The Rational Egoist

The Rational Egoist with Michael Liebowitz
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Mar 27, 2026 • 41min

Analyzing "Wuthering Heights," with Professor Andrew Bernstein

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 Michael to explore the moral and romantic themes that drive the story. About Michael Liebowitz: He is the host of The Rational Egoist podcast, a philosopher, author, and political activist committed to the principles of reason, individualism, and rational self-interest. Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, Michael uses his platform to challenge cultural dogma, expose moral contradictions, and defend the values that make human flourishing possible.His journey from a 25-year prison sentence to becoming a respected voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities is a testament to the transformative power of philosophy. Today, Michael speaks, writes, and debates passionately in defense of individual rights and intellectual clarity.He is the co-author of two compelling books that examine the failures of the correctional system and the redemptive power of moral conviction:Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Corrections Encourages Crimehttps://www.amazon.com.au/Down-Rabbit...View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Libertyhttps://books2read.com/u/4jN6xjAbout Xenia Ioannou – Producer of The Rational EgoistXenia Ioannou is the producer of The Rational Egoist, overseeing the publishing and promotion of each episode to reflect a consistent standard of clarity, professionalism, and intellectual integrity.As a CEO, property manager, entrepreneur, and lifelong advocate for capitalism and individual rights, Xenia ensures the podcast stays true to its core values of reason, freedom, and personal responsibility.Xenia also leads Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup in Adelaide, where passionate thinkers gather to discuss Ayn Rand’s ideas and their application to life, politics, and culture.Join us at: https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-ayn-r...(Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup)Because freedom is worth thinking about—and talking about.Follow Life on Purpose, Xenia's thought-provoking essays at her Substack:https://substack.com/@xeniaioannou?ut...#AndrewBernstein #wutheringheights #Objectivism #AynRand #Philosophy #Reason #literature #Individualism #MoralCourage #CapitalismAndCoffee
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Mar 23, 2026 • 39min

Persephone Interviews Michael About his Journey to Podcasting!

About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational EgoistMichael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist podcast, a philosopher, author, and political activist committed to the principles of reason, individualism, and rational self-interest. Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, Michael uses his platform to challenge cultural dogma, expose moral contradictions, and defend the values that make human flourishing possible.His journey from a 25-year prison sentence to becoming a respected voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities is a testament to the transformative power of philosophy. Today, Michael speaks, writes, and debates passionately in defence of individual rights and intellectual clarity.He is the co-author of two compelling books that examine the failures of the correctional system and the redemptive power of moral conviction:Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Corrections Encourages Crimehttps://www.amazon.com.au/Down-Rabbit...View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Libertyhttps://books2read.com/u/4jN6xjAbout Xenia Ioannou – Producer of The Rational EgoistXenia Ioannou is the producer of The Rational Egoist, responsible for overseeing the publishing, presentation, and promotion of each episode to ensure a consistent standard of clarity, professionalism, and intellectual rigour.She is the CEO of Alexa Real Estate, a property manager and entrepreneur, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Ayn Rand Centre Australia, where she contributes to the organisation’s strategic direction and public engagement with ideas centred on reason, individual rights, and human freedom.Xenia also leads Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup in Adelaide, creating a forum for thoughtful discussion on Ayn Rand’s philosophy and its application to everyday life, culture, and current issues.Join Capitalism and Coffee here:https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-ayn-r...(Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup)Follow Xenia’s essays on reason, independence, and purposeful living at her Substack:https://substack.com/@xeniaioannou?ut...Because freedom is worth thinking about — and talking about.
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Mar 19, 2026 • 44min

The Strategies, Tactics, and Importance of Intellectual Activism-with Nikos Sotirakopoulos

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 than a decade in academia in the UK, teaching at the University of Kent, Loughborough University, and York St John University. He is the author of Identity Politics and Tribalism: The New Culture Wars (Societas, 2021), and is a frequent commentator on UK media.Tune in for an insightful conversation about how to spread ideas and influence culture.About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational EgoistMichael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist podcast, a philosopher, author, and political activist committed to the principles of reason, individualism, and rational self-interest. Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, Michael uses his platform to challenge cultural dogma, expose moral contradictions, and defend the values that make human flourishing possible.His journey from a 25-year prison sentence to becoming a respected voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities is a testament to the transformative power of philosophy. Today, Michael speaks, writes, and debates passionately in defence of individual rights and intellectual clarity.He is the co-author of two compelling books that examine the failures of the correctional system and the redemptive power of moral conviction:Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Corrections Encourages Crimehttps://www.amazon.com.au/Down-Rabbit...View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Libertyhttps://books2read.com/u/4jN6xjFind Nikos :https://www.youtube.com/@nikos_1717https://x.com/nikos_17?s=21&t=oMnLMm4fb8nyYRfaCZOgow
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Mar 15, 2026 • 60min

