Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Overthinkers

Do monsters, cryptids, and urban legends like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster exist? If so, how would we know for certain? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with hosts of the Campfire Files podcast: Colin Blackburn and Kara Russo.

 

References and resources

History of Bigfoot: https://www.history.com/articles/bigfoot-legend-newspaper

Belief in Bigfoot, aliens, and loch ness monster on rise: https://civicscience.com/u-s-belief-in-sasquatch-has-risen-since-2020/

Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkers.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Campfire Files: https://campfirefiles.podbean.com/

Everyone's talking about AI nowadays. Should we be scared of it? If so, what exactly should we be scared of? We bring on culture and social critic Boze Herrington to discuss. 

References and resources

 

Plato’s Argument against writing: https://fs.blog/an-old-argument-against-writing/ Definition of AI: https://www.nasa.gov/what-is-artificial-intelligence/

AI is making us dumber

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dimitarmixmihov/2025/02/11/ai-is-making-you-dumber-microsoft-researchers-say/

https://time.com/7295195/ai-chatgpt-google-learning-school/ Blesses The Lord of the Rings (book) WALL-E (film) Meagan (film) Children of Men (film)

Curses Companion (Movie) The Creator (Movie) Five Nights at Freddy's (Movie) Addictive Children's Video Games/Roblox (games)

 

Websites Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Boze Herrington: @SketchesbyBoze (Twitter/X)  

It seems like today we're more afraid than ever. So how do we handle these fears? And how do we help our children handle fears? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with legendary singer and filmmaker Steven Taylor--who's new scary family film "Sketch" has brought such questions into the spotlight.

References and resources

Why fear is so powerful: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/tech-happy-life/202008/why-it-feels-the-end-the-world-even-when-its-not

 

How to overcome fear:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/unpacking-anxiety/202312/facing-your-fears

 

Why anxiety is rising: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/mental-health-liberal-girls

 

“Sketch” controversy:

https://religionunplugged.com/news/2025/8/28/on-religion-angel-studios-sparks-debate-with-scary-faith-film

Joseph Holmes’ review of “The Anxious Generation

https://lawliberty.org/book-review/what-the-smartphone-hath-wrought/

Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Most people feel like there's something wrong with our modern world. But what exactly is it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with writer and thinker Paul Kingsnorth, unpacking his new book "Against the Machine". References and resources:

How cell phones made life worse: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/ Dropping confidence in US instititons: 

https://news.gallup.com/poll/647303/confidence-institutions-mostly-flat-police.aspx Blesses

Time Out of Joint (Book) You are a Tree (Book) Weapons (Movie) The Master and his Emissary (Book) Wounded By Love (Book)

 

Curses

Idiocracy (Movie) Eddington (Movie) AI (Technology)  Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Paul Kingsnorth: paulkingsnorth.net

What does it mean to be disenchanted? And why are so many people talking about the need to re-enchant the world? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss with special returning guest, author, editor, and culture writer Dr. Joy Clarkson.

References and resources: Definition of disenchantment: https://www.britannica.com/topic/disenchantment-sociology Against Re-Enchantment, By Joy Clarkson: https://www.plough.com/en/topics/faith/supernatural/against-reenchantment Blesses The Truman Show (Movie) Hallowe'en Party (Book) That Hideous Strength (Book) Piranesi (Book) Curses The Fourth Kind (Movie) Death of a Unicorn (Movie) The Sandman (TV Show) La La Land (Movie)

 

Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

How can we know anything for certain? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome back author and academic Dr. Zak Schmoll to discuss the ever-pesky problem of epistemology.  References and resources: https://www.britannica.com/topic/epistemology Blesses

Foe (Book)

Biblical Knowing (Book)

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Movie)

Interstellar (Movie)

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Book) Curses

Foe (Movie)

Zodiac (Curse)

Life of Pi (Curse)

The Multiverse (Trope) Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Zak Schmoll: https://www.zacharydschmoll.com/

Is social media making us dumber? Is it making us worse? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes give social media a grade and give advice on how to be smarter about your use of your online socials. References and resources:

Social media is making us dumber:

 

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/11/opinion/social-media-dumber-steven-pinker.html

 

https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2025/01/nicholas-carr-is-the-internet-making-us-stupid/681517/

 

Social media is (probably) not making us dumber:

 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/unique-everybody-else/201904/social-media-probably-isn-t-making-you-stupid Blesses New York Times Games (App) Chess (App) The Social Network (Movie) Catfish (Documentary) The Anxious Generation (Book) Curses The Circle (Movie) The Social Dilemma (Documentary) Social Media Bots Social Media Friends Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Homelessness is something everyone agrees is a problem. Yet, no one seems to know how to solve it. Scholar, speaker, community activist and author of From Dropout to Doctorate Dr. Terrence Lester joins Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes to share his life story and data-driven solutions on how to make a difference in the lives of those experiencing this devastating life situation.

References and resources Homelessness definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeless

Homelessness stats: https://www.britannica.com/topic/homelessness

 

Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Terrence Lester: https://terencelester.com/

Is the church not supportive enough of the arts? What would such support look like? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes talk to Brian Brown of the Anselm Society and Imagination Redeemed Podcast on this latest episode.

