The Atlas Society Presents - Objectively Speaking
The Atlas Society
We promote open Objectivism: the philosophy of reason, achievement, individualism, and freedom.
Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism was set forth in such works as her epic novel Atlas Shrugged, and in her brilliant non-fiction essays. Objectivism is designed as a guide to life, and celebrates the remarkable potential and power of the individual. Objectivism also challenges the doctrines of irrationalism, self-sacrifice, brute force, and collectivism that have brought centuries of chaos and misery into the lives of millions of individuals. It provides fascinating insights into the world of politics, art, education, foreign policy, science, and more, rewarding you with a rich understanding of how ideas shape your world. Those who discover Objectivism often describe the experience as life-changing and liberating.
Ayn Rand's philosophical works have been praised as presenting historic breakthroughs in thinking. At the Atlas Society, our scholars work to further develop this philosophy born in the mid-twentieth century. We present the empowering principles of Objectivism to a global audience, and offer those principles as a rational and moral alternative in the marketplace of philosophical ideas.
Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism was set forth in such works as her epic novel Atlas Shrugged, and in her brilliant non-fiction essays. Objectivism is designed as a guide to life, and celebrates the remarkable potential and power of the individual. Objectivism also challenges the doctrines of irrationalism, self-sacrifice, brute force, and collectivism that have brought centuries of chaos and misery into the lives of millions of individuals. It provides fascinating insights into the world of politics, art, education, foreign policy, science, and more, rewarding you with a rich understanding of how ideas shape your world. Those who discover Objectivism often describe the experience as life-changing and liberating.
Ayn Rand's philosophical works have been praised as presenting historic breakthroughs in thinking. At the Atlas Society, our scholars work to further develop this philosophy born in the mid-twentieth century. We present the empowering principles of Objectivism to a global audience, and offer those principles as a rational and moral alternative in the marketplace of philosophical ideas.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 5, 2025 • 56min
How to Be an Intentional Entrepreneur with Peter Worrell
Join Atlas CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 264th episode of Objectively Speaking, where she interviews returning guest Peter Worrell about his latest book “INTENTION: Unlocking The Lifeforce Inside High-Performing Entrepreneurs” which explores what truly drives entrepreneurial success—not just strategy and execution, but the deep, inner forces of intention, resilience, and alignment.
Being a successful entrepreneur takes more than strategy and execution, but draws on the deep, inner forces of intention, resilience, grit, and creativity. How to unleash these qualities is a question Peter Worrell explores in his latest book, "INTENTION: Unlocking The Lifeforce Inside High-Performing Entrepreneurs." And it’s a topic that Worrell has had decades studying, having helped countless Entrepreneur Owner-Managers to build and ultimately capture the Enterprise Value they’ve tirelessly built, in his capacity as Managing Director of Bigelow LLC. Worrell is also the author of "Enterprise Value: How the Best Owner-Managers Build Their Fortune, Capture Their Company’s Gains, and Create Their Legacy," and host of the Enterprise Value Podcast.
Jul 30, 2025 • 1h 2min
The Lessons of Lockdowns with David Zweig
Join Atlas CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 263rd episode of Objectively Speaking, where she interviews journalist David Zweig about his book "An Abundance of Caution: American Schools, the Virus, and a Story of Bad Decisions,” which offers a devastating account of the decision-making process behind one of the worst American policy failures in a century—the extended closures of public schools during the pandemic.
David Zweig is a writer, musician, and freelance journalist whose articles have appeared in a variety of publications, including The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Free Press, and, most often, his newsletter, Silent Lunch. Zweig has testified twice before Congress as an expert witness on school policies during the pandemic, and his investigative reporting on pandemic policies has been cited in numerous Congressional letters and a brief to the Supreme Court.
Jul 24, 2025 • 58min
How Tech Empowered the Populist Right with Martin Gurri
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 262nd episode of Objectively Speaking, where she interviews former CIA analyst Martin Gurri about his book "The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium."
Why has trust in the “expert” class cratered? What explains the rise of populism around the world? Why do people view the once-vaunted Fourth Estate as little more than “Fake News”? Turns out author Martin Gurri anticipated these questions in his prophetic 2014 book, The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium, which tells the story of how insurgencies, enabled by digital devices and a vast information sphere, have mobilized millions of ordinary people around the world. He’s now updated his original to include an extensive analysis of Donald Trump’s improbable rise to the presidency and the electoral triumphs of Brexit. A former CIA analyst, Gurri writes extensively on geopolitical and media-related topics for multiple outlets, including The Free Press and his blog, The Fifth Wave.
