

The Rational Egoist
The Rational Egoist with Michael Liebowitz
The Rational Egoist podcast aims to explore the philosophy of rational egoism and how it can be applied in our daily lives. Hosted by Michael Liebowitz and produced by Xenia Ioannou with experts in the field of philosophy, psychology, and economics, the podcast will provide listeners with a wealth of knowledge and insight into the benefits of rational egoism.
Copyright of all audio, printed material and colour schemes including logos, owned exclusively by Michael Liebowitz and Xenia Ioannou and cannot be reproduced without prior written permission
Copyright of all audio, printed material and colour schemes including logos, owned exclusively by Michael Liebowitz and Xenia Ioannou and cannot be reproduced without prior written permission
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 13, 2023 • 42min
The Rational Egoist: A Critical Look at Trumps Presidency with Rocco Lucente
The Rational Egoist: A Critical Look at Trumps Presidency with Rocco Lucente
Join host Michael Liebowitz as he explores the intersection of Christian Constitutionalism, individual rights, and Trump's presidency with special guest Rocco Lucente.
Rocco is a Christian and a Constitutionalist who supports Donald Trump because he believes that Trump's policies align more with his beliefs than any other candidate. In this podcast, Rocco discusses his views on limited government, individual rights, taxation, and morality from a Christian perspective.
Michael and Rocco also dive into Trump's presidency, discussing topics such as tax cuts, spending cuts, deregulation, tariffs, and immigration, and examining how they align with Rocco's philosophy. Through their discussions, they aim to seek truth and provide honest perspectives on these complex topics without compromising their principles or allowing contradiction.
Michael Liebowitz is a philosopher, political activist, and host of the Rational Egoist podcast. He is a passionate advocate of reason and his views have been heavily influenced by the philosopher Ayn Rand.
Liebowitz has dedicated his life to promoting its principles of rational self-interest, individualism, and reason. In addition to his work as a podcast host, Liebowitz is also a prominent spokesperson for the Libertarian Party for Connecticut - USA and has been involved in a number of political debates advocating for individual rights and freedoms through his YouTube videos and interviews.
Liebowitz's life story is a testament to the transformative power of the writings of Ayn Rand. After spending 25 years in prison, he was able to turn his life around by embracing the principles of rational self-interest and morality espoused by Ayn Rand. He has since become an influential voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities, using his own experience to inspire others to live their lives in accordance with reason, individualism, and self-interest.
Liebowitz is also the co-author of "Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Correction Encourages Crime," a book that explores the ways in which misguided societal attitudes towards punishment and rehabilitation have led to a rise in crime and recidivism. In addition to his work in politics and philosophy, Liebowitz is a regular guest on the Todd Feinburg show at WTIC, where he provides expert commentary on a range of political and social issues.

Apr 12, 2023 • 40min
The Rational Egoist - Uncovering the Truth with Jan Helfeld - The Socratic Assassin
The Socratic Assassin: Uncovering the Truth with the Rational Egoist
Join host Michael Leibowitz as he explores the power of the Socratic method with guest Jan Helfeld, known as the Socratic assassin. Through their discussions, they will delve into the art of asking questions that reveal the real differences in opinion, uncover contradictions in thinking, and get beyond the public facade of politicians.
By using this approach, they will expose what people's true values are and how they shape their beliefs. Discover how the hierarchical structure of knowledge plays a crucial role in identifying inconsistencies and how only an honest person will take responsibility for the contradictions in their beliefs. Tune in to The Socratic Assassin: Uncovering the Truth with the Rational Egoist, and learn how to use the power of questions to sharpen your thinking and reveal the truth.
Michael Liebowitz is a philosopher, political activist, and host of the Rational Egoist podcast. He is a passionate advocate of reason and his views have been heavily influenced by the philosopher Ayn Rand. Liebowitz has dedicated his life to promoting its principles of rational self-interest, individualism, and reason. In addition to his work as a podcast host, Liebowitz is also a prominent spokesperson for the Libertarian Party for Connecticut - USA and has been involved in a number of political debates advocating for individual rights and freedoms through his YouTube videos and interviews.
Liebowitz's life story is a testament to the transformative power of the writings of Ayn Rand. After spending 25 years in prison, he was able to turn his life around by embracing the principles of rational self-interest and morality espoused by Ayn Rand. He has since become an influential voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities, using his own experience to inspire others to live their lives in accordance with reason, individualism, and self-interest. Liebowitz is also the co-author of "Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Correction Encourages Crime," a book that explores the ways in which misguided societal attitudes towards punishment and rehabilitation have led to a rise in crime and recidivism. In addition to his work in politics and philosophy, Liebowitz is a regular guest on the Todd Feinburg show at WTIC, where he provides expert commentary on a range of political and social issue

