The Rational Egoist

Dr. Cristina LePort Joins the Show to Discuss Objectivism, Writing, and Her Latest Book In this thought-provoking episode of The Rational Egoist, Dr. Cristina LePort joins Michael Liebowitz for a wide-ranging conversation on Objectivism, the art of writing, and how her passion for medicine and philosophy converge in her work as a novelist. Dr. LePort shares insights from her journey—from growing u...

A Cordial Debate About the Relative Evil of Left and Right – with Andrew Bernstein In this intellectually rich and passionate episode, Dr. Andrew Bernstein returns to The Rational Egoist to engage in a lively but respectful debate with host Michael Liebowitz on a provocative question: Who poses a greater threat to liberty—the Left or the Right? From the rise of authoritarian populism to the collec...

The Power of No – with Professor Alexander Puutio Rejection. Resistance. Roadblocks. We all face them—but how we respond to them can define the course of our lives and careers. In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by Professor Alexander Puutio, an author, leadership expert, and veteran of the United Nations and Boston Consulting Group, to explore the power of hearing...

New Episode: Pain, Crime, Struggle, and Redemption – with Michaelangelo Casanova In this powerful and deeply human episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael speaks with Michaelangelo Casanova—Entrepreneur, Life Coach, and Mentor—about his extraordinary journey through the darkest corners of life and into the light of self-ownership and personal growth. Michaelangelo opens up about his past involveme...

Discussing Frederic Bastiat – with Nikolai Wenzel In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by economist and classical liberal scholar Nikolai Wenzel for an in-depth discussion on the ideas and enduring legacy of Frédéric Bastiat. What makes Bastiat one of the clearest and most compelling defenders of liberty? Why is "The Law" still so relevant today? And how di...

Induction, Biology, and Being a Mother – with Meghann A. Ribbens, Ph. D. In this illuminating conversation, Michael sits down with Dr. Meghann A. Ribbens, molecular biologist and host of the YouTube show Inductive History of Biology. They explore how the scientific method of induction applies to biology, the historical development of key biological ideas, and how rational thinking shapes our under...

Capitalism and Communication – with Patrick Carroll What role does communication play in the fight for liberty? In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by libertarian opinion journalist Patrick Carroll to explore the intersection of ideas, persuasion, and individual rights. Patrick shares insights from his time as Managing Editor at the Foundation for Economic Education...

Professor Andrew Bernstein Interviews Michael Liebowitz on View from a Cage In this compelling episode of The Rational Egoist, the tables are turned as renowned Objectivist philosopher Dr. Andrew Bernstein interviews host Michael Liebowitz about his book View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Liberty. Michael opens up about his incredible journey from a 25-year prison sentence to becoming...

A Life of Purpose – with Jordan Grumet In this heartfelt and profound episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by physician, hospice director, and bestselling author Dr. Jordan Grumet for a moving discussion on what it means to live a life of purpose. From the sterile walls of hospital wards to the deeply human moments at the end of life, Dr. Grumet’s career in Internal Medicine...

Jim Valliant Breaks His Silence Concerning The Situation of Dr. Leonard Peikoff In this gripping and emotionally charged episode, Michael Liebowitz sits down with author and philosopher James Stevens Valliant, who publicly addresses—for the first time—the controversial developments surrounding Dr. Leonard Peikoff, heir to Ayn Rand’s intellectual legacy. With deep personal insight and philosophical...

The Role of Humor in The Good Life – with James Stevens Valliant What is the value of humor in a rational life? Is laughter just a luxury—or an essential expression of joy, perspective, and moral clarity? In this episode of The Rational Egoist, host Michael Liebowitz is joined by James Stevens Valliant, author, attorney, and lifelong Objectivist, for a rich exploration of the role humor plays in a...

In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Leibowitz sits down with renowned economist and historian Lawrence W. Reed to uncover the real causes and consequences of the Great Depression. Was it a failure of capitalism—or a failure of government? Drawing from decades of economic scholarship, Larry Reed dismantles the prevailing myths and reveals how misguided monetary policy, protectionism, an...

