Enlightenment Ideals + Objectivism = Second Renaissance

The principal focus of this podcast episode is the extensive array of news items presented by Blair, who curates a buffet of intellectual nourishment for our listeners. Martin, in a parallel vein, articulates a compelling call to action, urging our audience to engage with the content and support the podcast through various means. We delve into significant contemporary issues, including the celebration of Columbus Day and the implications of current political climates, particularly regarding the Trump administration's actions. Additionally, we highlight recent literary contributions from authors previously featured on the show, emphasizing the importance of understanding rhetoric and political developments. As we navigate these topics, we invite our audience to reflect critically and participate actively in the discourse.A comprehensive exploration of contemporary intellectual discourse unfolds as we delve into a buffet of thought-provoking articles and literary recommendations. The discussion commences with a nod to Columbus Day, as we reflect on the significance of historical figures like Christopher Columbus amidst the current socio-political climate. The conversation seamlessly transitions to the realm of literature, highlighting Robert Begley's 'Voices of Reason', which elucidates the principles of rhetoric through the lens of Aristotle, enabling listeners to better articulate their philosophical positions. Additionally, we examine Robert Tracinski's 'Dictatorship From Day One', which critically analyzes the constitutional implications of recent executive actions, provoking a deeper contemplation of the delicate balance between authority and individual liberty. The dialogue extends to the importance of local political engagement as a catalyst for broader societal change, invoking the necessity of grassroots movements in the pursuit of a truly free society. As we navigate through these themes, we invite our audience to engage with the recommended resources to foster a more profound understanding of the intricate dynamics at play in our world today.Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:T.A.N.S.T.A.A.F.L.Columbus DayHistory of the chile pepper, Christopher Columbus' gift to EuropeList of monuments and memorials to Christopher ColumbusCity Hall’s Christopher Columbus Statue Could Find a Home in a New ParkThe Enemies of Christopher Columbus by Thomas A. BowdenLet's Take Back Columbus Day - Capitalism MagazineSwedish Republican AssociationNo Kings dot orgCapitalism: A Treatise on Economics by George Reisman<a...

Today’s episode features returning guest, Rob Tracinski, who has a new book, Dictator from Day One: How Donald Trump Is Overthrowing the Constitution and How to Fight Back. Find out what damage he’s doing on ‘Constitution Day,’ here in America. And how to counter his wanton destructiveness.Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Dictator from Day One: How Donald Trump Is Overthrowing the Constitution and How to Fight BackConstitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 17The UnPopulist Launches Executive WatchThe Tracinski LetterEpisode 103 (54 minutes) was recorded at 2100 Central European Time, on September, 15, 2025, with&nbsp;Alitu's recording feature. Martin did the editing and post-production with the&nbsp;podcast maker, Alitu. The&nbsp;transcript&nbsp;is generated by Alitu.Easy listen to The Secular Foxhole podcast&nbsp;in your&nbsp;podcast (podcatcher) app&nbsp;of choice, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Listen Notes.Even better is to use one of the&nbsp;new podcast apps, on&nbsp;Podcast Index, supporting the&nbsp;Podcasting 2.0&nbsp;initiative, and&nbsp;Value for Value&nbsp;model, by streaming&nbsp;Satoshis&nbsp;(bits of Bitcoin), and sending a&nbsp;Boostagram&nbsp;(digital telegram with a donation of sats).&nbsp;Check out the&nbsp;Sam...

Today we welcomed returning guest and Professional Speaker Robert Begley who discussed his first book, Voices of Reason: Lessons for Liberty’s Leaders. Tune in to learn about his journey to become a speaker and the special release date of his book.Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Les BrownMark BrownMade to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others DieThe King's SpeechBosch Fawstin's print, September 2Atlas Shrugged DayFirst Heat by Bryan Larsen - Quent Cordair Fine ArtVoices of Reason: Lessons for Liberty’s Leaders - Speaking With Purpose LLCVoices Of Reason: Lessons For Liberty’s Leaders (Kindle Edition)Episode 102 (43 minutes) was recorded at 2130 Central European Time, on August 22, 2025, with&nbsp;Alitu's recording feature. Martin did the editing and post-production with the&nbsp;podcast maker, Alitu. The&nbsp;transcript&nbsp;is generated by Alitu.Easy listen to The Secular Foxhole podcast&nbsp;in your&nbsp;podcast (podcatcher) app&nbsp;of choice, e.g.,&nbsp;Apple Podcasts, Spotify,&nbsp;Amazon Music,&nbsp;Listen Notes.Even better is to use one of the&nbsp;new podcast apps, on&nbsp;Podcast Index, supporting the&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasting2.org/"...

