In this premiere episode of "The God Hook," host Carol Costello introduces the chilling story of Richard Beasley, infamously known as the Ohio Craigslist Killer. In previously unreleased jailhouse recordings, Beasley portrays himself as a devout Christian, concealing his manipulative and predatory behavior. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Beasley's deceitfulness extends beyond the victims he buried in shallow graves. Listen to the preview of a bonus conversation between Carol and Emily available after the episode. Additional info at carolcostellopresents.com . Do you have questions about this series? Submit them for future Q&A episodes . Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see additional videos, photos, and conversations. For early and ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the podcast via Supporting Cast or Apple Podcasts. EPISODE CREDITS Host - Carol Costello Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey Producer - Chris Aiola Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman Production Director - Brigid Coyne Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder SPECIAL THANKS Kevin Huffman Zoe Louisa Lewis GUESTS Doug Oplinger - Former Managing Editor of the Akron Beacon Journal Volkan Topalli - Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology Amir Hussain - Professor of Theological Studies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://evergreenpodcasts.supportingcast.fm…
How do we know the difference between right and wrong? Laws often legislate morality, but we cannot necessarily use laws to inform our knowledge and behaviors on good versus evil. Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss laws and morality as a means to guide our behaviors. They consider when laws should enforce morality for all and how we should live in a diverse pluralistic society where we do not necessarily agree. Note: A previous episode, Just Price or Just a Price? is referenced in the conversation. Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date : 6 March 2025…
Inequality is generally presented as a major problem to be corrected. It has become such a talking point that many people even conflate inequality with poverty. But should we truly seek a society of equality where everyone is given the same number of resources… does the same go for compliments? Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss what may be lost when equality becomes the driving force of a workplace or community. Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics .…
Is one being generous if they enjoy the very act of giving? Or is giving only a virtue if it hurts in some way? Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss the pleasure in generosity and why we may want to cultivate in ourselves, and others, the “warm glow” that comes from altruism. They tell stories and question whether we should consider efficiencies and effectiveness in our giving. Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date : 23 January 2025…
On April 2nd, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the most expansive set of tariffs (taxes on imports) in modern history with the United States setting a baseline tariff rate of 10% on over 180 countries. And further tariffs will be added to particular countries including China, Japan, Taiwan, and the European Union. Rarely does a global event intersect so closely with the academic work of both Enoch and Tim, so they too are stepping into unprecedented terrain in recording a bonus episode on a current event in political economy. They discuss what the tariffs will do, motivations for comprehensive tax on nearly all imports, and how we can choose better in a world with less free trade. Errata: In the episode, I (Enoch) attempted a back of the envelope calculation of the magnitude of the tariff. I estimated 2-5% increase in costs using (10-54% tariff range on imports which are about 20% of the magnitude of US GDP). This may be in the ballpark of the increase in prices (likely an overestimate), but it is a big overestimate on the hit to GDP since this the tariffs are largely a transfer to government revenue (taxes on imports). There is a deadweight loss to the economy (transition to less-efficient production, some consumers no longer can afford specific goods), but this is going to be significantly smaller than the 2-5% number. Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date : 3 April 2025…
In a world where even waving a flag feels like picking a fight, what does it really mean to belong to a nation? Is nationalism a unifying force or a political powder keg? Come join Dr. Taylor and Dr. Hill in their first ever live recording as they try to untangle the good, the bad, and the downright weird of national identity—when it inspires, when it divides, and when it just gets awkward. Enoch and Tim record their first podcast with a live audience at Wheaton College! Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date : 20 March 2025…
In this episode Enoch and Tim invite special guest and beloved colleague Denise Daniels to join them in reflecting on the question of, "What makes a good college?" Specifically, they discuss what they valued from their undergraduate experiences, what professional college ranking websites consider, and what they desire(d) regarding college selection for their children. Along the way, we hear about both Denise and Tim's college pranks and how Tim's punishment led to his favorite part of his undergraduate experience. Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date : 16 January, 2025…