Discussing and Debating Individual Rights with the Radical Capitalist

About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational EgoistMichael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist podcast, a philosopher, author, and political activist committed to the principles of reason, individualism, and rational self-interest. Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, Michael uses his platform to challenge cultural dogma, expose moral contradictions, and defend the values that make human flourishing possible.His journey from a 25-year prison sentence to becoming a respected voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities is a testament to the transformative power of philosophy. Today, Michael speaks, writes, and debates passionately in defence of individual rights and intellectual clarity.He is the co-author of two compelling books that examine the failures of the correctional system and the redemptive power of moral conviction:Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Corrections Encourages Crimehttps://www.amazon.com.au/Down-Rabbit...View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Libertyhttps://books2read.com/u/4jN6xjAbout Xenia Ioannou – Producer of The Rational EgoistXenia Ioannou is the producer of The Rational Egoist, responsible for overseeing the publishing, presentation, and promotion of each episode to ensure a consistent standard of clarity, professionalism, and intellectual rigour.She is the CEO of Alexa Real Estate, a property manager and entrepreneur, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Ayn Rand Centre Australia, where she contributes to the organisation’s strategic direction and public engagement with ideas centred on reason, individual rights, and human freedom.Xenia also leads Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup in Adelaide, creating a forum for thoughtful discussion on Ayn Rand’s philosophy and its application to everyday life, culture, and current issues.Join Capitalism and Coffee here:https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-ayn-r...(Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup)Follow Xenia’s essays on reason, independence, and purposeful living at her Substack:https://substack.com/@xeniaioannou?ut...Because freedom is worth thinking about — and talking about.https://substack.com/@radcap#rights#freedom#capitalism#government#society
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Mar 12, 2026 • 35min

Overcoming Common Fears-with George S. Everly

In this enlightening episode of "The Rational Egoist," host Michael Liebowitz welcomes a distinguished guest, Dr. George S. Everly Jr., an acclaimed expert in the fields of stress management, psychological crisis intervention, and human resilience. Dr. Everly, who holds esteemed positions at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, brings his extensive knowledge and experience, gained from authoring over 20 books on these critical subjects About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational EgoistMichael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist podcast, a philosopher, author, and political activist committed to the principles of reason, individualism, and rational self-interest. Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, Michael uses his platform to challenge cultural dogma, expose moral contradictions, and defend the values that make human flourishing possible.His journey from a 25-year prison sentence to becoming a respected voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities is a testament to the transformative power of philosophy. Today, Michael speaks, writes, and debates passionately in defence of individual rights and intellectual clarity.He is the co-author of two compelling books that examine the failures of the correctional system and the redemptive power of moral conviction:Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Corrections Encourages Crimehttps://www.amazon.com.au/Down-Rabbit...View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Libertyhttps://books2read.com/u/4jN6xjAbout Xenia Ioannou – Producer of The Rational EgoistXenia Ioannou is the producer of The Rational Egoist, responsible for overseeing the publishing, presentation, and promotion of each episode to ensure a consistent standard of clarity, professionalism, and intellectual rigour.She is the CEO of Alexa Real Estate, a property manager and entrepreneur, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Ayn Rand Centre Australia, where she contributes to the organisation’s strategic direction and public engagement with ideas centred on reason, individual rights, and human freedom.Xenia also leads Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup in Adelaide, creating a forum for thoughtful discussion on Ayn Rand’s philosophy and its application to everyday life, culture, and current issues.Join Capitalism and Coffee here:https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-ayn-r...(Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup)Follow Xenia’s essays on reason, independence, and purposeful living at her Substack:https://substack.com/@xeniaioannou?ut...Because freedom is worth thinking about — and talking about.#growth#change#overcomingfears
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Mar 8, 2026 • 29min

