The Overthinkers

Latest Episodes:

What is Rest? Jul 20, 2025

Show notes

Summer is a time of rest. But what is rest and how do we rest well? When is too much rest and when is not enough?
References and resources:

The trend toward valuing rest more:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/01/05/brain-rest-breaks-vacation-benefits/

Benefits of rest:

https://hbr.org/2023/08/why-we-glorify-overwork-and-refuse-to-rest

https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2021/01/15/the-benefits-of-resting-and-how-to-unplug-in-a-busy-world/

https://time.com/6969761/how-to-rest-more-effectively/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-awesome-career/202306/the-critical-need-for-intentional-rest

You're not working hard enough: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDNAE73vEyX/?hl=en&__coig_challenged=1
Websites
Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.com
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Is Authenticity Overrated? Jul 13, 2025

Show notes

Millennials and Gen Z love authenticity. But is authenticity all it's cracked up to be? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson investigate and give their takes.

References and resources:
Definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authentic

Definition and history: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/authenticity/

Present debates about authenticity: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/authenticity

Is authenticity overrated? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/return-stillness/201909/is-authenticity-overrated
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbooksauthors/2022/11/22/authenticity-is-overrated-building-a-more-effective-leadership-style/

When do people feel most authentic? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656618302964

Blesses
We Are Not as Strong as We Think We Are (Song)
Ragamuffin (Movie)
The Life of Chuck (Movie)
Curses
Materialists (Movie)
How to Be Single (Movie)

Why Do We Love Superheroes? (With Sean Gaffney) Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Why are superheroes seemingly always so popular? And is that a good thing? We discuss with screenwriter, professor, and author Sean Gaffney.

References and resources
List of billion dollar superhero movies: https://deadline.com/gallery/highest-grossing-movies-all-time/mcdjuwo-uv042/
Superhero dominance of the 2010s: https://www.statsignificant.com/p/the-rise-and-fall-of-superhero-movies

Superheroes aren’t cinema: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/opinion/martin-scorsese-marvel.html

My reply to Scorsese: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/16/opinion/letters/martin-scorsese-movies.html

Superheroes as modern gods: https://www.wired.com/2011/07/grant-morrison-supergods/

Superheroes as Chivalric Romance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPH9K0x5fY4&ab_channel=PilgrimsPass

Superheroes as worship: https://anunexpectedjournal.com/superhero-movies-are-worship-not-theme-parks/

Websites
The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
Sean Gaffney: https://gaffneyinkwell.com/

How Do We Build Community? (With Gov. John Kasich) Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Why is it so hard to build community today and how do we do it anyway? We discuss with author and former governor John Kasich on our latest episode.

Resources and further reading

Rise in loneliness: https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/americans-no-friends/

Health costs of loneliness: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/loneliness-poses-health-risks-as-deadly-as-smoking-u-s-surgeon-general-says#:~:text=How%20do%20we%20design%20technology,15%20cigarettes%20daily%2C%20not%2012.

Interview with Ryan Burge: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/is-religion-in-decline-with-ryan-burge/id1510271421?i=1000705236657

Interview with Brad Wilcox: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/are-married-people-happier-with-dr-brad-wilcox/id1510271421?i=1000644150680

AI friends as a solution: https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/meta-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-wants-you-to-make-ai-friends/491349#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,the%20idea%20of%20AI%20friends.

Websites
The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

What is the Secret to Happiness? Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

Everyone wants to be happy. But for so many, it seems so out of reach. What's the secret? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss on our latest episode.
References and resources

Definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happiness

Less than half of Americans are happy: https://news.gallup.com/poll/610133/less-half-americans-satisfied-own-lives.aspx

Philosophers on happiness: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2016/06/13-great-philosophers-on-the-secret-of-happiness/

Scientists on happiness: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/magazine/happiness-research-studies-relationships.html

Americans say career over committed relationship: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/02/14/more-than-half-of-americans-say-marriage-is-important-but-not-essential-to-leading-a-fulfilling-life/

Americans spending less time with friends: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/02/america-decline-hanging-out/677451/

Mental state or well-being: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/happiness/#MeaHap

