The Overthinkers

One of the toughest questions religious people face is the question of "Divine Hiddenness". Simply put: if God is real and loves us, why isn't he more obvious? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes give their own perspective as overthinking Christians.
References and resources:Divine hiddenness definition: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/divine-hiddenness/Christian counterarguments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO4-cSNIUAg&t=295sWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes

Has there been a vibe shift in American culture where we're tired of cynical stories and want more optimistic ones? Are we tired of deconstructing the culture and want to start repairing it? If so, why, and what do we do about it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with cultural theologian and author Paul Anleitner his new book: "Based on a True Story: Vibe Shifts, the End of Deconstruction, and the Reboot of Meaning"WebsitesOverthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes

Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes talk about their experiences of traveling and what they think its benefits are--and where it can go wrong.References and resourcesTravel and tourism are growing: https://wttc.org/news/global-travel-tourism-growth-to-outpace-wider-economy-by-1-5-times-over-the-next-decade
https://www.aei.org/commentary/passport-to-springfield/American demographics of tourism: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/12/06/americans-who-have-traveled-internationally-stand-out-in-their-views-and-knowledge-of-foreign-affairs/
 
History of tourism: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301479723019114?utm_source=chatgpt.com
 
Travel builds empathy:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/social-empathy/202210/pack-your-bags-and-travel-its-good-for-you
https://www.aei.org/commentary/passport-to-springfield/
https://qz.com/763433/want-your-children-to-grow-into-more-empathetic-adults-travel-with-them
 
Overtourism explained: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301479723019114
Travel creates memories (particularly with others) and therefore more lasting happiness than possessions: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00472875211064631
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/buy-experiences-instead-of-possessions-to-build-social-connection
 
Instagramification of travel: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2025/05/10/tourism-in-the-age-of-tiktok-and-instagram-how-social-media-has-transformed-vacations_6741113_19.html
Wendell Berry on problems with travel: https://aleteia.org/2025/07/27/wendell-berry-and-what-it-means-to-love-a-place
WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes

Why is there so much controversy about whether to use AI to make art--whether that's movies, images, or music? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with author and educator Dr. Kelsey Kramer McGinnes the benefits and drawbacks of using AI in or outside of the creative process.References and resourcesWhat is Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)?https://academic.oup.com/nsr/article/12/5/nwaf050/8029900Generative AI controversy in Christian music: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/solomon-ray-ai-christian-music-soul-singer/Generative AI controversy in film:
https://religionunplugged.com/news/2026/6/11/the-old-stories-moses-groundbreaking-ai-filmmaking-is-artistically-underwhelmingWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmesKelsey Kramer McGinnes: https://www.kkramermcginnis.com

Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes bring actor, producer, and health and fitness advocate Joshua Murray on the show to discuss the new phenomenon of "looksmaxxing". What is it? What makes it different from other health trends? And what is wrong with it? Nathan, Joseph, and Josh discuss, along with Josh's new film "Gym Rat".References and resourcesLooksmaxxing definitions and analysis:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/looksmaxxing
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240326-inside-looksmaxxing-the-extreme-cosmetic-social-media-trend
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/looksmaxxing-may-point-to-deeper-body-image-issues-in-young-men-mental-health-expert-saysSocial media causes looksmaxxing https://www.freyaindia.co.uk/p/how-social-media-feminised-us-all
Men falling behind drives looksmaxxing: https://www.thetimes.com/us/news-today/article/braden-eric-peters-clavicular-manosphere-looksmaxxing-masculine-ick-0h7hzhf0sWebsitesThe Overthinkers.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmesJosh Murray: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3394219/

Millennials and Gen Z often feel more behind in life than previous generations did. They call this "milestone anxiety". But should we? And what should we do about it? Millennials Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss the ways they have--and continue to--feel behind and how they deal with it.
References and resourcesMilestone anxiety: https://www.relate.org.uk/get-help/milestone-anxiety-rise-among-millennials-and-gen-zLate bloomers: https://www.vox.com/advice/492291/late-bloomer-envy-milestonesGen Z putting off milestones to buy a home:  https://fortune.com/2025/11/10/gen-z-delaying-milestones-housing-affordability-crisis-no-single-fixReligious and conservatives way more likely to be married and have kids: https://ifstudies.org/report-brief/the-ideological-fertility-divide
https://ifstudies.org/blog/americas-growing-religious-secular-fertility-divideWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.comNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee/josephholmes

