Shows
The OverthinkersWhat is the Secret to Happiness?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: http...2025-06-2354 minThe OverthinkersHow Do You Deal with FOMO?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/FOMO
History and review of literature: 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-fomo
Websites
The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephh...2025-06-1650 minThe OverthinkersDo We Need Experts?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
Reas...2025-06-0955 minThe OverthinkersHow Do You Overcome Impostor Syndrome? (With Mary Marantz)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 Y...2025-05-2654 minThe OverthinkersHow Do You Overcome Addiction? (With Ian Morgan Cron)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 Go...2025-05-1954 minThe OverthinkersWhy Does Beauty Matter? (With Andrew Klavan)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)
Mo...2025-05-1244 minThe OverthinkersHow Do We Overcome Shame? (With Aimee Byrd)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
...2025-05-051h 01The OverthinkersIs Religion in Decline? (With Ryan Burge)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.
h...2025-04-2854 minThe OverthinkersWhy am I a Christian? (With Nathan Sherrer)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
...2025-04-211h 16The OverthinkersIs Jesus More Than a Historical Figure? (With John Eldredge)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: 2025-04-0741 minThe OverthinkersHow Do You Hear The Holy Spirit? (With Tyler Staton)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 w...2025-03-3148 minThe OverthinkersShould We Fight Culture Wars?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 Ot...2025-03-2451 minThe OverthinkersHow Do Movies and TV Change Us? (With Walter Hickey)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 Wat...2025-03-171h 02The OverthinkersWhat Makes a Great Hero?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
...2025-03-1055 minThe OverthinkersWhy Do We Need Religious Movies? (With Spencer Folmar)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 o...2025-03-0359 minThe OverthinkersWhat's Wrong with Modern Dating?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/
La...2025-02-2453 minThe OverthinkersHow Does Trauma Affect Our Relationships? (With Tabitha Panariso)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.afterbab...2025-02-1750 minThe OverthinkersAre Romance Movies and Books Bad for You? (With Keelia Clarkson)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/
P...2025-02-0359 minThe OverthinkersIs Anyone Beyond Redemption?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/
2025-01-2755 minThe OverthinkersHow Do We Know Our Calling? (With Dr. William Klein)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/alu...2025-01-201h 03The OverthinkersShould We Read the Classics? (With Faith Moore)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://ww...2025-01-131h 12The OverthinkersHow Do You Raise a Unique Child? (With Sally Clarkson)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...2025-01-0639 minThe OverthinkersHow Do We Follow Through on Our Goals?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...2024-12-3059 minThe OverthinkersWhat Do We Really Want? (With Strahan Coleman)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/
2024-12-021h 02The OverthinkersWhy are Spiritual Rhythms Important? (With Douglas McKelvey)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/20...2024-11-251h 15The OverthinkersShould We Vote for the Lesser of Two Evils?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-votin...2024-11-0454 minThe OverthinkersWhat Are We Most Afraid Of?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...2024-10-281h 06The OverthinkersDo Demons Exist? (With Dr. Joy Vaughan)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 exorci...2024-10-141h 10The OverthinkersIs Community Possible Today? (With Houston Coley)We all want community today. But is community possible in a modern society that puts up so many barriers to it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined by thinker and filmmaker Houston Coley to discuss.
Lack of friends today:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/well/live/adult-friendships-number.html
https://nypost.com/2021/07/27/americans-have-fewer-friends-than-ever-before-study/
Health risks of loneliness:
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/16/who-declares-loneliness-a-global-public-health-concern#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20(WHO,smoking%2015%20cigarettes%20a%20day.
Rising rates of depression correlating to loss of comm...2024-08-191h 14The OverthinkersHow Do the Metaphors We Use Shape Us? (With Dr. Joy Clarkson)How do the metaphors we use to describe ourselves and our world shape us--for good and ill? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes bring back author Dr. Joy Clarkson to discuss the limits of how we describe ourselves in the modern world and what metaphors we should add to our vocabulary.
