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(1 hr 22 min) For some dating is an adventure while for others dating is a daunting gamble. Is there a way for a person to optimize their approach to dating? Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss an economic approach to dating, tell stories, and try to make dating more approachable. Sure, dating risks rejection and heartbreak, but the benefits of finding a lifelong mate just may outweigh the risks. Credits: Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Fai

(1 hr 3 min) The saints are more than folk tales and stories for children. They are true lives of Christian men and women who lived faithfully. Professor of Art History at Wheaton College, Dr. Matthew Milliner, joins Enoch and Tim as they discuss how we can benefit from learning deeply from the saints. They compare the Catholic and Protestant traditions and share how choosing to be influenced by examples of saints may form and strengthen our faith. Credits: Drew Elliot (music

(1 hr 5 min) Enoch and Tim interview Dr. Del Tackett, an acclaimed educator whose teaching materials have impacted over 20 million people across more than 100 countries. The conversation centers on the critical role that meta-narratives, or worldviews, play in shaping what individuals believe and pursue in their personal pursuits of flourishing. Their conversation challenges the widespread assumption of neutrality, arguing that everyone operates from an underlying worldview w

The percentage change in adoption rates across U.S. states from 2012 to 2022 show significant regional disparities. The adoption rates over that decade have declined across most of the states, where the West, South, and Midwest have some of the steepest decreases (approaching −80% to −100% in the darkest categories). In contrast, there are some states which show stable or increasing adoption rates, most notably West Virginia, which stands out with a strong positive change (+4

Recent research suggests notable regional variation on state-level marriage rates (per 1,000 people) in the United States for 2020. While much of the West and parts of the Southeast—such as Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Arkansas, Alabama, and Tennessee show moderately elevated rates, Nevada stands out with the highest rate, falling within the category of approximately 24.7–30 marriages per 1,000. In contrast, many states across the Midwest, Northeast, and parts of the South fall into

(38 min 47 sec) In this bonus episode of Choosing Better, Enoch and Tim dig deep into the sweeping changes to the U.S. H-1B visa system following the shock announcement of a $100,000 application fee. They break down the policy’s potential upsides and downsides, discuss its implications, and explore what it might mean for the future of American immigration. The U.S. immigration system is overviewed and some shocking trivia is revealed. Credits: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Drew Elliot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (music) wi

(57 min 18 sec) Enoch and Tim challenge the assumption that welfare policy is a modern invention by exploring social safety nets in ancient societies. The conversation centers on the Old Testament's laws of Jubilee, examining the theological and practical purposes behind these ancient provisions for economic redistribution and debt relief. Rather than treating these historical practices as mere curiosities, they draw connections between ancient wisdom and contemporary welfare

(44 min 23 sec) Are boys and men falling behind? Enoch and Tim unpack the widening gap between men and women in education, leadership, volunteerism, and broader civic life. They spotlight striking statistics—like how university enrollment now stands at 59% female and only 41% male—and explore what this shift means for the future of families, communities, and society. The conversation traces how public attention has only recently turned to this issue and considers the long-ter

(53 min 28 sec) Why does it matter if inflation, unemployment, or GDP numbers get nudged to “look better” than they are? Enoch and Tim explore why keeping politics out of economic data is critical for good policy and stability. They discuss the recent dismissal of the BLS commissioner, walk through how data is collected, why it might be trusted and the lessons that can be drawn from case studies of Argentina, Mexico, and Greece. Credits: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Drew Elliot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (music) with add

(48 min 14 sec) Is ownership a natural right, a social contract, or just God’s loan? Join Tim and Enoch for a mix of humor, history, and hard questions. Credits: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Drew Elliot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (music) with additional thanks to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

(41 min 55 sec) We all long for meaningful belonging—a place where we’re seen, accepted, and part of something greater than ourselves. But true belonging often comes at a cost. In this episode, Enoch and Tim explore why shared beliefs and behaviors—especially the difficult ones—are essential to forming lasting, purpose-driven communities. Building on their previous episode about the global rise of Christianity and renewed interest in faith, they dive into howcommitment, confo

(32 min 12 sec) After years of slow decline, belief is growing. Not just in the US but across cultures and continents. In this episode, Enoch and Tim dive into surprising data about Christianity's recent rise, the return of young men to church, the increased attention from academics and influencers, and the influence of Christian underpinnings for society more broadly. Credits: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Drew Elliot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (music) with additional thanks to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics

(1 hr 8 min) What do journalists and CIA analysts have in common? To be effective and trusted, both must present detailed information from a neutral perspective. But what happens when professionals in these fields feel an issue is important enough to cross the line into advocacy? Join Tim and Enoch as they sit down once again with former CIA executive Tim Buch to unpack the critical distinction between sharing information and pushing an agenda. In this timely conversation, th

(1 hr 1 min) In a dramatic late-night session, Congress passed the sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill,” signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. The legislation squeaked through the Senate in a 50-50 tie, broken by Vice President Vance, and passed the House by just four votes (218-214). But what exactly is in this massive bill—and why has it sparked such fierce debate? Enoch and Tim break down the key provisions, discuss why the bill is so controversial, and react ca

1 h 6 min Is AI coming for your job? In this episode, Enoch and Tim dive into centuries of techno-panic, from the Luddites and the ATM to ChatGPT and spreadsheet nostalgia. Is a world without work a dystopian nightmare or an opportunity to rethink purpose, productivity, and... pneumatic tubes? Join us as we laugh, learn, and maybe panic a little about the future of labor. Link to referenced episode with Jason Long Credits: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Drew Elliot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (music) with additional thanks

38 min 59 sec On June 21, 2025, the U.S. launched direct airstrikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities—marking a dramatic escalation in its military posture and aligning with Israel in a deepening regional conflict. In this bonus episode of Choosing Better, Enoch and Tim break down what led to this moment, the international reactions, and what it signals for the future. They also dive into the broader history of U.S. military interventions: How often has America formall

1 h 3 min Unemployment…presidential elections may be won or lost, stock markets rise or tumble, and our very optimism or pessimism is strongly attached to this one measurement. But how is unemployment measured and what exactly does it entail? Join Enoch and Tim on their first learning primer as they explain unemployment, labor force participation, and how it impacts the economy and even our identities. This is your chance to learn about unemployment and explore how different

55 min 37 sec In this thoughtful and humorous episode, Enoch and Tim explore how having more choices can sometimes change not just what we pick—but how we feel about what we pick. The presence of certain choices—especially morally charged ones—can alter how we evaluate other options and even diminish our satisfaction with them. Referenced Article by Scott Alexander Credits: Intro/Outro music - Drew Elliot Thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics

52 min 38 sec Fact: Married adults tend to live longer than their non-married counterparts. They also tend to make more money, have lower suicide risk, work more stable jobs, and are evenmore likely to avoid incarceration. But these differences are most seen among men! Women tend to have similar outcomes regardless of their marital status while men seem to differ quite a bit. Enoch and Tim discuss these differences and then ask if marriage makes better men or if better men te

41 min 6 sec Join Tim and Enoch as they sit down with former CIA executive, Tim Buch — an insider who’s briefed four U.S. presidents and ran the Near East and South Asia office — for an exclusive look at the past, present, and future of India and Pakistan. From recent tensions to the deep-rooted history of the subcontinent, this is one conversation you won’t want to miss. Credits: Intro/Outro music - Drew Elliot Thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics