Five Minutes With Robert Nasir

In which we celebrate Amy Easter, as the stars align and Amy turns [Forever Young], no resurrection required, and ARTEMIS II approaches the Far Side Of The Moon! Also, lots more Happy Birthdays, the "Happy" guy, what war is good for, Deep Dish Pizza Day, and George Washington exercises the first presidential veto ... remember the olde days, when Congress used to pass legislation for the President to sign?

In which Robert & Amy discuss war, peace, heroes, spies, leadership, anti-natalism, and life. Also, Vangelis, Xena, Star Trek (DS9), and Happy Piano Day ... the 88th day of the year!

In which Robert & Amy chat about Virtue Ethics for Fun & Profit ... how to think about morals (and how not to)! "Good? Bad? I'm the guy with the gun." Also, The Stamp Act, cheers to Beer & Wine (thanks, FDR!), why blondes have more fun (and do they, really?), and Happy Future Birthday to Captain James T. Kirk!

Robert & Amy share a baker's half-dozen ways to live large! Also, spring's coming (or autumn for ya'all south of the equator), St. Paddy's in two days ... and bloodletting as deliciously selfish!

In which Robert & Amy examine Justice, and The Primacy of Values and conclude ... you look marvelous! The first duty of justice. The practical win-win nature of compliments. Building a house versus knocking one down. Why war is more than "killing people and breaking things" ... what are we fighting for? Applauding virtues and values, ignoring mistakes and missteps, fighting lethargy and evil. Strategies for finding the motivation to excel. Also, The Dark Side Of The Moon turns 53, the Salem Witch Hunt begins, and Roger Daltrey turns 82 ... his hopes denied, he didn't die before he got old. Compliments and observations ... oh, you pretty things!

In which Robert Tracinski runs for Congress! An interview with candidate Tracinski ... including your questions! Why Rob Tracinski is running in Virginia's 5th Congressional District (currently represented by John McGuire, Republican), and what he intends to accomplish. Tracinski is also the author of the recently published Dictator from Day One: How Donald Trump is Overthrowing the Constitution and How to Fight Back, and we'll be sure to discuss some of those ways to fight back (besides running for Congress!). What you can do: how and why to support his writing and his campaign.

How to Win Enemies and Influence Ne'er-do-wells. (And everyone else!) Robert & Amy discuss strategies for success when dealing with allies and adversaries. Ayn Rand's letter to Dashiell Hammett (fiction writer and Communist ... in that order). Also, Galileo (Galileo Figaro!), Cinderella, Zangara, Lewis, Seymour, Groening, and a Valentines Day recap.

In which Robert & Amy fight Chaos with Order, fight The Irrational with Reason, fight evil & vices with values & virtues. How to change the world with just one small change in focus ... and have a great time in the process. Love, affection, kindness ... for others, and for oneself. Why choosing to take The higher Ground ... properly understood ... is a success strategy. Also, Mary Queen Of Scots (and why we no longer behead politicians), the mind/body dichotomy (and how NOT to fight it), and James Dean (drive carefully!). Plus, Valentine's Day, and the Superb Owl!

Join us (and Ask Us Anything!) as we celebrate Randsday Eve! Robert & Amy discuss current events (except for that one) and answer your questions (well, anything that that)! Also, the OED, Groundhog Day, National Freedom Day, Groundhog Day, and Happy Randsday Eve ... celebrate your fine self! (Also, tomorrow is Groundhog Day!)

Ayn Rand's philosophy, Objectivism, as a Source and System of Wisdom. Wisdom vs. knowledge. Metaphysics and gratitude. Rationality and equanimity. The primacy of values. The Three C's of Capitalism: Creation, Cooperation, Competition. Purposeful action. Being right in order to live right (versus chasing distractions, experiencing trivial (non-)victories, winning arguments). The value of debate, contrasted with the value of self-interest, self-composure, serenity. "We never had to take any of it seriously, did we?" What we never had to take seriously ... and what we must take very seriously.

What can one do? Let's have a war! Blind followers and blind rebels. "21st Century Schizoid Man." Something must be done. Beans on toast. Robert & Amy address current events (for a change)!

