
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.
What People Say About Our Conferences
By Thomas Walker-Werth | Mar 12, 2023
LevelUp 2023 could be the highlight of your year—and the time to register is now! Early-bird pricing, which will save you 20–50% on registration, ends March 15.
Who Is Max Lugavere?
By Jackson Upmann | Mar 10, 2023
Max Lugavere teaches nutrition for optimizing brain health through his bestselling books, including Genius Foods and The Genius Life, as well as his podcast. At LevelUp 2023, Max will discuss the science on nutrition as it currently stands in “Foods for Flourishing.”
The LevelUp 2023 Program Is Announced!
By Jackson Upmann | Feb 23, 2023
The program for LevelUp 2023 has been posted. Register now for your chance to learn from and engage with world-class thinkers on philosophy, self-development, cultural issues, politics, and the arts.
Early-bird pricing for LevelUp is extended to March 15
By Jackson Upmann | Feb 18, 2023
Because we’re still finalizing the (amazing!) program for LevelUp 2023, we’ve extended early-bird pricing to March 15. So you can still save 20–50%.
How to Take a Stronger Stand for Your Health
By Justin Bennett | Jan 23, 2023
Looking after your health is vitally important. Your life depends on it, and falling into ill health can affect your ability to do the things you love. But looking after your health is about much more than regular check-ups with the doctor.

We invite you to submit a post to On Solid Ground. Read our submission guidelines here.
Featured Posts
Improve Relationships, Teams, and Communication with Radical Candor
By Angelica Walker-Werth | Sep 8, 2022
“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
By Craig Biddle | Sep 7, 2022
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
By Thomas Walker-Werth | Sep 4, 2022
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”
By Thomas Ricucci | Aug 4, 2022
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
By Angelica Walker-Werth | May 10, 2022
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.