Leonard Peikoff's Mistakes Concerning Iran

In this episode Michael critiques two articles written by Dr. Peikoff, one in 1997, the other in 2001. https://peikoff.com/essays_and_articl... https://newideal.aynrand.org/end-stat...About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational EgoistMichael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist podcast, a philosopher, author, and political activist committed to the principles of reason, individualism, and rational self-interest. Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, Michael uses his platform to challenge cultural dogma, expose moral contradictions, and defend the values that make human flourishing possible.His journey from a 25-year prison sentence to becoming a respected voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities is a testament to the transformative power of philosophy. Today, Michael speaks, writes, and debates passionately in defence of individual rights and intellectual clarity.He is the co-author of two compelling books that examine the failures of the correctional system and the redemptive power of moral conviction:Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Corrections Encourages Crimehttps://www.amazon.com.au/Down-Rabbit...View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Libertyhttps://books2read.com/u/4jN6xjAbout Xenia Ioannou – Producer of The Rational EgoistXenia Ioannou is the producer of The Rational Egoist, responsible for overseeing the publishing, presentation, and promotion of each episode to ensure a consistent standard of clarity, professionalism, and intellectual rigour.She is the CEO of Alexa Real Estate, a property manager and entrepreneur, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Ayn Rand Centre Australia, where she contributes to the organisation’s strategic direction and public engagement with ideas centred on reason, individual rights, and human freedom.Xenia also leads Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup in Adelaide, creating a forum for thoughtful discussion on Ayn Rand’s philosophy and its application to everyday life, culture, and current issues.Join Capitalism and Coffee here:https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-ayn-r...(Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup)Follow Xenia’s essays on reason, independence, and purposeful living at her Substack:https://substack.com/@xeniaioannou?ut...Because freedom is worth thinking about — and talking about.#iran#war#debate#morality
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Mar 5, 2026 • 35min

Approval Seekers, wit Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W.

In this episode of The Rational Egoist, Michael Liebowitz is joined by Robert Taibbi, LCSW—an experienced clinician, supervisor, and clinical director with nearly 50 years of practice. Taibbi shares insights from his extensive career and discusses the psychological mechanisms behind approval seeking, and how we can break patterns that no longer serve us. Drawing from his books, including The Therapist's Journey, Doing Family Therapy, and Doing Couple Therapy, he offers practical, evidence-based strategies for personal change. This episode is packed with valuable guidance for anyone seeking to understand and overcome destructive habits.Michael Leibowitz, host of The Rational Egoist podcast, is a philosopher and political activist who draws inspiration from Ayn Rand’s philosophy, advocating for reason, rational self-interest, and individualism. His journey from a 25-year prison sentence to a prominent voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities highlights the transformative impact of embracing these principles. Leibowitz actively participates in political debates and produces content aimed at promoting individual rights and freedoms. He is the co-author of “Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Correction Encourages Crime” and “View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Liberty,” which explore societal issues and his personal evolution through Rand’s teachings.Explore his work and journey further through his books:“Down the Rabbit Hole”: https://www.amazon.com.au/Down-Rabbit...“View from a Cage”: https://books2read.com/u/4jN6xj join our Ayn Rand Adelaide Meetups here for some seriously social discussions on Freedom https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-ayn-r... #growth#selfesteem#approval#relationships
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Mar 3, 2026 • 1h 4min

James Valliant Debates Michael Concerning the Morality of the War with Iran

This is a great, precise debate about the morality of the war in Iran, and is conducted by two men who share many of the same views.James Stevens Valliant is a philosopher, historian, and retired prosecutor. He is also author of The Passion of Ayn Rand's Critics, and Creating Christ.About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational EgoistMichael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist podcast, a philosopher, author, and political activist committed to the principles of reason, individualism, and rational self-interest. Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, Michael uses his platform to challenge cultural dogma, expose moral contradictions, and defend the values that make human flourishing possible.His journey from a 25-year prison sentence to becoming a respected voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities is a testament to the transformative power of philosophy. Today, Michael speaks, writes, and debates passionately in defence of individual rights and intellectual clarity.He is the co-author of two compelling books that examine the failures of the correctional system and the redemptive power of moral conviction:Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Corrections Encourages Crimehttps://www.amazon.com.au/Down-Rabbit...View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Libertyhttps://books2read.com/u/4jN6xjAbout Xenia Ioannou – Producer of The Rational EgoistXenia Ioannou is the producer of The Rational Egoist, responsible for overseeing the publishing, presentation, and promotion of each episode to ensure a consistent standard of clarity, professionalism, and intellectual rigour.She is the CEO of Alexa Real Estate, a property manager and entrepreneur, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Ayn Rand Centre Australia, where she contributes to the organisation’s strategic direction and public engagement with ideas centred on reason, individual rights, and human freedom.Xenia also leads Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup in Adelaide, creating a forum for thoughtful discussion on Ayn Rand’s philosophy and its application to everyday life, culture, and current issues.Join Capitalism and Coffee here:https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-ayn-r...(Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup)Follow Xenia’s essays on reason, independence, and purposeful living at her Substack:https://substack.com/@xeniaioannou?ut...Because freedom is worth thinking about — and talking about.#iran#war#debate#morality
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Feb 26, 2026 • 27min