Join Robert & Amy as we speak with Catherine Dickerson, an educator, long-time Objectivist, and Parent Effectiveness Training Instructor and Expert. We'll discuss Dr. Thomas Gordon's Parent Effectiveness Training, what the Gordon Training approach has to offer parents and others, and Catherine's upcoming course, 9 weekly sessions, beginning Tuesday, February 3, ending Tuesday, March 31!

In which Robert & Amy celebrate the New Year and join the movement to make 2026 The Year Of Selfishness! Celebrate your fine self, and make 2026 Your Best Year Yet! Reliving The Me Decade in a year. Looking back on 2025, and looking forward to a new year of virtues, values, and living large! Also, Pooh, Braille, Stipe, how to think about news, trends, war, and general mayhem in the culture. It's the 1980's All Over Again! Let's relive the Me Decade!

In which Robert & Amy celebrate the season, share our favorites for the holidays, and ask you to share your faves & traditions too! Films, music, fiction, audiobooks, traditions. Also, Basketball, Samuel L. Jackson, and Keifer Sutherland. Is Die Hard a Christmas Movie? (Maybe not, but here's one that is!) And just this once ... DON'T Make Your Bed. Look sharp, friends ... Santa Claus is coming to town!

In which Robert & Amy say, Do All The Things!!! ...and ask your advice. Keep saying Yes! Explorers, Performers, Weddings, Weekends & Holidays, Christmas, and the Festival of Lights. Upping your adventurousness and risk tolerance the easy way ... just say YES!

In which Robert & Amy opt out of yelling at clouds, and Let It Snow ... 'cause the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate ... people gonna people ... Mel Robbins' and "The Let Them Theory". Holiday Nights. Gail Wynand and "love is exception making" ... lovers as friends? 'Tis the Season for Equanimity AND Discernment in 2025. Also, Bernini, Letters, and Robert joins The C.I.A.!

Toughening up for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve! Do NOT put up with ingratitude and unkindness anymore! Demand gratitude & good will ... the Thanksgiving & Christmas Spirit. Driving the bus. Being the kindly brontosaurus. Also, Galileo, DaVinci, Football, Meteors, Dessert ... and Robert & Amy's Anniversary Report. Christmas songs you need in your life. Finally, an Attitude of Altitude for the season. And Robert joins The C.I.A.!!!

In which Robert & Amy discuss their upcoming Wedding Anniversary (25 on the 25th!), the upcoming holidays, gift-giving (and receiving), adventure, romance, and the joy of cape-walking. Also, Happy National Espresso Day ... tip a cuppa!

Join us, and bring YOUR comments & questions as we recap the previous week, prepare for Thanksgiving, our 25th Wedding Anniversary, CIA at Bowlero and Ron Tool at the Wedding Chapel ... plus your questions on Thanksgiving, Gratitude, and Current Events!

In which Robert & Amy return ... and count their blessings ... and yours! California, New York, politics, philosophy, and real life. Hedy Lamarr vs. The Wall. Reflections on the Irreplaceable Spark Conference, and "stops". Empathy, and being where you are, with who you're with ... it's not about the nail. Ayn Rand's assertion that "he who fights for the future, lives in it today." And hey, how many branches of philosophy are there, anyway?

In which Robert & Amy Check in from California, at The Ayn Rand Centre UK's first Irreplaceable Spark Conference https://aynrandcentre.co.uk/ with Special Guest Linda Cordair of Quent Cordair Fine Art! https://cordair.com/

In which Robert & Amy make it personal. We'll look at the news, current events including the "No Kings" rallies, and contemporary philosophical beliefs ... all as part of The Story Of You. Politics and economics, history and evolution, music and sports, careers and recreation ... considered rationally and selfishly. Also, friends, family, romance ... is there room for these things in the life of a rational individual? Is there room for anything else?

Amy's Back! Robert & Amy celebrate Columbus, Jefferson, DaVinci, Einstein, and more. Freethought Day, Columbus Day, Robert Nasir Day & Hallowe'en; kicking off the holiday season. The joy of Unrequited Romance ... who's your Crush? And Robert plays the Devil's Advocate ... in more ways than one!

