The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast

The 2026 midterm elections resulted in a decisive victory for the Democrats over the Republicans. But does this signal support for the Democratic agenda, or merely a rejection of the party in power?In a joint livestream of New Ideal and The Yaron Brook Show, Dr. Onkar Ghate and Dr. Yaron Brook examine the election’s significance for America’s political future. They discuss the failures of both parties, the growing influence of nationalist and socialist factions within them, the prospects for alternative political leadership, and the absence of serious proposals for addressing the country’s economic problems.Among the topics covered are:• Whether the Republican defeat could open the door to new leadership• The growing influence of nationalist and socialist factions within both parties• How the welfare state fuels conflict between generations• Trump’s shifting immigration rhetoric and the lack of serious economic proposals• The morality of voting for the lesser of two evils and the individual’s role in politics• Ayn Rand’s influence on entrepreneurship and growing hostility toward business and AI• The risk of increasing authoritarianism in America• The role of education and intellectuals in political changeThis discussion was livestreamed on November 9, 2026.

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have become a major force to contend with in U.S. politics, as seen in Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor of New York and in a series of congressional electoral successes. However, while many see the DSA as an idealistic alternative to the status quo, their ideals are deeply rooted in dogmas held on faith, such as their faith in “economic democracy,” in the future promise of socialism, in the evil of Israel, and in the view of capitalism as inherently exploitative.In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Tristan de Liège and Ben Bayer expose the DSA’s agenda as a series of articles of faith, one based especially on a religious approach to morality.Topics include:• How democratic socialists conceive of exploitation• Socialists’ obsession with democracy• Evading socialism’s failures in the 20th century• Why democratic socialists defend dictatorships like Iran and Venezuela• How altruism sustains the belief in socialismThis episode was recorded on October 28, 2026.

Ayn Rand famously held Aristotle in high regard, describing him as a “philosophical Atlas who carries the whole of Western civilization on his shoulders.” Given such a statement, it’s not surprising that there are rich connections to be found between Aristotle’s philosophical system and Rand’s, which she called Objectivism. Scholars of Aristotle and Rand have found deep connections between the two in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics.In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Tristan de Liège, Jim Lennox, and Greg Salmieri explore some of these connections, discussing issues such as the nature of logic, how humans form universal knowledge, and what it is to live a good life.Topics include:• Axiomatic concepts and the laws of logic• The problem of universals• Scientific knowledge as fixed versus dynamic• What biology can tell us about ethics• Nobility and virtue• Convincing academia to take Objectivism seriouslyThis episode was recorded on October 19, 2026.

Recently, author and ARI’s VP of Fundraising and Marketing Don Watkins was interviewed on the Texas Talks podcast, where he discussed Ayn Rand’s unique moral admiration for productive work, her new conception of self-interest, and ARI’s work to preserve and spread her philosophy today.Topics include:Why Ayn Rand has an enduring appealThe morality and spirituality of wealth creationWorking, marketing, and fundraising at ARINews about the Ayn Rand Center in AustinWhy we need a new conception of self-interest to defend capitalismARI’s work and programsBradley Swail is the host of the Texas Talks podcast, not an employee of the Ayn Rand Institute.

Recently, ARI Senior Fellow Ben Bayer was interviewed on the Texas Talks podcast, where he discussed Ayn Rand’s unique approach to philosophy as a practical means for living, the life-promoting philosophy she developed as a result, and how her idealist-realist heroes dramatize it. Bayer contrasted Rand’s approach and views with the dominant ones in today’s culture, focusing specifically on Stoicism and altruism.Bradley Swail is the host of the Texas Talks podcast, not an employee of the Ayn Rand Institute.Topics include:The essence of Rand’s philosophy.Why today’s philosophers don’t dramatize their philosophies in stories.Why Rand’s heroes resonate with so many people.How the philosophy in The Fountainhead compares to that in Atlas Shrugged.How Objectivism differs from Stoicism.Today’s confused oscillation between Judeo-Christian altruism and pragmatism.Bayer’s forthcoming book, Breaking Free from Faith-Based Morality.