2024-03-111h 04The OverthinkersHow Do You Find A Spouse? (With Keelia Clarkson)Everyone agrees that dating is more difficult and ever. So how do you find a spouse if you want one? Resident happily married couple Nathan and Keelia Clarkson tell their story to resident single Joseph Holmes and give great tips for all the singles out there on this latest episode.
https://www.forbes.com/health/dating/dating-statistics/#:~:text=Data%20from%20Pew%20Research%20Center%20has%20found%20that%2047%25%20of,survey%20by%20The%20Harris%20Poll.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2017/09/14/as-u-s-marriage-rate-hovers-at-50-education-gap-in-marital-status-widens
https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/07/19/why-are-people-not-getting-married-anymore.ht...2024-02-191h 00The OverthinkersShould You Romanticize Your Life? (With Keelia Clarkson)"Romanticize your life" is a social media trend that has swept the internet. But what does it mean? And is it problematic? Keelia Clarkson joins Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes to discuss.
2024-01-0849 minThe OverthinkersAre Women Having An Identity Crisis? (With Keelia Clarkson)Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes talk to writer and podcast host of "The Wallflower Journal" and "Dear Wallflower" about why women seem to be having an identity crisis that nobody is talking about.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4478054/
https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/08/health/women-anxiety-disorders/index.html
2023-08-281h 05The OverthinkersHow Do You Build A Community Like The Inklings or The Overthinkers? (150th Episode! With Nathan Sherrer)How do you build a community of creatives who can change the world? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson bring on Nathan Sherrer to discuss how world-shaping communities like CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien's The Inklings (and The Overthinkers?) got started and can be maintained.
LInks to articles referenced in the episode:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-americans-are-lonelier-and-its-effects-on-our-health
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.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/02/a...2023-04-241h 08The OverthinkersAre We Living In A Dystopia?Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss whether we are living in a dystopian society or if the world is really better than we think it is.
Check out Joseph Holmes' article in Relevant Magazine on this topic here:
https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/why-does-hollywood-think-we-live-in-a-dystopia/
2023-02-2735 minThe OverthinkersHow Do You Make A Marriage Last? (With Sally Clarkson)Breaks up and divorces everywhere make young people despair of ever having a lasting relationship. Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes welcome back beloved author and speaker Sally Clarkson to discuss the real secrets to making a relationship last.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/marriage-rate-uk-latest-figures-lowest-record-ons-a9464706.html
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/04/happiness-recession-causing-sex-depression/586405/
2023-02-0650 minThe OverthinkersHow Do You Make Friends? (With Dr. Joy Clarkson)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
2023-01-0948 minThe OverthinkersIs Being Relatable A Good Thing? (With Keelia Clarkson)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.
2022-11-071h 03The OverthinkersWhy Are We Obsessed With Serial Killers?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.
2022-10-3155 minThe OverthinkersAre Introverts Or Extroverts Better? (With Keelia Clarkson)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!
2022-08-1559 minThe OverthinkersWhy Is It So Hard to Talk About Race? (With Nathan Sherrer and Zahori Zapata)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.
2022-06-051h 12The OverthinkersShould You Be Friends With Your Kids? (With Sally Clarkson)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!
2022-05-0143 minThe OverthinkersWhy Do We Love Podcasts? (100th Episode! With Nathan Sherrer)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.
2022-04-2448 minThe OverthinkersWhat Do Women Want? (With Keelia Clarkson)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined by writer, actress, and creator of the new online women's magazine "The Wallflower Journal" (and wife of Nathan Clarkson) Keelia Clarkson to discuss what women are looking for in a man and what guys can do to get the girl.
2022-02-061h 03The OverthinkersWhat Is Toxic Positivity? (With Dr. Joy Clarkson)Can positivity be toxic? How can you be positive without denying reality? Dr. Joy Clarkson joins Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson to discuss positivity, toxic positivity, grief, reality, and beauty.
2022-01-3057 minThe OverthinkersWhy is Stoicism So Popular?Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson sit down to discuss their newest favorite philosophy obsession: stoicism. Why is stoicism so popular today--particularly among young men? What are its strengths and weaknesses? Is it an adequate replacement for Christianity? And what explains the particularly intense hatred people have for stoicism?
Check out this episode as Joseph and Nathan geek out over philosophy and give what might be the definitive guide to navigating the world of modern stoicism. You won't want to miss it.