In which Robert goes solo, just for tonight ... and answers your questions in the chat! Also ... happiness! Why it's easy for some, hard for others ... and how to prep & position yourself for more of it!

In which Robert & Amy discuss Life in 2025, 271 days in ... May you live in Interesting Times, indeed! Forgiveness as hugely powerful, but nonetheless conditional. Looking back, looking forward ... and being present in the present. Right-sizing the news for fun & profit. What matters, and what doesn't. Also, Ed Sullivan, Ben E. King, knowing your neighbors, knowing yourself, and the art & science of falling out of a tree.

In which Robert and Amy invite Nicolas Krusek, a teacher & presenter on both the theory and the history of music, literature, and philosophy, to discuss Fredrich Nietzsche, and what this unique, inspirational, controversial 19th century philosopher has to offer us in living our own best lives. What casual readers (and most Objectivists) miss (or get outright wrong), and what Nietzsche offers those who're willing to approach his work firsthand, with fresh eyes.

In which Robert & Amy discuss what YOU MUST DO in light of current events. Political (and non-political) violence, freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of choice. Grace and the late Charlie Kirk. Freedom, responsibility, risk-tolerance, and vulnerability, versus living in a cage. Why our relative safety gives rise to dystopianism and other (ironic) comfort beliefs. The answer to Yaron Brook's (and everyone else's) question, "what are we to do about it all?"

Round Two with Meghann A. Ribbens, Ph.D. Because one hour wasn't enough! Biology, induction, science, philosophy, looking & thinking ... plus, the personal side of science, and your questions!

In which Robert & Amy talk to Meghann A. Ribbens, Ph.D. about biology, induction, looking and thinking! We'll discuss "Inductive History of Biology", Dr. Meghann A. Ribbens' YouTube channel (42 episodes so far!), in which she explores the history of biology through the lens of the scientific method of induction. Join us as we talk about her goals, outcomes, and target audience. What contemporary biology science and business ... theory and practice ... gets right, and wrong.

In which Robert & Amy interview Agustina Vergara Cid, Associate Fellow & Teaching Assistant with The Ayn Rand Institute ... and new US Citizen! We'll discuss United States immigration law, theory and practice, as well as the continued erosion of abortion rights following the 2022 Dobbs decision reversing Roe vs. Wade, as well as other topics and your questions!

In which Robert & Amy answer questions about good & evil ... and everything in between ... Ask Us Anything! The Soviet Union vs. modern day Russia, character development in Atlas Shrugged, the pros & cons of Woodstock, and Robert's advice on cheap musical instruments. Also, Woodstock, Mae West, Larry Ellison, and Black Cat Appreciation Day. Plus, your questions!

In which Robert & Amy share The Secret Of Making Money From Nothing, the Roadmap To Financial Mastery, The Recipe For Yuge Wealth! Capitalism and the source of wealth: YES, you DID build that. The Financial Independence Secret your philosophy professors don't want you to know! Also, art, chocolate, guitars, and actual happiness.

In which we find ourselves thinking, "if I only knew then, what I know now!" On the curse of Sir Walter Raleigh and other things about which we know better. How to learn from other folks' mistakes! More on altruism, as Amy contemplates writing a book on Objectivism & Virtues for a general audience. Also, cigarette smoking in hospitals and on airplanes (and anywhere else), telephones without screens, payphones and dimes, and The Yellow Pages. Also, how to think about events when everyone is right (in their own epistemological & ethical context of knowledge) but disagree completely with one another. Which happens a lot more than you might think.

Ben Bayer joins Five Minutes with Robert & Amy Nasir LIVE, to discuss his 2025 OCON talk, "America Should Declare Independence from Altruism". We'll ask Dr. Bayer about the State Of The (Moral/Philosophical) Union, how the response to the 2000 pandemic made starkly clear the common moral framework of both America's "left" and "right", why, in Ben's words, "as the right becomes so similar to the left, it is so hostile" to it. We'll also discuss the decline of "Effective Altruism" and "Longtermism", and why Ayn Rand's morality of self-interest is essential in resolving these failures, injustices, and contradictions.

