Jason Long returns to Choosing Better to discuss why some nations are rich and others are poor. We take another journey through time to understand how simple laws and norms shape the very bedrock of societies with some countries being wealthy and prosperous while others are underdeveloped and poor. Enoch and Tim turn the conversation to the strength of property rights in the United States before focusing on a recent case study in early 2026 of the US government threatening to destroy AI giant, Anthropic, as a means of retaliation. Is this a fleeting moment or a pivotal juncture in the US trajectory of the rule of law with respect to property rights?

Credits: Drew Elliot (music)

Recording Date: March 5, 2026

In the first days of a rapidly escalating U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran, strikes rippled across the region and global tensions spiked. In this bonus episode, former CIA senior executive and Iran expert Tim Buch joins the show to break down what actually happened, and just as important, why. We examine how intelligence shaped military decisions, how Iran is likely to respond, and what this conflict means for the broader Middle East. Finally, we look ahead: What could Iran look like by 2030 if this war continues?

Credits: Drew Elliot (music)

Recording Date: March 2, 2026

Many Christians feel the pull toward missionary work, but how do you know if you should go, when to go, or where? Enoch and Tim apply economic thinking to one of the church's most important decisions, exploring how to discern a calling, how to best support those who go, and also discuss some of the research connecting missions to the development of democratic institutions and access to women's health.

Referenced Article: The Surprising Discovery About Those Colonialist, Proselytizing Missionaries

*While originally recorded with a live audience at Wheaton College (2/18/2026), this is a re-recorded conversation.

Credits: Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the ⁠Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics⁠.

Recording Date: February 26, 2026

Do you know more than a Saxon born in 500AD? Hard to say, but you likely know different knowledge than your ancient Saxon counterpart. And while most Saxons shared a similar set of knowledge about food production and daily survival, you likely have a very different knowledge than even your neighbor down the street. Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss shared knowledge and overlapping knowledge compared to specific and distinct knowledge in modern society. They marvel at the gains from adding up millions of different sets of knowledge, but consider what may be lost when we have less in common with each other.

Credits: Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics.

Recording Date: February 5, 2026

Our desires define us. From how we spend our money, use our time, talk with our friends, or dominate our thoughts, our passions consume our resources and form our lives. But what shapes our desires and how can we choose better passions to guide our lives? Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss the overarching loves of our lives and propose strategies to recognized disordered loves and how to be intentional with our formation.

Credits: Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the ⁠Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics⁠.

Recording Date: December 16, 2025

Throughout his second term, President Trump has wanted the United States to own Greenland. Beginning with offers to buy the island, his demands have escalated through threatening to use military force. The crisis over Greenland reaches far beyond the Arctic and Denmark as old alliances are challenged. Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss why President Trump wants the United States to own Greenland and how the effects ripple across North America and Europe.

Credits: Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics.

Recording Date: January 22, 2026

How can thinking like an economist improve your decision-making? Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss several common pitfalls people fall into in making decisions. Whether it’s buying and selling stocks, choosing to start a business, or simply deciding to keep reading an arduous novel, we often make irrational decisions. Sunk costs, loss aversion, and the endowment effect are explored in this first of a multiple episode series on using economic thinking to improve your decisions.

Credits: Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics.

Recording Date: November 20, 2025

On January 3, 2026, President Donald Trump authorized the United States military and CIA to capture and extradite Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro to face federal criminal charges. The operation was completed within five hours with few casualties—no Americans were killed in the operation. Join Enoch and Tim in this special current events episode as they break down the operation, discuss Venezuela's devastating economic collapse over the past decade, and explore the implications for America's future role in the country.

Credits: Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics.

Recording Date: January 8, 2026