How Do We Know What We Know? (With Dr. Zak Schmoll)

Vampires have been a part of our mythology and pop culture for centuries. But why do they remain so popular? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss. References and resources: History of Vampires https://www.history.com/articles/vampire-history Blesses Twilight (Movie) Let the Right One In (Movie) Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (Movie) Curses Vampire Diaries (TV Show) Bram Stoker's Dracula (Movie) Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournanl.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Do monsters, cryptids, and urban legends like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster exist? If so, how would we know for certain? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with hosts of the Campfire Files podcast: Colin Blackburn and Kara Russo.   References and resources History of Bigfoot: https://www.history.com/articles/bigfoot-legend-newspaper Belief in Bigfoot, aliens, and loch ness monster on rise: https://civicscience.com/u-s-belief-in-sasquatch-has-risen-since-2020/ Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkers.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Campfire Files: https://campfirefiles.podbean.com/

Everyone's talking about AI nowadays. Should we be scared of it? If so, what exactly should we be scared of? We bring on culture and social critic Boze Herrington to discuss.  References and resources   Plato’s Argument against writing: https://fs.blog/an-old-argument-against-writing/ Definition of AI: https://www.nasa.gov/what-is-artificial-intelligence/ AI is making us dumber   https://www.forbes.com/sites/dimitarmixmihov/2025/02/11/ai-is-making-you-dumber-microsoft-researchers-say/ https://time.com/7295195/ai-chatgpt-google-learning-school/ Blesses The Lord of the Rings (book) WALL-E (film) Meagan (film) Children of Men (film) Curses Companion (Movie) The Creator (Movie) Five Nights at Freddy's (Movie) Addictive Children's Video Games/Roblox (games)   Websites Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Boze Herrington: @SketchesbyBoze (Twitter/X)  

It seems like today we're more afraid than ever. So how do we handle these fears? And how do we help our children handle fears? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with legendary singer and filmmaker Steven Taylor--who's new scary family film "Sketch" has brought such questions into the spotlight. References and resources Why fear is so powerful: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/tech-happy-life/202008/why-it-feels-the-end-the-world-even-when-its-not   How to overcome fear: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/unpacking-anxiety/202312/facing-your-fears   Why anxiety is rising: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/mental-health-liberal-girls   “Sketch” controversy: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2025/8/28/on-religion-angel-studios-sparks-debate-with-scary-faith-film Joseph Holmes’ review of “The Anxious Generation https://lawliberty.org/book-review/what-the-smartphone-hath-wrought/ Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Most people feel like there's something wrong with our modern world. But what exactly is it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with writer and thinker Paul Kingsnorth, unpacking his new book "Against the Machine". References and resources: How cell phones made life worse: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/ Dropping confidence in US instititons:  https://news.gallup.com/poll/647303/confidence-institutions-mostly-flat-police.aspx Blesses Time Out of Joint (Book) You are a Tree (Book) Weapons (Movie) The Master and his Emissary (Book) Wounded By Love (Book)   Curses Idiocracy (Movie) Eddington (Movie) AI (Technology)  Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Paul Kingsnorth: paulkingsnorth.net

What does it mean to be disenchanted? And why are so many people talking about the need to re-enchant the world? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss with special returning guest, author, editor, and culture writer Dr. Joy Clarkson. References and resources: Definition of disenchantment: https://www.britannica.com/topic/disenchantment-sociology Against Re-Enchantment, By Joy Clarkson: https://www.plough.com/en/topics/faith/supernatural/against-reenchantment Blesses The Truman Show (Movie) Hallowe'en Party (Book) That Hideous Strength (Book) Piranesi (Book) Curses The Fourth Kind (Movie) Death of a Unicorn (Movie) The Sandman (TV Show) La La Land (Movie)   Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

How can we know anything for certain? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson welcome back author and academic Dr. Zak Schmoll to discuss the ever-pesky problem of epistemology.  References and resources: https://www.britannica.com/topic/epistemology Blesses Foe (Book) Biblical Knowing (Book) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Movie) Interstellar (Movie) The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Book) Curses Foe (Movie) Zodiac (Curse) Life of Pi (Curse) The Multiverse (Trope) Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Zak Schmoll: https://www.zacharydschmoll.com/

Is social media making us dumber? Is it making us worse? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes give social media a grade and give advice on how to be smarter about your use of your online socials. References and resources: Social media is making us dumber:   https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/   https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/11/opinion/social-media-dumber-steven-pinker.html   https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2025/01/nicholas-carr-is-the-internet-making-us-stupid/681517/   Social media is (probably) not making us dumber:   https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/unique-everybody-else/201904/social-media-probably-isn-t-making-you-stupid Blesses New York Times Games (App) Chess (App) The Social Network (Movie) Catfish (Documentary) The Anxious Generation (Book) Curses The Circle (Movie) The Social Dilemma (Documentary) Social Media Bots Social Media Friends Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Homelessness is something everyone agrees is a problem. Yet, no one seems to know how to solve it. Scholar, speaker, community activist and author of From Dropout to Doctorate Dr. Terrence Lester joins Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes to share his life story and data-driven solutions on how to make a difference in the lives of those experiencing this devastating life situation. References and resources Homelessness definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeless Homelessness stats: https://www.britannica.com/topic/homelessness   Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Terrence Lester: https://terencelester.com/

Is the church not supportive enough of the arts? What would such support look like? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes talk to Brian Brown of the Anselm Society and Imagination Redeemed Podcast on this latest episode. References and resources   Art definition: https://www.britannica.com/art/visual-arts   Banning theatrical portrayals of religion: https://lithub.com/why-was-shakespeare-wary-of-writing-about-religion/   Why the church should support the arts: https://thecollision.org/its-time-for-the-church-to-unleash-its-artists%EF%BF%BC/   Why the church should be balanced on the support of the arts: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/the-church-and-the-arts-some-common-ground-and-some-common-sense/   Blesses   Sistine Chapel (Art) The Anselm Society (Organization) The Hephzibah House (Organization) Greenhouse (Organization) Hollywood Prayer Network (Organization) The Agony and the Ecstasy (Movie) Handel’s Messiah (Music) People Creating New Art in Dialogue with the Old Stuff (Artists at Spotify Playlist: anselmsociety.org/theoverthinkers)   Curses The Hayes Code (Hollywood Code) Babylon (Movie) CCM Industrial Complex (Music Industry)   Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephhomlmesstudios.com Brian Brown: anselmsociety.org/overthinkers