Today, we had a lengthy, articulate discussion with Andrew Bernstein about his latest book, Aristotle vs Religion and Other Essays. We covered the title essay, and several others, focusing on the philosophical aspects.Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Andrew Bernstein's post, Aristotle Versus Religion (1 of 7), March 1, 2016Aristotle Versus Religion and Other Essays by Andrew Bernstein (Kindle edition)Episode 101 (63 minutes) was recorded at 2200 Central European Time, on August 17, 2025, with&nbsp;Alitu's recording feature. Martin did the editing and post-production with the&nbsp;podcast maker, Alitu. The&nbsp;transcript&nbsp;is generated by Alitu.Easy listen to The Secular Foxhole podcast&nbsp;in your&nbsp;podcast (podcatcher) app&nbsp;of choice, e.g.,&nbsp;Apple Podcasts, Spotify,&nbsp;Amazon Music,&nbsp;Listen Notes.Even better is to use one of the&nbsp;new podcast apps, on&nbsp;Podcast Index, supporting the&nbsp;Podcasting 2.0&nbsp;initiative, and&nbsp;Value for Value&nbsp;model, by streaming&nbsp;Satoshis&nbsp;(bits of Bitcoin), and sending a&nbsp;Boostagram&nbsp;(digital telegram with a donation of sats).&nbsp;Check out the&nbsp;Sam Sethi's&nbsp;new service called,&nbsp;TrueFans. Become a fan of our podcast there. Listen to&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole podcast, "and pay the price you want for the value you hear."This

Welcome to our 100th Episode! Today Martin and I echo what is happening at the Objectivist conference in Boston.We discuss Enlightenment values and ideals and the ideas discovered by Ayn Rand in her philosophy of Objectivism.These two things, working together, will provide American's, and whoever adopts them, the groundwork for a Second Renaissance. Come along for the ride!Happy Independence Day, America!Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:OCON in Boston, July 1 - 5Boston Tea Party ShipObjectivist conference in 1998, by Second Renaissance ConferencesJohn LockeAdam SmithJean-Jacques RousseauKant’s Theoretical Philosophy: A Critique of Pure ReasonThomas PaineBenjamin FranklinVoltaireCharles Louis de Secondat, Baron de MontesquieuIsaac NewtonAyn Rand's Philosophic Achievement: and other Essays by Harry BinswangerThe Freedom Trail in BostonAdams political familyJohn Adams on Samuel Adams (&amp; not the beer)Samuel Adams - Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of IndependenceHouse passes Trump's "big, beautiful bill" after stamping out GOP rebellion - Axios<a...

Today we had the pleasure of talking with Alexander Marriott, history professor and author, about today’s dismal political situation in America. He offers the listener his keen insight. Join us for a great hour!Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Alexander Marriott's post on FacebookBenjamin FranklinUnited States one-hundred-dollar billKite experimentCatilineIranian Nuclear Program: Will Israel Save Us? - Capitalism Magazine, June 4, 2003Republic? Democracy? What's the Difference? - Capitalism, January 4, 2003Tara Smith (philosopher)Alexander Marriott on Twitter (X)Alexander Marriott's websiteEpisode 99 (51 minutes) was recorded at 2200 Central European Time, on June 21, 2025, with&nbsp;Alitu's recording feature. Martin did the editing and post-production with the&nbsp;podcast maker, Alitu.&nbsp;The&nbsp;transcript&nbsp;is generated by Alitu.Easy listen to The Secular Foxhole podcast&nbsp;in your&nbsp;podcast (podcatcher) app&nbsp;of choice, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify,&nbsp;Amazon Music,&nbsp;Listen Notes.Even better is to use one of the&nbsp;new podcast apps, on<a...

