The Overthinkers

Do 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 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: BelieverMovie - 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/

Is Fear Ever a Good Thing?

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 

Are Science and Faith Compatible? (With Dr. Spencer Klavan)

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-religionhttps://scienceforthechurch.org/2020/11/10/a-conversation-with-john-lennox/BlessesSumma TheologicaGod's UndertakerNetflix's The Three-Body ProblemCursesThe Theory of EverythingFreud's Last SessionMIxed Bless/CurseDark Matter

Is Therapy Only for Mentally Ill People? (With Alyssa Plock)

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 SenseOrdinary People
Curses:ShrinkingSplitMoon KnightExtremes

Is the 9-5 Bad for Us?

Why do most people work a 9-5? And should we get rid of it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss in the latest episode of The Overthinkers.
 
Further reading:
 
History and the origin of the 9-5. https://hbr.org/2021/07/breaking-free-from-a-9-to-5-culture
 
Arguments against 9-5: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2021/07/25/working-9-to-5-is-an-antiquated-relic-from-the-past-and-should-be-stopped-right-now/
 
Remote workers aren’t as productive: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-01-04/2024-year-employers-clamp-down-on-remote-work-not-so-fast#:~:text=It's%20true%20that%20widespread%20studies,be%20factors%20in%20the%20decline
 
Benefits of a 9-5: https://medium.com/@lester03g/5-reasons-why-its-good-to-work-9-5-d4c41df9a3ee#:~:text=Working%209%E2%80%935%20builds%20are,between%20work%20and%20personal%20life.
 

Is the World Overpopulated or Underpopulated? (With Dr. Jared Pincin)

Some think the world is getting too many people to sustain the planet. Others warn that we don't have enough kids to care for the old people. Who's right? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite Economist Dr. Jared Pincin to discuss.Info highlighted in episode:
 
World hits 8 billion people:  https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/11/world-population-estimated-eight-billion.html#:~:text=Population%20Division%20estimates%20the%20world,billion%20on%20November%2015%2C%202022.
 
The overpopulation/underpopulation debate:
 
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220905-is-the-world-overpopulated
 
https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/23436211/overpopulation-population-8-billion-people

Should Christians Get Offended?

Getting offended is very common today--particularly online. But is being offended off-limits for Christians? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss.
Definition of “Offended”: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/offended
 
Why Christians Shouldn’t Be Offended:
 
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/blessed-are-the-unoffendable
 
https://www.christianitytoday.com/karl-vaters/2016/december/im-offended-by-easily-offended-christians.html
 
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scotty-smith/easily-offended-isnt-a-fruit-of-the-holy-spirit/

Is Evolution Biblical? (With Dr. Dru Johnson)

Christians and Charles Darwin's theory of evolution have often been at odds. But is that conflict justified? Dr. Dru Johnson, Biblical scholar and author of the book "What Hath Darwin to Do with Scripture?", walks Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson through the places where Darwin's work matches with the Biblical narrative--and where it diverges. And it's not always where you might think!
Bio of Charles Darwin: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Darwin/Evolution-by-natural-selection-the-London-years-1836-42 

Is 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.htmlhttps://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 community:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/our-changing-culture/201510/are-mental-health-issues-the-rise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpP7ESJ3hEQ
 
Joseph Holmes' review of "The Anxious Generation": https://lawliberty.org/book-review/what-the-smartphone-hath-wrought/
 

Is AI Dangerous?

Is AI Dangerous? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes look at the evidence and discuss. 
AI Definition: https://www.britannica.com/technology/artificial-intelligence
 
Why AI is Dangerous: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/heres-why-ai-may-be-extremely-dangerous-whether-its-conscious-or-not/
 
Why Experts Disagree: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2024/3/13/24093357/ai-risk-extinction-forecasters-tetlock