2021-09-1259 minThe OverthinkersWhy Do We Need Imagination? (With Joy Clarkson)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined once again by Joy Carkson to discuss her and Nathan's new book, "The Clubhouse", why imagination is important, why people are afraid of it... oh, and why The Green Knight is so bad. (Yeah. We go there.)
2021-08-291h 01The OverthinkersAre Screens Bad for Us? (With Nathan Sherrer)Our world is dominated by screens--computer screens, TV screens, phone screens. Is that bad? Should we get rid of them, or how do we regulate them in our lives so they help us and don't harm us? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome back Nathan Sherrer to discuss.
2021-08-2255 minThe OverthinkersWhy Do Guys Love Sports and Video Games? (With Nathan Sherrer)Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes welcome back Nathan Sherrer to discuss why guys like sports and video games so much. Is that something we should be concerned about or celebrate? Or somewhere in between?
2021-06-2052 minThe OverthinkersWhy is Reading Important? (with Sarah Clarkson)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite author Sarah Clarkson on the show to discuss why--in a world of movies, TV, theater and video games--reading still matters.
2021-05-3156 minThe OverthinkersWhat Is Fake News? (With Meagan Clark)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with Journalist Meagan Clark what fake news is and how we can fight for news media integrity in the modern world.
2021-05-0955 minThe OverthinkersCan You Care Too Much?Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson ask whether or not our society--far from not being empathetic enough--is putting us under pressure to care too much about others and doing damage to us as a result.
2021-05-0236 minThe OverthinkersHow Did The Overthinkers Start? (With Nathan Sherrer)On this special one-year anniversary episode of The Overthinkers, Joseph Holmes, Nathan Clarkson, and Nathan Sherrer discuss the beginnings of the podcast and why they think the podcast is important.
2021-04-2539 minThe OverthinkersDo Awards Matter? (With Kevin McCreary)Just in time for The Oscars, Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined once again by Kevin McCreary to discuss whether awards are even something that artists should care about.
2021-04-181h 10The OverthinkersIs Waiting For Sex Until Marriage Realistic? (With Kat Harris)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with podcast host and author Kat Harris whether waiting for sex till your married is possible or worthwhile--and what the biggest problems are with how Americans discuss sex and abstinence.
2021-04-1158 minThe OverthinkersDid Jesus Have to Die? (With Louis Giovino)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with returning guest Louis Giovino whether Jesus's death was necessary to save humanity or just inevitable, and what implications that has.
2021-04-0451 minThe OverthinkersDoes Hell Exist? (With Preston Sprinkle)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome biblical scholar Preston Sprinkle on to discuss whether Hell exists and whether our ideas about it are informed by what scripture actually says or misunderstandings of it.
2021-03-2958 minThe OverthinkersWhat is God Like in Pop Culture? (With Nathan Sherrer)Nathan Sherrer joins Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson to discuss how modern pop culture portrays God, what it says about us--and where it goes wrong.
2021-03-2158 minThe OverthinkersIs The Multiverse Real?Does the multiverse exist? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss the likelihood we live in a multiverse and why the idea has become so popular in the modern imagination.
2021-03-1437 minThe OverthinkersShould We Separate the Art From the Artist?Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss, in light of awful revelations by some of our favorite artists, whether or not it's right--or even possible--to separate the art from the artist when evaluating a work of art.
2021-03-0746 minThe OverthinkersWhat Are Hollywood's Biggest Lies About Love and Sex? (With Keelia Clarkson)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson sit down with writer and actress Keelia Clarkson to discuss the different lies that Hollywood has taught us about sex and love--and how they can do better.
2021-02-2855 minThe OverthinkersDoes Physical Attraction Matter?Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss whether or not physical attraction matters in dating, love, and marriage. And, if so, what does that mean for how we pursue relationships?
2021-02-2150 minThe OverthinkersHow Do You Really Find True Love? (With Kait Warman)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome relationship and dating expert Kait Warman (host of The Heart of Dating podcast) on the show to discuss the best and worst advice out there on how to find love and what things might be holding you back.
2021-02-1450 minThe OverthinkersCan Christian Films Be Rated R? (With Spencer Folmar)Can Christian films have R-rated content like sex, violence, and profanity? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk to the famous director of R-rated faith-based films, Spencer Folmar, about why he's passionate about making more adult-oriented faith-based films.
