The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast

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  Ayn Rand’s Fight Against Communist Influence in Hollywood 17.09.2026 18мин

  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.
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  9/11 Livestream: The Attack, the Response, and the Radicalness of Objectivism 11.09.2026 2ч 21мин

  9/11 was one of the most consequential events of the 21st century. Yet twenty-five years later, the attacks and their aftermath are still widely misunderstood. In two consecutive talks at our student conference in Austin, Onkar Ghate and Elan Journo analyzed America’s failures before and after 9/11, drawing on more than two decades of work on the subject. They show how the self-abasing morality of altruism shaped American policy, leading the US to betray its ideals, appease its enemies, sacrifice its soldiers, and lose its wars. This double lecture is a must-watch for anyone who cares about America and wants to make it secure.Topics include:Introduction by ARI’s CEO, Tal TsfanyHow 9/11 was experienced and perceived in the immediate aftermathThe religious, modernity-hating motivation behind 9/11America’s emboldening of Islamists in the decades before 9/11America’s abject, craven response to the Danish cartoons of MuhammadThe intellectual rot 9/11 exposed and Objectivism’s potential to change itHow American altruism crippled its troops’ ability to fightHow America refused to recognize or defeat its enemiesThe devastating consequences of our altruistic approach to the Afghanistan and Iraq warsQ&AResources:Onkar Ghate and Elan Journo, Failing to Confront Islamic Totalitarianism: What Went Wrong After 9/11.
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  Why Academic Philosophy Fails to Understand Capitalism 10.09.2026 1ч 30мин

  After the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy released its entry on capitalism, critics online slammed it for apparent Marxist bias. However, if there is a scandal here, it is not merely that one entry is lopsided; it is that contemporary academic philosophers are willfully blind to the real-world phenomenon of capitalism, seeing it only through the unquestioned lens of the altruistic morality.In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Robertas Bakula, Ben Bayer, and Onkar Ghate discuss the entry’s Marxist leaning, Ayn Rand’s absence from the entry, and more broadly the failure of academic philosophy to understand the subject. They argue that Ayn Rand’s view of capitalism should have played a more prominent role in the entry, and how Rand succeeded in defining “capitalism” while the entry does not bother trying. They conclude that the entry should give more serious attention not only to Rand, but also Locke, Smith, and economic scholarship more broadly.Topics include:The Stanford Encyclopedia’s cultural impactMarxist dominance in academic philosophyAcademic philosophy’s economic ignoranceThe failure to define capitalismAyn Rand vs. intellectualsAyn Rand’s definition of capitalismHow to reform the SEP entryResources:Ayn Rand, Capitalism: The Unknown IdealAyn Rand, “What Is Capitalism?” in Capitalism: The Unknown IdealAyn Rand, “ For the New Intellectual” in For the New IntellectualThe Ayn Rand Lexicon entry on "Capitalism"This episode was recorded on August 24, 2026.
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  9/11 — 25 Years Later: Objectivism, Islamic Totalitarianism, and America’s Crisis of Ideas 04.09.2026 1ч 6мин

  September 11, 2001 — and America’s response to it — shaped the 21st century. Confidence in America’s ability to win wars cracked, trust in leadership and experts went down, and, in response, populism, nihilism, and conspiracism raised their ugly heads. From day one, the Ayn Rand Institute’s experts grasped the meaning of the attacks and the significance of a proper response. They called for war with Iran and opposed Bush’s altruistic wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their advice was not followed, but their predictions held.In this special livestream marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Yaron Brook, Elan Journo, and Onkar Ghate — the Institute’s three leading experts on the attacks — trace what went wrong in its lead-up and aftermath, and how Ayn Rand’s philosophy let them foresee what most people still struggle to understand.Topics include:The events and evasions that led up to 9/11.How shocking 9/11 was, given the atmosphere in the 1990s.The corrupt failure of intellectuals to warn of and explain 9/11.How both the government and academia whitewashed religion and Islam.Why and how ARI commented on 9/11 and its aftermath.How Objectivism helped ARI’s experts to predict America's failures.The disgraceful Western response to the Danish cartoons of Muhammad.The rise of populism and nihilism as a result of 9/11.Resources recommended in the episode:Onkar Ghate and Elan Journo, Failing to Confront Islamic Totalitarianism: What Went Wrong After 9/11.
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  What Democratic Socialists Truly Want 27.08.2026 1ч 5мин

