Ayn Rand interview and Phone-in with Michael R. Jackson (1967)

Ayn Rand was interviewed by Michael R. Jackson on his Los Angeles-based radio show in early January 1967. This appearance was part of a two-hour call-in program on KNX-AM, during which Rand addressed a wide range of listener-submitted questions on topics such as morality, capitalism, foreign policy, and individual rights. The second hour of this interview, dated January 4, 1967, has been preserved and is available through archival collections .

In this engaging and often confrontational exchange, Rand fielded questions from callers on subjects like racial equality, atheism, polygamy, and the moral status of "gray" areas in ethics. Her responses were characteristically direct and grounded in her Objectivist philosophy, emphasizing rational self-interest and individual rights. The interview stands out for its spontaneous format, offering a rare glimpse into Rand's ability to articulate her ideas extemporaneously in response to challenging questions .

This 1967 interview is considered a significant artifact in Rand’s media appearances, capturing her intellectual rigor and the public's engagement with her controversial ideas during a pivotal era in American cultural and political life.