Inside everybody's head is a large set of things they know. We're made out of a whole bunch of tiny little atoms, the earth revolves around the sun, if I sneeze on someone they might get sick, the sun is really, really hot, we will (not) exist after death, vaccines (do not) work. Most of this knowledge wasn't obtained through your own observations. But how can I tell from personal experience that the earth is not flat? We all would have likely believed something very different had we been born a couple centuries earlier. Given I am unlikely to unlikely to ever verify the temperature of the sun. So, how do you know what you know? Editorial note:Tim accidentally misspoke and the former NBA basketball player is Rick Barry. And his 90% free throw shooting was the best in the NBA at the time of his retirement in 1980. Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date : 12 December 2024…
Most of us would agree that the art of disagreeing well is a dying one. In this episode Enoch and Tim discuss what it means to effectively navigate different perspectives. In the process, they discover that, in the quest to disagree better, the stakes are far greater than they expected. Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date : 24 October 2024…
Will imposing tariffs, a tax on imports, benefit the economy? World history is rife with suspicion of international trade, but barriers to trade fell after World War II so that global markets have been fairly open throughout our lifetimes. As voters and politicians view trade with pessimism, Enoch and Tim discuss the nature and use of tariffs. How “America First” is blocking imports from our neighbors and who benefits (or loses) from international trade? Stories are told and theories are explained to help us all choose better. Reference: Frédéric Bastiat, The Candlemakers’ Petition . Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date : 5 December 2024…
What are the greatest inventions in history and how should we think about gains for human wellbeing? Join Enoch and Tim alongside special guest Dr. Jason Long, an economic historian at Wheaton College, as they discuss the greatest moments for growth and standards of living in economic history. In this episode, we explore key technologies and inventions that have fundamentally improved human lives and made daily existence healthier, safer, and more connected. The conversation concludes with a look at future innovations and how they might continue the legacy of these “greatest hits”. Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date : 13 November 2024…
The war on uncut lawns and drabby clothes lines is being waged across great cities and small towns alike! But is it reasonable to place limits on how one can use their own property when they live in neighborhoods where any one person’s actions affect their neighbors? Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss the purpose and use of zoning regulations and how these rules impact the private spaces of our homes. Their commitments to individual liberties are stressed as they consider when, if ever, constraints are beneficial for cities and the flourishing of living in community. Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date : 3 October 2024…
When couples struggle with infertility and want their own baby, should they turn to the marketplace? Advances in modern medicine provide an array of options to individuals and couples, but should we be concerned when we put a price on fertility and childbirth? Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss the complexity of the modern global market for sperm, eggs, embryos, and surrogacy. They grapple with their commitments to individual free choice and what may be lost when we buy and sell the very components of human life. Warning: This episode may not be appropriate for younger ages. Credits: Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date: 12 September 2024…
The world will get smaller. Birth rate have fallen continuously for decades and are predicted to continue to decline. How big of a problem is this? And what is causing men and women across the world to choose smaller families? Join Enoch and Tim as they explore reasons for the decline in fertility and what, if anything, should be done to address the birth dearth. And be sure to listen as Enoch casually shares a personal revelation midway through the episode which surprises Tim to no end. Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date : 5 September 2024…
We cannot help but measure–whether it is what we look at or talk about – we are assessing. But we need to be careful about what we select to measure because it reflects what we value. And as we agree on particular measurements, they quickly influence the very things we value! Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss their favorite measurements and examine how our values are formed by our assessments. We choose better measurements which orient our hearts toward relationships and the good life. Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date : 29 August 2024…
The United States makes the most prolific use of economic sanctions in global affairs. But are these sanctions even effective? And are the benefits worth the costs? Join Enoch and Tim as they discuss the logic of sanctions and their effectiveness while exploring whether the carrot is more beneficial than the stick. And have some fun while wandering into topics of integrity and the Summer Olympics. Credits : Drew Elliot (music) with additional thanks to the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics . Recording Date : 30 July 2024…
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