  In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Robertas Bakula and Onkar Ghate discuss the political platform, moral goals, and philosophical motivations driving the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).Topics include:Radical goals of the DSADSA versus past communismLack of intellectual argumentMiseducation versus willful ignoranceFantasy world of socialismAyn Rand on producer hatredHypocrisy or true goalsForeign policy and authoritarian regimesResources:Ayn Rand’s title essay in For the New IntellectualThis episode was recorded on August 25, 2026.
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  Art Subsidies Are Unjust and a Violation of Free Speech 20.08.2026 1ч 4мин

  In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Onkar Ghate and Tristan de Liège discuss Zohran Mamdani’s record $323 million culture budget for NYC aimed at supporting the arts, and why government attempts to fund artistic endeavors are unjust and ineffective in creating thriving conditions for artists. Topics include:The Culture Budget’s PurposeThe “Affordability Crisis”The Disdain for the MarketThe Effects of Subsidizing ArtThe Alternative to Subsidies Resources: Ayn Rand, “What is Capitalism” in Capitalism: The Unknown IdealAyn Rand, “To Dream the Non-Commercial Dream” in The Voice of Reason: Essays in Objectivist Thought This episode was recorded on August 5, 2026.
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  Does America Still Have Checks and Balances on Political Power? 13.08.2026 18мин

  In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Sam Weaver interviews Onkar Ghate about the American system of checks and balances and the rise of a religious mentality in America, topics discussed in his OCON 2026 talk “America at 250: Politics, Religion, Morality.”Topics Include:What checks and balances areErosion since the foundingRise of religious mentalityResources:“America at 250: Politics, Religion, Morality” by Onkar Ghate This episode was recorded on July 30, 2026.
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  Fueling a Space Renaissance with Capitalism 07.08.2026 38мин

  In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Itamar Feldman interviews Mike Mazza about his new book of essays, Freedom to Launch, which explains how deregulation in the space industry enabled today’s space renaissance and what the government's role in space exploration should be going forward. Among the topics covered are:Why Freedom to Launch was written The space industry’s current state Space law and property rights Private vs. Commercial space industry The government’s historic role in space What's next for the space industry? Should NASA exist? Resources recommended in the episode: Mike Mazza, Freedom to Launch Ayn Rand, “The Property Status of the Airwaves” in Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal
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  I’ve Read Ayn Rand. Now What? 06.08.2026 37мин

  In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Don Watkins, Onkar Ghate, and Keith Lockitch discuss the Institute's recently announced educational program on Objectivism: ARU Core.Topics include:Making Objectivism your own personal perspective Personal vs professional value of philosophyExpertise and gaining mastery ARU program and benefits Resources:Ayn Rand, "Atlas Shrugged"Ayn Rand, "The Virtue of Selfishness"Leonard Peikoff, "Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand"Ayn Rand “Through Your Most Grievous Fault” in The Voice of ReasonAyn Rand, "The Fountainhead"This episode was recorded on July 30th, 2026. 
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  Socialism Everywhere — and No One Wants to Know Why 30.07.2026 58мин

  In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Ben Bayer and Tristan de Liège recent socialist electoral victories, and analyze critical reactions that fail to identify the philosophical essence of the movement. Allegations of “extremism”What the “extremism” charge hidesAre socialists “democratic”?Socialism and communismSocialist and MAGA populismReligious communism, godless capitalism Resources: Ayn Rand “Extremism’: or the Art of Smearing,” in Capitalism: The Unknown IdealEntry on “socialism” in the Ayn Rand Lexicon Ben Bayer, “Meet the New Socialism, Same as the Old,” New Ideal, Sept 2, 2019Ben Bayer, “ICE Tyranny Is What Democracy Looks Like,” New Ideal, Feb 25, 2026“Why Socialists Fear the Republican Party Platform,” ARI Podcast, Jul 25, 2024“Trump's Anti-Capitalist Control Over Businesses,” ARI Podcast, Sept 18, 2025This episode was recorded on July 23, 2026.
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  Heritage vs. Creed: What Actually Makes You an American? 16.07.2026 1ч 6мин

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e5PLKhXvF0 Podcast audio: In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Ben Bayer and Onkar Ghate discuss whether heritage or creed is what defines American national identity. The American way and sense of life Un-American “Heritage Americanism” Irrelevant Anglo-Protestant “ethnicity” Superior “Creedal Americanism” History of “Creedal Americanism” The eroding American sense of life Resources:  Ayn Rand, Don’t Let It Go, in Philosophy: Who Needs It Ayn Rand, “A Nation’s Unity” Onkar Ghate, “Atlas Shrugged: America’s Second Declaration of Independence”  Ben Bayer, “Our Iran Appeasement Reveals the Need to Declare Moral Independence,” New Ideal, July 1, 2026. Ben Bayer, “The Revolutionary, Secular Concept of Individual Rights” OCON 2024 This episode was recorded on July 10, 2026.   Image credit:  Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
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  America at 250: Politics, Religion, Morality 14.07.2026 1ч 28мин

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6XQv6S2iK0 Podcast audio: The founding of America was the greatest political achievement of the Enlightenment. Knowing that their experiment would be difficult to preserve, the Founding Fathers designed a unique system of checks and balances to prevent the United States from collapsing into tyranny. An essential element of that design, however, has been forgotten. In his talk at the 2026 Objectivist Summer Conference (OCON), Dr. Onkar Ghate explains the role of the moral character of the people as a check on the government. Ghate explains why the Founding Fathers appreciated this pivotal role in preventing America from straying away from its ideal of protecting the individual’s rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Q&A session includes the discussion of: Why are American people susceptible to pragmatism? Why are the branches of government ceding their power to other branches? When is it proper to organize politically? Are there differences between the legitimacy of the Iraq war and that of Iran war? This talk was recorded live on June 27in New Orleans as part of the Objectivist summer conference, and is available on The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast stream. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here.
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  America: The Nation of the Producer 10.07.2026 44мин

  https://www.youtube.com/live/b91AlTBDODs Podcast audio: The 2026 Objectivist Summer Conference was a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. To conclude the conference, Yaron Brook, ARI board chairman, spoke about what makes America uniquely worth celebrating — the fact that it is “the Nation of the Producer.” Brook begins by surveying the state of the world prior to the American Revolution — the backbreaking labor, the incurable diseases, and the unbearably cold winters. He then explains how the Declaration of Independence unleashed the people responsible for today’s magnificent world of abundance. Who is responsible for electricity, smartphones, and worldwide travel? Brook answers: “The responsibility lies with the amazing, unbelievably productive geniuses that have lived — and still live — amongst us.” He identifies by name — and toasts — the many titans of industry who helped create the modern, industrial, technological world. Watch Brook’s detailed, moving survey and his celebration of the producers, his full talk is here.
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  From Sanders to the Trump White House: The Crusade to Control AI 18.06.2026 50мин

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw8MPZSbLXA Podcast audio: In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Robertas Bakula and Mike Mazza discuss two major developments in the AI industry: Bernie Sanders’ proposal for an AI wealth fund and the White House’s order to block access to Anthropic’s newest models. Topics include: The Anthropic Ban Fear-Mongering About Security Fear-Mongering About Jobless Future Is there “Collective Knowledge”? Lack of Concern with Individual Rights Resources:  Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, “Marketing AI without Empowering Resentment” Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, “Fear of Progress: The Quest to End Autonomous Driving” This episode was recorded on June 16, 2026.
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  The Pope’s Screed Against Human Intelligence 11.06.2026 1ч 3мин

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXTCE3rXfH4 Podcast audio: In this episode of the Ayn Rand Institute podcast, Ben Bayer and Connor O’Leary discuss Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical about AI. Topics include: Valid questions, backwards approach Concerning near-universal acclaim Dependence on religious morality Faith-based moral concepts Appealing to fear and resentment Hostility to human intelligence We need a rational morality Resources:  Ayn Rand, “Requiem for Man,” Capitalism the Unknown Ideal Anthropic vs. Trump: The Moral Responsibility of Tech Companies, Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, March 12, 2026 Marketing AI Without Empowering Resentment, Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, April 23, 2026 Ben Bayer, How to Build a Secular Morality, New Ideal, June 10, 2026 (just came out yesterday) This episode was recorded on June 5, 2026. Image credits: Pope: Carlos Alvarez / Contributor / via Getty Images; Circuit: haydenbird / E+ / via Getty Images
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  OCON 2026: A Preview of 6 Talks 04.06.2026 35мин

  https://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    
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  Jeff Bezos Admirably Defends Wealth Creation 29.05.2026 1ч 2мин

  https://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
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  Marc Andreessen Fails to Recognize the Importance of Introspection 28.05.2026 44мин

  https://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
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  Projecting Weakness: The Iran War Stalemate and Trump’s China Visit 22.05.2026 37мин

  https://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
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  Trump’s Monument-Building vs. American Founding Ideas 21.05.2026 59мин

  https://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