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. 2d ago

    How Do You Make (and Keep) Lifelong Friends?

    American culture is experiencing a decline in deep, lasting friendships. Why is this happening, and what can we do about it? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss based on their own experiences and what the data says. Friendship definition: https://www.apa.org/topics/friendship   Friendship decline: https://nypost.com/2025/02/24/opinion/friendship-in-america-is-in-freefall-and-its-killing-us/ Loneliness in America: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2025/01/16/men-women-and-social-connections/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes

  2. Aug 10

    Why Does God Hide?

    One of the toughest questions religious people face is the question of "Divine Hiddenness". Simply put: if God is real and loves us, why isn't he more obvious? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes give their own perspective as overthinking Christians. References and resources: Divine hiddenness definition: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/divine-hiddenness/ Christian counterarguments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO4-cSNIUAg&t=295s Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes

  3. Aug 3

    Are We Tired of Cynical Stories? (With Paul Anleitner)

    Has there been a vibe shift in American culture where we're tired of cynical stories and want more optimistic ones? Are we tired of deconstructing the culture and want to start repairing it? If so, why, and what do we do about it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with cultural theologian and author Paul Anleitner his new book: "Based on a True Story: Vibe Shifts, the End of Deconstruction, and the Reboot of Meaning" Websites Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes

  4. Jul 27

    Should We Travel?

    Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes talk about their experiences of traveling and what they think its benefits are--and where it can go wrong. References and resources Travel and tourism are growing: https://wttc.org/news/global-travel-tourism-growth-to-outpace-wider-economy-by-1-5-times-over-the-next-decade https://www.aei.org/commentary/passport-to-springfield/ American demographics of tourism: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/12/06/americans-who-have-traveled-internationally-stand-out-in-their-views-and-knowledge-of-foreign-affairs/   History of tourism: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301479723019114?utm_source=chatgpt.com   Travel builds empathy: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/social-empathy/202210/pack-your-bags-and-travel-its-good-for-you https://www.aei.org/commentary/passport-to-springfield/ https://qz.com/763433/want-your-children-to-grow-into-more-empathetic-adults-travel-with-them   Overtourism explained: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301479723019114 Travel creates memories (particularly with others) and therefore more lasting happiness than possessions: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00472875211064631 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/buy-experiences-instead-of-possessions-to-build-social-connection   Instagramification of travel: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2025/05/10/tourism-in-the-age-of-tiktok-and-instagram-how-social-media-has-transformed-vacations_6741113_19.html Wendell Berry on problems with travel: https://aleteia.org/2025/07/27/wendell-berry-and-what-it-means-to-love-a-place Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes

  5. Jul 20

    Should AI Ever Be Used for Art? (With Dr. Kelsey Kramer McGinnes)

    Why is there so much controversy about whether to use AI to make art--whether that's movies, images, or music? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with author and educator Dr. Kelsey Kramer McGinnes the benefits and drawbacks of using AI in or outside of the creative process. References and resources What is Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)? https://academic.oup.com/nsr/article/12/5/nwaf050/8029900 Generative AI controversy in Christian music:  https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/solomon-ray-ai-christian-music-soul-singer/ Generative AI controversy in film: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2026/6/11/the-old-stories-moses-groundbreaking-ai-filmmaking-is-artistically-underwhelming Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes Kelsey Kramer McGinnes: https://www.kkramermcginnis.com

  6. Jul 13

    What is Looksmaxxing? (With Josh Murray)

    Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes bring actor, producer, and health and fitness advocate Joshua Murray on the show to discuss the new phenomenon of "looksmaxxing". What is it? What makes it different from other health trends? And what is wrong with it? Nathan, Joseph, and Josh discuss, along with Josh's new film "Gym Rat". References and resources Looksmaxxing definitions and analysis: https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/looksmaxxing https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240326-inside-looksmaxxing-the-extreme-cosmetic-social-media-trend https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/looksmaxxing-may-point-to-deeper-body-image-issues-in-young-men-mental-health-expert-says Social media causes looksmaxxing https://www.freyaindia.co.uk/p/how-social-media-feminised-us-all Men falling behind drives looksmaxxing: https://www.thetimes.com/us/news-today/article/braden-eric-peters-clavicular-manosphere-looksmaxxing-masculine-ick-0h7hzhf0s Websites The Overthinkers.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes Josh Murray: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3394219/

  7. Jul 6

    Why Do We Feel So Behind in Life?

    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-among-millennials-and-gen-z Late bloomers: https://www.vox.com/advice/492291/late-bloomer-envy-milestones Gen Z putting off milestones to buy a home:  https://fortune.com/2025/11/10/gen-z-delaying-milestones-housing-affordability-crisis-no-single-fix Religious and conservatives way more likely to be married and have kids: https://ifstudies.org/report-brief/the-ideological-fertility-divide https://ifstudies.org/blog/americas-growing-religious-secular-fertility-divide Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.com Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee/josephholmes

  8. Jun 29

    How Should We Define Success? (With Grammy-Winning Kevin Olusola and Donovan Dee Donnell)

    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 Why you should define success for yourself: https://www.stjohns.edu/news-media/johnnies-blog/how-do-you-define-success-tips-tricks Problems with external success: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/everyday-resilience/202406/defining-success-on-your-own-terms Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: linktr.ee.com/josephholmes Kevin Olusola: kevinolusola.com Donovan Dee Donnell: donovandeedonnell.com Book Designed to Succeed: A Faith-Driven Blueprint to Building the Life You Were Created to Live: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310370124/?bestFormat=true&k=designed%20to%20succeed%20kevin%20olusola&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k1_1_13_de&crid=25MYANYDQMPZ9&sprefix=kevin%20olusola

See All (317)

4.9
out of 5
142 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
    317
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Overthinkers

You Might Also Like