The Overthinkers

Will There Be Marriage in Heaven? (With Dr. Dru Johnson)

One of the least popular Christian traditions is the idea that there will be no marriage--which means no sex--in heaven. But is that actually Biblical? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with returning Bible Scholar Dr. Dru Johnson.References and resources
Various religious perspectives on marriage after death: https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10992/29458
Thomas Aquinas - Summa Theologica: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/summa-theologica-12488NT WRight on marriage after resurrection: https://www.premierchristianity.com/will-i-be-married-in-heaven/17833.articleWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: link.ree/JosephHolmesDr. Dru Johnson: drujohnson.com

What's Wrong with Identity Politics? (With Dr. George Yancey)

Our society seems to be tearing itself apart. One potential culprit is identity politics. But what is identity politics? Sociologist Dr. George Yancey joins to talk about his new book "Identity Politics in the United States: An Exploration of Identity in Red, White, and Blue". He explains the movements' history, what's wrong with it, and what we can do instead. References and resources:Identity politics definition: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/identity-politics/
Ibram X Kendi on antiracism: https://www.penguin.co.uk/discover/articles/ibram-x-kendi-definition-of-antiracist
Mark lila on problems with identity politics: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/dec/21/mark-lilla-identity-politics-liberals
Review/Summary of Stephen Wolf’s Book:https://shenviapologetics.com/of-gods-and-men-a-long-review-of-wolfes-case-for-christian-nationalism-part-i-book-summary/
https://shenviapologetics.com/of-gods-and-men-a-long-review-of-wolfes-case-for-christian-nationalism-part-iii-objections/WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmesDr. George Yancey: www.georgeyancey.com

Is Fantasy Bad for Us? (With Nathan Sherrer)

Is indulging in fantasy books and movies keeping us children? Or is it something good for us that we need? Overthinkers producer Nathan Sherrer (Nathan A) joins Nathan Clarkson (Nathan 1) and Joseph Holmes (just Joseph) to discuss. References and resourcesFantasy definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fantasyCriticisms of Lord of the Rings: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20151215-did-tolkien-write-juvenile-trashArthur Brooks on fantasy: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/09/manifestation-positive-thinking-happiness/679695/Beth Web defends fantasy: https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2007/apr/23/bridgingthegapswhyweneedFantasy builds empathy: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9714674/WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmes

Can Women Be Church Leaders? (With Dr. Preston Sprinkle)

Does the Bible prohibit women from any leadership positions in the church? The question has divided Christians for a long time, so Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes invite Bible scholar Dr. Preston Sprinkle to discuss. References and resources:
Catholic view of female priests: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/why-the-church-doesnt-ordain-women
Evangelical views of women in leadership (Piper Keller):https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/should-we-call-female-leaders-pastorshttps://times12.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GenderEldersTimKathyKeller.pdfNT Wright on women in leadership: https://ntwrightpage.com/2016/07/12/womens-service-in-the-church-the-biblical-basis/Websites:The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmesPreston Sprinkle: prestonsprinkle.com

Should We Try to Win Awards? (With Spencer Folmar)

With the Oscars on the horizon, everyone's talking about awards. But should we try to win awards? Or are they a distraction from what our true priorities should be? Spencer Folmar of Hard Faith Films and the Hard Faith Film Festival joins Nathan and Joseph to discuss.
Definition of award: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awardChristian artist Forrest Frank no longer accepting awards: https://cbn.com/news/entertainment/forrest-frank-says-he-will-no-longer-participate-awards-shows-shares-convictionHollywood actorTimothy Challamet wants to be great: https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65146405/Why awards are meaningless: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2023/2/23/23610516/awards-oscars-grammys-best-business-mediaActors who say awards don’t matter are lying: https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64429244/?ref_=hm_nw_tp_4WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmesSpencer Folmar: hardfaith.org

What Does it Meant to Be Spiritual? (With Dr. King-Ho Leung)

