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

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

Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes are joined by author Dominic Done to discuss whether it's sinful to doubt God, or if it's actually a healthy thing.

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

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

https://www.barna.com/research/two-thirds-christians-face-doubt/

People have a harder time today than ever making friends. So how does one make friends? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes sit down with author and speaker Dr. Joy Clarkson to unpack this deeply modern problem.

Articles referenced in this episode: https://www.americansurveycenter.org/research/the-state-of-american-friendship-change-challenges-and-loss/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/11/23/americans-alone-thanksgiving-friends/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200307/the-dangers-loneliness

"Adulting" is a tough hill to climb for Millenials and Gen Z. Most in these generations struggle with feeling like they are truly an adult. So what things does one need to do to really achieve adulthood? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss on this first episode of 2023.

Below are the list of things we advise you to do to be an adult, with the resources we mention in the episode.

1. Workout three times a week

• According to the CDC (How much physical activity do adults need?), you should be exercising 150 hours a week, or 30 minutes a day for five days a week.
• https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
• CDC.Gov “Benefits of Physical activity” 
• https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm

2. Cook most of your own meals

- It’s tastier, it’s healthier, it’s cheaper. https://medium.com/@kevin18lee/3-reasons-why-you-should-cook-your-own-meals-1142ce292fad

3. Eat healthily 

4. Read one book a month

• According to a Pew Research study, the typical American has read 5 books in the past 12 months, while 75% have read at least one book. The average is 12 or 14 if you include the avid bookworms. 
• https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/01/06/three-in-ten-americans-now-read-e-books/

5. Be financially independent

6. Live below your means (be financially stable)

7.  Regularly build savings 

8. Work in your preferred field/get paid to do what you want to do

9. Have good credit

• According to the Forbes article “What Is A Good Credit Score?” a good credit score is at least a 700.
• https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-score/what-is-a-good-credit-score/

10. Have three close, long-term friends

-According to the Survey Center on American Life, Americans today have fewer friends and talk to them less often than they did 30 years ago. In 1990, less than one-third (27 percent) said they had three or fewer close friends, while today that number is close to half (49 percent).

- The Washington Post Piece, Americans Are Choosing To Be Alone

- Psychology Today’s The Dangers of Loneliness. 

11. Be in a long-term committed relationship (or have chosen willingly to be single)

• The Atlantic: “The Happiness Recession”
• https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/04/happiness-recession-causing-sex-depression/586405/

12. Are hygienic (take showers, brush teeth, etc)

13. Keep a relatively clean, organized living space

• According to Elite Daily, studies show that having a clean room makes you happier, sleep better, makes you more likely to exercise, and makes you feel positive and accomplished. 
• https://www.elitedaily.com/wellness/cleaning-your-room-important-for-your-health/1466353

14. Give a portion of your income or time to charitable causes

15. Travel out of state (or country) once a year

16. Get yearly medical checkups

17. Get semi-regular counseling/therapy (mental health)

18. Maintain familial relationships (if possible/healthy)

• The Atlantic: “A Shift in Family Values Is Fueling Estrangement”
• https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/01/why-parents-and-kids-get-estranged/617612/
• The Atlantic: “The Nuclear Family Was A Mistake”
• https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/03/the-nuclear-family-was-a-mistake/605536/

Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss one of the surprisingly biggest controversies of the Christmas/Holiday season... should we say "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas"? Where did this controversy start? Does it matter? And if so, why?

Fantasy dominates the entertainment landscape nowadays. But does all of this fantasy pull us away from reality in a way that's harmful? Louis Giovino joins Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes to discuss.

Holidays are a time most people are seeing family. But often time with your family can be stressful. How do you navigate difficult relationships with your family during the holidays? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined by Alyssa Plock to help us all get the most out of the holiday season with our loved ones without losing our minds!

We all love museums. But many of the things in museums were stolen. Should they give the stuff they stole back? Dr. Bleattler joins Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes for a discussion of this real-life modern controversy on this latest episode.

Free speech is one of the most hot-button issues in the modern day. Why is free speech so important to us? And are there cases where it does more harm than good? Attorney David Campbell joins us for a deep and wide-ranging discussion on the virtues and potential limits of freedom of speech.

We talk about everything on this show--so why do we talk so much about politics? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes give their reasons.

One of the highest compliments we can give someone is to call them relatable. But should it be? Do we prize being relatable too much? Keelia Clarkson joins Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes to explain why our desire for "relatability" might be problematic.

