The Overthinkers

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 resources Milestone anxiety: https://www.relate.org.uk/get-help/milestone-anxiety-rise-a...

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 resources Success definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/success Wh...

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 Overthinkers Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes christiepurifoy.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 resources American support  for the death penality going down: https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/facts-and-research/religious-statements/opinion-polls-death-penalty...

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-fantas...

Why do we have so much division today? How do we rebuild relationships across the divide? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk with Christian author and apologist Justin Brierly about his new show "Uncommon Ground", where he tries to do just that.  References and resources Increased US hatred for opposing political parties: https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/08/09/as-partisan-hostility-gr...

Are we shaped more by nature or nurture? Is biology or culture stronger in determining our choices? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss this topic, with Evolutionary psychologist Dr. Steve Stewart-Williams joining for the discussion, on this latest episode. References and resources: Defining nature vs nurture: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/nature-vs-nurture Plato’s “inatism”: htt...

Does Christianity make your life better? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss their experience of faith. Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee/josephholmes

Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss the nature of "aesthetics"--appreciation for beauty and art--and why so many of us don't have the relationship with it we should. References and resources Aesthetics definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aesthetics Aesthetics history and thought: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136466132100067X Websites The Overthinkers:...

Christians talk a lot about grace. But how does one define grace? And in an age where morality seems to be on the decline, how does one balance grace and faithfulness to what's right? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with author of "The Big Relief" and founder of Mockinbird Ministries, David Zahl.  References and resources: Grace definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grac...

Lots of people have mixed to negative feelings about Hollywood. Christians in particular are often scared that Hollywood hates them and is out to propagandize against them. But is fear the right attitude to have towards Hollywood movies? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with Jeffrey Overstreet, Christian film critic and author of the new book "Lost and Found in the Cathedral of Cinema". ...

It's been six years and 300 episodes of The Overthinkers! To celebrate, Joseph and Nathan discuss whether ignorance is bliss--and if by educating everyone these past six years we've been making the world a worse place! References and resources Definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ignorance%20is%20bliss Ignorance is only bliss when someone else is being the adult taking care of th...

Everyone's talking about all the struggles Gen Z is having. But what does Gen Z think about what they're going through? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk with culture writer and author Freya India about her own experiences and research on her generation, as well as her new book "Girls: Gen Z and the Commodification of Everything". References and resources Comparing Gen Z to other generations:...

Everyone agrees that human trafficking is bad. But what wrong ideas about it do we have that make it harder to solve? Raleigh Sadler, founder and executive director of Let My People Go, author of Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking, and the host of MercyCast, explains.  References and resources Trafficking - awareness and consensus: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250311402868/en/REP...

One of the least popular Christian traditions is the idea that there will be no marriage--which means no sex--in heaven. But is that actually Biblical? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with returning Bible Scholar Dr. Dru Johnson. References and resources Various religious perspectives on marriage after death: https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10992/29458 Thomas Aquinas - Summ...

Our society seems to be tearing itself apart. One potential culprit is identity politics. But what is identity politics? Sociologist Dr. George Yancey joins to talk about his new book "Identity Politics in the United States: An Exploration of Identity in Red, White, and Blue". He explains the movements' history, what's wrong with it, and what we can do instead.  References and resources: Identity...

Is indulging in fantasy books and movies keeping us children? Or is it something good for us that we need? Overthinkers producer Nathan Sherrer (Nathan A) joins Nathan Clarkson (Nathan 1) and Joseph Holmes (just Joseph) to discuss.  References and resources Fantasy definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fantasy Criticisms of Lord of the Rings: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20...

Does the Bible prohibit women from any leadership positions in the church? The question has divided Christians for a long time, so Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes invite Bible scholar Dr. Preston Sprinkle to discuss.  References and resources: Catholic view of female priests: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/why-the-church-doesnt-ordain-women Evangelical views of women in leadersh...

With the Oscars on the horizon, everyone's talking about awards. But should we try to win awards? Or are they a distraction from what our true priorities should be? Spencer Folmar of Hard Faith Films and the Hard Faith Film Festival joins Nathan and Joseph to discuss. Definition of award: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/award Christian artist Forrest Frank no longer accepting awards: ht...

More and more people are defining themselves as "Spiritual But Not Religious". But what does that mean? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes interview academic and author Dr King-Ho Leung for answers.  References and resources Spiritual definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiritual Spirit definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spirit Number of Americans spiritual bu...

How do you raise your kids such that they stay in your faith? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss with celebrated author and speaker Sally Clarkson--who raised four children who all stayed Christian, including Nathan--what she did and what other religious parents can do. References and resources The rise of the nones: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/the-nones-have-hit-a-ceiling People...

One of the biggest reasons people aren't getting married is that they can't find the right person. But how do you find the right person? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with sociologist and researcher Dr. Wendy Wang. References and resources: Marriage rates dropping: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/america-marriage-decline/681518/ Is having a boyfriend embarassing? http...

Why are romance novels so popular? Particularly with women? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes ask actress and author Keelia Clarkson why they resonate, ahead of her own upcoming romance novel "Chapter One Again".  Romance movie’s popularity with women https://oxfordre.com/literature/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190201098.001.0001/acrefore-9780190201098-e-415 https://www.theatlantic.com/books/2025/...

Is thinking we're good people or inherently sinful better for us? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss Nathan's new book "I'm the Worst: How Freedom is Found in Admitting Our Faults". Sin - The Bible Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNOZ7ocLD74 Original Sin - BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/beliefs/originalsin_1.shtml Doctrine of Sin - Roman Catholic Catheci...

Why is it important for all of us--but particularly Christians--to forgive others? And how do we do it without allowing evil to triumph? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss with author and educator Yana Jenay Conner, unpacking lessons from her book: Living Beyond Offense: Doing the Hard Work of Forgiveness God’s Way. References and resources Forgiveness definitions:  https://www.merriam-webs...