2021-01-3151 minThe OverthinkersIs Overthinking Bad For You? (With Nathan Sherrer)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome back fellow Overthinker Nathan Sherrer to discuss Nathan Sherrer's new article about overthinking and whether whether "overthinking" is actually bad for you.
2021-01-2436 minThe OverthinkersIs Masculinity Toxic? (With Aaron Renn)What is toxic masculinity and is the way our culture talks about it more helpful or hurtful? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk with the founder of The Masculinist newsletter, website, and podcast, Aaron Renn, to discuss this highly charged and controversial topic.
Visit Aaron Renn's website at https://themasculinist.com/
2021-01-181h 03The OverthinkersWhy is Film Music Important? (With Joel Clarkson)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson bring on film composer and author Joel Clarkson to discuss film score composing and why music is so important to our humanity.
2021-01-1056 minThe OverthinkersDo New Year's Resolutions Work?Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson open the new year by discussing whether or not there's any point to making New Year's Resolutions and what the best ways they've found to change their lives for the better.
2020-12-2749 minThe OverthinkersIs it Hard to Be A Christian Actor? (With Sharonne Lanier)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk with special guest Sharonne Lanier about what special challenges there are being an actress of faith in both secular and faith-based films.
2020-12-0652 minThe OverthinkersWhere Do Our Christmas Traditions Come From? (With Louis Giovino)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome back resident church and theology history buff Louis Giovino to discuss whether our modern Christmas traditions are more Christian or secular in origin, and whether or not that matters.
2020-11-2956 minThe OverthinkersDo Humans Have Free Will?Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson sit down and tackle one of the biggest philosophical questions of all time--"does free will exist?"--and combine psychology, theology, and philosophy in a free-flowing discussion that goes as deep as any episode yet.
2020-11-2255 minThe OverthinkersAre Video Games Art? (With Nathan Sherrer)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined again by fellow video game nerd Nathan Sherrer to discuss whether or not video games can be called "art" and why.
2020-11-1558 minThe OverthinkersWhy Do We Love True Crime? (With Keelia Clarkson)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome back actress and writer Keelia Clarkson to discuss why so many people (particularly women) love the True Crime genre.
2020-11-1252 minThe OverthinkersShould Christians Get Political?Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss how Christians should handle politics and if there's a way to lower political polarization.
2020-11-011h 01The OverthinkersAre Horror Films Bad For Us?Horror films are incredibly popular, but are they actually harmful to us? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss the good and bad sides of horror films and how you can tell the difference.
2020-10-2548 minThe OverthinkersWhy Do We Believe in Aliens and Monsters?Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss why so many people believe in aliens and monsters--and the answers get pretty deep.
2020-10-1844 minThe OverthinkersAre Hollywood Exorcisms Realistic? (With Louis Giovino)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite Louis Giovino on the podcast to discuss what the catholic church really teaches about exorcisms and whether the kind depicted in Hollywood movies matches what seeming "real-life exorcisms" are like.
2020-10-1154 minThe OverthinkersCan Christians Not Take a Joke? (With Luke Barnett, Vincent Masciale, and Tanner Thomason)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson interview Luke Barnett, Vincent Masciale, and Tanner Thompson about their new satire of Christian Films "Faith Based", and ask whether the reason for Christian comedies don't do well is that Christians can't laugh at themselves.
2020-10-0450 minThe OverthinkersShould Adults Watch Cartoons? (With Nathan Sherrer)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome returning guest Nathan Sherrer to discuss what's uniquely great about animation as an art form and why we still love watching them as adults.
2020-09-2749 minThe OverthinkersIs "Get Woke, Go Broke" True?People on the internet like to say "Get Woke, Go Broke". But is it true? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss this controversial internet meme and what it gets right and where it falls short.
2020-09-2047 minThe OverthinkersWhat Are Film Critics Good For? (With Kevin McCreary)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with film critic and YouTube personality Kevin McCreary what the film critic adds the world. Do they help audiences and filmmakers? Or are they just bitter they can't make their own movie?
2020-09-141h 08The OverthinkersAre We Living in a Simulation? (With Nathan Sherrer)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined by returning guest Nathan Sherrer to discuss why so many people believe we're living in a simulation.