Apr 10, 2023 • 40min
The Rational Egoist: Challenging the Failures of the Prison System
The Rational Egoist: Challenging the Failures of the Prison System
In this podcast, host Michael Liebowitz engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Reece Hopkins from Reece on the radio, as they dive deep into the failures of the prison system.
They discuss how blindly accepting things can lead to complacency and how questioning the status quo is essential to bring about change. They also shed light on how the imbalance of power in the government and law-enforcement agencies is leading to corrupt practices.Reece shares his firsthand experience of being in the prison system and how it fails to provide an environment that encourages personal growth and education.
He highlights how the correction officers' attitude towards minor violations and the reward system for bad behavior can be detrimental to an individual's progress.
Through this podcast, Michael and Reece aim to create awareness about the need for a better prison system and how individuals can be empowered to make a change.
Tune in to The Rational Egoist and join the conversation on challenging the status quo and bringing about a positive change in the prison system.
Michael Liebowitz is a philosopher, political activist, and host of the Rational Egoist podcast. He is a passionate advocate of reason and his views have been heavily influenced by the philosopher Ayn Rand. Liebowitz has dedicated his life to promoting its principles of rational self-interest, individualism, and reason.
In addition to his work as a podcast host, Liebowitz is also a prominent spokesperson for the Libertarian Party for Connecticut - USA and has been involved in a number of political debates advocating for individual rights and freedoms through his YouTube videos and interviews.
Liebowitz's life story is a testament to the transformative power of the writings of Ayn Rand. After spending 25 years in prison, he was able to turn his life around by embracing the principles of rational self-interest and morality espoused by Ayn Rand.
He has since become an influential voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities, using his own experience to inspire others to live their lives in accordance with reason, individualism, and self-interest.
Liebowitz is also the co-author of "Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Correction Encourages Crime," a book that explores the ways in which misguided societal attitudes towards punishment and rehabilitation have led to a rise in crime and recidivism. In addition to his work in politics and philosophy, Liebowitz is a regular guest on the Todd Feinburg show at WTIC, where he provides expert commentary on a range of political and social issues.

Apr 7, 2023 • 50min
The Rational Egoist: Exploring Constitutional Interpretation
The Rational Egoist: Exploring Constitutional Interpretation
The Rational Egoist is a podcast that delves into objectivist philosophy and its applications in various fields.
In this episode of The Rational Egoist, host Michael Liebowitz interviews legal scholar Professor Richard Epstein to explore the question of whether constitutional interpretation should be based on original meaning. Michael argues that regulating immigration and drugs is unconstitutional, and that individual human rights are being ignored in favor of following legal procedures.
Epstein, however, contends that the legal system has to take a utilitarian approach due to its complexity and the need to follow precedences. The discussion delves into the role of individual rights in the legal system, the impact of public opinion on legal decisions, and the importance of sticking to the law versus principles. Through this engaging conversation, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of constitutional interpretation and the tensions between objectivism and utilitarianism in the legal system.
Michael Liebowitz is a philosopher, political activist, and host of the Rational Egoist podcast. He is a passionate advocate of reason and his views have been heavily influenced by the philosopher Ayn Rand.
Liebowitz has dedicated his life to promoting its principles of rational self-interest, individualism, and reason. In addition to his work as a podcast host, Liebowitz is also a prominent spokesperson for the Libertarian Party for Connecticut - USA and has been involved in a number of political debates advocating for individual rights and freedoms through his YouTube videos and interviews.
Liebowitz's life story is a testament to the transformative power of the writings of Ayn Rand. After spending 25 years in prison, he was able to turn his life around by embracing the principles of rational self-interest and morality espoused by Ayn Rand. He has since become an influential voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities, using his own experience to inspire others to live their lives in accordance with reason, individualism, and self-interest.
Liebowitz is also the co-author of "Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Correction Encourages Crime," a book that explores the ways in which misguided societal attitudes towards punishment and rehabilitation have led to a rise in crime and recidivism. In addition to his work in politics and philosophy, Liebowitz is a regular guest on the Todd Feinburg show at WTIC, where he provides expert commentary on a range of political and social issues.

