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Ayn Rand
Intellectual Property
Property Rights
Rights
Intellectual Property Rights
Kamala Harris
Libertarianism
Objectivism
Political Polarization
Philosophy
Western Civilization
Individual Rights
Entrepreneurship
Hair Braiding
Natural Rights
Pluralist Lab
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The Rational Egoist podcast aims to explore the philosophy of rational egoism and how it can be applied in our daily lives. Hosted by Michael Liebowitz and produced by Xenia Ioannou with experts in the field of philosophy, psychology, and economics, the podcast will provide listeners with a wealth of knowledge and insight into the benefits of rational egoism. Copyright of all audio, printed materi... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes391Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePhilosophy

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Artwork for The Rational Egoist

Latest Episodes

Dr. Sotirakopoulos teaches about Marx, the communist movement, and the New Left—drawing on both his academic expertise and personal experience to expose the errors of collectivist ideology.He formerly worked at ARI, and prior to that Nikos spent more... more

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 explore the necessary role an eth... more

YouTube

The Rational Egoist is back with another installment 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 integrityA p... more

YouTube

In this episode of The Rational Egoist, host Michael Liebowitz welcomes philosopher and novelist Andrew Bernstein to discuss the novel, "Wuthering Heights." Bernstein, well-known for his works on Objectivist philosophy and his powerful fiction, joins... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Nikos Sotirakopoulos
Scholar who teaches about Marx, the Communist Movement, the New Left; former at Ayn Rand Institute
York St John University; UK universities; commentator
Episode: The Strategies, Tactics, and Importance of Intellectual Activism-with Nikos Sotirakopoulos
Radical Capitalist
Guest discussing/defending egoistic rights theory
Self-identified Radical Capitalist
Episode: Discussing and Debating Individual Rights with the Radical Capitalist
George S. Everly Jr.
Ph.D., ABPP, FAPA, FAPM; professor Emeritus/Senior Faculty at Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Episode: Overcoming Common Fears-with George S. Everly
Bob Taibbi
Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 50 years of clinical experience, author of 13 books and 300+ articles
Fixing Families (psychology today blog); bobtaibbi.com
Episode: Approval Seekers, wit Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W.
Jim Valiant
Guest debater on the proposition
(not specified)
Episode: James Valliant Debates Michael Concerning the Morality of the War with Iran
James Valliant
Philosopher and author, exploring Objectivism and its implications
Episode: Morality as the Essence of Self-help-with James Valliant
Lauren Hall
Professor of Political Science and Author
Rochester Institute of Technology
Episode: Political Tribalism with Lauren Hall
Francesca Mormanni
A musician, author, and finance professional known for her diverse artistic abilities and background in objectivism.
Episode: Francesca Flavia Mormanni Joins the Show — Music, Writing, Finance, and the Creative Life
Knut M. Wittkowski
Epidemiologist with vast experience in infectious diseases and former postdoctoral scientist at CDC.
Rockefeller University
Episode: Knut M. Wittkowski Joins the Show to Discuss His Views on the COVID Pandemic

Hosts

Michael Liebowitz
Host with a focus on rational egoism, philosophy, and economics; appears across many episodes; acts as principal moderator and interviewer.
James Stephens Valliant
Philosopher and frequent guest who engages in Objectivist-oriented debates and self-help philosophy.
Lauren Hall
Professor of Political Science and author; discusses political tribalism and related topics.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 21 ratings
  • Really pleasant libertarian podcast

    Libertarian podcasts often sound like crazy people who just haven’t moved byeond knee-jerk hatred of the state. This podcast aint that. Its a good exploration of the deeper foundations of the best versions of all brands of classical liberalism

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    vincentgeloso
    Canadaa year ago
  • Beyond outstanding

    First ever review! I applaud you. I cheer you. And I encourage you to continue as hard and as fast as you can go. Keep up the unbelievable work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dan the man2135
    United States3 years ago
  • Sebastian

    Very insightful and thought provoking.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Plumeriact
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A libertarian-leaning show that thoughtfully explores foundational ideas without dogma.
The content is approachable yet intellectually challenging, attracting thoughtful feedback and curiosity.
Listeners praise rigorous debates and practical applications of philosophy.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Discussing and Debating Individual Rights with the Radical Capitalist
Q: How do rights arise if not from government, and why are they necessary in a social context?
Rights arise as a moral sanction that protects an individual's freedom of action, justified by the moral theory of egoism and the standards of valuing one's life; in a social context they become the framework that enables individuals to interact without infringing on others' property or life.
Overcoming Common Fears-with George S. Everly
Q: What can I do to overcome these fears practically?
Two-pronged approach: use self-talk grounded in Stoic ideas (how you interpret events) and employ distraction or thought substitution to break the spiral, followed by actionable statements you say to yourself and real-life courage-building actions, like doing the thing you fear in a small, incremental way.
Approval Seekers, wit Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W.
Q: What practical steps help someone reduce their need for approval?
Identify the ideal life without external constraints, articulate what you want, acknowledge fears, practice assertiveness, and use tools like worst-case planning and deliberate self-talk to regain control and independence.
Approval Seekers, wit Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W.
Q: How does early family dynamics shape this need for approval later in life?
Children in chaotic or punitive environments learn to walk on eggshells and become hypervigilant; they adapt to please others as a way to survive, and this pattern often generalized into adult relationships, work, and self-perception.
Approval Seekers, wit Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W.
Q: To begin, what do you mean by approval in this context?
Approval refers to kudos, appreciation, recognition—anything seen as positive about what you do. Many people organize their lives around the motto 'I'm happy if you're happy,' which keeps them responsive to others rather than acting for themselves.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Rational Egoist

What is The Rational Egoist about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on rational egoism, philosophy, and practical applications of rational self-interest across personal, political, and economic topics. Episodes commonly feature debates around Objectivist themes, critiques of conventional thinking, and discussions of capitalism, rights, and civil society, often with guests who challenge or illuminate these ideas. Notable strengths include rigorous argumentation, clear breakdowns of philosophical concepts, and a willingness to reassess well-known figures (e.g., Leonard Peikoff, Adam Smith) through a rational-lens. The format tends toward structured debates, expert insights, and real-life case discussions, making it a strong pick for listeners who enjoy principled, unapologetic exploration of... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Rational Egoist?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Rational Egoist:

1. The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast
2. Yaron Brook Show
3. Cato Podcast
4. The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
5. The Reason Roundtable

How many episodes of The Rational Egoist are there?

The Rational Egoist launched 3 years ago and published 391 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Rational Egoist?

Recent guests on The Rational Egoist include:

1. Nikos Sotirakopoulos
2. Radical Capitalist
3. George S. Everly Jr.
4. Bob Taibbi
5. Jim Valiant
6. James Valliant
7. Lauren Hall
8. Francesca Mormanni

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