The "Founder" Spirit that Fuels, with Arthur Herman

The "Founder" Spirit that Fuels, with Arthur Herman

Author: The Atlas Society July 16, 2026 Duration: 57:13
What makes a true founder, and why does America keep needing them to break the cycle of stagnation? Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 306th episode of Objectively Speaking, where she sits down with returning guest Arther Herman to talk about his latest book, "Founder’s Fire: From 1776 to the Age of Trump." In "Founder’s Fire: From 1776 to the Age of Trump," Arthur Herman argues that America has always been driven forward by a distinctive type of leader—the founder—who, through visionary risk-taking and a willingness to build from first principles, has repeatedly rescued the nation from stagnation. Returning for a second time on Objectively Speaking, Herman previously joined to discuss his book "The Cave and the Light: Plato Versus Aristotle, and the Struggle for the Soul of Western Civilization." A senior research fellow at the Civitas Institute, Herman is a Pulitzer Prize Finalist historian and biographer, authoring nine books, including the New York Times bestseller "How the Scots Invented the Modern World," "Freedom’s Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II," and "1917: Lenin, Wilson, and the Birth of the New World Disorder."

Tune in to The Atlas Society Presents-Objectively Speaking for a series of thoughtful conversations that explore the practical application of Ayn Rand's philosophy. This podcast, brought to you by The Atlas Society, moves beyond abstract theory to examine how the principles of reason, individualism, and achievement manifest in our daily lives, careers, and culture. Each episode features discussions that connect Objectivist ideas to contemporary issues in business, creative pursuits, and societal trends, offering a framework for navigating a complex world. You'll hear analyses that celebrate human potential and the power of the individual while critically examining opposing doctrines. The dialogue is grounded in Rand's works, from the monumental *Atlas Shrugged* to her incisive essays, treating Objectivism as the vital, life-affirming guide it was designed to be. Whether you're well-versed in the philosophy or newly curious, this podcast provides a space for open, reasoned exploration. It’s an invitation to consider how a commitment to rational self-interest and freedom can shape a flourishing life and a better society. Join the conversation to hear these ideas unpacked with clarity and depth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Atlas Society Presents - Objectively Speaking
Podcast Episodes
The Real Cost of Short-Term Thinking with Robert Tracinski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:28
What is irrational self-interest? What is enlightened self-interest, and why do so many people get it wrong? Using a jaw-dropping real-world story of pardons and political operatives, join Atlas Society Senior Fellow Rob…
Are Trial Lawyers Killing Innovation? with Ted Frank [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:55
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 298th episode of Objectively Speaking, where she is joined by Ted Frank to discuss how an unchecked plaintiffs' bar uses litigation as a weapon—driving up costs, chilling…
The Dark Side of "Social Emotional Learning" with Priscilla West [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:51
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 297th episode of Objectively Speaking, where she is joined by author Priscilla West to talk about her book, "The New Face of Woke Education," which exposes Social Emotiona…
Communism's Secret History with Joshua Lisec [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:28
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 296th episode of Objectively Speaking, where she meets with acclaimed ghostwriter and author Joshua Lisec to talk about his book, "Unhumans: The Secret History of Communis…
The Lure of Conspiratorial Thinking with Michael Shermer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:27
Join Atlas Society CEO for the 295th episode of Objectively Speaking, where she sits down with returning guest Michael Shermer to talk about his 2024 book "Conspiracy: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational," which pres…
The “America First” Principle and the U.S. War with Iran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:06
What does it truly mean for a nation to act in its rational self-interest on the world stage? Join Atlas Society Senior Scholar Richard Salsman, Ph.D., for a discussion on why America is right to adopt self-interested fo…
Is Bitcoin for Everyone? with Natalie Brunell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:27
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 293rd episode of Objectively Speaking, where she sits down with podcast host and Bitcoin advocate Natalie Brunell to discuss her new book "Bitcoin is for Everyone: Why Our…
Special 10th Anniversary Podcast with Jennifer Grossman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:13
‍It was March 2016—only 10 short years ago—when Jennifer Grossman reported for her first day on the job as CEO of The Atlas Society. Usually the one asking questions on Objectively Speaking, Grossman will swap seats with…
The Uyghur Struggle with Salih Hudayar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:02
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 291st episode of Objectively Speaking as she sits down with Uyghur rights advocate and political leader Salih Hudayar, Foreign Minister of the East Turkistan Government in…
Is the Word 'Liberal' Worth Fighting For? with Stephen Hicks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:24
All political labels are abused—some more than others. When should a label be abandoned, and when not? In contemporary American political journalism, liberal is one such contested word. In the 290th episode of Objectivel…