The Overthinkers

How Do You Get Through Going Home for the Holidays?

Lots of people are stressed out by being with family for the holidays. Some are even planning not to spend holidays with their family. But is that a good idea? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes give their tips on having a positive trip home for the holidays.Links to outside references: 
15 million long-distance travelers oer Christmas in 2023: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/millions-americans-expected-to-travel-christmas-new-years-day-aaa/
 
How to survive going home for the holidays: https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-to-survive-going-home-for-the-holidays/
 
https://medium.com/youalberta/how-to-survive-home-for-the-holidays-99daba2e6e9f
 
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/empowerment-solutions/202212/home-for-the-holidays-how-not-to-get-triggered 
 
Blesses:ElfThe Best Christmas Pageant EverCurses:The Family StoneFour ChristmasesNational Lampoon's Christmas VacationA Christmas Story

What 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/
Charlotte Fox's 12 Universal Desires:
https://healthforlifegr.com/examining-the-deepest-human-desires-charlotte-fox-weber/#:~:text=In%20her%20book%2C%20Charlotte%20Fox,have%20what%20we%20shouldn't.
8 Things People Desire But Can't Attain:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2016/05/24/the-top-8-things-people-desperately-desire-but-cant-seem-to-attain/
 
BlessesBook - Georgia Douglas Johnson PoetryBook - The Religious SenseMovie - Deadpool and WolverineBook - Surprised By Joseph HolmesMovie - The Book of ClarenceTV Shows - Agatha All AlongThinker - Teresa of AvilaThinker - St. John of the CrossBook - The Cloud of UnknowingTV Show - BridgertonCursesMovie - Saturday NightMovie - Joker: Folie à DeuxGood Cafes that serve terrible coffee
Overthinkers Team Contact and Websites:The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
Strahan Coleman Links and Websites:Thirsting: Quenching Our Soul's Deepest Desire: https://www.amazon.com/Thirsting-Quenching-Souls-Deepest-Desire/dp/0830785205Beholding Prayer Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beholding-prayer/id1669562572Commoners Communion: https://www.commonerscommunion.com/about

Why 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/2023/12/12/are-religious-areas-more-charitable
 
Frequent church attendance means better mental health: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/frequent-churchgoers-better-mental-health/BlessesBook - Desiring the KingdomMovie - WildcatAnime - BarakamonBook - The Book of Common Prayer/The Daily OfficeBook - Everything Sad is UntrueCursesBook - Living in WonderBook - The Daily Stoic
Overthinkers Team Contact and Websites:The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comDouglas McKelvey and Every Moment Holy linksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quothdouglas/?hl=enEvery Moment Holy Website: https://www.everymomentholy.com/about-the-series

Are All Politicians Corrupt?

Americans' number one fear is corrupt politicians. Why is that? And is that valid? We discuss fear of the government and propose solutions. 
Links to Further Resources
 
Chapman University study of Americans’ greatest fears: https://www.chapman.edu/wilkinson/research-centers/babbie-center/survey-american-fears.aspx 
 
Summary of implications for new US rankings in global corruption: https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/01/28/report-transparency-international-corruption-worst-decade-united-states/
Christopher Bader interview on Chapman University study: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/science/sociology-fear-uncertainty.html
 
Liberty of the Ancients vs the Moderns speech: https://fee.org/resources/the-liberty-of-ancients-compared-with-that-of-moderns/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsoe5BhDiARIsAOXVoUvAN9dp6i3daV7OFgzeY5hfEwHv9JPJETxoenffgIjunKHUPd1SGBUaAj3NEALw_wcB
 
Federalist 51 - James Madison’s justification for our system of government in men’s natures: https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/text-51-60
 
Blesses:
 
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Death of Stalin
Hamilton
Trial of the Chicago 7
 
Curses
 
The West Wing
Civil War
Don’t Look Up
Megalopolis
 
Overthinkers Team Contact and Websites:The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
 
 

Is Deconstruction a Good Thing? (With Scot McKnight and Tommy Preson Phillips)

Many Christians are worried about the phenomenon of "deconstruction". But what is "deconstruction" and is it something we should fear or embrace? Author and scholar Scot McKnight and musician and pastor Tommy Preson Phillips join to discuss their new book on deconstruction "The Invisible Jesus: A Book About Leaving the Church and Looking for Christ"References and Resources:
 
Deconstruction Definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deconstruction
 
What Does Deconstruction Mean? https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-does-deconstruction-even-mean
 
How many people deconstruct? https://www.barna.com/trends/ex-christians-deconstructing/
 
Why We Should Not Redeem Deconstruction https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/redeem-reconstruction/
 
Five Reasons Young People are Deconstructing Their Faith: https://careynieuwhof.com/five-real-reasons-young-people-are-deconstructing-their-faith/
 
Deconstruction encounters from Pastors: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2022/07/deconstruction-faith-pastors-church-lifeway-survey/
 
Rise in family estrangement: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/01/why-parents-and-kids-get-estranged/617612/
 
Rise of “everyone’s toxic”: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/09/toxic-person-tiktok-internet-slang-meaning/670599/
 
Millennials true religion: customizable beliefs, observation by Dr. Jean Twenge, author of Generations: https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/ad-fontes/generations-by-jean-m-twenge-review-and-reflections/
 
Blesses
 
WIldcat
The Great Dechurching
Mrs. Davis
 
Curses
 
First Reformed
Silence
Bonhoeffer (film)
 
Contact and Websites:
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
Scot McKnight: https://scotmcknight.substack.com/
Tommy Preson Phillips: http://presonphillips.com/

Should 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-voting-lesser-two-evils-waste-vote
 
https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2023/08/karty-the-lesser-of-two-evils-argument-needs-to-die
 
Americans disatisfied with choices: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/americans-dismayed-by-biden-trump-2024-rematch-reutersipsos-poll-finds-2024-01-25/
 
Federalist 51 - Why lesser of two evils thinking is built into American government:
 
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-04-02-0199#:~:text=If%20men%20were%20angels%2C%20no,on%20government%20would%20be%20necessary.
 
Blesses:
 
The Righteous Mind
Eye in the Sky
Lincoln
13 Days
 
Curses:X/Twitter/Threads
God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust
Conclave
 
Contact and Websites:
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

What 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/BlessesThe VillageNopeWhere's God When I'm Scared
It: Part One
CursesBeau is AfraidIt: Part Two
Contact and Websites:
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Is Witchcraft Harmless? (With Mary Jackson)

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
 
BlessesThe CrucibleThe Village Talk to MeThe Screwtape LettersCursesThe WitchThe Front RoomThe Wicked Witch characterContact 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
 
 
 

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