The Overthinkers

Many of us find it hard to read classic literature. But is there value in it worth pushing through anyway? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome author and podcast host of "Storytime for Grownups" Faith Moore to discuss how she grew to love great old books. Educators find decline in reading classic literature in 70s: https://www.nytimes.com/1977/05/29/archives/decline-in-reading-of-the-classic...

How do you raise children to value their uniqueness while also growing in maturity? Sally Clarkson returns to the show to discuss with Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson the new book by Sally and Nathan: "Uniquely You" Discrimination against left-handed people: https://www.press.jhu.edu/newsroom/stuttering-and-retraining-left-handed-children-mid-century-us#:~:text=By%20the%20second%20decade%20of%20...

In the first Overthinkers episode of the new season, Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss how to follow through on our goals. Studies show that most people who set goals in the new year don't follow through on them. How do you become the exception? Well, there's studies on that too! Joseph and Nathan go through some of the best strategies on the internet--and their own experience--to help set...

Lots of people are stressed out by being with family for the holidays. Some are even planning not to spend holidays with their family. But is that a good idea? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes give their tips on having a positive trip home for the holidays. Links to outside references:  15 million long-distance travelers oer Christmas in 2023: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/millions-america...

Everyone has deep desires. But what is our deepest desire? And how do we deal with the problem of satisfying that desire. Writer, award-winning folk musician, and spiritual director Strahan Coleman joins Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson to dive into what we want and how we can have it today. Links to resources discussed in the episode: Basics of Budhism: https://www.pbs.org/edens/thailand/buddhis...

Are spiritual rhythms important in everyday life? Not just on Sundays? Joseph Holmes discusses with author and artist Douglas McKelvy his series "Every Moment Holy" about how to bring the sacred into ordinary life.  Referenced Links: Barna Study - How liturgical are today’s American Christians? https://www.barna.com/research/liturgical-todays-christians/    Liturgy as an idol: https://au.thegospel...

Americans' number one fear is corrupt politicians. Why is that? And is that valid? We discuss fear of the government and propose solutions.  Links to Further Resources   Chapman University study of Americans’ greatest fears: https://www.chapman.edu/wilkinson/research-centers/babbie-center/survey-american-fears.aspx     Summary of implications for new US rankings in global corruption: https://forei...

Many Christians are worried about the phenomenon of "deconstruction". But what is "deconstruction" and is it something we should fear or embrace? Author and scholar Scot McKnight and musician and pastor Tommy Preson Phillips join to discuss their new book on deconstruction "The Invisible Jesus: A Book About Leaving the Church and Looking for Christ" References and Resources:   Deconstruction Defin...

Do we have a moral obligation to vote for the lesser of two evils? Do we have a moral obligation not to? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss in the lead up to the American presidential  Election.   St. Francis advises voting for lesser of two evils, and why: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/pope-francis-kamala-harris-donald-trump-rcna171092   History of American “Lesser of Two Evi...

What are Americans most afraid of? And what does that say about us? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss. Top ten list for 2024: https://www.chapman.edu/wilkinson/research-centers/babbie-center/survey-american-fears.aspx     Conversation around Americans fears: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/science/sociology-fear-uncertainty.html   Top ten list for 2014: https://www.washingtonpost.com/ne...

There's a rise in interest and practice of witchcraft among young people. Is that worth being concerned about? We discuss with journalist Mary Jackson. Notes from the show:   Witchcraft definition:    https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witchcraft   Witchcraft history:    https://www.britannica.com/topic/witchcraft   Mary Jackson's article on rise of witchcraft and its harms:  https://wng.o...

Do demons exist? If so, what are they like? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome New Testament Scholar, author, and demon-expert Dr. Joy Vaughan to help them navigate the world of supernatural evil on this latest episode of spooky month. Further links:  Demon definition:   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demon   Demon history:   https://www.britannica.com/topic/angel-religion#ref41...

Everyone wants to overcome fear. But is fear ever something to embrace rather than reject? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss in their latest episode - the first of scary thinking month. Links to referenced resources: Fear Definition:   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fear   Fear is one of our most powerful emotions:   https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publica...

