On Solid Ground is a forum for sharing ideas and values that you find interesting, enjoyable, or useful toward flourishing. We invite you to submit:
- Articles about ideas for loving life or defending freedom
- Reviews of books, podcasts, or videos you find valuable
- Personal-development tips, strategies, or tactics
Submissions are moderated for alignment with the purpose of the blog and may be edited for clarity and brevity. Read submission guidelines here.
Contributors here offer their own ideas, which do not necessarily reflect those of the staff or managers of OSI.
Motivation from a Navy SEAL: Admiral McRaven’s Commencement Speech
In 2014, Navy Admiral William McRaven returned to his alma mater, the University of Texas, to deliver its commencement address. McRaven trained as a Navy SEAL, and he uses stories from basic training to illustrate the lessons he shares. His speech is motivating and...
The Golden Era of American Railroads
Rail travel in America today leaves much to be desired. State-funded operator Amtrak has a well-earned reputation for slow, often late trains, running on inconvenient schedules and using outdated equipment. It wasn’t always like that. While browsing through an...
Taleeb Starkes on ‘The Top 5 Issues Facing Black Americans’
Taleeb Starkes, having grown up in a public housing project in Philadelphia, has unique insights into the problems plaguing black, inner-city communities. These insights, combined with a desire to share his message, led him to pen a #1 Amazon bestseller, Black Lies...
Bill Perkins on How to Live a Better Life by Appreciating Our Experiences
After years of books, blogs, and blowhards, I had all but given up on popular self-help advice. That was until I heard Bill Perkins, author of Die with Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life, discuss his book in an interview. Perkins explains how...
Swan Lake and the Triumph of the Good
“A gracefully effortless floating, flowing and flying are the essentials of the ballet’s image of man. It projects a fragile kind of strength and a certain inflexible precision.” ― Ayn Rand, The Romantic Manifesto Swan Lake has captivated audiences for more than a...
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Featured Posts
Improve Relationships, Teams, and Communication with Radical Candor
“Care personally, challenge directly.” These are the basic ideas that management coach Kim Scott suggests for being what she calls “radically candid,” a method of being honest and compassionate, especially when it comes to giving feedback. Her book Radical Candor is aimed at corporate managers, but most of its advice is applicable to any relationship.
LevelUp 2023: TOS-Con’s New Name, Date, and Location
Objective Standard Institute’s summer conference—previously called “TOS-Con”—is now “LevelUp Conferences.” Level Up 2023 will be in Phoenix, Arizona, June 21–24. The venue is the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa.
Five Great Life Lessons from the Music of Rush
Music can be a powerful tool for enriching our lives. It can bring us joy, or provide solace during tough times. It can inspire creativity and spark passion. Some music can also teach us valuable life lessons. This is the case with much of the work of the Canadian progressive rock band Rush.
Pushing Forward with “Extreme Ownership”
Are you experiencing leadership challenges at work–with employees, supervisors, or peers–and seeking examples of what excellence looks like? Or maybe you’re looking for motivation or inspiration to get you through difficult moments in your life, or simply to keep pushing forward. If so, then perhaps “Jocko Podcast” is for you.
Ella Enchanted: A Fun Celebration of Freedom
Imagine a Cinderella story that’s about something deeper than just a girl being swept off to become a princess. Ella Enchanted, a 2004 film starring Anne Hathaway, is exactly that: a fun film set in a medieval-style kingdom with fairies and elves that demonstrates the importance of freedom.
