Why Great Civilizations Fail? with Johan Norberg

Why Great Civilizations Fail? with Johan Norberg

Author: The Atlas Society December 3, 2025 Duration: 1:00:15

Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 279th episode of Objectively Speaking where she is joined by three-time returning guest Johan Norberg to talk about his latest book "Peak Human: What We Can Learn From History’s Greatest Civilizations," which explores the rise and fall of past societies to uncover the ideas, institutions, and innovations that fueled their success—and the mistakes that led to their decline.

Johan Norberg is a Cato Senior Fellow and the author and editor of more than 20 books that focus on globalization, human progress, and intellectual history. He previously joined The Atlas Society Asks to discuss his books "Open: The Story of Human Progress" and "The Capitalist Manifesto."


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: 252

The Atlas Society Presents - Objectively Speaking
Podcast Episodes
PayPal Mafia: The Founders Who Shaped Silicon Valley with Jimmy Soni [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:47
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 Wh…
How to Fight AI Doomers with Gill Verdon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:19
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 255th episode of Objectively Speaking (formerly The Atlas Society Asks), where she interviews Extropic founder Guillaume Verdon. Guillaume Verdon, or Gill Verdon, is the f…
Selling Tarnished Conceptual Brands with Kelley and Salsman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:27
Join Atlas Society founder and Senior Scholar David Kelley, Ph.D., along with Senior Scholar and Professor of Political Economy at Duke, Richard Salsman, Ph.D., for a special webinar exploring how influential ideas often…
Should Good People Break Bad Laws? with Topher Field [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:55
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 252nd episode of The Atlas Society Asks, where she speaks with Topher Field, one of Australia’s leading and most recognized Libertarian political commentators and human ri…
The War on Female Athletes with Jennifer Sey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:17
Join CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 251st episode of The Atlas Society Asks where she interviews author, filmmaker, business executive, and retired National Champion gymnast, Jennifer Sey. Listen as the duo explore Sey's…
Academic Freedom & Government Control with Hicks and Tracinski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:31
Join Atlas Society Senior Scholar Stephen Hicks and Senior Fellow Robert Tracinski Wednesday for a special webinar exploring academic freedom and how the government uses federal/state funding to exert control over higher…
The Bud Light Boycott: R.I.P. D.E.I.? with Anson Frericks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:52
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 249th episode of The Atlas Society Asks where she interviews former Anheuser-Busch executive Anson Frericks about his book Last Call for Bud Light: The Fall and Future of…
When Big Business Went Woke with Stephen R. Soukup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:29
Join Atlas Society International Strategy Director Isidora Kolar for the 248th episode of The Atlas Society Asks where she interviews Stephen R. Soukup about his book "The Dictatorship of Woke Capital: How Political Corr…