The Overthinkers

What is Rest?

Summer is a time of rest. But what is rest and how do we rest well? When is too much rest and when is not enough? References and resources:
The trend toward valuing rest more:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/01/05/brain-rest-breaks-vacation-benefits/
 
Benefits of rest:
https://hbr.org/2023/08/why-we-glorify-overwork-and-refuse-to-rest
https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2021/01/15/the-benefits-of-resting-and-how-to-unplug-in-a-busy-world/
https://time.com/6969761/how-to-rest-more-effectively/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-awesome-career/202306/the-critical-need-for-intentional-rest
You're not working hard enough: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDNAE73vEyX/?hl=en&__coig_challenged=1WebsitesOverthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.comNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Is Authenticity Overrated?

Millennials and Gen Z love authenticity. But is authenticity all it's cracked up to be? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson investigate and give their takes.
 
References and resources:Definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authentic
 
Definition and history: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/authenticity/
 
Present debates about authenticity: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/authenticity
 
Is authenticity overrated? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/return-stillness/201909/is-authenticity-overratedhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbooksauthors/2022/11/22/authenticity-is-overrated-building-a-more-effective-leadership-style/
 
When do people feel most authentic? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656618302964
BlessesWe Are Not as Strong as We Think We Are (Song)Ragamuffin (Movie)The Life of Chuck (Movie)CursesMaterialists (Movie)How to Be Single (Movie)

Why Do We Love Superheroes? (With Sean Gaffney)

Why are superheroes seemingly always so popular? And is that a good thing? We discuss with screenwriter, professor, and author Sean Gaffney.
 
References and resourcesList of billion dollar superhero movies: https://deadline.com/gallery/highest-grossing-movies-all-time/mcdjuwo-uv042/Superhero dominance of the 2010s: https://www.statsignificant.com/p/the-rise-and-fall-of-superhero-movies
 
Superheroes aren’t cinema: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/opinion/martin-scorsese-marvel.html
 
My reply to Scorsese: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/16/opinion/letters/martin-scorsese-movies.html
 
Superheroes as modern gods: https://www.wired.com/2011/07/grant-morrison-supergods/
 
Superheroes as Chivalric Romance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPH9K0x5fY4&ab_channel=PilgrimsPass
 
Superheroes as worship: https://anunexpectedjournal.com/superhero-movies-are-worship-not-theme-parks/
 
WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comSean Gaffney: https://gaffneyinkwell.com/

How Do We Build Community? (With Gov. John Kasich)

Why is it so hard to build community today and how do we do it anyway? We discuss with author and former governor John Kasich on our latest episode.
Resources and further reading
Rise in loneliness: https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/americans-no-friends/
 
Health costs of loneliness: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/loneliness-poses-health-risks-as-deadly-as-smoking-u-s-surgeon-general-says#:~:text=How%20do%20we%20design%20technology,15%20cigarettes%20daily%2C%20not%2012.
 
Interview with Ryan Burge: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/is-religion-in-decline-with-ryan-burge/id1510271421?i=1000705236657
 
Interview with Brad Wilcox: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/are-married-people-happier-with-dr-brad-wilcox/id1510271421?i=1000644150680
 
AI friends as a solution: https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/meta-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-wants-you-to-make-ai-friends/491349#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,the%20idea%20of%20AI%20friends.
WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

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/