Do demons exist? If so, what are they like? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome New Testament Scholar, author, and demon-expert Dr. Joy Vaughan to help them navigate the world of supernatural evil on this latest episode of spooky month. Further links: 

Demon definition:

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

Demon history:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/angel-religion#ref410057

70% of Americans believe in The Devil:

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4400922-americans-ghosts-aliens-devil-survey/

Modern day exorcism debate: 

https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/04/health/exorcism-doctor/index.html

Mental health vs demonic possession in Middle Ages:

https://www.bu.edu/cas/demonic-obsession-a-different-look-at-mental-health-in-the-medieval-period/

Bless:

Movie - Interview with The Devil

Movie - The Deliverance 

Book - Glimpses of The Devil

Books by Adam C. Blai

Curse

Movie - The Exorcist: Believer Movie - The Exorcism

(Not curse - warning against) Spiritual Warfare Handbooks

Websites:

Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me

Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Dr. Joy Vaughan: https://www.asbury.edu/about/directory/joy-vaughan/

Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson ask why our culture is so obsessed with serial killers. Why do women want to marry them and men want to be like them? Joseph and Nathan dip into the psychology and give some surprising answers.

Is Halloween The Devil's Holiday? Harmless fun? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson give their take as two millennial Christian men who grew up in Christian subculture.

If being frightened is so unpleasant, why do people seek out opportunities to be scared, like in ghost stories, horror movies, and skydiving? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss and come up with some potentially controversial answers.

Get ready for spooky storytime! Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson bring on storyteller extraordinaire Alex Foley to push back on their skepticism at the existence of ghosts. 

Why do humans fear something as inevitable as death? How do we overcome the anxiety and depression of facing our own mortality? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss the data, the philosophy, and the way forward.

Is fitness just for vanity or something we should aspire to? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes talk to fitness coach and actor Josh Murray about whether our physical health matters and if fitness is the right solution. 

Should you base your decisions more on how you feel or how you think? Do we think too much or feel too much as a society? A strong thinker (Nathan Clarkson) and an overthinking feeler (Joseph Holmes) discuss on this latest episode.

Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson take on hustle culture and the anti-work movement and discuss what's toxic about both and how you know whether you're working too hard or not hard enough.

Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss why so many people believe conspiracy theories, and when they think it is and is not justified. They also reveal what their favorite conspiracy theories they believe are.

Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk about the importance of mentorship and how to both find and become a mentor with reclamation podcast host and Director of Leadership and Discipleship, Tony Miltenberger.

Everyone wants to overcome fear. But is fear ever something to embrace rather than reject? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss in their latest episode - the first of scary thinking month. Links to referenced resources:

Fear Definition:

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

Fear is one of our most powerful emotions:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/face-fear

Rise in anxiety: 

https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/annual-poll-adults-express-increasing-anxiousness#:~:text=Washington%2C%20D.C.,2023%20and%2032%25%20in%202022.

At least 60% have at least one unreasonable fear:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/fear

How to manage fear:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-overcome-anxiety-and-fear

How to cope with fear:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-overcome-anxiety-and-fear

Overcome fear of failure:

https://hbr.org/2018/12/how-to-overcome-your-fear-of-failure?utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=domcontent&utm_term=Non-Brand&tpcc=paidsearch.google.dsacontent&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9Km3BhDjARIsAGUb4nwDJRKY-UqTLI2l-f2j_V2lDqJbzLPSBCH9F-rauYz0tIz42SGFOPUaAuUTEALw_wcB

Overcome fear of change: 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-adaptive-mind/201809/how-overcome-the-fear-change

Fear and authoritarianism:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/02/authoritarian-leaders-people-safe-voters

No fear in love: 

https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/1%20John%204%3A18

Fear - Costs and Benefits:

https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2022/10/fear-when-it-rational-and-when-it-unhealthy

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-fear-is-a-good-thing_b_8258746

Blesses:

Video Game: Outlast

Movie: A Quiet Place

Curses: The Terrifier  Texas Chainsaw Massacre 

Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes welcome Raymond Mercado on to discuss the unique experiences of having a brain that works differently than other people's and the good and bad that goes with it.

It's the biggest feud on the internet: introverts vs extroverts. Who's better? What do each bring to the table? Joseph Holmes (introvert) and Nathan Clarkson (extrovert) invite back Keelia Clarkson (introvert) to settle this debate once and for all!

Humor is fun, but is it also important? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss with comedian Bob Smiley how comedy may be one of the most important tools we have for discussing important ideas across disagreement in our divided times.

What does Hollywood get right and wrong about God when they try to talk about him and his followers? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes bring on journalist Cody Benjamin to discuss.