Jul 16, 2025 • 58min
How Do We Know Right From Wrong? with Zol Cendes
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 261st episode of Objectively Speaking, where she interviews author Zoltan Cendes about his book "The Objectivist’s Guide to the Galaxy: Answers to the Ultimate Questions of Life, the Universe, and Everything."
In a playful nod to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Cendes poses and answers life’s ultimate questions, informed by his deep knowledge of Objectivism—and other sciences, including physics and biology. Cendes is the founder of Ansoft Corporation, a trailblazer in engineering simulation software with major clients including Intel and Apple. Cendes’ masterpiece will thrill those with scientific curiosity, and inspire readers eager to gain knowledge of the universe from first principles on up.
Jul 2, 2025 • 59min
Is Modern Environmentalism Anti-Human? with Robert Bidinotto
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 259th episode of The Atlas Society Asks where she interviews author Robert Bidinotto about his new book "A Rebel In Eden: The War Between Individualism and Environmentalism," which takes a deep dive into the movement’s mythological roots and highlights its scientifically bogus environmental scare campaigns.
A previous editor for The Atlas Society’s The New Individualist, Robert Bidinotto has written nonfiction books such as "Criminal Justice?" and "Freed to Kill," as well as fiction such as the bestselling Dylan Hunter thriller series.
Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 1min
Abe Lincoln's Enduring Legacy with Jonathan W. White
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 258th episode of Objectively Speaking, where she interviews historian Jonathan W. White about his vast knowledge of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War era as written in his more than 20 books on the topic.
Jonathan W. White is a historian and the author or editor of more than 20 books and over 100 articles, essays, and reviews on Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, slavery and emancipation, and the U.S. Constitution. Aside from teaching American studies at Christopher NewPort University, White wears many hats including Distinguished Lecturer for the Organization of American Historians, serving on the Boards of Directors of the Abraham Lincoln Institute and the Abraham Lincoln Association, along with being the Vice Chair of The Lincoln Forum. He published his first children’s book My Day with Abe Lincoln in 2024 with a new book planned for release later this fall.
Jun 18, 2025 • 59min
Are We Overmedicating Our Kids? with Laura Delano
Join Atlas CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 258th episode of Objectively Speaking, where she interviews Laura Delano about her book "Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance," which tells the story of Delano’s 14-year relationship to the American mental health industry and questions the dominant, rarely critiqued role that the American mental health industry, and the pharmaceutical industry in particular, plays in shaping what it means to be human.
Laura Delano is a writer, speaker, and consultant, and the founder of Inner Compass Initiative, a charitable organization that helps people make informed choices about psychiatric diagnoses, drugs, and drug withdrawal. She is a leading voice in the international movement to offer patients an alternative to the medicalized, professionalized mental health industry. Delano works with individuals and families around the world who are seeking guidance and support during their withdrawal journeys and in their post-psychiatric lives.
Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 2min
Ayn Rand & Modern Libertarianism with Brian Doherty
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 257th episode of Objectively Speaking where she interviews Brian Doherty about his new book "Modern Libertarianism: A Brief History of Classical Liberalism in the United States," which provides a concise, thorough account of the intellectual roots of the American libertarian movement, with helpful summaries of key figures, institutions, and events.
As a senior editor at Reason magazine, Doherty is an award-winning journalist who has covered libertarian and conservative movement history, gun policy and legal history, tech innovation, environmental and trade policy, and cutting-edge American art movements. His previous books include "Radicals for Capitalism: A Freewheeling History of the Modern Libertarian Movement," "Gun Control on Trial," and "Ron Paul’s rEVOLution."
Jun 4, 2025 • 1h 1min
PayPal Mafia: The Founders Who Shaped Silicon Valley with Jimmy Soni
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 256th episode of Objectively Speaking, where she interviews award-winning author Jimmy Soni about his 2022 book "The Founders: The Story of PayPal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley."
Jimmy Soni is the author of "The Founders: The Story of PayPal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley," which explores PayPal’s turbulent early days and the stories of countless individuals who were left out of the front-page features and banner headlines but who were central to PayPal’s success. As an award-winning author, speechwriter, and former managing editor of The Huffington Post, his previous books include "A Mind at Play: How Claude Shannon Invented the Information Age" and "Rome’s Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato, Mortal Enemy of Caesar."
May 28, 2025 • 59min
How to Fight AI Doomers with Gill Verdon
Guillaume Verdon, founder of Extropic and known for effective accelerationism, shares insights on the intersection of technology and personal liberty. He discusses the pitfalls of centralized AI and advocates for a decentralized approach to foster innovation. Verdon delves into the Kardashev scale, emphasizing sustainable energy for civilization's growth. He highlights the dual nature of AI, addressing misinformation while promoting equitable access to technology. The conversation also explores the timeline for launching innovative chip technology and the importance of individual agency in shaping AI's future.