References and resources

 

Art definition: https://www.britannica.com/art/visual-arts

 

Banning theatrical portrayals of religion: https://lithub.com/why-was-shakespeare-wary-of-writing-about-religion/

 

Why the church should support the arts: https://thecollision.org/its-time-for-the-church-to-unleash-its-artists%EF%BF%BC/

 

Why the church should be balanced on the support of the arts: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/the-church-and-the-arts-some-common-ground-and-some-common-sense/

 

Blesses

 

Sistine Chapel (Art)

The Anselm Society (Organization)

The Hephzibah House (Organization)

Greenhouse (Organization) Hollywood Prayer Network (Organization)

The Agony and the Ecstasy (Movie)

Handel’s Messiah (Music)

People Creating New Art in Dialogue with the Old Stuff (Artists at Spotify Playlist: anselmsociety.org/theoverthinkers)

 

Curses The Hayes Code (Hollywood Code)

Babylon (Movie)

CCM Industrial Complex (Music Industry)

 

Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world

Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephhomlmesstudios.com Brian Brown: anselmsociety.org/overthinkers

As more and more people are questioning the usefulness of higher education, it's worthwhile to ask: what is the purpose of education in the first place? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with educator and cultural apologist Annie Crawford. References and resources:

What students want from college: https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/higher-ed-gamma/true-purpose-college-education

Why young people are abandoning college: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/why-more-americans-are-skipping-college Historical development of modern education: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-understanding-the-historical-purposes-of-modern-schooling-matters-today/

CS Lewis on education: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/52604-education-without-values-as-useful-as-it-is-seems-rather Martin Luther King Jr. on education: https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/purpose-education Blesses Educating the Wholehearted Child (Book) Community (TV Show) Rope (Movie) Beauty for Truth's Sake (Book) Beauty in the Word (Book) Curses Dead Poets Society (Movie) Mona Lisa Smile (Movie) AI/Chat GPT (Technology) Websites: Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Annie Crawford: anniecrawford.net

Our culture, and our entire political system, is based on the idea that discussion and debate can change hearts and minds. But is that a lie? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss.

References and resources

 

Exposure to alternative viewpoints causes us to dig in our heels: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2018/04/actually-social-media-isn-t-an-echo-chamber/

 

Cognitive bias: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-baby-scientist/202406/changing-hearts-and-minds

 

Our mental map: https://www.turing.ac.uk/blog/facts-dont-change-minds-and-theres-data-prove-it

 

Persuade people through relationships: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/18/change-mind-evidence-arguing-social-relationships

Persuade people through better forms of debate: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/201811/proven-ways-change-someone-s-mind

 

https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-can-you-change-someone-s-mind-spoiler-facts-don-t-work-so-well-hugo-mercier Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Transhumanism is a growing topic of conversation and concern in the culture. But what exactly is it? And why is it so controversial? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarson discuss. References and resources

Transhumanism Defintion: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/transhumanism

 

Transhumanism History: https://www.britannica.com/topic/transhumanism

 

Douthot/Tiel Convo: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/opinion/peter-thiel-antichrist-ross-douthat.html Bless

Deus Ex (video game)

Abolition of Man (Book)

That Hideous Strength (Book)

 

Bless/curse 

 

Fallout 4 (video game)

 

Curse

 

Mickey 17

Midnight Mass Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Josephholmesstudios.com

Summer is a time of rest. But what is rest and how do we rest well? When is too much rest and when is not enough?  References and resources:

The trend toward valuing rest more:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/01/05/brain-rest-breaks-vacation-benefits/

 

Benefits of rest:

https://hbr.org/2023/08/why-we-glorify-overwork-and-refuse-to-rest

https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2021/01/15/the-benefits-of-resting-and-how-to-unplug-in-a-busy-world/

https://time.com/6969761/how-to-rest-more-effectively/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-awesome-career/202306/the-critical-need-for-intentional-rest

You're not working hard enough: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDNAE73vEyX/?hl=en&__coig_challenged=1 Websites Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.com Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Millennials and Gen Z love authenticity. But is authenticity all it's cracked up to be? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson investigate and give their takes.

 

References and resources: Definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authentic

 

Definition and history: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/authenticity/

 

Present debates about authenticity: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/authenticity

 

Is authenticity overrated? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/return-stillness/201909/is-authenticity-overrated https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbooksauthors/2022/11/22/authenticity-is-overrated-building-a-more-effective-leadership-style/

 

When do people feel most authentic? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656618302964

Blesses We Are Not as Strong as We Think We Are (Song) Ragamuffin (Movie) The Life of Chuck (Movie) Curses Materialists (Movie) How to Be Single (Movie)

Why are superheroes seemingly always so popular? And is that a good thing? We discuss with screenwriter, professor, and author Sean Gaffney.

 

References and resources List of billion dollar superhero movies: https://deadline.com/gallery/highest-grossing-movies-all-time/mcdjuwo-uv042/ Superhero dominance of the 2010s: https://www.statsignificant.com/p/the-rise-and-fall-of-superhero-movies

 

Superheroes aren’t cinema: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/opinion/martin-scorsese-marvel.html

 

My reply to Scorsese: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/16/opinion/letters/martin-scorsese-movies.html

 

Superheroes as modern gods: https://www.wired.com/2011/07/grant-morrison-supergods/

 

Superheroes as Chivalric Romance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPH9K0x5fY4&ab_channel=PilgrimsPass

 

Superheroes as worship: https://anunexpectedjournal.com/superhero-movies-are-worship-not-theme-parks/

 

Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Sean Gaffney: https://gaffneyinkwell.com/

Why is it so hard to build community today and how do we do it anyway? We discuss with author and former governor John Kasich on our latest episode.

Resources and further reading

Rise in loneliness: https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/americans-no-friends/

 

Health costs of loneliness: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/loneliness-poses-health-risks-as-deadly-as-smoking-u-s-surgeon-general-says#:~:text=How%20do%20we%20design%20technology,15%20cigarettes%20daily%2C%20not%2012.

 

Interview with Ryan Burge: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/is-religion-in-decline-with-ryan-burge/id1510271421?i=1000705236657

 

Interview with Brad Wilcox: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/are-married-people-happier-with-dr-brad-wilcox/id1510271421?i=1000644150680

 

AI friends as a solution: https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/meta-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-wants-you-to-make-ai-friends/491349#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,the%20idea%20of%20AI%20friends.

Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Everyone wants to be happy. But for so many, it seems so out of reach. What's the secret? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss on our latest episode. References and resources

Definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happiness

 

Less than half of Americans are happy: https://news.gallup.com/poll/610133/less-half-americans-satisfied-own-lives.aspx

 

Philosophers on happiness: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2016/06/13-great-philosophers-on-the-secret-of-happiness/

 

Scientists on happiness: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/magazine/happiness-research-studies-relationships.html

 

Americans say career over committed relationship: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/02/14/more-than-half-of-americans-say-marriage-is-important-but-not-essential-to-leading-a-fulfilling-life/

 

Americans spending less time with friends: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/02/america-decline-hanging-out/677451/

 

Mental state or well-being: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/happiness/#MeaHap

 

Macronutrients of happiness: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/20/arthur-c-brooks-the-3-macronutrients-of-happiness.html

 

Global Flourishing Study: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/05/global-flourishing-study-good-life/ Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

How do you deal with FOMO (the fear of missing out)? Why is this such a modern phenomenon, and what steps can you take to overcome it? Nathan and Joseph discuss their experiences on the latest episode. References and resources:     FOMO definition:https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/FOMOhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/FOMO   History and review of literature:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8283615/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8283615/   Understanding of FOMO and advice for dealing with it: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/understanding-fomo   Understanding JOMO:https://www.afterbabel.com/p/what-happened-to-fomohttps://www.afterbabel.com/p/what-happened-to-fomo     Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Today lots of people are turning against experts. But is this wise? What are the problems with relying on experts and what are the problems with rejecting them? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss.

References and resources

 

Expert definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expert

 

Trust in science has gone down: https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2023/11/14/americans-trust-in-scientists-positive-views-of-science-continue-to-decline/#:~:text=As%20trust%20in%20scientists%20has,in%20ratings%20of%20scientists%20generally.

 

Why Americans don’t trust experts: https://www.vox.com/vox-conversations-podcast/23030205/vox-conversations-michael-lewis-against-the-rules-experts

 

Reasons not to trust the experts: https://medium.com/@theo.seeds/5-reasons-why-trusting-the-experts-is-dumb-b2faaed734f2 Blesses The Actor's Handbook (Book) Moneyball (Movie) Curses Jordan Peterson's Biblical Series (TV Series) Sully (Movie) Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

What is a victim mentality? How do you know you have it and how do you overcome it? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss. References and resources

 

Victim mentality definition:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/victim%20mentality

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-a-victim-mentality

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/putting-psyche-back-into-psychotherapy/202401/the-agony-and-ecstasy-of-victimhood

 

Why victim mentality is growing https://www.afterbabel.com/p/mental-health-liberal-girls

 

Why victim mindset is a myth

https://medium.com/@mirawriter/why-victim-mindset-is-a-myth-655abf07f3aa

 

Victimhood defines our politics

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065260124000169

 

Blesses

 

Thunderbolts (Movie)

Drop (Movie)

 

Curses

 

Self-diagnosis (Phenomenon)

Shadow of God (Movie)

 

Everyone who has ambitious goals has probably at some point dealt with impostor syndrome. So what is it? And how do we overcome it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with best-selling author, podcast host, and sought-after business coach Mary Marantz. Further Reading

Imposter Syndrome definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impostor%20syndrome

 

Imposter Syndrome history: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/neuroscience-in-everyday-life/202308/the-history-of-imposter-syndrome Blesses The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Movie) 16 Personalities (Website) Dear Evan Hansen (Broadway) How to Train Your Dragon (Animated Movie) Shrinking (TV Show) Curses Neon Demon (Movie) Hitman (Movie) 1923 (TV Show) Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Mary Marantz: https://marymarantz.com/

Most people have either struggled with an addiction or know someone who has. So how does one overcome addiction? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite bestselling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, and Episcopal priest Ian Morgan Cron to bring insight and empathy to this important topic. Further reading

Addiction definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addiction

 

National Institute on Drug Abuse data: https://nida.nih.gov/about-nida/legislative-activities/budget-information/fiscal-year-2024-budget-information-congressional-justification-national-institute-drug-abuse/ic-fact-sheet-2024

 

https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/12/reported-drug-use-among-adolescents-continued-to-hold-below-pre-pandemic-levels-in-2023 Blesses The Ragamuffin Gospel (Book) The Fighter (Movie) Unapologetic (Book) Curse Requiem For a Dream (Movie)

Doctor Sleep (Movie) Succession (TV Show) Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarksson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Ian Cron: https://ianmorgancron.com/

What is beauty? Does it matter? If so, why? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with bestselling author and podcaster Andew Klavan.  Further reading

Beauty definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beauty

Philosophers on beauty: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/beauty/

 

Modern people on beauty: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/07/opinion/andre-aciman-why-is-beauty-important.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/03/well/live/awe-wonder-dacher-keltner.html

Blesses Christ at the Column (Painting) Fahrenheit 451 (Book) Ecclesiastes (Book in The Bible) Mount Lincoln (Nature) Come Sweet Death (Music)

Conclave (Movie) Keelia Clarkson (Nathan’s wife) Wildcat (Movie) Ode on a Greecian Urn (Poem) Ode to the West Wind (Poem)

 

Curses Black Painints by Goya (Paintings) Dead Poets Society (Movie) Anything that is untrue 

Websites Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josepholmesstudios.com Andrew Klavan: andrewklavan.com

What is shame? And how do we overcome it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with celebrated author Aimee Byrd her book "Saving Face" about her own journey of shame and healing. Further reading:

Shame definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shame

 

Shame vs guilt: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/shame#:~:text=Shame%20can%20breed%20feelings%20of,can%20erode%20trust%20over%20time.

 

Is shame bad? https://brenebrown.com/articles/2013/01/15/shame-v-guilt/

 

Is shame good? https://www.vox.com/first-person/2019/4/18/18308346/shame-toxic-productive

 

Overcoming shame: https://www.gottman.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-shame/#:~:text=Instead%20of%20%E2%80%9Cbeing%20shame%2C%E2%80%9D,vulnerable%20stories%20in%20safe%20environments. Blesses

 

The Soul of Shame (Book) Godzilla Minus One (Movie)

The Mule (Movie) Adolescence (TV Show) TIll We Have Faces (Book) Curses

White Lotus Season 3 (TV Show) All Fours (Book) Cabrini (Movie) Yellowstone (TV Show)

Websites: The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josepholmesstudios.com Aimee Byrd: https://aimeebyrd.com/

Is religion in decline or are we headed for a revival? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with America's leading political scientist Ryan Burge.

