture, and the habits of thinking that shape a person’s life. Holden, an undergraduate ma...

Larry Sharpe Joins The Rational Egoist to Discuss His Candidacy for Governor of New York In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by Larry Sharpe, a prominent libertarian voice and two-time candidate for Governor of New York. Sharpe brings a grounded, reality-based perspective to politics—one that treats individuals as adults capable of managing their own lives rather th...

Sheldon Richman Joins Michael Liebowitz for a Candid Discussion on Liberty, Justice, and Political Philosophy In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz sits down with Sheldon Richman for a thoughtful and principled conversation about where their political views converge—and where they part ways. Sheldon Richman is a lifelong advocate of liberty, reason, and justice. A father and gr...

The life and legacy of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt with David Beito In this episode, the conversation cuts through the mythology surrounding FDR and examines the man, his ideas, and the political transformation he presided over. Rather than treating Roosevelt as a sacred figure of history, this discussion looks directly at the consequences of his policies, the expansion of executive power,...

The Role of Concept Formation in Self-Improvement In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz sits down with philosopher and author James Valliant for a rigorous conversation on one of the most underestimated aspects of personal growth: concept formation. Self-improvement is often treated as a matter of habits, motivation, or mindset. But beneath all of that lies something more funda...

Michaelangelo Casanova Joins The Rational Egoist for a Powerful Conversation on Entrepreneurship On this episode, Michael Liebowitz is joined by Michaelangelo Casanova for a rich, energising discussion about what it truly means to build a life—and a business—through deliberate action and uncompromising personal agency. Michaelangelo Casanova is an entrepreneur and life coach who has dedicated his...

In this compelling episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz sits down once again with author, prosecutor, and philosopher James Stevens Valliant to tackle a recurring confusion in libertarian circles: the attempt to merge individual-rights philosophy with anarchism — a fusion often labelled “anarcho-Objectivism.” Michael and James examine why this hybrid collapses on its own premises. The...

Catherine Dickerson on the Benevolence of Reason In this episode, Michael sits down with Catherine Dickerson for a deeply grounded conversation about what it means to live in a universe where reason is your ally, not your adversary. Drawing from 35 years of experience in education and psychotherapy—and her time as personal assistant to Dr Leonard Peikoff—Catherine brings a rare combination of phil...