What is the Purpose of Education? (with Annie Crawford)

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

As more and more people are questioning the usefulness of higher education, it's worthwhile to ask: what is the purpose of education in the first place? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarkson discuss with educator and cultural apologist Annie Crawford. References and resources: What students want from college: https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/higher-ed-gamma/true-purpose-college-education Why young people are abandoning college: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/why-more-americans-are-skipping-college Historical development of modern education: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-understanding-the-historical-purposes-of-modern-schooling-matters-today/ CS Lewis on education: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/52604-education-without-values-as-useful-as-it-is-seems-rather Martin Luther King Jr. on education: https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/purpose-education Blesses Educating the Wholehearted Child (Book) Community (TV Show) Rope (Movie) Beauty for Truth's Sake (Book) Beauty in the Word (Book) Curses Dead Poets Society (Movie) Mona Lisa Smile (Movie) AI/Chat GPT (Technology) Websites: Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com Annie Crawford: anniecrawford.net

Our culture, and our entire political system, is based on the idea that discussion and debate can change hearts and minds. But is that a lie? Nathan Clarkson and Joseph Holmes discuss. References and resources   Exposure to alternative viewpoints causes us to dig in our heels: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2018/04/actually-social-media-isn-t-an-echo-chamber/   Cognitive bias: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-baby-scientist/202406/changing-hearts-and-minds   Our mental map: https://www.turing.ac.uk/blog/facts-dont-change-minds-and-theres-data-prove-it   Persuade people through relationships: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/18/change-mind-evidence-arguing-social-relationships Persuade people through better forms of debate: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/201811/proven-ways-change-someone-s-mind   https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-can-you-change-someone-s-mind-spoiler-facts-don-t-work-so-well-hugo-mercier Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Joseph Holmes: josephholmesstudios.com

Transhumanism is a growing topic of conversation and concern in the culture. But what exactly is it? And why is it so controversial? Joseph Holmes and Nathan Clarson discuss. References and resources Transhumanism Defintion: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/transhumanism   Transhumanism History: https://www.britannica.com/topic/transhumanism   Douthot/Tiel Convo: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/opinion/peter-thiel-antichrist-ross-douthat.html Bless Deus Ex (video game) Abolition of Man (Book) That Hideous Strength (Book)   Bless/curse    Fallout 4 (video game)   Curse   Mickey 17 Midnight Mass Websites The Overthinkers: theoverthinkersjournal.world Nathan Clarkson: nathanclarkson.me Josephholmesstudios.com

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

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)