As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Ron and Ed examine three essays that converge on a single question: What actually sustains a free society?

Drawing on Dan McLaughlin's warning to "Resist the Temptation of Woodrow Wilson" , they explore the perennial allure of concentrated executive power and the dangers of confusing "solidarity" with strongman governance. From there, they turn to Ayaan Hirsi Ali's argument that religious liberty was not an afterthought but the Founders' first freedom, a theological inheritance that constrained power long before modern political theory attempted to. Finally, they consider Yuval Levin's case for America's extraordinary institutional durability, a constitutional system designed to frustrate ambition, balance factions, and outlast the apocalyptic mood of any given generation.

Together, these essays raise an uncomfortable but vital tension: liberty requires limits; power must be restrained; and durability depends less on innovation than on fidelity to first principles.

Ron and Ed ask whether America's strength lies not in bold executive action, nor in nostalgic lament, but in a constitutional architecture sturdy enough to survive our worst instincts — including our periodic desire to abandon it.

We'll get an update on that growth and explore the broader Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement: How fast is it growing? Why are employers and patients embracing it? And is it truly reshaping how healthcare is delivered in America?

We'll also dig into the regulatory hurdles that still stand in the way—HSA eligibility, state-level rules, and what policy changes could accelerate adoption.

If you care about innovation, subscription models, or the future of healthcare, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

Inspired by A.J. Jacobs' appearance on Russ Roberts' EconTalk, Ron and Ed have continued their annual tradition of keeping a "One Thing" journal—capturing a single idea each day that sparked insight, curiosity, or reflection. Often it's a quote; sometimes it's a question, a concept, or a surprising turn of phrase.

In One Thing 2026, they once again open their journals and share a curated collection of the thoughts that shaped their year. The result may feel delightfully eclectic, but as always, it's packed with insight—nuggets of wisdom drawn from their reading, listening, and lived experience. Think of it as a guided tour through the ideas that lingered long enough to be written down—and shared.

In this pricing update, Ron and Ed take the pulse of what's happening right now in the world of pricing. From shifting market conditions and inflation narratives to how organizations are responding—or failing to respond—to economic signals, they cut through the noise to focus on what actually matters. The hosts explore common misconceptions, highlight emerging trends, and offer a reality-based perspective on how pricing decisions are being made in today's uncertain business environment. As always, this isn't about tactics alone—it's about thinking clearly, acting intelligently, and restoring pricing to its proper strategic role.

We're joined by Joe Pine on January 31, just days before the release of his long-awaited new book, The Transformation Economy (February 4, 2026). For longtime listeners, this conversation will feel both familiar and bracingly new. Familiar because we have spent the last two years exploring, applying, and occasionally interrogating the very ideas Joe now brings together in this book. New because Joe pushes the argument further and with more precision than ever before.

Building on his seminal work on experiences, Joe makes the case that economic value has moved decisively into a new domain: transformations. Not experiences staged for customers, but transformations designed with them—where the explicit aim is lasting change in who the customer is or what they are capable of becoming. That shift, Joe argues, carries profound implications not just for strategy, but for accountability, pricing, and purpose.

This episode is not a book report. It's a rigorous conversation between fellow travelers who share a vocabulary but are still very much in productive tension. We explore where transformation fits (and doesn't) in real organizations, why so many firms mistake motivation for method, and why treating transformation as optional is itself a category error.

If you've been following our ongoing work on transformation, this episode serves as both a capstone and a catalyst. If you're new to the idea, consider this your initiation—fair warning: once you see the economy this way, it's rather difficult to unsee it.

It's time again for our annual Best Books episode, where we sift through a year's worth of reading (and in some cases listening) and surface the works that actually mattered. Not necessarily the buzziest, the newest, or the most performatively "important," but the books that made us pause, argue back, reread passages, and rethink assumptions we thought were settled.

As is our custom, we don't just name titles and move on. We talk about why these books stuck: the questions they asked, the frameworks they offered, and the quiet ways they reshaped how we see the world of business, economics, culture, and human behavior. Some selections clarified things; others productively complicated them. All earned a place in the conversation.

If you're looking for a thoughtful recap of the ideas that animated our year—or you're hunting for your next great read—this episode is equal parts reflection, recommendation, and mild intellectual provocation. Consider it our annual reading ledger, balanced not in pages consumed, but in insight accrued.

In this annual tradition, Ed and Ron look back on 2025, unpacking the year's most impactful trends, business transformations, and economic shifts. From breakthroughs in AI to evolving tax regulations and the latest developments in technology, they reflect on the standout themes that defined this year. Tune in as they explore what these changes mean for the future, the insights gained along the way, and the lessons learned. Perfect for listeners who want to capture the essence of 2025's business landscape in one insightful episode.