The Overthinkers

Support for the death penalty is going down in America. But is this a sign of moral progress or moral decay? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes debate this question with political theologian and ethicist Dr. J. Daryl Charles.  References and resources American support  for the death penality going down: https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/facts-and-research/religious-statements/opinion-polls-death-penalty-support-and-religion? ...

Why do we have such a love for cozy comfort stories--whether they're books, movies, TV, or video games? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes welcome back Keelia Clarkson to discuss this along with her new book: "Chapter One Again: A Novel", the first of the Avila Falls series.  References and resources

Searches for “cozy” and “comfort”: https://thecozyowlet.com/the-rise-of-cozy-reading-mystery-fantasy-a...

Why do we have so much division today? How do we rebuild relationships across the divide? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson talk with Christian author and apologist Justin Brierly about his new show "Uncommon Ground", where he tries to do just that.  References and resources Increased US hatred for opposing political parties: https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/08/09/as-partisan-hostility-grows-signs-of-frustration-wit...

Are we shaped more by nature or nurture? Is biology or culture stronger in determining our choices? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss this topic, with Evolutionary psychologist Dr. Steve Stewart-Williams joining for the discussion, on this latest episode.

References and resources:

Defining nature vs nurture: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/nature-vs-nurture

Plato’s “inatism”: https://www.ebsco....

Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss the nature of "aesthetics"--appreciation for beauty and art--and why so many of us don't have the relationship with it we should. References and resources Aesthetics definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aesthetics Aesthetics history and thought: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136466132100067X Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world ...

Christians talk a lot about grace. But how does one define grace? And in an age where morality seems to be on the decline, how does one balance grace and faithfulness to what's right? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with author of "The Big Relief" and founder of Mockinbird Ministries, David Zahl.  References and resources: Grace definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grace

Protestant Grace definiti...

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".  Websites The Overthinkers: t...

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 the problems: https://www.psycholog...

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: https://ca.thegospelcoalition.or...

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/REPORT-Americans-Think-Human-T...

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 - Summa Theologica: https://www.ewtn.c...

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 politics definition: https:/...

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/20151215-did-tolkien-write-ju...

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 leadership (Piper Keller): https:/...

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: https://cbn.com/news/entertainment...

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 but not religious: https://...

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 who stay in vs leave their chil...

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-ha...