Apr 6, 2023 • 20min
The Rational Egoist: Ayn Rand's Philosophy of Capitalism in the Age of Trump
The Rational Egoist: Ayn Rand's Philosophy of Capitalism in the Age of Trump
In this podcast, host Michael Liebowitz examines the presidency of Donald Trump, discussing whether Trump's policies truly align with the principles of capitalism.
He examines Trump's support for minimum wage, tariffs, bailouts, and government intervention in the economy, arguing that these stances are fundamentally anti-capitalist.
Liebowitz argues that the only antidote to the rise of wokeism, political correctness, and cancel culture is Ayn Rand's philosophy of rational egoism, which advocates for individual rights, free markets, and unfettered capitalism.
Michael Liebowitz is a philosopher, political activist, and host of the Rational Egoist podcast. He is a passionate advocate of reason and his views have been heavily influenced by the philosopher Ayn Rand.
Liebowitz has dedicated his life to promoting its principles of rational self-interest, individualism, and reason. In addition to his work as a podcast host, Liebowitz is also a prominent spokesperson for the Libertarian Party for Connecticut - USA and has been involved in a number of political debates advocating for individual rights and freedoms through his YouTube videos and interviews.
Liebowitz's life story is a testament to the transformative power of the writings of Ayn Rand. After spending 25 years in prison, he was able to turn his life around by embracing the principles of rational self-interest and morality espoused by Ayn Rand.
He has since become an influential voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities, using his own experience to inspire others to live their lives in accordance with reason, individualism, and self-interest. Liebowitz is also the co-author of "Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Correction Encourages Crime," a book that explores the ways in which misguided societal attitudes towards punishment and rehabilitation have led to a rise in crime and recidivism. In addition to his work in politics and philosophy, Liebowitz is a regular guest on the Todd Feinburg show at WTIC, where he provides expert commentary on a range of political and social issues.

Apr 3, 2023 • 45min
Challenging the Status Quo: Corruption, Third Party, and Prison Reform - The Rational Egoist
Challenging the Status Quo: Corruption, Third Party, and Prison Reform
In this episode of the Rational Egoist podcast, host Michael Liebowitz engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Larry Sharpe, a seasoned business consultant, entrepreneur, political activist, and podcaster. Together, they explore some of the most pressing issues in the political landscape, including the impact of corruption on the political process, the viability of a third party, and the need for prison reform. Drawing from his experience as a Libertarian candidate for governor of New York, Sharpe offers insightful perspectives on how government corruption is contributing to the rising cost of living, and how a third party could serve as a viable alternative to the two-party system. They also delve into the need for prison reform, and how it can help reduce crime and save taxpayers money. Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights into some of the most pressing issues facing our society today.
Michael Liebowitz is a philosopher, political activist, and host of the Rational Egoist podcast. He is a passionate advocate of reason and his views have been heavily influenced by the philosopher Ayn Rand.
Liebowitz has dedicated his life to promoting its principles of rational self-interest, individualism, and reason. In addition to his work as a podcast host, Liebowitz is also a prominent spokesperson for the Libertarian Party for Connecticut - USA and has been involved in a number of political debates advocating for individual rights and freedoms through his YouTube videos and interviews.
Liebowitz's life story is a testament to the transformative power of the writings of Ayn Rand. After spending 25 years in prison, he was able to turn his life around by embracing the principles of rational self-interest and morality espoused by Ayn Rand. He has since become an influential voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities, using his own experience to inspire others to live their lives in accordance with reason, individualism, and self-interest.
Liebowitz is also the co-author of "Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Correction Encourages Crime," a book that explores the ways in which misguided societal attitudes towards punishment and rehabilitation have led to a rise in crime and recidivism. In addition to his work in politics and philosophy, Liebowitz is a regular guest on the Todd Feinburg show at WTIC, where he provides expert commentary on a range of political and social issues.

