In the second episode of Project Cosmos, James Orr, Alex Petkas, Nathan Pinkoski, Dan McCarthy, Johnny Burtka and Bill Rivers. gather for a profound roundtable on one of the most enduring questions in history:

👉 Can you be a great man and a good father? What does true greatness mean in the modern world?

This wide-ranging conversation explores:

The tension between ambition, leadership, and family life
Historical and philosophical perspectives on greatness and virtue
Lessons from Aristotle, Plutarch, and the “mirror for princes” tradition
The impact of technology and AI on legacy and authenticity
The role of education, faith, and tradition in shaping leaders
How heritage, family, and culture influence the pursuit of greatness
The challenges of work-life balance for leaders and public figures
The meaning of providence, spontaneity, and timing in a successful life

⏰ CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
1:13 Can Great Men Be Good Husbands & Fathers?
5:00 Historical Examples of Leadership and Fatherhood
8:07 The Challenge of Work-Life Balance for Leaders
10:04 The Importance of Timing and Providence in Leadership
14:01 Spontaneity vs Structure in Leadership
16:51 The Role of Family Heritage & Legacy
21:01 Technology, Innovation and Leadership
32:11 The Challenge of AI and Human Authenticity
1:12:52 The Left's Relationship with Heroism and Greatness
1:28:20 Education, Leadership and the Great Books?
1:40:49 The Role of Faith in Leadership

📌 Project Cosmos is ISI’s flagship series—intimate, living-room-style conversations where today’s leading thinkers tackle the deepest political, philosophical, and cultural challenges facing America.

Guests:
James Orr – philosopher, Cambridge University
Johnny Burtka – President, Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI)
Dan McCarthy – editor, Modern Age
Nathan Pinkoski – political theorist, St. Michael’s College
Bill Rivers – novelist, speechwriter
Alex Petkas – classicist, host of The Cost of Glory podcast

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Project Cosmos, where ideas, history, and leadership meet.

ProjectCosmos #JamesOrr #JohnnyBurtka #DanMcCarthy #NathanPinkoski #BillRivers #AlexPetkas #GreatMen #Fatherhood #Leadership #Philosophy #History #AI #Education #Faith #LiberalArts #WorkLifeBalance #Legacy #Conservatism #Politics
Learn more about ISI’s educational programs: https://isi.org

In the debut episode of Project Cosmos, Christopher Rufo, Patrick Deneen, Christopher Caldwell, Curtis Yarvin, and Johnny Burtka (President of ISI) gather for a provocative roundtable on one of the most urgent questions of our time:

👉 What is the future of executive power and can it serve the common good?

This wide-ranging discussion covers:
-The meaning of the common good in a pluralistic 21st-century America
-Whether liberalism has failed, and what comes next
-The origins and growth of the administrative state
-Should bureaucracy be dismantled, reformed, or used for populist ends?
-The role of DOGE reforms, tech, and MAGA in shaping political power
-How the Civil Rights revolution reshaped executive authority
-Is America an oligarchy—and what can be done about it?
-Historical lessons from Hamilton, Jefferson, Jackson, and Lincoln
-And the bold question: Should Americans embrace Caesarism?

📌 Project Cosmos is ISI’s new flagship series—intimate, living-room-style conversations where today’s leading thinkers tackle the deepest political and cultural challenges facing America.

Guests:
Christopher Rufo – writer, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute
Patrick Deneen – political theorist, author of Why Liberalism Failed
Christopher Caldwell – journalist, author of The Age of Entitlement
Curtis Yarvin – political theorist and blogger
Johnny Burtka – President, Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI)

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Project Cosmos, where ideas, history, and political strategy meet.

#ProjectCosmos #ChristopherRufo #PatrickDeneen #ChristopherCaldwell #CurtisYarvin #JohnnyBurtka #AdministrativeState #ExecutivePower #Conservatism #Politics #CommonGood