Many people feel like they have to choose between science and faith. But do they really? What is the history of science and faith, and when did this supposed conflict start? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome author and scholar Dr. Spencer Klavan to discuss this topic and Klavan's new book on the subject "Light of the Mind, Light of the World. Further Resources: https://www.pewresearch.org/...

Who is therapy for? Is it only people with diagnosed mental illness? Or can anyone benefit? We discuss with mental health advocate Alyssa Plock. Data and references: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2021/02/04/47-of-americans-believe-seeking-therapy-is-a-sign-of-weakness/   https://www.scrippsnews.com/health/75-of-americans-feel-health-care-system-handles-mental-health-worse-than-physica...

Why do most people work a 9-5? And should we get rid of it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss in the latest episode of The Overthinkers.   Further reading:   History and the origin of the 9-5. https://hbr.org/2021/07/breaking-free-from-a-9-to-5-culture   Arguments against 9-5: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2021/07/25/working-9-to-5-is-an-antiquated-relic-from-the-past-and-should-b...

Some think the world is getting too many people to sustain the planet. Others warn that we don't have enough kids to care for the old people. Who's right? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite Economist Dr. Jared Pincin to discuss. Info highlighted in episode:   World hits 8 billion people:  https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/11/world-population-estimated-eight-billion.html#:~:text=Pop...

Getting offended is very common today--particularly online. But is being offended off-limits for Christians? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss. Definition of “Offended”: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/offended   Why Christians Shouldn’t Be Offended:   https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/blessed-are-the-unoffendable   https://www.christianitytoday.com/karl-vaters/2016/december/im-offend...

Christians and Charles Darwin's theory of evolution have often been at odds. But is that conflict justified? Dr. Dru Johnson, Biblical scholar and author of the book "What Hath Darwin to Do with Scripture?", walks Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson through the places where Darwin's work matches with the Biblical narrative--and where it diverges. And it's not always where you might think! Bio of Cha...

We all want community today. But is community possible in a modern society that puts up so many barriers to it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson are joined by thinker and filmmaker Houston Coley to discuss.   Lack of friends today: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/well/live/adult-friendships-number.html https://nypost.com/2021/07/27/americans-have-fewer-friends-than-ever-before-study/   Health...

Is AI Dangerous? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes look at the evidence and discuss.  AI Definition: https://www.britannica.com/technology/artificial-intelligence   Why AI is Dangerous: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/heres-why-ai-may-be-extremely-dangerous-whether-its-conscious-or-not/   Why Experts Disagree: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2024/3/13/24093357/ai-risk-extinction-fore...

Is watching the news necessary to stay informed, or bad for your mental health? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss.    Growing number of people avoiding the news: https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2023/08/01/news-avoid-depressing/   Media confidence reaches new low: https://news.gallup.com/poll/512861/media-confidence-matches-2016-record-low.aspx   News mental health harms: https://www.a...

For an idea so often discussed and debated, tolerance is a relatively recent virtue. Why did it become so popular? And is it overrated? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss.    Merriam Webster definition of Tolerance: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tolerance   History of the virtue of tolerance: https://iep.utm.edu/tolerati/#H2   Popper’s Paradox of Tolerance: https://www.freiheit...

"Nepo Babies" is a term that's grown in popularity in the 2020s. But what is it really about? And is it a problem? Nathan and Joseph discuss what Nepo Babies are, what they mean in the context of the modern world, and what we should do about it. What is a Nepo Baby?: https://www.vulture.com/article/what-is-a-nepotism-baby.html   Nepo Baby Denials of Nepo-Babyness:  https://balleralert.com/profiles...

So many people do everything right and still feel like a failure in life. Why does that happen? And how do you fix it? We discuss.   1 in 4 men feel like failures: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/one-in-four-men-feel-like-failures-survey-finds/news-story/548fc822a127c3c71570351fb59661d2   What is adulting? https://time.com/4361866/adulting-definition-meaning/   What is a quarter-life crisis...