Why I'm Not an Objectivist

I discuss my disagreements with Ayn Rand.About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational EgoistMichael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist podcast, a philosopher, author, and political activist committed to the principles of reason, individualism, and rational self-interest. Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, Michael uses his platform to challenge cultural dogma, expose moral contradictions, and defend the values that make human flourishing possible.His journey from a 25-year prison sentence to becoming a respected voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities is a testament to the transformative power of philosophy. Today, Michael speaks, writes, and debates passionately in defence of individual rights and intellectual clarity.He is the co-author of two compelling books that examine the failures of the correctional system and the redemptive power of moral conviction:Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Corrections Encourages Crimehttps://www.amazon.com.au/Down-Rabbit...View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Libertyhttps://books2read.com/u/4jN6xjAbout Xenia Ioannou – Producer of The Rational EgoistXenia Ioannou is the producer of The Rational Egoist, responsible for overseeing the publishing, presentation, and promotion of each episode to ensure a consistent standard of clarity, professionalism, and intellectual rigour.She is the CEO of Alexa Real Estate, a property manager and entrepreneur, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Ayn Rand Centre Australia, where she contributes to the organisation’s strategic direction and public engagement with ideas centred on reason, individual rights, and human freedom.Xenia also leads Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup in Adelaide, creating a forum for thoughtful discussion on Ayn Rand’s philosophy and its application to everyday life, culture, and current issues.Join Capitalism and Coffee here:https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-ayn-r...(Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup)Follow Xenia’s essays on reason, independence, and purposeful living at her Substack:https://substack.com/@xeniaioannou?ut...Because freedom is worth thinking about — and talking about.#TheRationalEgoist #MichaelLiebowitz #JamesValliant #OPAR #LeonardPeikoff #AynRand #Philosophy #SelfImprovement #Reason #Volition #Individualism #PersonalDevelopment #HumanNature #Virtue #Productiveness
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Feb 24, 2026 • 45min

The Virtue of Independence

The Rational Egoist is back with another instalment 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 independence.A practical takeaway: how to translate abstract principles into day-to-day clarity and momentumExpect a direct, grounded discussion aimed at one thing: helping you think more clearly about what you are—and what that makes possible.About Michael Liebowitz – Host of The Rational EgoistMichael Liebowitz is the host of The Rational Egoist podcast, a philosopher, author, and political activist committed to the principles of reason, individualism, and rational self-interest. Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, Michael uses his platform to challenge cultural dogma, expose moral contradictions, and defend the values that make human flourishing possible.His journey from a 25-year prison sentence to becoming a respected voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities is a testament to the transformative power of philosophy. Today, Michael speaks, writes, and debates passionately in defence of individual rights and intellectual clarity.He is the co-author of two compelling books that examine the failures of the correctional system and the redemptive power of moral conviction:Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Corrections Encourages Crimehttps://www.amazon.com.au/Down-Rabbit...View from a Cage: From Convict to Crusader for Libertyhttps://books2read.com/u/4jN6xjAbout Xenia Ioannou – Producer of The Rational EgoistXenia Ioannou is the producer of The Rational Egoist, responsible for overseeing the publishing, presentation, and promotion of each episode to ensure a consistent standard of clarity, professionalism, and intellectual rigour.She is the CEO of Alexa Real Estate, a property manager and entrepreneur, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Ayn Rand Centre Australia, where she contributes to the organisation’s strategic direction and public engagement with ideas centred on reason, individual rights, and human freedom.Xenia also leads Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup in Adelaide, creating a forum for thoughtful discussion on Ayn Rand’s philosophy and its application to everyday life, culture, and current issues.Join Capitalism and Coffee here:https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-ayn-r...(Capitalism and Coffee – An Objectivist Meetup)Follow Xenia’s essays on reason, independence, and purposeful living at her Substack:https://substack.com/@xeniaioannou?ut...Because freedom is worth thinking about — and talking about.#TheRationalEgoist #MichaelLiebowitz #JamesValliant #OPAR #LeonardPeikoff #AynRand #Philosophy #SelfImprovement #Reason #Volition #Individualism #PersonalDevelopment #HumanNature #Virtue #Productiveness

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