Is Religion in Decline? (With Ryan Burge)

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

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 (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

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 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)  

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/

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/

What is beauty? Does it matter? If so, why? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with bestselling author and podcaster Andew Klavan.  Further reading Beauty definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beauty Philosophers on beauty: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/beauty/   Modern people on beauty: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/07/opinion/andre-aciman-why-is-beauty-important.html https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/03/well/live/awe-wonder-dacher-keltner.html Blesses Christ at the Column (Painting) Fahrenheit 451 (Book) Ecclesiastes (Book in The Bible) Mount Lincoln (Nature) Come Sweet Death (Music) Conclave (Movie) Keelia Clarkson (Nathan’s wife) Wildcat (Movie) Ode on a Greecian Urn (Poem) Ode to the West Wind (Poem)   Curses Black Painints by Goya (Paintings) Dead Poets Society (Movie) Anything that is untrue  Websites Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josepholmesstudios.com Andrew Klavan: andrewklavan.com

What is shame? And how do we overcome it? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with celebrated author Aimee Byrd her book "Saving Face" about her own journey of shame and healing. Further reading: Shame definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shame   Shame vs guilt: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/shame#:~:text=Shame%20can%20breed%20feelings%20of,can%20erode%20trust%20over%20time.   Is shame bad? https://brenebrown.com/articles/2013/01/15/shame-v-guilt/   Is shame good? https://www.vox.com/first-person/2019/4/18/18308346/shame-toxic-productive   Overcoming shame: https://www.gottman.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-shame/#:~:text=Instead%20of%20%E2%80%9Cbeing%20shame%2C%E2%80%9D,vulnerable%20stories%20in%20safe%20environments. Blesses   The Soul of Shame (Book) Godzilla Minus One (Movie) The Mule (Movie) Adolescence (TV Show) TIll We Have Faces (Book) Curses White Lotus Season 3 (TV Show) All Fours (Book) Cabrini (Movie) Yellowstone (TV Show) Websites: The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josepholmesstudios.com Aimee Byrd: https://aimeebyrd.com/

Is religion in decline or are we headed for a revival? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with America's leading political scientist Ryan Burge. Further resources Karl Marx thought religion would disappear: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/jun/29/marx-religion-philosophy-opium Durkheim thought religion would decline/disappear: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0037768614560959?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.15#:~:text=While%20Durkheim%20held%2C%20as%20did,Pickering%2C%201984:%20445). Declining religion around the world:  https://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSNewsShow.jsp?ID=433#:~:text=From%202007%20to%202020%2C%20an,place%20among%20the%20American%20public. https://www.axios.com/2023/10/06/organized-religion-decline-agnostic-atheist-nonreligious Religious populations having the most kids:https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/12/21/key-findings-from-the-global-religious-futures-project/ Religious in America have the most kids: https://ifstudies.org/blog/americas-growing-religious-secular-fertility-divide Rise of “Nones” appears to have halted: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/us/christianity-us-religious-study-pew.html Blesses The Pitt (TV Show) Small ChurchesThe American Religious Landscape (Book)Hacksaw Ridge (Movie) Curses The White Lotus (TV Show)The Righteous Gemstones (TV Show)God’s Not Dead (Movie)The Front Room (Movie) Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.worldNathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.meJoseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.comRyan Burge: graphsaboutreligion.com