Further resources Karl Marx thought religion would disappear: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/jun/29/marx-religion-philosophy-opium

Durkheim thought religion would decline/disappear: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0037768614560959?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.15#:~:text=While%20Durkheim%20held%2C%20as%20did,Pickering%2C%201984:%20445).

Declining religion around the world:  https://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSNewsShow.jsp?ID=433#:~:text=From%202007%20to%202020%2C%20an,place%20among%20the%20American%20public. https://www.axios.com/2023/10/06/organized-religion-decline-agnostic-atheist-nonreligious

Religious populations having the most kids:https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/12/21/key-findings-from-the-global-religious-futures-project/

Religious in America have the most kids: https://ifstudies.org/blog/americas-growing-religious-secular-fertility-divide

Rise of “Nones” appears to have halted: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/us/christianity-us-religious-study-pew.html

Blesses The Pitt (TV Show) Small ChurchesThe American Religious Landscape (Book)Hacksaw Ridge (Movie) Curses

The White Lotus (TV Show)The Righteous Gemstones (TV Show)God’s Not Dead (Movie)The Front Room (Movie)

Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comRyan Burge: graphsaboutreligion.com

Why do people beome (and stay) Christians or any religion whatsoever? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome Nathan Sherrer on the show to discuss their testimonies and what they think that says about faith and belief in the world. 

Links to more resources:

Reasons why people believe in God https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-pursuit-peace/201712/the-psychology-religion

 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/talking-apes/201808/why-do-people-believe-in-god

Intellectuals returning to faith:

 

https://www.thefp.com/p/how-intellectuals-found-god-ayaan-hirsi-ali-peter-thiel-jordan-peterson

 

Blesses The World Ends with You (Video Game)

Mob Psycho 100 (Anime)

All Fired Up (Song)

Evidence for Chrisitanity (Book)

Mere Christianity (Book)

Blue Like Jazz (Book)

On Guard (Book)

Curses

 

Facing the Giants (Movie)

The Eternals (Movie)

Law of Attraction (Book)

The God Delusion (Book) Website The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

What's The Devil really like according to the original Biblical writers who talked about him? We discuss with writer and filmmaker Jared Brock, author of the new book, "A Devil Called Lucifer". Definitions of The Devil:

 

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Satan

 

https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/history-of-the-devil

 

Christiian views of The Devil: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/satan-and-demons/

Blesses

 

Dardevil (TV Show)

Alan Wake 2 (Video Game)

The Screwtape Letters (Book)

Paradise Lost (Book)

Hellboy: The Crooked Man

Michael Hudson (Economist)

Friday Night Lights (TV Show)

 

Curse

 

The Devil’s Advocate (Movie)

Hazbin Hotel (TV Show)

 

Woe Anyone who makes money from lending (Usery) Websites Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josepholmesstuidos.com Jared Brock: jaredbrock.com

 

Everyone loves Jesus. But who was Jesus? Was he just a historical figure, or was he someone you can have a relationship with today? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with beloved author John Eldredge

Americans positive view of Jesus: https://www.barna.com/research/openness-to-jesus/

 

Americans belief in Jesus divinity: https://www.barna.com/research/what-do-americans-believe-about-jesus-5-popular-beliefs/

 

Bart Ehrman on Jesus: https://ehrmanblog.org/who-was-jesus/

 

Personal relationship with Jesus not in Bible: https://theologyintheraw.com/is-having-a-personal-relationship-with-jesus-a-biblical-concept/#:~:text=If%20by%20%E2%80%9Cpersonal%E2%80%9D%20you%20mean,%3B%20it's%20communal%2C%20not%20individualistic.

 

Blesses

 

The Miracle Maker (Movie)

The Jesus I Never Knew (Book)

The Chosen (TV Show)

 

Curses

 

Bad Atheist Arguments (Internet)

Magdelene (Movie)

 

Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.com

Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

The Holy Spirit is a really important part of Christian theology. But he's also the least understood. What's the traditional Christian understanding of the Holy Spirit? And why does that matter? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite author and pastor Tyler Staton to discuss. Link to more resources:

 

Catholic/Orthodox Split: https://www.britannica.com/event/East-West-Schism-1054 Argument for continuationism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNuEImlg3yU&t=2764s&ab_channel=GavinOrtlund

Argument for cessasionism: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/cessationist/ Blesses Disappointment with God (Book) Believe Me (Movie) Curses  Holy Ghost (Movie) Noah (Movie) Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Tyler Staton: https://www.tylerstaton.com/about

Culture wars seem to dominate life today. Should we participate in them, or abandon them? If we should engage with them, how and why? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss. Links to resources

Definition of culture war: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/culture-war

 

James Davison Hunter on the culture war: 

 

https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2024/08/09/culture-wars-james-davison-hunter-politics

 

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/05/20/culture-war-politics-2021-democracy-analysis-489900

 

Blesses

 

Trial and Death of Socrates (Book)

The Other Two (TV Show)

Eye in the Sky (Movie)

 

Curses

 

The act of announcing to the world you’re taking a break for social media for lent

Captain America: Civil War (Movie) Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josepholmesstudios.com

Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Walter Hickey about what the research says on how the media we consume really does--and does not--affect us and our lives.

