In our first official book discussion, Between Lines and Lands begins its journey through Ha-Joon Chang’s 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism.

This episode dives into five eye-opening insights that challenge conventional wisdom:

1. There is no free market — every market is shaped by rules and power.

2. Companies don’t exist only for shareholders — they shape communities and futures.

3. The washing machine changed the world more than the internet — redefining how we see “revolutionary” technology.

4. Free-market policies rarely make poor countries rich — history tells a different story.

5. Workers in rich countries are paid more than they should be — revealing hidden inequalities.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Join us as we unpack these myths, connect them to history, and reflect on what they mean for our world today.

Stay tuned for Episode 2, where we continue with the next set of Chang’s provocative insights.

Welcome to Between Lines and Lands! In this pilot episode, Shakil (from California) and Towheed (from Bangladesh) introduce themselves and the spirit of the podcast. We share why we’re starting this journey, how books shape our daily conversations, and what listeners can expect in the episodes ahead. Part banter, part manifesto- this is where scholarship meets friendship, across oceans and ideas.