Liberty, Culture, Race, and More! – with Justin Williams In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz speaks with Justin Williams, a scholar whose academic journey includes Rutgers, Princeton, and Rider University. With a strong foundation in classical liberal thought, Williams brings thoughtful insight to a wide-ranging conversation covering liberty, culture, race, education, and the...

A Fascinating Discussion About AI – with Jonathan MacDonald In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by Jonathan MacDonald, one of the world’s most sought-after strategic thinkers and change-makers, for a wide-ranging conversation about artificial intelligence. Together, they explore the ethical, philosophical, and technological implications of AI—its potential to empowe...

Authenticity – with Dr. Susanne Babbel In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz speaks with Dr. Susanne Babbel, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in trauma and the author of Heal the Body, Heal the Mind. Together, they explore the concept of authenticity—what it truly means to live authentically, how trauma can disrupt that connection, and how individuals can r...

Discussing Psychopathy – with Dr. Donald Lynam In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by Dr. Donald Lynam, a distinguished professor of clinical psychology at Purdue University and director of the Developmental Psychopathology, Psychopathy, and Personality Lab. Dr. Lynam offers a deep dive into the science of psychopathy—what it is, how it develops, and how it differs...

Culture, Hip Hop, the War on Drugs, and More – with Touré In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by Touré—acclaimed writer, music journalist, cultural critic, and television personality—for a wide-ranging conversation on culture, hip hop, and the impact of the War on Drugs. Drawing from his decades of experience in media and music commentary, Touré reflects on the cult...

The Myth of Personal Maintenance – with Kyle Emanuel Fuller In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz speaks with transformational coach and speaker Kyle Emanuel Fuller, author of the forthcoming book Total Self Trust. Together, they challenge the modern concept of “personal maintenance,” exploring why treating personal growth like a chore or checklist can actually limit transforma...

The Nature of Logic – A Conversation with James Stevens Valliant In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz and James Stevens Valliant dive deep into the nature and role of logic in human life. They explore what logic is, why it’s essential for thinking and communication, and how it serves as the foundation for objective knowledge. From identifying contradictions to examining common...

Analyzing the Dave Smith / Alex Nowrasteh Debate on Immigration – with Sheldon Richman In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by Sheldon Richman to analyze and unpack the high-profile immigration debate between libertarian comedian Dave Smith and immigration policy expert Alex Nowrasteh. Richman—executive editor at The Libertarian Institute and former senior editor at...

Reviewing Tombstone – with Andrew Bernstein In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by Objectivist philosopher and novelist Andrew Bernstein to review the iconic Western film Tombstone. They explore the movie’s themes of justice, courage, moral clarity, and individualism, examining how the characters reflect—or contradict—philosophical ideals. With Bernstein’s passion f...

Talk Radio, Resilience, and Personal Struggle – A Conversation with Todd Feinburg In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by veteran talk show host Todd Feinburg, whose voice has been heard across various markets, most recently on WTIC 1080AM in Connecticut. Together, they discuss the power of resilience in the face of personal struggle, the evolution of talk radio, and...

Embracing Change – with Dr. Patrick McElwaine Description: In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz speaks with Dr. Patrick McElwaine, a licensed clinical psychologist, Beck Institute CBT Certified Clinician, and associate professor at Holy Family University. Together, they explore the psychology of change—why it’s difficult, how to navigate it effectively, and how cognitive-behav...

Understanding Marxism – with Phil Magness In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by economic historian Phil Magness for an in-depth look at the origins, evolution, and enduring influence of Marxism. Magness, whose research spans the intersection of history and political economy, explores Karl Marx’s key ideas, their impact on economic thought and political movements, a...

Truth, Misinformation, and Conspiracy Theories – with Dr. Joe Pierre In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by Dr. Joe Pierre—a psychiatrist, author, speaker, and forensic consultant—for a compelling discussion on the psychology behind misinformation and conspiracy theories. Dr. Pierre explores why people believe in false narratives, how social and cognitive biases inf...