 

Time people spend with TV/Media: https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2023/tops-of-2023-tv/

 

Sesame Street improves education outcomes: https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/06/sesame-street-preschool-education/396056/

 

History of the Hayes Code: https://www.britannica.com/art/Hays-Code Blesses Bednobs and Broomsticks (Movie) Spider-Man 2 (Movie)

You Are What You Watch (Book) Through a Screen Darkly (Book) The Truman Show (Movie) FLow (Movie) Curses Heart Eyes (Movie)

La La Land (Movie) The Show Recommended by the Algorithm 

 

Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Walter Hickey: https://walthickey.com/

We all love heroes. But not all heroes are created equal. What makes a hero that can stand the test of time and also make us better? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss.  Resource Links

 

Hero definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hero

 

Different cultural ideas of heroes: https://www.cam.ac.uk/system/files/heroes_teacher_resources_.pdf

 

Why Vince Gilligan thinks we need more heroes: https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/breaking-bad-creator-vince-gilligan-good-guys-walter-white-1236309604/

 

 

 

 

Blesses

 

Gotham Knights

Daredevil

The Incredibles

Chronicles of Narnia

Superman for All Seasons

Dune: Part Two

 

Curses

 

Captain America: Brave New World

The Boys Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Why are there so few religious movies when the majority of the world is religious? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome back filmmaker Spencer Folmar to discuss.

85.6% of world’s population is religious. 31.6% of world’s population are Christians (majority religion); unaffiliated 14.4%: https://www.statista.com/statistics/374704/share-of-global-population-by-religion/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20around%2031.6%20percent,of%20global%20populations%20as%20Hindu.

 

America’s religious/secular demographics: https://news.gallup.com/poll/511133/identify-religious-spiritual.aspx

 

Atheists 7% of World Population: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-secular-life/201510/how-many-atheists-are-there

 

History of faith and Hollywood: 

 

https://www.njarts.net/hollywood-rarely-shows-much-faith-in-films-with-prominent-religious-themes/

 

https://faithlifetv.com/reel-redemption

 

Objections to Hollywood’s portrayal of Muslims: 

https://variety.com/2022/film/news/usc-annenberg-inclusion-initiative-muslim-representation-study-1235362804/

Blesses

 

Calvary

First Reformed

House of David

 

Curses

 

Interstellar

Anora

Mother Teresa & Me

 

Bless/Curse

 

Conclave

First Reformed

 

Websites

 

Spencer Folmar: hardfaith.org

Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world

Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me

Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

 

Nobody likes modern dating. But why is it so hard? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss.

Pew research on modern dating: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/08/20/nearly-half-of-u-s-adults-say-dating-has-gotten-harder-for-most-people-in-the-last-10-years/

 

Why Does Modern Dating Suck? https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-dating-sucks-we-asked-experts/

 

Majority want to get married: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/02/15/among-young-adults-without-children-men-are-more-likely-than-women-to-say-they-want-to-be-parents-someday/#:~:text=Among%20adults%20ages%2018%20to,they%20want%20to%20get%20married.

 

Global marriage rates dropping/women’s higher standards and men’s dropping performance: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/america-marriage-decline/681518/

 

Lack of church attendance driving singleness: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/04/happiness-recession-causing-sex-depression/586405/

 

Consumer mentality driving bad dating: https://www.freyaindia.co.uk/p/why-is-modern-dating-so-difficult

Why it’s hard to build community today: https://anunexpectedjournal.com/the-real-reason-you-dont-have-friends-and-how-to-fix-it/

 

Lies Hollywood teaches us about relationships: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2023/11/5/how-the-sexual-revolution-killed-the-hollywood-rom-com

 

 Bless

500 Days of Summer

 

Curse

The Idea of You

 

Bless/Curse

How I Met Your Mother

 

Websites

 

The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world

Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me

Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

How does the experience of hardship in our past affect our ability to have healthy relationships now? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with author and licensed counselor Tabitha Panariso to discuss. Referenced resources

Definition of trauma: https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma#:~:text=Trauma%20is%20an%20emotional%20response,from%20Recovering%20emotionally%20from%20disaster Attachment Theory: https://labs.psychology.illinois.edu/~rcfraley/attachment.htm

 

Millennials “reverse cognitive behavior therapy”: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/mental-health-liberal-girls

 

Gen Z’s “fear of taking part”: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/what-happened-to-fomo

Blesses

 

Scott Pilgrim vs the World (Movie)

The Fighter Severance Curses Manchester By the Sea

Hollywood Bless/Curse Marriage Story Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Tabitha Panariso: https://substack.com/@tabithapanariso

 

Men and women have been involved in a "battle of the sexes" throughout history. What is the source of this conflict, and how do we solve it? We bring on cultural apologist Annie Crawford to discuss.

Growing Gender Divide: https://www.axios.com/2024/09/28/young-men-women-divided-politics-religion

Blesses The Essential Difference (Book) Much Ado About Nothing (Play/Kenneth Branagh Movie) A Guide to Sex in the 21st Century (Books) Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Movie) CS Lewis's Ransom Trilogy (Books) Pride and Prejudice (Book) Curses Men (Movie)  Playboy Magazine The Quiet Man (Movie) Battle of the Sex (Movie) Anything that has to do with Andrew Tate Websites Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Annie Crawford: anniecrawford.net

The romance genre may be the most popular genre in the world. But is it harmful for us? Does it create unrealistic and harmful expectations? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes bring on author, actress and podcast host Keelia Clarkson to get some answers. Links to sources

Popularity of the romance genre: https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/liberal-arts/misconceptions-about-the-romance-genre

 

Popularity of Hallmark movies/problems with romance movies: https://olemiss.edu/news/2024/07/romantic-movies-perception/index.html

 

Popularity of Bridgerton: https://deadline.com/2024/07/bridgerton-season-3-netflix-most-popular-list-shonda-rhimes-1235999509/

 

People claim they don’t negatively compare their partners unlesss relationship “already rocky”: 

 

https://www.latimes.com/health/la-xpm-2011-jul-07-la-heb-romance-novels-women-health-20110707-story.html

 

https://www.npr.org/2011/07/07/137675779/romance-fiction-and-womens-health-a-dose-of-skepticism

