The Overthinkers

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

Why Does Forgiveness Matter? (With Yana Jenay Conner)

Why is it important for all of us--but particularly Christians--to forgive others? And how do we do it without allowing evil to triumph? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss with author and educator Yana Jenay Conner, unpacking lessons from her book: Living Beyond Offense: Doing the Hard Work of Forgiveness God’s Way.References and resources
Forgiveness definitions: 
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forgive
https://www.apa.org/topics/forgivenessWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: https://linktr.ee/JosephHolmesYana Jenay Conner: https://www.yanajenay.com/
 

How Do You Love Your Enemies? (With Dr. Neil Shenvi)

What does it really mean to love our enemies? And how do we do it without allowing evil? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with author, apologist, and theoretical chemist Dr. Neil Shenvi.References and resources:
Rabbi Shai Held on Christianity’s Loving Enemies: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2024/3/26/book-review-judaism-is-about-love-shatters-stereotypes-about-the-hebrew-bibleNietzsche on “slave morality” in Christ’s teachings: https://bigthink.com/personal-growth/the-master-and-slave-moralities-what-nietzsche-really-meant/Early Church Fathers on Nonviolence: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/nonviolence-in-the-ancient-church-and-christian-obedience/New Advent: Augustine on will to love our enemies to change them to friends: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/170208.htmMartin Luther King Jr. on Loving Your Enemies: https://www.plough.com/en/topics/life/forgiveness/love-your-enemiesWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.comNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comNeil Shenvi: https://shenviapologetics.com/Neil Shenvi's new book: "Post Woke: Asserting a Christian Vision of Race, Gender, and Sexuality"Nathan Clarkson's new book: "I'm the Worst: How Freedom is Found in Admitting Our Faults"Joseph Holmes's new film: "Jim vs the Future"

How Do You Change Your Life?

It's a new year, and everyone wants to make positive life changes. So how do you make real ones that last? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss their own experience and the research on the topic.
References and resourcesAmericans are becoming less satisfied with their lives - record low of 44%: https://news.gallup.com/poll/655493/new-low-satisfied-personal-life.aspx30% of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/29/new-years-resolutions-who-makes-them-and-why/?utm_source=chatgpt.comOnly 10% of Americans keep their resolutions: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-years-resolutions-tips-why-they-fail/New years resolutions are global and historical: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/history-of-new-years-resolutionsHow to stick with your resolutions. Actionable steps + accountability. https://fisher.osu.edu/blogs/leadreadtoday/why-most-new-years-resolutions-failSmall steps - knowing why you’re doing it: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/arthur-brooks-new-years-resolutions-happiness/Fantasize about process, not results: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/09/manifestation-positive-thinking-happiness/679695/WebsitesOverthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.comNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmes

What is the Appeal of Faith? (With Rian Johnson)

Why do so many people choose to be religious? What draws people to embrace belief? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with filmmaker Rian Johnson, his new film "Wake Up Dead Man" and the themes of faith his movie brings up.References and resources
Global religious population: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/06/09/how-the-global-religious-landscape-changed-from-2010-to-2020/
American religious population: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2025/12/8/us-religious-decline-stalls-as-new-pew-data-shows-stabilization-even-among-young-adults
Jon Stewart on faith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSmrEVjQdG8Arthur Brooks on faith: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/public-leadership-management/happiness-may-be-decline-we-can-allWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmestudios.comRian Johnson: https://x.com/rianjohnson

Is Giving or Receiving Better? (With Dallas Jenkins)

The Bible--and the wider culture--agree: "It's better to give than to receive". But is that what the data says? And why would that be? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with insights from Dallas Jenkins, who discusses the DVD release of his film "The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever". References and resources:
What happens to your brain when you give vs receive: https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health/brain-gift-givingWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comDallas Jenkins: https://www.instagram.com/dallas.jenkins/?hl=en

What is the Christmas Spirit?

Everyone talks about getting in the Christmas spirit. But what is the Christmas spirit? And how do you have it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss.
References and resourcesChristmas spirit definition: https://www.facebook.com/fb.oed/posts/oed-wordoftheday-christmas-spirit-na-mood-or-attitude-appropriate-to-the-christm/1136215868511469/, https://www.oed.com/dictionary/christmas-spirit_n?linkId=300000019641113&fbclid=IwY2xjawN314hleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFUSnNKSDY4UGRoSDI4WWFwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvA0QL5PLZnJNTCoP7-DaWOfA5jOZJH18DOtdASApamvn0lrpaHtACOMgfw0_aem_Ah8kEn_mj7ADGUERhyJgwAMeasuring the Christmas spirit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stretching-theory/202212/now-you-can-measure-christmas-spirit?A Christmas Carol Influence: https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/anthropology-in-practice/what-is-christmas-spirit/
Religious meaning of the Christmas spirit: https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/straight-paths/the-christmas-spirit/Christmas Stress: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stressWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com