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

Jun 9, 2024
Jun 9, 2024
46 min
Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes invite Producer and theologian Lou Giovino back on the show to discuss whether people are fundamentally good or evil, and what that means.Links to further resources below.
Pope Francis Interview: https://x.com/60Minutes/status/1792337978313802225
Pope Francis Controversy: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/may/20/pope-francis-tells-cbs-norah-odonnell-that-all-peo/
Are we born evil or good controversy: https://bigthink.com/thinking/are-we-born-evil/
Richard Dawkins on awfulness of original sin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QkZ8_mLCoA&ab_channel=AlexO%27Connor
Richard Trembly on violence of two-year-old males: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjUnWvP0A2E&ab_channel=JordanBPetersonClips
Psychology of serial killers: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/10/what-makes-a-serial-killer

Jun 2, 2024
Jun 2, 2024
1hr 9 min
Does mental illness not exist like some people suggest? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss why some people think mental illness is a myth and how to best love people in your life who struggle with mental health problems.
Links to resources for further overthinking:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mental%20illness(definition)
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2019/05/mental-health-survey
https://www.christianpost.com/news/john-macarthur-criticized-for-claiming-mental-illness-isnt-real.html (John McCarthur Story)
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
(Percentage of people struggling with mental illness.)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4409431/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7310534/ (scuicide ideation remains same across religious and non, but not attempts)
https://religionunplugged.com/news/2024/1/8/political-ideology-religious-attendance-and-mental-illness (rates of mental illness between religious/non conservative/liberal)
https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/what-does-an-ocd-brain-look-like/ (OCD brain scans)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4615598/ (Vagus Nerve)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374974 (can you cure mental illness)
https://anthemofhope.org/ (Christian mental illness help)

May 26, 2024
May 26, 2024
53 min
What is the right balance between self sacrifice and self care? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss:
Links to further reading:
https://medium.com/@treadmilltreats/sacrificing-your-own-happiness-for-another-person-cc7abdc6907f
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/202012/how-much-are-you-willing-sacrifice-your-relationship

May 19, 2024
May 19, 2024
50 min
Why is the literary group started by CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien--The Inklings--still so popular to this day? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss with celebrated artist and author John Hendrix.

May 12, 2024
May 12, 2024
58 min
Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk to author and speaker Aimee Byrd about how a religious person can be hurt by their religious community and still retain their faith.
Link to Aimee's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Our-Scars-Underground-Disillusionment-ebook/dp/B0CKMV7KSZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Y78GY0Y0Q6CM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2g9EJek-Lr6o71G4nskD35Fh3mv78ZGrP0rWYtwp7fU.f5rU7fPTwkQfLTiNNrck414wBv_zljkMZX_KPVr6akk&dib_tag=se&keywords=aimee+byrd+the+hope+in+our+scars&qid=1715572564&sprefix=aimee+byrd%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-1
Links for further discussion from the episode:
https://www.npr.org/2024/01/24/1226371734/religious-nones-are-now-the-largest-single-group-in-the-u-s
https://www.breakpoint.org/why-conservative-christian-men-make-good-husbands/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/does-religion-make-people-more-ethical-11650468288
https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/church-religion-mental-health-479d612a

May 5, 2024
May 5, 2024
1hr 8 min
Is it ever good to be patriotic? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite on Biblical Scholar, author, and podcast host, Dr. Preston Sprinkle to discuss when patriotism crosses the line into harm.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/patriotism-sociology
https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/07/patriotism-nationalism-happiness/619325/
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2024/march-web-only/politics-bible-based-preston-sprinkle-exiles-review.html

Apr 28, 2024
Apr 28, 2024
40 min
Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes tackle the topic of celebrity crushes. Are they harmless? Or potentially bad for you?

Apr 21, 2024
Apr 21, 2024
1hr 1 min
It's our 200th episode! We bring both Nathans back together to discuss how you can make (and keep) friends as an adult.
Links for more info:
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/americans-fewer-friends-survey-b1890794.html
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/researchers-find-strong-relationships-protect-long-term-health-and-happiness#:~:text=But%20the%20longest%20running%20study,healthy%20in%20the%20long%20term.
https://fortune.com/well/2023/06/15/loneliness-comparable-to-smoking-up-to-15-cigarettes-a-day/

Apr 14, 2024
Apr 14, 2024
1hr 26 min
Do miracles happen today? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk to Dr. Craig Keener, author of the book "Miracles Today", to discuss whether miracles are real and answer modern objections.
Link to more resources:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miracle

Apr 7, 2024
Apr 7, 2024
1hr 14 min
So many creative people wrestle with whether to choose financial security, or their artistic dreams. But why should you have to choose? And how do you know what to choose? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss the trade-offs.
Links:
https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-financial-security/#:~:text=Quick%20Answer,clear%20of%20high%2Dinterest%20debt.
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2004/12/05/part-2-findings-from-the-artist-callback-survey/

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.




