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

5 days ago
5 days ago
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

Sunday Jul 13, 2025
Sunday Jul 13, 2025
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)

Monday Jul 07, 2025
Monday Jul 07, 2025
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/

Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
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

Monday Jun 23, 2025
Monday Jun 23, 2025
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

Monday Jun 16, 2025
Monday Jun 16, 2025
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

Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
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

Sunday Jun 01, 2025
Sunday Jun 01, 2025
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)

Sunday May 25, 2025
Sunday May 25, 2025
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/

Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
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/

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.