The Overthinkers

What 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: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/02/14/more-than-half-of-americans-say-marriage-is-important-but-not-essential-to-leading-a-fulfilling-life/
 
Americans spending less time with friends: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/02/america-decline-hanging-out/677451/
 
Mental state or well-being: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/happiness/#MeaHap
 
Macronutrients of happiness: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/20/arthur-c-brooks-the-3-macronutrients-of-happiness.html
 
Global Flourishing Study: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/05/global-flourishing-study-good-life/WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

How 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
 
 
WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Do 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
 
Reasons not to trust the experts: https://medium.com/@theo.seeds/5-reasons-why-trusting-the-experts-is-dumb-b2faaed734f2BlessesThe Actor's Handbook (Book)Moneyball (Movie)CursesJordan Peterson's Biblical Series (TV Series)Sully (Movie)WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

What is Victim Mentality?

What is a victim mentality? How do you know you have it and how do you overcome it? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss.References and resources
 
Victim mentality definition:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/victim%20mentality
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-a-victim-mentality
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/putting-psyche-back-into-psychotherapy/202401/the-agony-and-ecstasy-of-victimhood
 
Why victim mentality is growinghttps://www.afterbabel.com/p/mental-health-liberal-girls
 
Why victim mindset is a myth
https://medium.com/@mirawriter/why-victim-mindset-is-a-myth-655abf07f3aa
 
Victimhood defines our politics
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065260124000169
 
Blesses
 
Thunderbolts (Movie)
Drop (Movie)
 
Curses
 
Self-diagnosis (Phenomenon)
Shadow of God (Movie)
 

How 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-syndromeBlessesThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Movie)16 Personalities (Website)Dear Evan Hansen (Broadway)How to Train Your Dragon (Animated Movie)Shrinking (TV Show)CursesNeon Demon (Movie)Hitman (Movie)1923 (TV Show)WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comMary Marantz: https://marymarantz.com/

How 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-2023BlessesThe Ragamuffin Gospel (Book)The Fighter (Movie)Unapologetic (Book)CurseRequiem For a Dream (Movie)
Doctor Sleep (Movie)Succession (TV Show)WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarksson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comIan Cron: https://ianmorgancron.com/

Why 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
BlessesChrist at the Column (Painting)Fahrenheit 451 (Book)Ecclesiastes (Book in The Bible)Mount Lincoln (Nature)Come Sweet Death (Music)
Conclave (Movie)Keelia Clarkson (Nathan’s wife)Wildcat (Movie)Ode on a Greecian Urn (Poem)Ode to the West Wind (Poem)
 
CursesBlack Painints by Goya (Paintings)Dead Poets Society (Movie)Anything that is untrue 
WebsitesOverthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josepholmesstudios.comAndrew Klavan: andrewklavan.com

How 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
 
Overcoming shame: https://www.gottman.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-shame/#:~:text=Instead%20of%20%E2%80%9Cbeing%20shame%2C%E2%80%9D,vulnerable%20stories%20in%20safe%20environments.Blesses
 
The Soul of Shame (Book)Godzilla Minus One (Movie)
The Mule (Movie)Adolescence (TV Show)TIll We Have Faces (Book)Curses
White Lotus Season 3 (TV Show)All Fours (Book)Cabrini (Movie)Yellowstone (TV Show)
Websites:The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josepholmesstudios.comAimee Byrd: https://aimeebyrd.com/

Is 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 resourcesKarl 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.https://www.axios.com/2023/10/06/organized-religion-decline-agnostic-atheist-nonreligious
Religious populations having the most kids:https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/12/21/key-findings-from-the-global-religious-futures-project/
Religious in America have the most kids: https://ifstudies.org/blog/americas-growing-religious-secular-fertility-divide
Rise of “Nones” appears to have halted: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/us/christianity-us-religious-study-pew.html
BlessesThe Pitt (TV Show)Small ChurchesThe American Religious Landscape (Book)Hacksaw Ridge (Movie)Curses
The White Lotus (TV Show)The Righteous Gemstones (TV Show)God’s Not Dead (Movie)The Front Room (Movie)
WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comRyan Burge: graphsaboutreligion.com

Why 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 Godhttps://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
 
BlessesThe World Ends with You (Video Game)
Mob Psycho 100 (Anime)
All Fired Up (Song)
Evidence for Chrisitanity (Book)
Mere Christianity (Book)
Blue Like Jazz (Book)
On Guard (Book)
Curses
 
Facing the Giants (Movie)
The Eternals (Movie)
Law of Attraction (Book)
The God Delusion (Book)WebsiteThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com