The Overthinkers

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...

What does it really mean to love our enemies? And how do we do it without allowing evil? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with author, apologist, and theoretical chemist Dr. Neil Shenvi. References and resources: Rabbi Shai Held on Christianity’s Loving Enemies: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2024/3/26/book-review-judaism-is-about-love-shatters-stereotypes-about-the-hebrew-bible Nietz...

It's a new year, and everyone wants to make positive life changes. So how do you make real ones that last? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss their own experience and the research on the topic. References and resources Americans are becoming less satisfied with their lives - record low of 44%: https://news.gallup.com/poll/655493/new-low-satisfied-personal-life.aspx 30% of Americans make New...

Why do so many people choose to be religious? What draws people to embrace belief? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with filmmaker Rian Johnson, his new film "Wake Up Dead Man" and the themes of faith his movie brings up. References and resources Global religious population: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/06/09/how-the-global-religious-landscape-changed-from-2010-to-2020/ Ameri...

The Bible--and the wider culture--agree: "It's better to give than to receive". But is that what the data says? And why would that be? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with insights from Dallas Jenkins, who discusses the DVD release of his film "The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever".  References and resources: What happens to your brain when you give vs receive: https://www.apa.org/topics/ment...

Everyone talks about getting in the Christmas spirit. But what is the Christmas spirit? And how do you have it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss. References and resources Christmas spirit definition: https://www.facebook.com/fb.oed/posts/oed-wordoftheday-christmas-spirit-na-mood-or-attitude-appropriate-to-the-christm/1136215868511469/ , https://www.oed.com/dictionary/christmas-spirit_n?li...

What was the world like that CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien wrote their stories in? And how did their work change things? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with author and historian Dr. Joseph Loconte. References and resources:   Tolkien and Lewis fantasy influence: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/cambridge-companion-to-fantasy-literature/tolkien-lewis-and-the-explosion-of-genre-fantasy...

We hear a lot about the importance of pursuing your dreams. But which dreams? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss. References and resources: Pew research: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/09/14/what-makes-for-a-fulfilling-life/#:~:text=When%20asked%20what%20it%20takes,Gender   Marriage matters more for happiness than career: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/17/opinion/marriage-h...

Should we try to convert others to our beliefs? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome American film director Justin Lin (director of multiple Fast and Furious movies) to discuss his new film "Last Days" about the 26-year-old Christian missionary John Chau, who died trying to convert the North Sentinel Island people. References and resources: Conversion definition: https://www.merriam-webster.c...

What are the Medieval virtues? How are they related to the seven deadly sins? And how can they help us today? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined by scholar and author Dr. Grace Hamman to answer these very questions. References and resources: https://www.britannica.com/event/Middle-Ages   Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Hol...

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/ Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: jose...