June 12, 2023

What Do We Owe Each Other?

As humans we are both interdependent and independent.  How do we reconcile our intrinsic togetherness with our inherent sense of individual identity, intellect, and choices? 

This episode offers a thought-provoking discussion into essential beliefs about freedom and cooperation in an increasingly polarized world. Are such values as empathy, respect, compassion, and tolerance shared by all?


Matt Lehrman’s guests are business owner Paul Mitchell, Ben Bayer, a Fellow with the Ayn Rand Institute, and acclaimed speaker Valerie Alexander for an exploration of the natural tension between our collective ties and our personal independence.



Available on all podcast platforms:  http://tellmemorepodcast.us/




Ian Coyle President of Pracademic Partners on Community Catalysts
By Matt Lehrman May 7, 2025
Some leadership lessons are complex. Others are remarkably simple. In my just-published Community Catalysts podcast interview with Ian Coyle, former Chief Administrative Officer of Livingston County, NY, and now President of Pracademic Partners, one lesson stands out: great leaders double down.
Ilryong MoonAt-Large Member

Fairfax County School Board
By Matt Lehrman April 23, 2025
Ilryong Moon came to the United States from Korea at 17. He didn’t speak much English. His family had little money. His parents, both undereducated, worked long hours to support their children in a new and unfamiliar country. Ilryong repeated a year of high school just to learn the language. From there, he went on to graduate from Harvard, build a successful law career, and eventually serve for decades on the school board of one of the nation’s largest—and most diverse—school districts.
Insights from the April Local Leadership Chat with Matt Lehrman
By Matt Lehrman April 16, 2025
Last week, local leaders from across the country came together for a 90-minute virtual conversation about the words we use, the values we hold, and the challenges we face. Mayors, council members, and civic officials shared candid insights—not just about policy, but about how everyday language now feels risky, and how they stay grounded in community service. Here’s what they shared.
More Posts