The Overthinkers
A place where you can have fun thinking deeply about all the big and beautiful questions of life complete with cutaways. Hosts Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson explore subjects of art, faith, philosophy, culture, and more with some of today’s leading and most influential minds and figures. So put your thinking caps and your laughing socks on and come on in!
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
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
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
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
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
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
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
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
Sunday Nov 10, 2024
Sunday Nov 10, 2024
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/
Sunday Nov 03, 2024
Sunday Nov 03, 2024
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
Sunday Oct 27, 2024
Sunday Oct 27, 2024
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
Sunday Oct 20, 2024
Sunday Oct 20, 2024
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
Sunday Oct 13, 2024
Sunday Oct 13, 2024
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/
Sunday Oct 06, 2024
Sunday Oct 06, 2024
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
The Show
A home for the creative intellectual who wants to have fun thinking deeply. Through interviews with influential and interesting guests; The Overthinkers ask the big and beautiful life-questions about faith, philosophy, art, culture, and humanity. Come and join the often deep and always hilarious conversation.