2020-09-0638 minThe OverthinkersHow Should Mental Illness Be Portrayed in Pop Culture? (With Trevor Tyson)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk with Trevor Tyson of the "Trevor Talks" podcast about depictions of mental health and mental illness in pop culture and what storytellers can do better.
2020-08-3057 minThe OverthinkersWhy Are Superheroes Important?Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss the current popularity and controversial nature of superheroes and why they think that superheroes are important for our world.
2020-08-2346 minThe OverthinkersWhat is Postmodernism? (With Alissa Wilkinson)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined by professor and film critic Alissa Wilkinson to discuss postmodernism in society and in art and the common ways people who talk about it misunderstand it.
2020-08-1600 minThe OverthinkersWho is Art For?Co-hosts Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson ask the question who is art primarily for: the artist who makes it, the audience who appreciates it, or someone else?
2020-08-0936 minThe OverthinkersWhy Are Jesus Films So Hard to Make? (With Dallas Jenkins)Co-hosts Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite very special guest, Dallas Jenkins, to discuss why it's so hard to make a good film about Jesus and how Dallas tried to solve those problems, as well as the problem of making good faith-based films in general, with his TV series "The Chosen".
2020-08-021h 02The OverthinkersIs Nostalgia Bad for Us?Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss what nostalgia is and whether our culture's current love for nostalgia is more of a good thing or bad thing.
2020-07-2645 minThe OverthinkersWhy Do We Love Mysteries? (With Boze Herrington)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk with special guest Boze Herrington about why we love mysteries so much and what that says about us as human beings.
2020-07-1946 minThe OverthinkersWhat's Wrong with Cancel Culture?Co-hosts Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson weigh in on the subject on all the internet's lips: "cancel culture". What is it and is it as bad as people say? Why or why not?
2020-07-1245 minThe OverthinkersWho Are The Best Fictional Female Characters? (With Joy Clarkson)What are some of the best female characters in movies, books, and video games? And how do they subvert some of the problematic trends of portraying women in pop culture? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson bring on special guest Joy Clarkson of the podcast "Speaking with Joy" to discuss these matters and more on this hilarious and insightful episode.
2020-07-0546 minThe OverthinkersIs Quarantine Good for Artists?With recent months giving people a lot of time at home, Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson ask the question: is isolation good for artists? Or are there some dangers to watch out for?
2020-06-2933 minThe OverthinkersWhat's Wrong with Christian Films? (With Tyler Smith)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite on illustrious film critic and podcast host Tyler Smith to discuss the history of faith-based films and why they have such a mixed reputation.
2020-06-221h 01The OverthinkersDoes Homeschooling Help Creativity?Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss their homeschool upbringing and how the experience helped shape their creative lives.
2020-06-1541 minThe OverthinkersDo We Need More Black Superheroes? (With Nathan Sherrer)Why does representation for minorities matter? Co-hosts Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson bring on special guest Nathan Sherrer to discuss black characters in movies and TV and what filmmakers can do better.
2020-06-0848 minThe OverthinkersIs Hollywood Poisoning Our Culture?Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson get together to discuss whether Hollywood is primarily a force of good or evil in our culture.
2020-06-0144 minThe OverthinkersAre Faith and Art Friends or Enemies? (With Louis Giovino)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined by Louis Giovino from The Sheen Center to discuss the history of faith and art and whether or not we can reconcile these two often contentious forces in our culture.
2020-05-2554 minThe OverthinkersWhy is Nihilism so Popular in Pop Culture?From Rick and Morty to Depression Memes, Nihilism is huge in pop-culture today. Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss why, why it's a problem, and what can be done about it.
2020-05-171h 02The OverthinkersShould We Portray Sex and Nudity in Film? (With Keelia Clarkson)Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss are joined by special guest writer-actress Keelia Clarkson to discuss Keelia and Nathan's experiences as actors in an over-sexualized Hollywood, and whether or not there is a non-objectifying way to portray human sexuality in film and TV.
2020-05-1054 minThe OverthinkersWho Are the "Good Men" in Pop Culture?Co-hosts Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss Nathan's new book "Good Man" and explore how the depictions of men they grew up with in film and liturature--good and bad--shaped what kind of men they grew up to be.
2020-05-0353 min