Project Cosmos: Conversations on the Future of Civilization
Project Cosmos is a new series from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) that brings together leading thinkers for candid, in-depth conversations about politics, culture, history, and the fate of the American regime.
Hosted in an informal, living-room setting, each episode feels less like a panel discussion and more like stepping inside a private exchange among some of today’s most influential intellectuals. Together, they explore urgent questions:
- What is the common good in 21st-century America?
- Has liberalism failed, and what comes after it?
- Can the administrative state be reformed—or must it be dismantled?
- Should Americans embrace a stronger executive power?
- What lessons can we learn from Rome, the Founders, and modern history?
From executive authority and Caesarism to community, culture, and the role of elites, Project Cosmos offers unfiltered discussions at the highest level.
Project Cosmos: Conversations on the Future of Civilization
Greatness & Goodness: A Guide for Young Men in Dark Times | Project Cosmos EP:02
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
đź”” Subscribe for more episodes of Project Cosmos, where ideas, history, and leadership meet.
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Learn more about ISI’s educational programs: https://isi.org