The Overthinkers

What are Exorcisms Really Like? (With Rev. Dan Todd)

What are real-life exorcisms like? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson interview real-life exorcist Reverend Dan Todd on our latest episode. References and resources
 
https://www.history.com/articles/exorcisms-christianity-gospels-movie
 
https://bigthink.com/thinking/history-of-exorcism/WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comRev. Dan Todd: https://www.ourladyofdivinemercyac.net/about-us

Why Are Vampires So Popular?

Vampires have been a part of our mythology and pop culture for centuries. But why do they remain so popular? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss.
References and resources:History of Vampireshttps://www.history.com/articles/vampire-historyBlessesTwilight (Movie)Let the Right One In (Movie)Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (Movie)CursesVampire Diaries (TV Show)Bram Stoker's Dracula (Movie)WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournanl.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Does Bigfoot Exist? (With CJ Blackburn and Kara Russo)

Do monsters, cryptids, and urban legends like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster exist? If so, how would we know for certain? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with hosts of the Campfire Files podcast: Colin Blackburn and Kara Russo.
 
References and resources
History of Bigfoot: https://www.history.com/articles/bigfoot-legend-newspaper
Belief in Bigfoot, aliens, and loch ness monster on rise: https://civicscience.com/u-s-belief-in-sasquatch-has-risen-since-2020/
WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkers.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comCampfire Files: https://campfirefiles.podbean.com/

Should We Be Scared of AI? (With Boze Herrington)

Everyone's talking about AI nowadays. Should we be scared of it? If so, what exactly should we be scared of? We bring on culture and social critic Boze Herrington to discuss. 
References and resources
 
Plato’s Argument against writing: https://fs.blog/an-old-argument-against-writing/Definition of AI: https://www.nasa.gov/what-is-artificial-intelligence/
AI is making us dumber
 
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dimitarmixmihov/2025/02/11/ai-is-making-you-dumber-microsoft-researchers-say/
https://time.com/7295195/ai-chatgpt-google-learning-school/BlessesThe Lord of the Rings (book)WALL-E (film)Meagan (film)Children of Men (film)
CursesCompanion (Movie)The Creator (Movie)Five Nights at Freddy's (Movie)Addictive Children's Video Games/Roblox (games)
 
WebsitesNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldBoze Herrington: @SketchesbyBoze (Twitter/X) 

How Should We Handle Fear? (With Steven Taylor)

It seems like today we're more afraid than ever. So how do we handle these fears? And how do we help our children handle fears? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with legendary singer and filmmaker Steven Taylor--who's new scary family film "Sketch" has brought such questions into the spotlight.
References and resources
Why fear is so powerful:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/tech-happy-life/202008/why-it-feels-the-end-the-world-even-when-its-not
 
How to overcome fear:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/unpacking-anxiety/202312/facing-your-fears
 
Why anxiety is rising: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/mental-health-liberal-girls
 
“Sketch” controversy:
https://religionunplugged.com/news/2025/8/28/on-religion-angel-studios-sparks-debate-with-scary-faith-film
Joseph Holmes’ review of “The Anxious Generation
https://lawliberty.org/book-review/what-the-smartphone-hath-wrought/
WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

What's Wrong with the Modern World? (With Paul Kingsnorth)

Most people feel like there's something wrong with our modern world. But what exactly is it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with writer and thinker Paul Kingsnorth, unpacking his new book "Against the Machine".References and resources:
How cell phones made life worse: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/Dropping confidence in US instititons: 
https://news.gallup.com/poll/647303/confidence-institutions-mostly-flat-police.aspxBlesses
Time Out of Joint (Book)You are a Tree (Book)Weapons (Movie)The Master and his Emissary (Book)Wounded By Love (Book)
 
Curses
Idiocracy (Movie)Eddington (Movie)AI (Technology) WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comPaul Kingsnorth: paulkingsnorth.net

What's Wrong with Re-Enchantment? (With Dr. Joy Clarkson)

What does it mean to be disenchanted? And why are so many people talking about the need to re-enchant the world? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss with special returning guest, author, editor, and culture writer Dr. Joy Clarkson.
References and resources:Definition of disenchantment: https://www.britannica.com/topic/disenchantment-sociologyAgainst Re-Enchantment, By Joy Clarkson: https://www.plough.com/en/topics/faith/supernatural/against-reenchantmentBlessesThe Truman Show (Movie)Hallowe'en Party (Book)That Hideous Strength (Book)Piranesi (Book)CursesThe Fourth Kind (Movie)Death of a Unicorn (Movie)The Sandman (TV Show)La La Land (Movie)
 
WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

How Do We Know What We Know? (With Dr. Zak Schmoll)

How can we know anything for certain? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome back author and academic Dr. Zak Schmoll to discuss the ever-pesky problem of epistemology. References and resources:https://www.britannica.com/topic/epistemologyBlesses
Foe (Book)
Biblical Knowing (Book)
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Movie)
Interstellar (Movie)
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Book)Curses
Foe (Movie)
Zodiac (Curse)
Life of Pi (Curse)
The Multiverse (Trope)WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comZak Schmoll: https://www.zacharydschmoll.com/

Is Social Media Making Us Dumber?

Is social media making us dumber? Is it making us worse? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes give social media a grade and give advice on how to be smarter about your use of your online socials.References and resources:
Social media is making us dumber:
 
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/
 
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/11/opinion/social-media-dumber-steven-pinker.html
 
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2025/01/nicholas-carr-is-the-internet-making-us-stupid/681517/
 
Social media is (probably) not making us dumber:
 
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/unique-everybody-else/201904/social-media-probably-isn-t-making-you-stupidBlessesNew York Times Games (App)Chess (App)The Social Network (Movie)Catfish (Documentary)The Anxious Generation (Book)CursesThe Circle (Movie)The Social Dilemma (Documentary)Social Media BotsSocial Media FriendsWebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

How Do We Solve Homelessness? (With Dr. Terrence Lester)

Homelessness is something everyone agrees is a problem. Yet, no one seems to know how to solve it. Scholar, speaker, community activist and author of From Dropout to Doctorate Dr. Terrence Lester joins Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes to share his life story and data-driven solutions on how to make a difference in the lives of those experiencing this devastating life situation.
References and resourcesHomelessness definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeless
Homelessness stats: https://www.britannica.com/topic/homelessness
 
WebsitesThe Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comTerrence Lester: https://terencelester.com/