Everyone dreams of being a success. But how should we define success? Is it by external or internal standards? And what standards? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome Grammy-Winning musical artist  Kevin Olusola and life coach Donovan Dee Donnell to discuss their new book "Designed to Succeed".References and resourcesSuccess definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successWhy you should define success for yourself: https://www.stjohns.edu/news-media/johnnies-blog/how-do-you-define-success-tips-tricksProblems with external success: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/everyday-resilience/202406/defining-success-on-your-own-termsWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmesKevin Olusola: kevinolusola.comDonovan Dee Donnell: donovandeedonnell.comBookDesigned to Succeed: A Faith-Driven Blueprint to Building the Life You Were Created to Live: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310370124/?bestFormat=true&k=designed%20to%20succeed%20kevin%20olusola&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k1_1_13_de&crid=25MYANYDQMPZ9&sprefix=kevin%20olusola

Why does home matter? And how do we make it one that people want to stay in? Dr. Christie Purifoy discusses her book "A House to Call Home" with Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson on The OverthinkersWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmeschristiepurifoy.com

Support for the death penalty is going down in America. But is this a sign of moral progress or moral decay? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes debate this question with political theologian and ethicist Dr. J. Daryl Charles. References and resourcesAmerican support  for the death penality going down: https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/facts-and-research/religious-statements/opinion-polls-death-penalty-support-and-religion?Religious-secular divide on the death penalty: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/06/15/unlike-other-u-s-religious-groups-most-atheists-and-agnostics-oppose-the-death-penalty/Dr. J. Daryl Charles Recommended ResourcesJ. Daryl Charles, van den Haag, Ernest, “On Deterrence and the Death Penalty.” Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology and Police Science 60, no. 2 (1969): 141-47.idem, “The Ultimate Punishment: A Defense”; accessible at the PBS “Frontline” website.idem and John P. Conrad, The Death Penalty: A Debate. New York: Plenum Press, 1983.J. Budziszewski, “Capital Punishment: The Case for Justice.” First Things (August 2004); accessible the First Things websiteJ. Daryl Charles, “Outrageous Atrocity or Moral Imperative?: The Ethics of Capital Punishment.” Studies in Christian Ethics 6, no. 3 (Fall 1993): 1-14.idem, “Crime, the Christian, and Capital Justice.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 38, no. 3 (1995): 429-41.idem, “Toward Restoring a Good Marriage: Reflections on the Contemporary Divorce of Love and Justice and Its Cultural Implications.” Journal of Church and State 55, no. 2 (2013): 367-83.idem, “Capital Crime and Punishment: Reflections on Violating Human Sanctity.” Touchstone (September 2002): 29-35.idem, “Lethal Rejection: Is Capital Punishment Barbaric, Uncivilized and Always Wrong?” Touchstone (September 2016): 30-36.idem, “Capital Crimes and Capital Punishment.” Public Discourse (March 14, 2023); accessible at the Public Discourse websiteidem, “Capital Crimes and Punishment.” Providence: A Journal of Christianity and American Foreign Policy (September 22, 2025); accessible at the Providence websiteWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkers.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmesDr. J. Daryl Charles: https://crcd.net/fellow/j-daryl-charles-phd/
 

Why do we have such a love for cozy comfort stories--whether they're books, movies, TV, or video games? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes welcome back Keelia Clarkson to discuss this along with her new book: "Chapter One Again: A Novel", the first of the Avila Falls series. References and resources
Searches for “cozy” and “comfort”: https://thecozyowlet.com/the-rise-of-cozy-reading-mystery-fantasy-and-more/Why people watch “comfort shows”: 
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/1700/https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/defining-memories/202212/play-and-repeat-why-we-watch-the-same-shows-over-and-overWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmesKeelia Clarkson: ivpress.com/keelia-clarksonChapter One Again: A Novel (Avila Falls Series): https://www.amazon.com/dp/151401372X/?bestFormat=true&k=chapter%20one%20again&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ser_k0_1_17_de&crid=1ESWQJCIVVVRV&sprefix=chapter%20one%20again