Did&nbsp;you&nbsp;see&nbsp;a&nbsp;flying&nbsp;Christ&nbsp;on&nbsp;Ascension&nbsp;Day?&nbsp;Blair&nbsp;is&nbsp;going&nbsp;through&nbsp;the&nbsp;news&nbsp;sandwich,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Martin&nbsp;is&nbsp;talking&nbsp;about&nbsp;value&nbsp;4&nbsp;value,&nbsp;trader&nbsp;principle,&nbsp;gift&nbsp;giving,&nbsp;etc.Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Amy Peikoff's News SandwichMemorial DayTo Stop War, Halt Statism Everywhere - New IdealWhat Are the Roots of War?The Roots of War by Ayn Rand, from Capitalism: The Unknown IdealHuman Progress dot orgWeekly Progress Roundup - Doomslayer newsletterSymbol of atheism: atomic whirl1980 Swedish nuclear power referendumThree Mile Island accident (Harrisburg, 1979)Site of America’s worst nuclear accident gets new chance to become energy hub - PBS NewsNuclear Power in Sweden - World Nuclear AssociationThe Green Party in GermanyVeterans recoil at Trump plan to end Afghans’ deportation protection - The Washington PostOne Big Beautiful Bill Act - WikipediaNicholas Provenzo on Twitter (X)Nicholas Provenzo on SubstackThe DOGE Delusion: Trump’s Power Play versus Principled Reform by Nicholas Provenzo - The Objective...

Once again, Martin and I are graced with the presence of Philosophy Professor, Andrew Bernstein, who is now venturing into detective fiction.Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Tony Just dot netRed Meat Village - Voyage MediaBehind The Scenes With Andrew Bernstein (Author of Red Meat Village)Cool Runnings - WikipediaPen nameNight of January 16thHardboiledMr. ADirty Harry (character)Mike Hammer (character)Sherlock Holmes - BritannicaColumbo - WikipediaInterview with Aaron Briley - episode 15 of The Secular Foxhole podcastAustrian Economic Scholar's Motivational Speech - Foundation for Economic EducationProfessor Moriarty - WikipediaChuck SchumerIan FlemingRex StoutAgatha ChristieStand and DeliverThe Capitalist Manifesto by Andrew BernsteinThe Capitalist Manifesto: The Historic, Economic and Philosophic Case for Laissez-Faire - Rowman &amp;...

Blair is delivering some news regarding a list of podcasts on secularism, the rise of modern authoritarianism, and books covering the abundance movement. Martin is wondering what is going on with Voice of America, and is planning ahead for episode 100... How do you want to celebrate the milestone with us?Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Ayn Rand Conference in Berlin (March 14-16)Mark MosesRoland HorvathObjectivist Conference (OCON) in Boston, July 1-5Amy Peikoff's News Sandwich25 Best Secularism Podcasts by FeedSpotAnuj Agarwal, Cofounder Feedspot and MillionpodcastsInstitute for the Study of Modern AuthoritarianismThe UnPopulist Launches Executive WatchWhere To Find the New Intellectuals? - episode 95 of The Secular FoxholeVoice of AmericaRadio Free Europe / Radio LibertyRadio FardaA federal lawsuit says the Trump administration has unlawfully shuttered the Voice of America - The Associated PressAP to meet with bloggers on usage guidelines - NBC News (2008)Nowruz (Persian New Year) - BritannicaBonfire of the Mullahs - Cox &amp; Forkum editorial cartoons (March 18, 2004)Roots of Progress InstituteAnnouncing Our New $120M Abundance And Growth Fund - Open PhilanthropyDavid Brooks (commentator)<a...

This short episode includes a talk with Substack writer, Stewart Margolis, whose topic, "Where To Find the New Intellectuals," was discussed. We talked about various 'currents' in the culture and how to find them. I brag about a certain achievement&nbsp;I'm proud of, and although I've forgot to mention the rise in Homeschooling, listeners should include that in the great advancements&nbsp;happening without publicity, which&nbsp;is a good thing.Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Stewart Margolis on SubstackWhere To Find The New Intellectuals?For The New Intellectual by Ayn RandRobert Tracinski's SymposiumHow the Libertarian Party Became the Reactionary Arm of Trump and Trumpism - The UnPopulistTrump among the libertarians - Boston Globe OpinionFaced With Trump, Libertarianism Shrugged - The BulwarkThree lessons from Aristotle on friendship - The ConversationAyn Rand on abortion - GoodreadsAyn Rand on the military draft - Ayn Rand Institute Fox News - Pew Research CenterThe Bulwark (website) - WikipediaAgustina Vergara Cid: Ending TPS for Venezuelans whitewashes the Maduro regime - The Orange County RegisterAyn Rand Heir Asserts Elian’s Right to Remain in U.S. (April 4, 2000) - Capitalism MagazineThe Roots of Progress Institute Jason Crawford's websiteBlake Scholl, Founder &amp; CEO, Boom Supersonic<a...