Macronutrients of happiness: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/20/arthur-c-brooks-the-3-macronutrients-of-happiness.html

Global Flourishing Study: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/05/global-flourishing-study-good-life/
Websites
The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

How Do You Deal with FOMO? Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

How do you deal with FOMO (the fear of missing out)? Why is this such a modern phenomenon, and what steps can you take to overcome it? Nathan and Joseph discuss their experiences on the latest episode.
References and resources: FOMO definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/FOMO History and review of literature: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8283615/ Understanding of FOMO and advice for dealing with it: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/understanding-fomo Understanding JOMO: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/what-happened-to-fomo Websites
The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Do We Need Experts? Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

Today lots of people are turning against experts. But is this wise? What are the problems with relying on experts and what are the problems with rejecting them? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss.

References and resources

Expert definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expert

Trust in science has gone down: https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2023/11/14/americans-trust-in-scientists-positive-views-of-science-continue-to-decline/#:~:text=As%20trust%20in%20scientists%20has,in%20ratings%20of%20scientists%20generally.

Why Americans don’t trust experts: https://www.vox.com/vox-conversations-podcast/23030205/vox-conversations-michael-lewis-against-the-rules-experts

Reasons not to trust the experts: https://medium.com/@theo.seeds/5-reasons-why-trusting-the-experts-is-dumb-b2faaed734f2
Blesses
The Actor's Handbook (Book)
Moneyball (Movie)
Curses
Jordan Peterson's Biblical Series (TV Series)
Sully (Movie)
Websites
The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

What is Victim Mentality? Jun 01, 2025

Show notes

What is a victim mentality? How do you know you have it and how do you overcome it? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss.
References and resources

Victim mentality definition:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/victim%20mentality

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-a-victim-mentality

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/putting-psyche-back-into-psychotherapy/202401/the-agony-and-ecstasy-of-victimhood

Why victim mentality is growing
https://www.afterbabel.com/p/mental-health-liberal-girls

Why victim mindset is a myth

https://medium.com/@mirawriter/why-victim-mindset-is-a-myth-655abf07f3aa

Victimhood defines our politics

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065260124000169

Blesses

Thunderbolts (Movie)

Drop (Movie)

Curses

Self-diagnosis (Phenomenon)

Shadow of God (Movie)

How Do You Overcome Impostor Syndrome? (With Mary Marantz) May 25, 2025

Show notes

Everyone who has ambitious goals has probably at some point dealt with impostor syndrome. So what is it? And how do we overcome it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with best-selling author, podcast host, and sought-after business coach Mary Marantz.
Further Reading

Imposter Syndrome definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impostor%20syndrome

Imposter Syndrome history: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/neuroscience-in-everyday-life/202308/the-history-of-imposter-syndrome
Blesses
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Movie)
16 Personalities (Website)
Dear Evan Hansen (Broadway)
How to Train Your Dragon (Animated Movie)
Shrinking (TV Show)
Curses
Neon Demon (Movie)
Hitman (Movie)
1923 (TV Show)
Websites
The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
Mary Marantz: https://marymarantz.com/

How Do You Overcome Addiction? (With Ian Morgan Cron) May 19, 2025

Show notes

Most people have either struggled with an addiction or know someone who has. So how does one overcome addiction? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson invite bestselling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, and Episcopal priest Ian Morgan Cron to bring insight and empathy to this important topic.
Further reading

Addiction definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addiction

National Institute on Drug Abuse data: https://nida.nih.gov/about-nida/legislative-activities/budget-information/fiscal-year-2024-budget-information-congressional-justification-national-institute-drug-abuse/ic-fact-sheet-2024

https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/12/reported-drug-use-among-adolescents-continued-to-hold-below-pre-pandemic-levels-in-2023
Blesses
The Ragamuffin Gospel (Book)
The Fighter (Movie)
Unapologetic (Book)
Curse
Requiem For a Dream (Movie)

Doctor Sleep (Movie)
Succession (TV Show)
Websites
The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world
Nathan Clarksson: nathanclarkson.me
Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com
Ian Cron: https://ianmorgancron.com/

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