 

People who watch romance movies report greater relationship satisfaction: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/nurturing-resilience/202302/does-watching-romantic-movies-help-your-love-life-flourish

 

Defending romance novels: https://www.vulture.com/2019/02/why-you-should-be-reading-romance-novels.html

 

Why people love romances: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/love-them-or-leave-them/202406/this-is-your-brain-on-bridgerton

 

How the sexual revolution killed the hollywood rom com/how sleeping around to find true love doesn’t work: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2023/11/5/how-the-sexual-revolution-killed-the-hollywood-rom-com

 

Blesses

 

The Vow Meet Cute

Five Feet Apart Curses 

 

Anyone But You

All Fours

An Affair to Remember Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Keelia Clarkson: wallflowerjournal.com

In honor of co-host Nathan Clarkson's new Western movie "Bright Sky", Nathan and Joseph discuss whether anyone is beyond redemption, and what that means.

 

Links to sources cited:

Summary of Thomas Aquinas’s Compilation of Answers to What is Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit (including St. Augustine): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf8pin8x71Y

 

Psychologists emphasize the capacity to grow and change: https://psychcentral.com/blog/can-people-really-change#can-you-change-habits

 

Views of personality and neuroplasticity: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/behavior/can-people-change-or-do-they-just-lie/

 

The “Beyond Redemption” narrative trope: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BeyondRedemption

 

The “Moral Event Horizon” which establishes a character as beyond moral redemption: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MoralEventHorizon

 

People who never change: https://medium.com/@justsomewriter/im-starting-to-truly-think-some-people-are-truly-beyond-saving-5379208baa06

 

US Office of Justice Programs - Some people are beyond modern science’s ability to rehabilitate: https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/can-everyone-be-rehabilitated#:~:text=There%20are%20persons%20beyond%20the,and%20deranged%20habits%20of%20gratification.

 

Criticism of abandoning rehabilitation efforts:  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3762476/#:~:text=However%2C%20to%20the%20shock%20of,why%20this%20shift%20took%20place. 

Blesses:

 

Red Dead Redemption 1 + 2 (Video Games)

Redeeming Love (Book)

Unforgiven (Movie) Curses: Yellowstone (TV Show)

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (Movie) Websites The Overthinkers theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes josepholmesstudios.com

How do we know our calling in life? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes talk to Biblical scholar Dr. William Klein on the history of the word "calling" and how we might be all--religious and non-religious alike--using the word wrong. Links to resources mentioned:

Calling Definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calling

 

More definitions of “calling”: https://www.christianitytoday.com/partners/nav-press/what-is-calling/

 

Forbes 20 Ways to Find Your Calling: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jessicahagy/2012/06/26/20-ways-to-find-your-calling/

 

Desire for calling: https://www.letu.edu/alumni/identify-your-calling.html

 

Oprah “Are You Listening to Your Life?”: https://www.oprah.com/omagazine/what-are-you-meant-to-be-doing-find-your-calling

 

“It’s Never Too Late to Find Your Calling”: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-at-any-age/202401/its-never-too-late-to-find-your-calling

 

Desiring God - How to Discern God’s Call: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-do-i-know-gods-calling-for-my-life

Relevant Magazine - “Is This My Calling or Just Something I Enjoy?”: https://relevantmagazine.com/life5/how-to-know-if-your-calling-is-really-from-god/

 

Academic perspectives on calling: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00187267221095759#bibr24-00187267221095759

 

Blesses

 

Hero of a Thousand Faces (Book)

Hero on a Mission (Book)

Sound of Hope (Movie)

Deadpool & Wolverine (Movie)

The Shock of Faith (Article)

Curses

 

Don’t Waste Your Life (Book)

The Hill (Movie)

Wish (Movie)

The Call (Book) Websites Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josepholmesstudios.com Will Klein: https://denverseminary.edu/directory/klein-phd-william/

Many of us find it hard to read classic literature. But is there value in it worth pushing through anyway? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome author and podcast host of "Storytime for Grownups" Faith Moore to discuss how she grew to love great old books.

Educators find decline in reading classic literature in 70s: https://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/29/archives/decline-in-reading-of-the-classics-in-public-schools-causes-concern.html

 

Decline in reading from 1982 to 2002: https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/RaRExec_0.pdf

 

Literature Humanities Professors find fewer read classics in 2020s: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/11/the-elite-college-students-who-cant-read-books/679945/

 

Why teachers should assign more contemporary books: https://bookriot.com/assign-more-contemporary-books/

 

Why we focus too much on classics: https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2016/jul/13/stop-pushing-the-same-classic-books-on-children-and-trust-modern-writing

Blesses:

 

Penguin Classic 

Picture of Dorian Gr

Anxious People

Great Expectations

David Copperfield

Jane Eyre (2006 TV Miniseries)

Curses:

 

Wuthering Heights

We Have Always Lived in a Castle

The Divine Comedy

The Madwoman in the Attic Websites: Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.com Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josepholmesstudios.com Faith Moore: faithkmoore.com

How do you raise children to value their uniqueness while also growing in maturity? Sally Clarkson returns to the show to discuss with Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson the new book by Sally and Nathan: "Uniquely You"

Discrimination against left-handed people: https://www.press.jhu.edu/newsroom/stuttering-and-retraining-left-handed-children-mid-century-us#:~:text=By%20the%20second%20decade%20of%20the%20twentieth,retraining%20left%2Dhanders%20had%20negative%20consequences%2C%20especially%20stuttering.&text=Terman%20(1877%2D1956)%20concluded%20that%20a%20third%20to,attempts%20to%20transform%20left%2Dhanded%20children%20into%20right%2Dhanders.