In her recent book The Mattering Instinct, philosopher Rebecca Newberger Goldstein argues that much of what human beings do is driven by a universal need to matter — to prove to ourselves that we are worthy of consideration. She argues that efforts to fulfill this need are responsible for a wide range of human projects, from the greatest achievements of scientific discovery and artistic creation, to the worst atrocities of murder and genocide.On this episode of ARI Bookshelf, Greg Salmieri, Ben Bayer, Mike Mazza and Sam Weaver discuss Goldstein’s book. The episode includes discussions of the merits and limitations of Goldstein’s account of mattering and her emphasis on the idea that life involves resisting entropy. They also comment on the book’s brief mention of Ayn Rand and relate her ideas to Goldstein’s.Topics include:Goldstein’s basic account of why people have a need to matterHer conception of what constitutes objective matteringThe absence of businessmen and entrepreneurs from her categoriesThe book’s quotation of Ayn Rand in a section about intoleranceHow Goldstein uses the concept of entropy in her account of matteringHer apparent unwillingness to radically rethink conventional ideas about moralityThis episode was recorded on September 19, 2026.

Recently, Professor Greg Salmieri, an Objectivist philosopher, was interviewed on the Texas Talks podcast, where he discussed Ayn Rand’s ideas and their relation to the ideas of other thinkers, including Aristotle, Marx, and “libertarians.” He also discussed Rand’s influence on his own work and interest in philosophy. Salmieri is a senior fellow at the Civitas Institute and teaches in the philosophy department at the University of Texas at Austin. He often speaks at ARI conferences and teaches courses for ARI’s educational programs.Bradley Swail is the host of the Texas Talks podcast, not an employee of the Ayn Rand Institute.Topics include:How Salmieri became interested in Ayn RandRand’s view of “libertarianism”Rand’s admiration of Aristotle and her improvements to his philosophyWhat Objectivism as “an ordinary, high-powered philosophy” meansThe Ayn Rand Center and Austin’s intellectual sceneRand’s view of religion

For over 40 years, ARI has preserved Rand’s legacy through archival and educational activities. Two years ago, ARI announced it would cement that legacy in actual concrete by building the Ayn Rand Center in Austin, Texas. Earlier this month, the Institute broke ground on the building. The Center will house the Ayn Rand Archives, classrooms, event spaces, studios, public gathering areas, a state-of-the-art immersive educational experience, and the home campus of ARI’s education program, ARU. It will play a vital role in preserving Objectivism and in spreading it to ever-larger audiences. To learn more about the groundbreaking event, the Center’s inspiring vision, and the founders behind it, watch our special Ayn Rand Institute Podcast episode with CEO Tal Tsfany and Senior VP Elan Journo. In addition to the discussion, the episode includes building simulations and video clips from the groundbreaking event, best viewed on YouTube.Topics include:The plan for the Ayn Rand Center and the strategic vision behind itThe architect and architecture of the CenterInspiring anecdotes on the building process and the CenterMailchimp founder Ben Chestnut’s donations and visionTal Tsfany’s remarks at the groundbreaking eventResources:Website of the Ayn Rand Center

In this episode, Robertas Bakula and Onkar Ghate commend Disney for making their case on fundamental constitutional grounds rather than settling behind closed doors. Too few of Disney’s defenders ever dare to challenge the FCC's underlying licensing authority or the employment mandates that also violate freedom of association. They warn that Carr is trying to reinvigorate and expand the FCC’s power over speech and argue that no depoliticized FCC is possible. The only real solution is privatizing the spectrum. Topics Include:Disney's lawsuit against the FCC for violating the First AmendmentHow self-censorship works in practiceBroadcaster’s historical complicity in creating the FCCBrendan Carr’s goal to expand the FCC’s powerWhy defenders of free speech do not challenge the FCC and its DEI policies as violating intellectual freedomThe only way to remove the FCC’s ability to chill speech is to privatize the broadcast spectrumThis episode was recorded on September 16, 2026.

In this video, Elan Journo interviews Brandon Lisi about Ayn Rand's 1947 essay Screen Guide for Americans. The interview explores the historical circumstances that led Rand to write the essay, the deeper philosophical ideas behind her analysis, and the significance of ARI Press’s new authoritative edition. They also discuss Michael Berliner’s new afterword and the archival materials that illuminate Rand’s work in Hollywood, including additional documents now available through the Ayn Rand Archives.Topics Include: What’s new in ARI Press’s authoritative edition of Screen Guide for AmericansWhy Ayn Rand wrote Screen Guide for Americans in 1947Communist influence in 1940s HollywoodHow propaganda can influence a culture without explicit political slogansHow to access additional archival materials related to the “Screen Guide” onlineResources:Ayn Rand, Screen Guide for AmericansArchival Supplement: Screen Guide for Americans archival supplementRecorded on August 25, 2026.