More and more people are defining themselves as "Spiritual But Not Religious". But what does that mean? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes interview academic and author Dr King-Ho Leung for answers. References and resources
Spiritual definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiritualSpirit definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiritNumber of Americans spiritual but not religious: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/12/07/who-are-spiritual-but-not-religious-americans/WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmesDr. King Ho-Leung: www.kcl.ac.uk/people/king-ho-leung
 

How Do You Keep Your Children in the Faith? (With Sally Clarkson)

How do you raise your kids such that they stay in your faith? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss with celebrated author and speaker Sally Clarkson--who raised four children who all stayed Christian, including Nathan--what she did and what other religious parents can do.References and resources
The rise of the nones: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/the-nones-have-hit-a-ceilingPeople who stay in vs leave their childhood faith: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/12/15/why-do-some-americans-leave-their-religion-while-others-stay/Majority of kids check out of their faith by 8th and 10th grades: https://ifstudies.org/blog/secularization-begins-at-homeAuthoritative parenting vs authoritarian and permissive: https://ifstudies.org/blog/parenting-is-the-key-to-adolescent-mental-health Fathers especially mattering for faith transmission: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/01/us/book-explores-ways-faith-is-kept-or-lost-over-generations.html?_r=0WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson. nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmesSally Clarkson: sallyclarkson.com

How Do You Find the Right Person to Marry? (With Dr. Wendy Wang)

One of the biggest reasons people aren't getting married is that they can't find the right person. But how do you find the right person? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with sociologist and researcher Dr. Wendy Wang.References and resources:
Marriage rates dropping: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/america-marriage-decline/681518/Is having a boyfriend embarassing? https://www.vogue.com/article/is-having-a-boyfriend-embarrassing-nowMajority want to marry but can’t find the right person: https://ifstudies.org/blog/why-americans-arent-getting-married-and-having-kids-and-how-to-fix-thatWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: https://linktr.ee/JosephHolmesWendy Wang: https://ifstudies.org/about-us/wendy-wang

Why Do Women Love Romance Novels? (With Keelia Clarkson)

Why are romance novels so popular? Particularly with women? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes ask actress and author Keelia Clarkson why they resonate, ahead of her own upcoming romance novel "Chapter One Again". 
Romance movie’s popularity with women
https://oxfordre.com/literature/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190201098.001.0001/acrefore-9780190201098-e-415
https://www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/10/romance-fiction-genre-open-elite-popularity/684445/
https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=5002#m67973WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comKeelia Clarkson: keelia.meChapter One Again (Avila Falls Series): https://www.amazon.com/dp/151401372X

Are We the Worst?

Is thinking we're good people or inherently sinful better for us? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss Nathan's new book "I'm the Worst: How Freedom is Found in Admitting Our Faults".
Sin - The Bible Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNOZ7ocLD74
Original Sin - BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/beliefs/originalsin_1.shtml
Doctrine of Sin - Roman Catholic Cathecism: https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_three/section_one/chapter_one/article_8/ii_the_definition_of_sin.html
Doctrine of Sin - Mockingbird: https://mbird.com/theology/hiding-in-plain-sight-the-lost-doctrine-of-sin/
Definition of sin - Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/what-is-sin-the-essence-and-root-of-all-sinning
Richard Dawkins thinks the doctrine of sin is “hideous”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f6Lar8Qp0E
Albert Ellis critiquing the doctrine of sin: https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0%2C33009%2C865989-2%2C00.html
Authoritative parenting vs authoritarian and permissive: https://ifstudies.org/blog/parenting-is-the-key-to-adolescent-mental-health
https://ifstudies.org/blog/do-your-political-beliefs-affect-your-parenting-
Serial killers are unmade, not made: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/10/what-makes-a-serial-killer
Most aggressive people are males at the age of two: https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/16/terrible-twos-who-stay-terrible/WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com