Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Samantha Watkins interviews Dr. Matt Bateman, philosopher at GT School, co-founder of Higher Ground Education, and ARU instructor, about the school choice movement and the philosophical case for education freedom.
Among the topics covered:
● What the expanding reach of school choice programs means for parental freedom; [00:01:20]
● Why parents, not the government, should invest in education; [00:15:29]
● Why the school choice movement should refocus its arguments on parental rights; [00:26:48]
● How bureaucratic accountability measures undermine school choice efforts; [00:41:11]
● Why Rand’s tax credit proposal is better than a voucher system; [00:45:05]
● The worst thing about the public school system; [00:51:52]
● Rand's influence on Bateman's approach to parenting and education. [00:56:42]
Recommended in this podcast are Ayn Rand's essays:
"Tax Credits for Education" amazon.com/Voice-Reason-Objectivist-Thought-Library/dp/0452010462
"The Comprachicos" amazon.com/Return-Primitive-Anti-Industrial-Revolution/dp/0452011841
"Art and Moral Treason" amazon.com/Romantic-Manifesto-Philosophy-Literature-Shakespeare/dp/0451149165
This podcast was recorded Jun 3, 2025 and posted on June 26, 2025.
Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here: newideal.aynrand.org/podcasts
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
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Subscribe to the ARI Live! podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ayn-rand-institute-live/id1440399458
******
Join an upcoming virtual or in-person event: ari.aynrand.org/events
Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Samantha Watkins interviews Dr. Matt Bateman, philosopher at GT School, co-founder of Higher Ground Education, and ARU instructor, about the school choice movement and the philosophical case for education freedom.
Among the topics covered:
● What the expanding reach of school choice programs means for parental freedom; [00:01:20]
● Why parents, not the government, should invest in education; [00:15:29]
● Why the school choice movement should refocus its arguments on parental rights; [00:26:48]
● How bureaucratic accountability measures undermine school choice efforts; [00:41:11]
● Why Rand’s tax credit proposal is better than a voucher system; [00:45:05]
● The worst thing about the public school system; [00:51:52]
● Rand's influence on Bateman's approach to parenting and education. [00:56:42]
Recommended in this podcast are Ayn Rand's essays:
"Tax Credits for Education" amazon.com/Voice-Reason-Objectivist-Thought-Library/dp/0452010462
"The Comprachicos" amazon.com/Return-Primitive-Anti-Industrial-Revolution/dp/0452011841
"Art and Moral Treason" amazon.com/Romantic-Manifesto-Philosophy-Literature-Shakespeare/dp/0451149165
This podcast was recorded Jun 3, 2025 and posted on June 26, 2025.
Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here: newideal.aynrand.org/podcasts
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
******
Keep in Touch! Sign up to receive email updates from ARI: aynrand.org/signup
Follow ARI on Twitter: twitter.com/AynRandInst
Follow ARI on Facebook: facebook.com/AynRandInstitute
Follow ARI on Instagram: instagram.com/aynrandorg
Subscribe to the ARI Live! podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ayn-rand-institute-live/id1440399458
******
Join an upcoming virtual or in-person event: ari.aynrand.org/events
Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