Howard Gardener's Multiple Intelligences: https://www.niu.edu/citl/resources/guides/instructional-guide/gardners-theory-of-multiple-intelligences.shtml

Mental illness vs neurodiversity debate: https://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/mental-disorder-or-neurodiversity "Gentle Parenting" creates unhappy children: https://ifstudies.org/blog/do-your-political-beliefs-affect-your-parenting- Blesses:

Finding Forrester (Movie) A Wrinkle in Time (Book)

Anne of Green Gables (Book)

 

Curses:

A Wrinkle in Time (Movie)

Anti-Family Trends in Pixar Films (Movie)

Websites: Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Sally Clarkson: sallyclarkson.com

 

Buy "Uniquely You" today: https://www.amazon.com/Uniquely-You-Exploring-Extraordinarily-Distinctive/dp/0802432786/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FLcU4czIiBsDVW0-BpzfHq3dMhqKT9xdOS7adg1hFrVBwKbNFU303KovJtg_yaYhaHXp8OeXQ9FovH4JL_HdY8IkLJ5kIUGRiHccIXp0L3rMwN3ZroPoO7r0AhYIMfM2DsIz3LIU7UsJejV-zAC-nWCV4nSEE7tPq2oenPkJ9DWVwl6P364nvIjha3VvZCPK0oHEtGjRNtFQJh2Zi-KVcG_j2-xi2rLbGfYC-FDg_jU.Pi6PI6MI84yTG4gWtYRCTE_TobJhNqyCjBhcSXIE0Xs&dib_tag=se&keywords=uniquely+you&qid=1736131771&sr=8-1

 

In the first Overthinkers episode of the new season, Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss how to follow through on our goals. Studies show that most people who set goals in the new year don't follow through on them. How do you become the exception? Well, there's studies on that too! Joseph and Nathan go through some of the best strategies on the internet--and their own experience--to help set us all off on the right foot in the new year. Podcast Sources:

Only 8 percent of adults achieve their goals: https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/how-high-school-students-can-set-and-accomplish-their-goals/#:~:text=But%20a%20recent%20survey%20by,the%20best%20versions%20of%20ourselves.

 

Only 6.5 percent of adults were still trying for their goals after 6 months: https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/new-study-shows-only-6-of-people-achieve-their-goals-and-reveals-their-secret-formula-1032687000

 

Less than half of Americans were very satisfied with their lives: https://www.newsweek.com/americans-are-less-satisfied-their-lives-1868560

 

Arthur Brooks on healthy vs unhealthy goal setting: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/03/how-follow-your-dreams-and-get-happier/618384/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGz3wBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdBtSJE1sCkpBIWT2jx47PxvsuteMDLMii2pVMQWWr1GLvABLiQ2q_y3uw_aem_BL6ZVahAoLk4Im8SvCoB1A

 

Rising rates of depression: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/our-changing-culture/201510/are-mental-health-issues-the-rise

Blesses and Curses:

Bless Subliminal - Book Transformers One - Movie

 

Curse

 

The Law of Attraction - Book

Reagan - Movie Blink Twice - Movie

Websites: Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Lots of people are stressed out by being with family for the holidays. Some are even planning not to spend holidays with their family. But is that a good idea? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes give their tips on having a positive trip home for the holidays. Links to outside references: 

15 million long-distance travelers oer Christmas in 2023: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/millions-americans-expected-to-travel-christmas-new-years-day-aaa/

 

How to survive going home for the holidays: https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-to-survive-going-home-for-the-holidays/

 

https://medium.com/youalberta/how-to-survive-home-for-the-holidays-99daba2e6e9f

 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/empowerment-solutions/202212/home-for-the-holidays-how-not-to-get-triggered 

 

Blesses: Elf The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Curses: The Family Stone Four Christmases National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation A Christmas Story

Everyone has deep desires. But what is our deepest desire? And how do we deal with the problem of satisfying that desire. Writer, award-winning folk musician, and spiritual director Strahan Coleman joins Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson to dive into what we want and how we can have it today. Links to resources discussed in the episode:

Basics of Budhism: https://www.pbs.org/edens/thailand/buddhism.htm

The Stoics: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/stoicism/

 

Augustine and Desire: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/an-analysis-of-one-of-the-greatest-sentences-ever-written/

Charlotte Fox's 12 Universal Desires:

https://healthforlifegr.com/examining-the-deepest-human-desires-charlotte-fox-weber/#:~:text=In%20her%20book%2C%20Charlotte%20Fox,have%20what%20we%20shouldn't.

8 Things People Desire But Can't Attain:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2016/05/24/the-top-8-things-people-desperately-desire-but-cant-seem-to-attain/

 

Blesses Book - Georgia Douglas Johnson Poetry Book - The Religious Sense Movie - Deadpool and Wolverine Book - Surprised By Joseph Holmes Movie - The Book of Clarence TV Shows - Agatha All Along Thinker - Teresa of Avila Thinker - St. John of the Cross Book - The Cloud of Unknowing TV Show - Bridgerton Curses Movie - Saturday Night Movie - Joker: Folie à Deux Good Cafes that serve terrible coffee

Overthinkers Team Contact and Websites: The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world

Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me

Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Strahan Coleman Links and Websites: Thirsting: Quenching Our Soul's Deepest Desire: https://www.amazon.com/Thirsting-Quenching-Souls-Deepest-Desire/dp/0830785205 Beholding Prayer Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beholding-prayer/id1669562572 Commoners Communion: https://www.commonerscommunion.com/about

Are spiritual rhythms important in everyday life? Not just on Sundays? Joseph Holmes discusses with author and artist Douglas McKelvy his series "Every Moment Holy" about how to bring the sacred into ordinary life.  Referenced Links:

Barna Study - How liturgical are today’s American Christians? https://www.barna.com/research/liturgical-todays-christians/ 

 

Liturgy as an idol: https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/article/liturgy-word-god-enough/

 

Liturgy detached from theology: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2022/07/church-liturgy-trends-history-tradition-theology-popular/

 

Church makes you give more to charity: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2023/12/12/are-religious-areas-more-charitable

 

Frequent church attendance means better mental health: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/frequent-churchgoers-better-mental-health/ Blesses Book - Desiring the Kingdom Movie - Wildcat Anime - Barakamon Book - The Book of Common Prayer/The Daily Office Book - Everything Sad is Untrue Curses Book - Living in Wonder Book - The Daily Stoic

Overthinkers Team Contact and Websites: The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world

Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me

Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Douglas McKelvey and Every Moment Holy links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quothdouglas/?hl=en Every Moment Holy Website: https://www.everymomentholy.com/about-the-series

Americans' number one fear is corrupt politicians. Why is that? And is that valid? We discuss fear of the government and propose solutions. 

