

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

Oct 29, 2025 • 1h 1min
False Government Accusations of Child Abuse? with Spike Cohen
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 274th episode of Objectively Speaking as she sits down with Spike Cohen, libertarian activist, entrepreneur, and podcaster. Together, they discuss Cohen’s nonprofit, You Are The Power, its mission to push back against government overreach, and its grassroots efforts to defend families facing wrongful threats of separation from government agencies.
Jeremy "Spike" Cohen is a libertarian political activist, entrepreneur, and the Founder and President of You Are the Power, a nonprofit focused on using solutions-oriented activism to grow the Liberty movement and fight back against corrupt officials and government overreach. He previously served as the Libertarian Party's vice presidential nominee in 2020.

Oct 22, 2025 • 59min
Did Frederick Douglass Diss Abe Lincoln? with Lucas Morel and Jonathan White
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 273rd episode of Objectively Speaking, where Professor Lucas Morel joins her alongside returning guest Jonathan White to talk about the duo's co-authored book "Measuring the Man: The Writings of Frederick Douglass on Abraham Lincoln," which assembles Frederick Douglass’s most meaningful and poignant statements about Abraham Lincoln, including a dozen newly discovered documents that have not been seen for 160 years.
"Measuring the Man: The Writings of Frederick Douglass on Abraham Lincoln" - https://amzn.to/4kyEuyO
Lucas Morel is a Professor of Ethics and Politics at Washington and Lee University and works at the Jack Miller Center as a Board Member, Academic Advisory Council Member, and Founding Civics Initiative Faculty. He is the author of several books and publications, including "Lincoln, and the American Founding" and currently serves on the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, which will plan activities to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
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.

Oct 15, 2025 • 59min
Remembering Charlie Kirk: Will This Be America's Turning Point? with Driena Sixto
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 272nd episode of Objectively Speaking. In the wake of the devastating loss of longtime friend Charlie Kirk, Driena Sixto joins Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman as they share reflections on Charlie’s life, leadership, and the profound mark he left on the movement for liberty.
Inspired by Ayn Rand at a young age, Driena has pursued a career in grassroots activism, mobilization, and outspoken commentary, now serving as a Media Spokesperson for Turning Point Action. A Miami native, she’s a local Cuban-American “politica” featured in dozens of media outlets, including CBS, Univision, and Telemundo.

Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 1min
How Politics Failed During COVID with Stephen J. Macedo
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 271st episode of Objectively Speaking, where she speaks with Princeton Professor Stephen J. Macedo about his new book "In Covid’s Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us," which offers the first comprehensive political assessment of our pandemic response and raises urgent questions about how governments abandoned pre-Covid preparedness plans, politicized science, and deepened inequality.
As the Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor of Politics and Acting Director of the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University, Macedo is the author of several books including Just Married: Same-Sex Couples, Monogamy, and the Future of Marriage and focuses his research on social justice exerted by various forms of globalization, especially immigration, and the problems raised by social media companies and the dangers of government efforts to policy “misinformation.”

Oct 1, 2025 • 57min
Does Border Enforcement Reduce Violent Crime? with Ken W. Good
Are deportations driving down violent crime in America? Some supporters are crediting the sharp increase in deportations for what could soon be the lowest U.S. murder rate on record. On the other hand, critics strongly argue that deportation sweeps unfairly target non-violent offenders and create fear within immigrant communities, discouraging victims and witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement.
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 271st episode of Objectively Speaking when she interviews bail attorney Ken W. Good on the intersection of bail, crime, and immigration enforcement policies.

Sep 24, 2025 • 58min
Public Choice Theory and the Politics of Self-Interest with Stephen Hicks and Richard Salsman
Join Atlas Society Senior Scholars Stephen Hicks and Richard Salsman for a webinar exploring the intersection of “Public Choice” economics and Objectivism. Listen as the duo discuss how Public Choice theory challenges the idea of selfless government actors, and how Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged vividly dramatizes the consequences of political actors being driven by self-interest rather than the public good.

Sep 17, 2025 • 1h 1min
Is America an Idea? with David Kelley and Robert Tracinski
Join Atlas Society founder and Senior Scholar David Kelley, Ph.D., along with Senior Fellow Robert Tracinski, for the 268th episode of Objectively Speaking and a special webinar exploring what it means for a nation to be defined by ideas rather than ancestry or geography. From the Constitution to immigration, from debates with national conservatives to challenges from the anti-American left, the duo will examine the enduring principles that shaped America—and why defending them is more important than ever.

Sep 10, 2025 • 56min
Who Needs College Anymore? with Kathleen deLaski
In this engaging discussion, Kathleen deLaski, founder of Education Design Lab and author of *Who Needs College Anymore?*, shares her insights on rethinking higher education. She highlights the challenges faced by 'new majority learners' and critiques traditional college pathways. DeLaski emphasizes innovative education models, like community colleges and apprenticeships, tailored to job market needs. Additionally, she dives into the implications of student debt on admissions and the shifting preference for skill-based hiring over traditional degrees.

Aug 27, 2025 • 59min
How to Fight Wokism with Eric Kaufmann
Join Atlas CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 266th episode of Objectively Speaking, where she interviews returning guest Eric Kaufmann about his latest book, “The Third Awokening: A 12-Point Plan for Rolling Back Progressive Extremism,” which explores the rise of “woke” ideology and proposes a concrete strategy to counter its influence.
Eric Kaufmann is a Canadian Professor of Politics at the University of Buckingham, adjunct fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and a previous guest on Objectively Speaking, where he spoke on his book “Whiteshift: Populism, Immigration and the Future of White Majorities.” A specialist on cultural politics, religious and national identity, and demography, Kaufmann has authored, co-authored, and edited multiple books, including “The Rise and Fall of Anglo-America” and “Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth.”

Aug 20, 2025 • 55min
How "Low Culture" Captured Politics with Ross Benes
What if the cultural quirks of the late ’90s weren’t just nostalgia, but the blueprint for today’s America?
Join Atlas CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 265th episode of Objectively Speaking, where she interviews author Ross Benes about his new book “1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times,” which demonstrates how many of the strangest cultural features of 1999 have signaled and paved the way for the coarsening of American life today.
Ross Benes is an author, journalist, and research analyst who has written for outlets, including Huffpost, The Nation, Rolling Stone, Smithsonian Magazine, and has also written several books, including The Sex Effect and Rural Rebellion: How Nebraska Became a Republican Stronghold.


