The Overthinkers

Nathan Clarkson & Joseph Holmes

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!

  1. 4D AGO

    How Do You Find the Right Person to Marry? (With Dr. Wendy Wang)

    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? https://www.vogue.com/article/is-having-a-boyfriend-embarrassing-now Majority want to marry but can’t find the right person: https://ifstudies.org/blog/why-americans-arent-getting-married-and-having-kids-and-how-to-fix-that Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: https://linktr.ee/JosephHolmes Wendy Wang: https://ifstudies.org/about-us/wendy-wang

    1 hr

  2. FEB 2

    Why Do Women Love Romance Novels? (With Keelia Clarkson)

    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/2025/10/romance-fiction-genre-open-elite-popularity/684445/ https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=5002#m67973 Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Keelia Clarkson: keelia.me Chapter One Again (Avila Falls Series): https://www.amazon.com/dp/151401372X

    49 min

  3. JAN 26

    Are We the Worst?

    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 Cathecism: https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_three/section_one/chapter_one/article_8/ii_the_definition_of_sin.html Doctrine of Sin - Mockingbird: https://mbird.com/theology/hiding-in-plain-sight-the-lost-doctrine-of-sin/ Definition of sin - Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/what-is-sin-the-essence-and-root-of-all-sinning Richard Dawkins thinks the doctrine of sin is “hideous”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f6Lar8Qp0E Albert Ellis critiquing the doctrine of sin: https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0%2C33009%2C865989-2%2C00.html Authoritative parenting vs authoritarian and permissive: https://ifstudies.org/blog/parenting-is-the-key-to-adolescent-mental-health https://ifstudies.org/blog/do-your-political-beliefs-affect-your-parenting- Serial killers are unmade, not made: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/10/what-makes-a-serial-killer Most aggressive people are males at the age of two: https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/16/terrible-twos-who-stay-terrible/ Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

    1h 14m

  4. JAN 19

    Why Does Forgiveness Matter? (With Yana Jenay Conner)

    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-webster.com/dictionary/forgive https://www.apa.org/topics/forgiveness Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: https://linktr.ee/JosephHolmes Yana Jenay Conner: https://www.yanajenay.com/

    1h 5m

  5. JAN 12

    How Do You Love Your Enemies? (With Dr. Neil Shenvi)

    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 Nietzsche on “slave morality” in Christ’s teachings: https://bigthink.com/personal-growth/the-master-and-slave-moralities-what-nietzsche-really-meant/ Early Church Fathers on Nonviolence: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/nonviolence-in-the-ancient-church-and-christian-obedience/ New Advent: Augustine on will to love our enemies to change them to friends: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/170208.htm Martin Luther King Jr. on Loving Your Enemies: https://www.plough.com/en/topics/life/forgiveness/love-your-enemies Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.com Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Neil Shenvi: https://shenviapologetics.com/ Neil Shenvi's new book: "Post Woke: Asserting a Christian Vision of Race, Gender, and Sexuality" Nathan Clarkson's new book: "I'm the Worst: How Freedom is Found in Admitting Our Faults" Joseph Holmes's new film: "Jim vs the Future"

    49 min

  6. JAN 5

    How Do You Change Your Life?

    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 Year’s Resolutions: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/29/new-years-resolutions-who-makes-them-and-why/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Only 10% of Americans keep their resolutions: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-years-resolutions-tips-why-they-fail/ New years resolutions are global and historical: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/history-of-new-years-resolutions How to stick with your resolutions. Actionable steps + accountability. https://fisher.osu.edu/blogs/leadreadtoday/why-most-new-years-resolutions-fail Small steps - knowing why you’re doing it: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/arthur-brooks-new-years-resolutions-happiness/ Fantasize about process, not results: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/09/manifestation-positive-thinking-happiness/679695/ Websites Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.com Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee/JosephHolmes

    57 min

  7. 2025-12-15

    What is the Appeal of Faith? (With Rian Johnson)

    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/ American religious population: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2025/12/8/us-religious-decline-stalls-as-new-pew-data-shows-stabilization-even-among-young-adults Jon Stewart on faith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSmrEVjQdG8 Arthur Brooks on faith: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/public-leadership-management/happiness-may-be-decline-we-can-all Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmestudios.com Rian Johnson: https://x.com/rianjohnson

    47 min

  8. 2025-12-08

    Is Giving or Receiving Better? (With Dallas Jenkins)

    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/mental-health/brain-gift-giving Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Dallas Jenkins: https://www.instagram.com/dallas.jenkins/?hl=en

    52 min
See All (290)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Nathan Clarkson & Joseph Holmes
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    290
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Overthinkers

You Might Also Like