Podcast
The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast
Hosted by Ayn Rand Institute · EN
The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism.
41episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
OCON 2026: A Preview of 6 Talks
2w ago00:35:56Tap to summarizehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGcfnm1gELw Podcast audio: In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Elan Journo talks with Ben Bayer, Robertas Bakula, Alex Silverman, Audra Hilse, Sam Weaver, and Keith Lockitch about their upcoming talks at OCON 2026 in New Orleans. Speakers include: Bayer: Ayn Rand on progress Bakula: antitrust is anti-production Silverman: metaphysics of productiveness Hilse: publishing We the Living Weaver: Milton’s Paradise Lost Lockitch: Descartes and Newton on the rainbow
Transcribe →Jeff Bezos Admirably Defends Wealth Creation
3w ago01:02:23Tap to summarizehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRK4oqOHr4s Podcast audio: In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Robertas Bakula and Onkar Ghate discuss Jeff Bezos' recent high-profile CNBC interview with Andrew Sorkin on wealth, attacks on billionaires, and government waste. Topics include: Bezos’ Admirable Mind Trend of Villainizing Businessmen The Zero-Sum Fallacy The Incompetence of Government Collectivist Defense of Profit Inequality is not a bug The Role of Intellectuals Resources: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand This episode was recorded on May 28, 2026. Image credit: Michael M. Santiago / staff / via Getty Images
Transcribe →Marc Andreessen Fails to Recognize the Importance of Introspection
3w ago00:44:37Tap to summarizehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKYKHBdO6-I Podcast audio: In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Onkar Ghate and Tristan de Liège analyze Marc Andreesen’s recent controversial comments rejecting introspection. Topics include: What introspection really is Introspection and success Introspection and moral responsibility Earned and unearned guilt Resources: The Ayn Rand Lexicon entry on Introspection This episode was recorded on May 13, 2026. Image credit: Michael Kovac / Stringer / via Getty Images
Transcribe →Projecting Weakness: The Iran War Stalemate and Trump’s China Visit
4w ago00:37:54Tap to summarizehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSyqrwXEtBQ Podcast audio: In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Onkar Ghate and Elan Journo discuss the war and subsequent negotiations with Iran, and Trump’s visit to China. Topics include: The war’s shifting purpose The Hormuz evasion Whim over strategy Evading Iran’s nature Stalemate as defeat Projecting weakness worldwide Abandoning American ideals This episode was recorded on May 20th. Image credits: Trump: Saul Loeb / AFP / via Getty Images; China and Iran Flags: Viacheslav Chernobrovin / iStock / via Getty Images
Transcribe →Trump’s Monument-Building vs. American Founding Ideas
4w ago00:59:12Tap to summarizehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YKNDXS3NOY Podcast audio: In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Sam Weaver and Ben Bayer discuss the significance of President Trump’s efforts to construct new government monuments and put his name and face on federal buildings and documents. Topics Include: Trump’s initiatives Why symbols matter Historical monument-building America’s distinctive history How Trump compares Relation to Trump’s policies Rand on monuments Trump’s pursuit of prestige Public response Resources: “The Monument Builders” in The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand “Don’t Let It Go” in Philosophy: Who Needs It by Ayn Rand “The Anti-Intellectuality of Donald Trump” by Onkar Ghate “One Small Step for Dictatorship” by Onkar Ghate This episode was recorded on May 8, 2026. Image credit: Kevin Dietsch / Staff / via Getty Images
Transcribe →How Effective Is Ken Griffin’s Response to Zohran Mamdani?
May 1400:40:10Tap to summarizehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JW_xItSGlM Podcast audio: In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Robertas Bakula and Onkar Ghate discuss Ken Griffin’s reaction to Zohran Mamdami's attack on his wealth and life, and the appropriate stance that individuals in Griffin's position should take against such attacks. Topics include: Mamdani’s Attack on Ken Griffin Real Threat to Griffin’s Life and Safety Griffin’s Courageous Defense of the American Dream Griffin’s Concession Sanction of the Victim Animal Farm is Pro-Socialism Anthem and Atlas Shrugged as Better Alternatives A Principled Stance vs. Martyrdom Resources: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand Anthem by Ayn Rand The Sanction of the Victim by Ayn Rand This episode was recorded on May 11, 2026. Image credits: Griffin: Fabrice Coffrini / AFP / via Getty Images; Mamdani: Spencer Platt / via Getty Images
Transcribe →Bart Ehrman on the Christian Origins of Altruistic Morality
May 1200:49:57Tap to summarizehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62w3EFQML58 Podcast audio: In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Ben Bayer interviews Professor Bart Ehrman about his new book on the Christian roots of altruist ethics. Christian vs. pagan ethics The true meaning of Christian “love” Apocalyptic roots of Christian ethics Are Christian ethics rational? Ehrman’s work Resources: Bart Ehrman, Love Thy Stranger: How Christianity Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West Ben Bayer, “How Christianity Polluted the Moral Atmosphere of the West,” New Ideal, February 5, 2025. This episode was recorded on April 22, 2026.
Transcribe →Why the Red/Blue Button Moral Dilemma is a Trap
May 700:55:42Tap to summarizehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzfiohcZhGo Podcast audio: In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Robertas Bakula and Ben Bayer discuss the viral Red vs. Blue Button dilemma. Topics include: The Viral Dilemma The Case for Red The Case for Blue The False Choice Comparison to the Trolley Problem Ayn Rand’s Alternative Approach to Morality Resources: “Ethics of Emergencies,” Ayn Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness “Why Today’s Ethics Offers No Real Guidance,” Ben Bayer, New Ideal, November 18, 2020 Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand This episode was recorded on April 24, 2026. Image Credit: traffic_analyzer / DigitalVision Vectors / via Getty Images
Transcribe →The Unconstitutional, Immoral Military Draft
Apr 3000:42:07Tap to summarizehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nZD3IdL4PY Podcast audio: In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Ben Bayer and Tristan de Liège discuss the military draft in light of recent changes to the Selective Service System. Debating Selective Service System changes Unconstitutionality of the draft The immorality of the draft The impracticality of the draft Palantir’s endorsement of the draft Resources: Against The Un-American Call for National Service, ARI Podcast A Central Planner's Trojan Horse: The Technological Republic, ARI Podcast Ayn Rand, entry on the Draft, Ayn Rand Lexicon Ayn Rand, “Wreckage of the Consensus” in Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal This episode was recorded on April 22, 2026. Image credit: Andrew Harnik / staff / via Getty Images
Transcribe →Why the New York Times Justifies Theft and Tolerates Murder
Apr 2900:59:18Tap to summarizehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK2AwyUtJtI Podcast audio: In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Ben Bayer and Robertas Bakula discuss the recent New York Times podcast justifying the “microlooting” of big corporations. “Microlooting” and Macrolooting Marxist rationalizations Signs of nihilism Anti-intellectual tribal signaling Hypocrisy and altruism Justifying murder Resources: Profit without Apology: The Need to Stand Up for Business, Onkar Ghate and Don Watkins The Marxists’ Exploitation Myth, ARI Podcast, Feb 26, 2025 Charlie Kirk’s Murder: Who Normalized Political Violence?, ARI Podcast, Sept 12, 2025 This episode was recorded on April 27, 2026. Image credit: AndreyPopov / iStock / via Getty Images
Transcribe →