Links to Further Resources

 

Chapman University study of Americans’ greatest fears: https://www.chapman.edu/wilkinson/research-centers/babbie-center/survey-american-fears.aspx 

 

Summary of implications for new US rankings in global corruption: https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/01/28/report-transparency-international-corruption-worst-decade-united-states/

Christopher Bader interview on Chapman University study: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/science/sociology-fear-uncertainty.html

 

Liberty of the Ancients vs the Moderns speech: https://fee.org/resources/the-liberty-of-ancients-compared-with-that-of-moderns/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsoe5BhDiARIsAOXVoUvAN9dp6i3daV7OFgzeY5hfEwHv9JPJETxoenffgIjunKHUPd1SGBUaAj3NEALw_wcB

 

Federalist 51 - James Madison’s justification for our system of government in men’s natures: https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/text-51-60

 

Blesses:

 

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Death of Stalin

Hamilton

Trial of the Chicago 7

 

Curses

 

The West Wing

Civil War

Don’t Look Up

Megalopolis

 

Overthinkers Team Contact and Websites: The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world

Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me

Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

 

 

Many Christians are worried about the phenomenon of "deconstruction". But what is "deconstruction" and is it something we should fear or embrace? Author and scholar Scot McKnight and musician and pastor Tommy Preson Phillips join to discuss their new book on deconstruction "The Invisible Jesus: A Book About Leaving the Church and Looking for Christ" References and Resources:

 

Deconstruction Definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deconstruction

 

What Does Deconstruction Mean? https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-does-deconstruction-even-mean

 

How many people deconstruct? https://www.barna.com/trends/ex-christians-deconstructing/

 

Why We Should Not Redeem Deconstruction https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/redeem-reconstruction/

 

Five Reasons Young People are Deconstructing Their Faith: https://careynieuwhof.com/five-real-reasons-young-people-are-deconstructing-their-faith/

 

Deconstruction encounters from Pastors: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2022/07/deconstruction-faith-pastors-church-lifeway-survey/

 

Rise in family estrangement: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/01/why-parents-and-kids-get-estranged/617612/

 

Rise of “everyone’s toxic”: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/09/toxic-person-tiktok-internet-slang-meaning/670599/

 

Millennials true religion: customizable beliefs, observation by Dr. Jean Twenge, author of Generations: https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/ad-fontes/generations-by-jean-m-twenge-review-and-reflections/

 

Blesses

 

WIldcat

The Great Dechurching

Mrs. Davis

 

Curses

 

First Reformed

Silence

Bonhoeffer (film)

 

Contact and Websites:

Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me

Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Scot McKnight: https://scotmcknight.substack.com/

Tommy Preson Phillips: http://presonphillips.com/

Do we have a moral obligation to vote for the lesser of two evils? Do we have a moral obligation not to? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss in the lead up to the American presidential  Election.

 

St. Francis advises voting for lesser of two evils, and why: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/pope-francis-kamala-harris-donald-trump-rcna171092

 

History of American “Lesser of Two Evils” debates: https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/lesser-of-two-evils-history-voting/

 

Reasons to not vote lesser of two evils:

 

https://www.cato.org/commentary/why-voting-lesser-two-evils-waste-vote

 

https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2023/08/karty-the-lesser-of-two-evils-argument-needs-to-die

 

Americans disatisfied with choices: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/americans-dismayed-by-biden-trump-2024-rematch-reutersipsos-poll-finds-2024-01-25/

 

Federalist 51 - Why lesser of two evils thinking is built into American government:

 

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-04-02-0199#:~:text=If%20men%20were%20angels%2C%20no,on%20government%20would%20be%20necessary.

 

Blesses:

 

The Righteous Mind

Eye in the Sky

Lincoln

13 Days

 

Curses: X/Twitter/Threads

God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust

Conclave

 

Contact and Websites:

Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me

Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

What are Americans most afraid of? And what does that say about us? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss. Top ten list for 2024:

https://www.chapman.edu/wilkinson/research-centers/babbie-center/survey-american-fears.aspx 

 

Conversation around Americans fears: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/science/sociology-fear-uncertainty.html

 

Top ten list for 2014: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/10/30/clowns-are-twice-as-scary-to-democrats-as-they-are-to-republicans/ Blesses The Village Nope Where's God When I'm Scared

It: Part One

Curses Beau is Afraid It: Part Two

Contact and Websites:

Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me

Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

There's a rise in interest and practice of witchcraft among young people. Is that worth being concerned about? We discuss with journalist Mary Jackson. Notes from the show:

 

Witchcraft definition: 

 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witchcraft

 

Witchcraft history: 

 

https://www.britannica.com/topic/witchcraft

 

Mary Jackson's article on rise of witchcraft and its harms:  https://wng.org/articles/out-of-darkness-1713232697

 

More modern witchcraft trends

 

https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a42798881/magic-touch-witchcraft/

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/paganism-witchcraft-are-making-comeback-rcna54444

 

https://www.brandeis.edu/now/2021/september/wicca-berger-conversation.html#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%20there,approximately%20800%2C000%20Americans%20are%20Wiccans

 

Blesses The Crucible The Village  Talk to Me The Screwtape Letters Curses The Witch The Front Room The Wicked Witch character Contact and Websites:

Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me

Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Mary Jackson at World Magazine: https://wng.org/authors/mary-jackson

Mary Jackson on X: https://x.com/mbjackson77