We're Halfway There ... Robert's Top 10 Lessons from 2025 (So Far)! Robert & Amy discuss Lessons From Boston, OCON, GLO, Rock & Roll, Dance, and The News Of The Day. Also, Carlos Santana, chess, walking on the moon, and more ice cream, courtesy Ronald Reagan!

In which Amy and Robert talk a bit more about OCON 2025, Boston, Salem, and The Real World Out There. Also, To Observe, and Not Absorb," and the good and bad news of the day. Spreading Taylor Swift's wealth, could/would The Night Of Terror happen in 2025, and "why do so many people think Trump is good?" Happy Birthday to Indiana Jones & Jean Luc Picard, and how to flourish (well, besides the obvious)!

Robert & Amy check in from Boston, Massachusetts, and report on the annual Objectivist conference held by The Ayn Rand Institute! Favorite talks, events, people. Also: Happy Kissing Day!

In which Robert & Amy give you One Simple Trick to be Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise! Also, your questions (and answers) ... we give a posthumous Thank You! to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry ... and you help us with our pre-travel equipment check!

In which Robert & Amy look at the bright side (and the other side). National Kissing Day, B Kinder Day, and Positive Media Day versus today's headlines! The Roots Of War and the impotence of evil. Heroes, Villains, and everyone else. How to win ... just about always. Also, the report from Robert's Ninth Annual Rock & Roll Picnic, Amy's Flamenco Exhibition, and the countdown to OCON!

In which Trebor & Yma owe you an explanation ... and we give it to you! What we each owe to a rational listener. "No Kings" ... they're singing songs, and they're carrying signs. Also, Delaware declares independence, the Battle of Petersburg begins, we wish a Happy Birthday to Julie Hagerty and (posthumously) Harry Nilsson, we review The Objectivist Ethics, and wish you `a Happy Father's Day!

In which Robert & Amy ask ... who do you love? What do you love? Pride ... in the name of love. The art & virtue of selfishness ... how to be a more devoted fan, cheerleader, champion of You. Moon, spoon, June ... the down & dirty nitty-gritty of Life On Earth. Also, our (new!) Weekly News Recap, 1984 & Ghostbusters (WNHTTAOISDW), Crick & DNA, Tyler & Rhodes, Best Friends Day, and Happy Freethinkers Day!

In which Robert & Amy discuss l'art pour l'art (French for ·art for art·s sake·), as a rule for life. Leisure, celebration, dance, play, food, wine. Frolicking, frivolousness, flow, flourishing and other F words. Tap dance, singing, and the validation of rock & roll. The Crucial Importance of Everything ... including the unimportant. The extreme affirmation: "Worth it!" (Pro Tip: Bring your towel!)

In which Robert goes solo, while Amy enjoys a Girls Night Out! A discussion of Joy, Fun, Heartiness, Panaché, Joie De Vie ... Objectivism and the Lust For Life. Being, doing, getting, having more of everything. Also, Mount St. Helens, Halley's Comet, "No Dirty Dishes Day" (and Robert's GLO Rules), and Happy Birthday to Tina Fey, Mark Mothersbaugh, Rick Wakeman, Frank Capra, and Bertrand Russell & his Teapot!

In which Robert and Amy wax philosophical about the profound fact that everything disappears in the dark ... and yet, it's still there. And every year has a Halloween ... and a Christmas (except when Christmas was banned). Happy Birthday to that punk rocker of fine art, Salvador Dalí. A Happy Mother's Day to mothers (literal, figurative, and metaphorical) everywhere! And we revisit Guilty Pleasures!

In which we're exhausted. BUT ... we're socially contractually obligated to go live ... so, here we go ... let's do this ... let's IMPROV! Join us in the chat; this should be fun! Haymarket, Hepburn, and Ella ... and where is The Panama Canal located, anyway? Star Wars & Dave Brubeck singles. Also, let's share Atlas Shrugged Spoilers ... we never had to take it seriously, did we?!?)

In which Robert and Amy get metaphysical. Do things, and things will happen. True since the beginning of everything (on April 27, 4977 BC). Still true today. Karma? Justice? Yep. What you put in, you get out of it. If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. Also, what to do about injustice. Pepper seeds grow pepper plants. How to leverage causality for fame & wealth.