Mar 31, 2023 • 44min
Examining the flaws of government intervention - The Rational Egoist
Examining the flaws of government intervention - The Rational Egoist
In this episode of The Rational Egoist, host Michael Liebowitz engages in a discussion with special guest Michael Mechanic, senior editor of Mother Jones, and author of "Jackpot: How the Super Rich Really Live, and How Their Wealth Harms Us All". The episode some common views on inequality and the merits of this perspective.
The conversation begins with a discussion on inequality, with Mechanic questioning how much money a CEO of a company can take out of their own business compared to other workers and speculating on when should the government step in and limit what they can take. However, Liebowitz challenges the notion that inequality is the primary issue and instead argues that the real problem lies in any hindrance or interference in the creation of wealth by those who produce it.
Mechanic criticizes the government for providing tax breaks to the rich, which he argues allows them to use philanthropy to pay very little tax. However, he also advocates for giving more power to the government in socialism, which Liebowitz counters as a flawed solution that will only lead to more corruption.
The conversation becomes more philosophical as Liebowitz questions Mechanic's moral standard for judging the accumulation of wealth as wrong. Mechanic argues that the government should intervene and stop people from accumulating wealth, but this idea is met with criticism by Liebowitz, who asserts that an individual has no right to initiate force against another person and therefore cannot delegate a right they do not have, to the government.
Overall, The Rational Egoist provides a stimulating discussion that challenges traditional views on inequality and highlights the importance of individual rights and free market capitalism. The rational egoist suggests that society should value the freedom to create wealth without hinderance, rather than focusing on the distribution of wealth based on arbitrary factors such as social status and needs.
Michael Liebowitz is a philosopher, political activist, and host of the Rational Egoist podcast. He is a passionate advocate of reason and his views have been heavily influenced by the philosopher Ayn Rand. Liebowitz has dedicated his life to promoting its principles of rational self-interest, individualism, and reason.
In addition to his work as a podcast host, Liebowitz is also a prominent spokesperson for the Libertarian Party for Connecticut - USA and has been involved in a number of political debates advocating for individual rights and freedoms through his YouTube videos and interviews.
Liebowitz's life story is a testament to the transformative power of the writings of Ayn Rand. After spending 25 years in prison, he was able to turn his life around by embracing the principles of rational self-interest and morality espoused by Ayn Rand. He has since become an influential voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities, using his own experience to inspire others to live their lives in accordance with reason, individualism, and self-interest.
Liebowitz is also the co-author of "Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Correction Encourages Crime," a book that explores the ways in which misguided societal attitudes towards punishment and rehabilitation have led to a rise in crime and recidivism.
In addition to his work in politics and philosophy, Liebowitz is a regular guest on the Todd Feinburg show at WTIC, where he provides expert commentary on a range of political and social issues.

