Why Does Beauty Matter? (With Andrew Klavan)

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)

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/

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/