With artificial intelligence becoming more and more humanlike each year, will there ever come a time they will become so human they will need human rights? We discuss with author and theologian of the personhood of robots expert Joshua K. Smith.

If cults are so bad, why do so many people join them? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes dig into the psychology behind the appeal of cults on this latest episode. 

What do Christians mean when they talk about "The Kingdom of God" or "The Kingdom of Heaven"?  Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes break down one of their favorite phrases and ideas in this latest episode.

Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss whether patriotism can ever be a positive thing and, if it can, how you avoid it becoming a bad thing.

Most people throughout history have believed in some god or gods. But there's always been people who didn't. Why? Teacher and translator Matas Gelezauskas helps us understand how atheists think differently about the world and what we have in common.

What does The Bible really teach about heaven? Is it what we've been taught? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite Biblical scholar Dr. J. Richard Middleton for an inspiring discussion about what The Bible really teaches about the Christian hope for when we die.

Many people feel like they have to choose between science and faith. But do they really? What is the history of science and faith, and when did this supposed conflict start? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome author and scholar Dr. Spencer Klavan to discuss this topic and Klavan's new book on the subject "Light of the Mind, Light of the World. Further Resources:

https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2015/10/22/science-and-religion-2/#:~:text=Some%2073%25%20of%20adults%20who,religion%20are%20often%20in%20conflict.

https://www.samharris.org/blog/science-must-destroy-religion https://scienceforthechurch.org/2020/11/10/a-conversation-with-john-lennox/ Blesses Summa Theologica God's Undertaker Netflix's The Three-Body Problem Curses The Theory of Everything Freud's Last Session MIxed Bless/Curse Dark Matter

By fan request -- Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson bring on producer Nathan Sherrer and author Zahori Zapata to discuss why it's so hard to talk about racial topics, what's really going on, and what can be done about it. This is a big one, folks: don't miss it.

In what ways do Hollywood movies perpetuate bad messages about women? And what do those messages look like? And are they all from sexists or are some from feminists? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite the amazing Alyssa Plock on the latest episode of The Overthinkers. (Also, we review the new movie: Men. Check us out to see if it got a bless or curse from us.)

Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss whether being rich in a world full of poverty is a good thing or a great act of selfishness.

How do we use social media without it badly affecting our mental and political health? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite social media powerhouse influencer Boze Herrington (of Sketches By Boze) on the show to discuss how he balances a strong online community with a healthy real life.

Everyone has an opinion today about whether you should have kids. Well, should you? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes talk about the different reasons for and against having kids and which of them they find most and least persuasive. 

Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes welcome back author and podcast host Sally Clarkson to discuss whether it's possible and healthy to be friends with your kids or if that prevents you from being a good parent. Check it out!

Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome Nathan Sherrer back on the show to celebrate the two year anniversary and 100th episode of The Overthinkers by asking the question... why do people love podcasts anyway? This is a fun one. 

Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes welcome Blaine Eldredge on to discuss what it is about superheroes that appeals so strongly to men and whether that's a good thing. 

How should we read The Bible? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite Bible Scholar Dr. Dru Johnson to discuss whether The Bible is meant to be read literally, figuratively, or some combination thereof. If it's not all literal, is it all still trustworthy? Don't miss this provocative episode. 

Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined by classical-school advocate Burk Ohbayashi to discuss what's wrong with the modern public education system and why classical education is a potentially better model. 

Who is therapy for? Is it only people with diagnosed mental illness? Or can anyone benefit? We discuss with mental health advocate Alyssa Plock. Data and references:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2021/02/04/47-of-americans-believe-seeking-therapy-is-a-sign-of-weakness/

https://www.scrippsnews.com/health/75-of-americans-feel-health-care-system-handles-mental-health-worse-than-physical-poll-finds

https://kindbridge.com/mental-health/why-do-people-avoid-therapy/

https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2012/08/psychotherapy-effective

Blesses: Allender Center Podcast

The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast

The Sixth Sense Ordinary People

Curses: Shrinking Split Moon Knight Extremes

Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss whether Christians should call Christianity a "religion" or a "relationship", and why it matters.

Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite Kevin McCreary back on the show to pick their favorite films in genres like Westerns, Superhero, Horror, and Faith-based films. Get ready for loads and loads of overthinking of everyone's favorite form of entertainment.

Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson bring on Tanner Olson to explain why poetry is rising in popularity and what poetry offers the world that other forms of art don't. (Also, watch till the end for a hilariously intense back and forth about whether "The Dead Poets Society" is a good movie.)