Mar 28, 2023 • 48min
The Paradox of Selflessness: How Wokeism and Trumpism Betray Rational Self-Interest - Michael Liebowitz and Robert Tracinski
The Paradox of Selflessness: How Wokeism and Trumpism Betray Rational Self-Interest
In this episode of Rational Egoist, host Michael Liebowitz and guest Robert Tracinski, Senior fellow at the Atlas Society and author of "Who is John Galt, Anyway? A Pocket Guide to Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged," explore the challenges of civil discourse in the age of wokeism and Trumpism.
Drawing on their expertise in rational egoism, Liebowitz and Tracinski discuss the paradox of selflessness as it manifests in these two irrational beliefs. Wokeism promotes a collectivist mindset that seeks to suppress individual thinking and expression, while Trumpism emphasizes a cult of personality that values loyalty to the leader over rational self-interest.
Liebowitz and Tracinski argue that both of these ideologies betray the true spirit of rational self-interest, which requires individuals to pursue their own goals and values in cooperation with others, without sacrificing their own well-being to the demands of the collective or the authority of the leader.
The conversation also touches on the challenges of engaging in civil discourse in the era of social media and the importance of protecting individual rights and freedoms in order to build a more prosperous and just society for all.
Ultimately, Liebowitz and Tracinski make the case that a rational egoist approach, based on the pursuit of rational self-interest, is the key to achieving true progress and prosperity in society, and that the irrational beliefs of wokeism and Trumpism are holding us back from achieving our full potential as individuals and as a society.
Michael Liebowitz is a philosopher, political activist, and host of the Rational Egoist podcast. He is a passionate advocate for the philosophy of Objectivism, as developed by Ayn Rand, and has dedicated his life to promoting its principles of rational self-interest, individualism, and reason.
In addition to his work as a podcast host, Liebowitz is also a prominent spokesperson for the Libertarian Party in the United States, and has been involved in a number of political campaigns advocating for individual rights and freedoms.
Liebowitz's life story is a testament to the transformative power of Objectivism. After spending 25 years in prison, he was able to turn his life around by embracing the principles of rational self-interest and morality espoused by Ayn Rand. He has since become an influential voice in the libertarian and Objectivist communities, using his own experience to inspire others to live their lives in accordance with reason, individualism, and self-interest.
Liebowitz is also the co-author of "Down the Rabbit Hole: How the Culture of Correction Encourages Crime," a book that explores the ways in which misguided societal attitudes towards punishment and rehabilitation have led to a rise in crime and recidivism.
In addition to his work in politics and philosophy, Liebowitz is a regular guest on the Todd Feinburg show at WTIC, where he provides expert commentary on a range of political and social issues.

Mar 25, 2023 • 34min
Socialism vs Collectivism: The Battle for Human Rights and Freedom - Michael Liebowitz and Todd Feinburg,
Socialism vs Individualism: The Battle for Human Rights and Freedom
Welcome to this episode of The Rational Egoist, hosted by Michael Liebowitz. In this episode, Michael interviews Todd Feinburg, host of The Todd Feinburg Show on WTIC. They dive into a discussion about the principles laid out in the founding documents, particularly the Declaration of Independence, which they argue are obvious statements of human nature but not upheld in reality by socialism. Michael and Todd explore the concept that everyone deserves the fruits of their own labor, but our current system violates those rights. They also discuss the idea that those who can see objective truths are gaslighted by socialist ideology. They further elaborate on the point that because socialism is not based on solid truths, the entire house of cards can crumble on a few wrong decisions. The conversation also touches on the difficulty of identifying what the government is doing and how legislation often benefits the government rather than the public. They argue that we can see the government stealing and squandering our money, and that it is essential to hold them accountable. Join Michael Liebowitz and Todd Feinburg as they provide insightful analysis and thought-provoking commentary on the impact of socialism on our society and the need for individual rights and freedoms. Tune in to The Rational Egoist for this fascinating conversation.

Mar 23, 2023 • 30min
The Rational Egoist - Examining Unicorn Governance and the Messiah Complex with Michael Liebowitz and Michael Munger
The Rational Egoist - Examining Unicorn Governance and the Messiah Complex
In this episode of The Rational Egoist, host Michael Liebowitz interviews Michael Munger, an economist and professor at Duke University, on the topic of unicorn governance and the messiah complex. Munger discusses his article on the conceptions that people have about what the economy should look like, and how this often leads to people on the left wanting an ideal government with benevolent motives. However, this model does not work, and blaming capitalism and greedy landlords only serves to avoid fixing the real problem with government. The conversation also delves into the concept of the messiah complex, where people blame the current government for not working and vote for someone else in the hope that they will be better. Munger highlights the importance of trusting free markets and self-interest, and how this has worked better than advocating for government responsibility. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode to gain insights into the complexities of human decision-making and the flaws of government-led collective efforts.